Author: kajarbi54

By Elvis Andoh A senior Ghanaian opposition lawmaker has decried the growing economic pressures confronting ordinary citizens, as the country faces persistent unemployment and rising living costs. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Member of Parliament for Ofoase/Ayirebi in the Eastern Region and a leading figure in the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), urged Parliament to urgently address these issues and move beyond partisan confrontation. The lawmaker made the call on Tuesday following the resumption of the second session of the Ninth Parliament. In a statement, he cautioned that the legislature risks becoming “irrelevant” if it prioritises political theatre over substantive oversight and policy…

Libya has approved new oil exploration and production licences for several foreign firms for the first time in 17 years, marking a significant step after more than a decade of political instability. The National Oil Corporation (NOC) on Wednesday announced the winners of its first licensing round since 2007, allocating key acreage across onshore and offshore blocks. Among the companies granted licences were Nigeria’s Aiteo, Africa’s largest privately owned energy company, and U.S. oil major Chevron. Other successful bidders included several consortia: Spain’s Repsol with BP, Eni North Africa with QatarEnergy, and a separate consortium comprising Repsol, Hungary’s MOL Group…

By Safiya Mohammed Bello The Nigerian military has intensified offensive operations against insurgents in Borno State, North-East Nigeria, killing 16 terrorists, rescuing kidnapped victims, and foiling attacks on military positions. In a statement on Wednesday, Lt. Col. Sani Uba said troops under Operation HADIN KAI, supported by the Civilian Joint Task Force, neutralised terrorists at the Gidan Kaji axis along the Maiduguri–Damboa Road during a counter-offensive. According to the military, troops also repelled a midnight ISWAP assault on a military base in Auno, arrested suspected logistics suppliers, and foiled a kidnapping attempt along the Buratai–Biu Road. Military authorities said the…

A Kenyan court has charged Paul Mackenzie, a self-proclaimed preacher, and seven others linked to a cult in connection with the additional deaths of 52 people. In a statement on X on Wednesday, the public prosecutor announced that the preacher and the other defendants had been charged with “organized criminal activity, two counts of radicalization, and two counts of facilitating the commission of a terrorist act” in relation to the “deaths of at least 52 people in the Kwa Binzaro area of Chakama, Kilifi County.” The prosecutor’s office said the accused allegedly promoted an extreme belief system by preaching against…

By Bakary Touray Jr. President Adama Barrow has exercised his prerogative of mercy by granting a presidential pardon to 56 male inmates of the Mile 2 Central Prison, the Gambia Prison Service said. In a statement, prison authorities said the pardon was granted under Section 82 of the 1997 Constitution, which empowers the president to exercise clemency. The statement described the gesture as a reflection of President Barrow’s continued commitment to justice, rehabilitation and reintegration. The move offers the pardoned inmates a second chance to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to society. Responding to the development, the Director General…

By Bakary Touray Jr. The Gambian government has advanced its Regional West Africa Resilient Rice Value Chain Development Program (REWARD), aimed at enhancing local rice production and processing competitiveness, by procuring and preparing 3,002 hectares for cultivation. During the preliminary design phase for land development and road construction, Director of Agriculture Musa Humma emphasized that REWARD focuses exclusively on rice. “When the country achieves self-sufficiency in rice, other agricultural goals will follow. Its sole commodity is rice along the value chain,” he said. The program plans to construct 21 km of access and feeder roads to support climate-resilient farming, strengthen…

The Democratic Republic of Congo has denied claims that it “sold off” its vast mineral wealth to the United States under a peace agreement granting Washington access to its reserves. Speaking on the sidelines of the African Mining Indaba conference in Cape Town, Mining Minister Louis Watum rejected suggestions that Kinshasa had ceded ground in negotiations with Washington. “The DRC has not sold off anything at all. The DRC has not sold anything at all,” Watum said. He explained that the agreement provides a framework for discussions with U.S. companies on potential investment projects. “Some may invest and others may…

Ghanaian authorities have declared February 11 as ‘Fugu Day’ to celebrate the country’s traditional royal attire after it was mocked during President John Mahama’s visit to Zambia last week. The government announced that the fugu, also known as batakari, will be recognized as the official national dress every Wednesday, for an indefinite period, as part of a broader effort to promote Ghanaian culture and heritage. The decision follows online criticism and social media commentary ridiculing President Mahama’s attire, with some Zambians unfamiliar with the garment describing it as “a woman’s blouse” or “a ballerina dress.” Ghanaian citizens and cultural advocates…

President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has offered U.S. companies access to eastern Congo’s vast mineral reserves – mostly untapped and valued at an estimated $24 trillion. The proposal followed a meeting between President Tshisekedi, U.S. President Donald Trump, and U.S. lawmakers, during which several agreements were reportedly reached. In exchange, the United States has agreed to assist Congo in combating rebels and developing critical infrastructure in the region, where M23 rebels captured major towns last year. The move comes as the Trump administration seeks to establish a minerals trading bloc with allied countries, partly to…

Safiya Mohammed Bello Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters, (DHQ) has announced the deployment of a Joint Special Task Force, code-named Operation Savannah Shield, to flush out terrorists operating in Kwara and parts of Niger State in North-Central Nigeria. The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, disclosed this on Tuesday during the 2026 budget defence session organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Defence. He revealed that special forces have also been deployed to Benue and Plateau states in the North-Central region. While noting the progress made by the Armed Forces in degrading insurgent and bandit groups across the country,…