Ghana News
“Kuriya, Kuriya From Temu”: Nigerians Seen Copying Ghana’s Viral Shea Butter Trend
A new video from a Lagos-based spa has ignited a fierce cultural debate across West African social media, with Ghanaians sharply accusing their Nigerian neighbours of appropriating the now-iconic “Kuriya Kuriya” shea butter massage experience.
The controversy, which erupted on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, centers on a promotional video from Glee Spa in Lagos.
In the footage, four Nigerian women dressed in traditional cloth—which many observers identified as Ghanaian Kente—are seen extolling the benefits of shea butter, introducing the product in various Nigerian languages, and administering massages using calabashes filled with the golden butter.
For countless Ghanaians online, the visual echoes of Hamamat Montia’s Shea Butter Museum were impossible to ignore.
The Original: How a Museum Became a Phenomenon
The Shea Butter Museum, owned by former beauty queen and entrepreneur Hamamat Montia, became an international sensation in January 2026.
The catalyst was a visit from American livestreamer iShowSpeed, whose enthusiastic reception of the “Kuriya Kuriya” massage—a rhythmic, full-body treatment using shea butter—sent the video viral.
The impact was seismic. The museum was suddenly fully booked for the first half of the year. International celebrities, including Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Davido and Jamaican dancehall icon Popcaan, made pilgrimages to experience the treatment for themselves.
Hamamat herself was subsequently recognized by Ghana’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts as an official Ambassador for Shea Butter, cementing the museum’s status as a premier cultural attraction.
“Copycats” or Cultural Evolution?
The emergence of the Glee Spa video has been met with a wave of accusations from Ghanaians who see it as a direct imitation.
“Hamamat really paved the way, now look at the Nigerians too and they’re even wearing kente,” one user, @al_varo777, posted on X (formerly Twitter), capturing the sentiment of many.
Others were less measured in their criticism.
Comments ranged from the sardonic—”Kuriya, Kuriya from Temu”—to the outright dismissive: “Nigerians like copying Ghanaian too much.”
Some warned of a future where the origins of the trend might be forgotten.
“After 5 years, they’ll start insinuating their shea butter massage is the best,” one user predicted. Another added, “Nigerians will see you do something and not support you but rather copy it. They lack creativity but will open their stinking mouths to say others envy them.”
The criticism extended to the aesthetic choices in the video. Several commenters pointed out that the attendants were dressed in what appeared to be Kente cloth, a fabric with deep cultural significance to the Akan people of Ghana.
“This one no be spa oo na brothel,” one user, @space_cowboy_gh, commented, suggesting the Nigerian execution lacked authenticity.
Nigerian Defenders Push Back
Not all reactions were one-sided. Some Nigerian social media users and commenters defended the spa, advancing a counter-argument rooted in shared heritage.
Their core contention is simple: shea butter is not exclusively Ghanaian. The shea tree grows across the West African savanna belt, and its butter has been used for centuries by numerous ethnic groups for skincare, cooking, and medicinal purposes. From this perspective, a Nigerian business using shea butter is not copying Ghana; it is simply utilizing a regional resource.
Furthermore, some defenders argued that the concept of a spa massage using natural ingredients is not proprietary to any single nation. They suggested that the Ghanaian outrage reflects a possessive attitude toward a common cultural and natural asset.
The Politics of Cultural Influence
The debate touches on a sensitive nerve in the long-standing cultural rivalry between Ghana and Nigeria. As West Africa’s two most influential entertainment and cultural powerhouses, the flow of influence between them is often a subject of intense scrutiny.
Ghanaians have long complained that their innovations in music, fashion, and now wellness are sometimes adopted by their larger neighbor without credit. The phrase “original copy cats” appeared repeatedly in the social media discourse.
Yet, as one user, @espioj, offered a more measured perspective: “People only copy success. Nobody copies failure.” This comment suggests that the Nigerian spa’s decision to feature a shea butter massage may simply be a market response to a trend that has demonstrably captured global attention.
A Shared Resource, Distinct Presentations
At the heart of the controversy lies a nuanced question: when does cultural participation become cultural appropriation?
Shea butter itself is undeniably a shared heritage. But the specific presentation—the rhythmic chanting of “Kuriya Kuriya,” the use of calabashes in a choreographed massage, the association with a particular museum and ambassador—is more distinctly Ghanaian, and specifically tied to Hamamat Montia’s brand.
