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Ugandan Ghetto Kids make history with Britain’s ‘Got Talent’ debut

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“Uganda Ghetto Kids”, a group of young dancers made up of children who live in slums in Uganda, have made history with their debut on the “Britain’s Got Talent 2023” show, leaving an indelible impression on the judges and audience alike.

Their electrifying performance on their debut on Saturday, secured the group the Golden Buzzer in the middle of their performance as against the practice of pressing it at the end of a performance, a clear indication that the judges were really impressed.

The judges, Bruno Tonioli, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and Simon Cowell, could not get enough of the kids which led to Tonioli, an Italian choreographer, ballroom and Latin dancer, and Television personality, hitting the Golden Buzzer to give the Ghetto Kids a standing ovation at their very first audition at the competition.

“I was literally exploding. I am telling you, you should be proud of yourself. I can’t wait to see you back,” Tonioli told the “Ghetto Kids”.

Cowell revealed to the audience that the Golden Buzzer, which sends the act straight through to the competition’s live semi-final, had never been pressed during a routine but described the moment as “magical”.

“I think it’s incredible. You’re so young, you’ve flown all the way, no fear, this is an audition we’re going to remember and it was brilliant,” he said.

The winners of the competition will not only win the handsome prize of £250,000, they will also have the opportunity to perform at the Royal Variety Performance in front of the royal family later this year.

Formerly called :Triplets Ghetto Kids”, the “Ugandan Ghetto Kids” was founded in 2014 by Daouda Kavuma, after he gathered talented children from the Katwe slums in Kampala together and set up a dance group.

The group have appeared on major platforms across the world including featuring in French Montana’s “Unforgettable” video and performing at a World Cup 2022 event in Qatar.

They came into limelight in a video dancing to Eddy Kenzo’s “Sitya Loss” music which went viral, accumulating over eight million views on Youtube and other social networks.

Culture

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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