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Famous Congolese singer, Tshala Muana, dies at 64

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One of the most famous singer and dancer in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tshala Muana, has died at the age of 64, her producer and companion, Claude Mashala, said on Saturday.

“In the early hours of this morning the good Lord has made the decision to call back Tshala Muana,” Mashala posted on Facebook.

Muana, was also considered the “Queen of Mutuashi”, a traditional music and dance from her native Kasai region, and was famous for several popular songs including “Karibu Yangu”, “Malu” and “Tshianza”, all becoming local anthems in the country, according to her profile on Wikipedia

Muana had toured widely overseas, won several awards on the national, continental and global scene and had recorded over 20 albums, with her Her music appearing in the soundtrack of the popular 1987 Congolese musical film La Vie est Belle and Aya of Yop City, her citation reads.

Muana, whose real name was Élisabeth Tshala Muana Muidikay, was also affectionately called “Mamu National”, which means the nation’s mother, for her vocal defence of the rights of women and children in the Congolese parliament.

A known and avowed supporter of DR Congo’s ex-president Joseph Kabila and his party, the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), Muana got into trouble in 2020 when she was arrested by President Félix Tshisekedi’s government for recording a song “Ingratitude” which the government believed was be critical of the political class and leaders.

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

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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.

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Ghana’s Supreme Court dismisses suit challenging anti-LGBT bill

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Ghana’s Supreme Court has dismissed two separate suits challenging the legality of one of the proposed anti-LGBT legislations awaiting assent into law by the president.

The separate suits were filed by two legal practitioners, Amanda Odoi and Richard Sky, challenging the bill, seeking to declare it illegal and prevent the president from signing it.

The two cases had challenged the constitutionality of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.

But in a ruling on Wednesday, the Supreme Court unanimously decided to dismiss the legal challenges to the new anti-LGBT legislation that has been criticised by rights groups.

The controversial bill was passed earlier this year by Ghanaian lawmakers with three years imprisonment for people identifying as LGBT and five years for forming or funding LGBT groups.

While dismissing the cases, presiding judge, Justice Avril Lovelace-Johnson, who delivered the ruling on behalf of the seven-member panel, said the cases were premature.

“Until there’s presidential assent, there is no act, the two cases were “unanimously dismissed,” she said.

The ruling is the latest blow to the LGBTQ community in Ghana and paves the way for the president to sign into law what many say is one of Africa’s most restrictive piece of anti-LGBTQ legislation.

President Nana Akufo-Addo, whose term in office ends on 7 January, had delayed signing it pending the outcome of the Supreme Court challenge but the judges said the case could not be reviewed until it had been signed it into law.

It expected that incoming president, John Mahama, will sign the bill into law as he had always expressed his support for the bill during his electioneering campaigns.

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