The Glee Spa video does feature elements that echo this specific presentation, particularly the visual of multiple women in traditional cloth working with calabashes. However, the incorporation of Nigerian languages and the framing as a local Lagos business also represent an attempt to indigenize the concept.
Cultural Tourism and Economic Opportunity
Beyond the social media outrage, the controversy underscores a significant economic reality: culture sells. The global attention generated by iShowSpeed’s visit has created a new market for shea butter experiences, and entrepreneurs across the region are naturally seeking to participate.
For Ghana, the challenge will be to capitalize on its first-mover advantage and establish the Shea Butter Museum as the definitive, authentic destination—much as the country has done with its slave castles and festivals. For Nigeria, the opportunity lies in developing its own distinct shea butter experiences that draw on local traditions without appearing imitative.
Toronto, Canada – A Ghanaian pastor and 14 other individuals have been arrested in Vaughan, Ontario, following a major year-long investigation by York Regional Police into an alleged sophisticated fraud scheme that diverted nearly $100,000 from a Canadian program designed to prevent homelessness.
Isaac Oppong, 38, described as the ringleader and a former pastor at Miracle Arena for All Nations from 2018 to 2025, was arrested alongside Richard Owusu, 27, Christiana Oppong, 41, and 12 other non-Ghanaian suspects. The group faces multiple serious charges, including fraud, identity fraud, laundering proceeds of crime, and conspiracy.
The investigation, dubbed Project Great One, was launched after officials detected several suspicious applications to the Homeless Prevention Program (HPP) containing false or misleading information between January and December 2024. Police estimate that approximately $99,600 was fraudulently obtained from the program, which provides emergency housing support to vulnerable people at risk of homelessness. During the probe, officers executed searches on 12 homes and 10 vehicles, uncovering evidence of what they described as a well-organized and sustained operation.
Oppong is alleged to have used his position of trust within the religious community to recruit others into the scheme. The case has sparked concern within both the Ghanaian diaspora and Canadian faith communities, as the funds were intended to support some of society’s most vulnerable individuals. Advocates have warned that such actions erode public trust in social support systems and deprive genuinely needy people of critical assistance.
Police say the investigation remains active, and they have not ruled out the possibility of additional suspects or victims coming to light. They have appealed to the public for any information that could help determine the full scale of the alleged fraud.
London, United Kingdom – A Ghanaian national, Duane Owusu, has been sentenced to a minimum of 16 years and six months in prison for the murder of 27-year-old deaf woman Zahwa Mukhtar, whom he punched and abandoned on a roadside in east London.
Owusu, 36, of Althorne Way in Dagenham, was convicted at the Old Bailey after a trial that revealed a tragic sequence of events on the night of August 15–16, 2025. Mukhtar, who had never met Owusu or his group before, joined them during a night out.
After drinking and taking drugs, tensions escalated inside an overcrowded Mercedes. When the group stopped near a garage in Chadwell Heath Lane, Owusu forcibly removed Mukhtar from the car, threw her phone away, kicked towards her as she lay on the ground, and delivered a forceful blow to her neck. She fell backwards, hitting her head, and suffered a fatal fractured skull and brain injury. She was pronounced dead at the scene at 06:21 BST.
Judge Richard Marks KC described Owusu’s actions as showing complete disregard for Mukhtar’s welfare. He noted that while Owusu may not have immediately realised the severity of her injuries, he “couldn’t have cared less.” The judge also highlighted Owusu’s previous criminal record, including an eight-year sentence in 2010 for acting as a getaway driver in a fatal robbery.
Mukhtar’s brother, Jamaluddin, described her as a “remarkable young woman” who overcame deafness caused by meningitis at age three and never let her disability hold her back. The family expressed deep grief, calling her loss an “immeasurable void.”
The case has drawn attention to issues of violence against women and the vulnerabilities faced by deaf individuals in social situations. Owusu was released on bail pending any appeals.
Ghana News
Berekum Chelsea Robbery Suspects Arrested, Power Supply Disruptions, and Other Big Stories in Ghana Today
We have curated the most relevant stories from Ghana to keep you informed. Today’s news cycle covers the arrest of suspects in the tragic armed robbery incident involving a football team, power supply disruptions due to technical faults, scheduled electricity maintenance, and other key developments in governance, justice, and national affairs.
