Culture

Ghanaian stages one-man protest in support of LGBTQ+ rights

Published

3 months ago

September 14, 2024

A Ghanaian activist, Texas Kadri Moro, has embarked on a one-man protest across Accra, the country’s capital, in support of gay rights and the LGBTQ community.

Moro, who is the Executive Director of Arise for Justice International, carried out his protests with placards nailed on a cross on the streets of Accra, on Thursday, and rounded up on Saturday.

The activist who spoke with journalists at the end of the march, said he is heterosexual, married to a woman and a father of six. He stated that he is a teacher and a practising Muslim.

“Justice begins where inequality ends or judging others on their sins is simply an act of arrogance and pride,” he said, echoing some of the messages on his large placard.

“To say that they are sinners and they should go to prison when you yourself, you are also a sinner? Is it because they are a minority?”

Speaking on Ghana’s anti-gay bill which was passed by parliament early this year, Moro said:

“There are so many issues about rights when it comes to the bill. Homosexuality does not affect anyone. We have activities that people are doing in the country that are worse than homosexual activities, like adultery. The parliament, he said, should be more concerned with other crimes and pollution.”

Moro said since he began his protests, he has lost his job, has not received any assistance from the LGBTQ+ community, and has become a target of very hostile attacks from the Muslim community. But he declares that he is not deterred neither will he back down.

Moro also marched in Accra in April and in Cape Coast in July, wearing pink which he says is a symbol of love.

Click to comment

Culture

Moroccan doctors stage nationwide protest in ‘Week of Anger’

Published

8 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Moroccan doctors across the country on Tuesday staged a nationwide protests in what is known as “Week of Anger,” accusing the government of ignoring their calls for reform in public healthcare.

In a public announcement on Monday, the Independent Union of Public Sector Doctors (SIMSP) said the strike action would include more walkouts from December 30 to January 5.

The SIMSP said the nationwide strike would affect all public health facilities except emergency and intensive care units to ensure that some level of care remained available.

“During this time, doctors will not be at diagnostic centres and they will also boycott administrative tasks and refuse to issue medical certificates,” the SIMSP said.

The union added that a large march is planned for December 29 in Rabat, aimed at opposing laws on strikes and pensions.

The doctors’ union noted that their demands have been ignored by the Ministry of Health.

The union stated that their requests to government has remained unanswered. It also criticized a new framework for doctors, calling it scandalous as it threatens job security and opens the door to unfair dismissals.

The doctors’ demands include extra grades for doctors beyond the current scale, higher salaries, and an end to limits on promotions.

The union also wants the government to honour agreements made in 2011, 2023, and 2024.

According to the union, the doctors are also upset with the 2025 budget plan, which they say fails to address the health sector’s funding issues, expressing concerned about plans to shift salaries from central budgets to local health groups and warning that this could lead to instability.

The union added that doctors will continue to boycott school health programmes and what they call “improvised” surgical campaigns. They insist on maintaining high medical standards while pushing for change.

Culture

Ghana’s Afua Asantewaa begins second GWR sing-a-thon attempt

Published

3 days ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghanaian singer, Afua Asantewaa, on Saturday, began her second attempt at breaking the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the longest singing marathon by an individual.

The sing-a-thon which began in the early hours of Saturday, December 21, at Heroes’ Park, Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, will run until December 25, and will see the determined songstress perform non-stop, focusing exclusively on Ghanaian songs.

According to Asantewaa’s manager, Madam Gladys Osei Owiredu, the audacious initiative is aimed at showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Ghanaian music to a global audience.

Owiredu confirmed that preparations for the event had been extensive but expressed confidence in Asantewaa’s readiness to finally break the record.

“I can confirm that she is ready for the task ahead. It’s been challenging—by way of preparations—but I can say she is ready,” Owiredu said.

Asantewaa’s second attempt follows her first effort in December 2023, which fell short of surpassing the current record of 105 hours held by India’s Sunil Waghmare.

But despite the setback, her team remains optimistic about breaking the record this time with corporate sponsors including International Maritime Hospital, Ghana Gas, Nasco Electronics, and Zoomlion Ghana Limited rallying behind her, underscoring the importance of the attempt in amplifying the global significance of Ghanaian music.