Police Arrest Two Over Deadly Robbery Attack on Berekum Chelsea Team Bus
Police have arrested two suspects, including the alleged gang leader, in connection with a deadly armed robbery attack on the Berekum Chelsea team bus that resulted in the death of one player. The incident occurred as the team was returning from a Ghana Premier League match against Samartex 1996 at Samreboi. Six armed men blocked the VIP bus carrying about 30 players and officials around 10:30pm, opened fire, and forced the driver off the road. A police intelligence team later engaged the suspects in a shootout, injuring one who is now receiving treatment. The Ghana Police confirmed the arrests and stated that further details will be communicated. The attack has sent shockwaves through the football community.
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OSP Has Grounds to Appeal High Court Decision on Prosecutorial Powers – Prof Appiagyei Atua
Legal expert Prof. Kwadwo Appiagyei Atua has stated that the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has strong grounds to appeal the recent High Court decision that questioned its prosecutorial powers. The High Court had ruled that the OSP lacks independent authority to prosecute cases and directed the Attorney-General to take over all ongoing cases until proper authorisation is granted. Prof. Appiagyei Atua argued that the ruling raises important constitutional questions and that the OSP is well-positioned to challenge it at the Supreme Court level. The development has sparked debate on the independence of anti-corruption institutions in Ghana.
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Major Fault at Ghana Gas Processing Plant Triggers Power Supply Disruptions
A major technical fault at the Ghana Gas Processing Plant, caused by the complete failure of the Burner Management System controller for the Heat Medium System, has led to an emergency shutdown and temporary curtailment of gas supply to thermal power plants. The incident, announced in a joint press release on April 15, 2026, by Ghana Gas and the Ghana Grid Company, has resulted in power supply disruptions in some parts of the country. Engineers are working around the clock to replace the damaged system and carry out a comprehensive technical and safety risk assessment. Operations are expected to resume today, April 16, 2026, pending the outcome of the assessment. The companies have apologised to the public for the inconvenience.
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ECG Announces Planned Maintenance for April 16: See Full List of Affected Areas
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has announced planned maintenance works across four regional districts on Thursday, April 16, 2026, resulting in temporary power outages in several communities within the Central, Accra West, Tema, and Accra East Regions. The maintenance exercises, scheduled between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm or 5:00 pm depending on the location, are part of ongoing efforts to improve service delivery and enhance power supply reliability. Affected areas include Saltpond Zongo, Kurankyekrom, Otsir, Anomabo in Central Region; Dome CFC Estates, Gbawe Bulemin, Gonse, Joma Agbozome in Accra West; Lashibi, Community 19 Annex, Klagon in Tema Region; and parts of Nmaidzor and School Junction in Accra East. ECG has apologised to customers and advised them to make alternative arrangements during the specified hours.
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We Still Don’t Know 2020 Election Result Because ‘Unanimous FC’ Protected Jean Mensa – Tsatsu
Renowned legal practitioner Tsatsu Tsikata has criticised the Supreme Court panel that handled the 2020 presidential election petition, claiming it failed to allow proper questioning of Electoral Commission Chair Jean Mensa. Speaking at an Honourific Lecture and Award ceremony held in his honour by the University of Professional Studies, Accra on April 15, 2026, Tsikata described the panel as a “unanimous FC” for allegedly shielding Mensa. He pointed to inconsistencies in the results announced by Mensa and later corrections by the EC, arguing that the lack of testimony has left Ghanaians without a definitive accounting of the 2020 election outcome.
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Don’t Resign, Relax and Collect Your Pay – Prof Prempeh to Special Prosecutor
Former Education Minister Prof. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO) has advised the Special Prosecutor not to resign but to “relax and collect your pay” amid ongoing legal challenges to the office’s prosecutorial powers. The outspoken MP made the remarks in reaction to the recent High Court ruling that questioned the OSP’s authority. He argued that the Special Prosecutor should remain in office and continue performing his duties while the legal battles play out in the courts.
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Ten Killed in Deadly Crash on Accra-Kumasi Highway
Ten people have been killed in a tragic road accident on the Accra-Kumasi highway. The crash occurred when a vehicle lost control and collided with another, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. Emergency services responded promptly, but the incident has once again highlighted concerns over road safety on one of Ghana’s busiest highways.
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Strong Exports Lift Ghana’s Q4 2025 Trade Surplus to GH¢47.2bn
Ghana recorded a strong trade surplus of GH¢47.2 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025, driven by robust export performance, particularly in key commodities. The positive trade balance reflects improving external sector conditions and stronger global demand for Ghanaian goods. Economists say sustained export growth will be critical for maintaining macroeconomic stability.
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Ghanaian Pastor and 14 Others Arrested in Canada for Alleged Multi-Million Dollar Fraud
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