Africa news roundup
Ghana
Government bans the exportation of grains
In a move to avert a potential food shortage caused by drought-induced crop failures affecting the northern regions of the country, the government has imposed a ban on the export of key grains, including rice, beans, corn, and soy. The Minister of Food and Agriculture Bryan Acheampong announced the decision during a press briefing in Accra on Monday 26 August. The northern regions produce about 62 per cent of Ghana’s grain, and the lack of rain over the past two months has raised concerns about a significant shortfall in grain availability. “With immediate effect, the government is placing a ban on the export of grains including maize, rice, and soya bean until the situation normalizes. This measure is essential to ensure the availability of these critical crops on the domestic market, he stated. Acheampong added that “Any farmer with stock interested in selling should contact our district directors across the country, our district aggregators, or the directorate of crops, Ministry of Agriculture. This is to ensure that farmers do not suffer adversely as a result of this ban”.
To mitigate the effects of the grain shortage, the government plans to raise $500 million, including approximately $155 million from the World Bank and other development partners. The Minister of Finance Mohammed Amin Adam stated that these funds would be used to offer compensation to affected farmers, with payments of 1,000 cedis per hectare. Explaining the rationale behind the ban, Acheampong emphasized the need to ensure the availability of critical crops for the domestic market amid the challenging weather conditions. He urged farmers with grain stocks to contact district directors, aggregators, and the Crops Directorate if they are interested in selling their produce, to prevent suffering losses due to the export ban. The government hopes that the export ban, coupled with financial support for farmers and strategic grain imports, will stabilize the situation and prevent a full-blown food crisis in Ghana.
Nigeria
Tinubu heads to China
President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja for Beijing, China, on Thursday for a high-level diplomatic mission. The Presidency announced on Tuesday that the President’s itinerary includes visits to prominent Chinese firms such as Huawei Technologies and the China Railway and Construction Corporation. These engagements aim to accelerate the completion of the Ibadan to Abuja segment of the Lagos to Kano high-speed rail line, among other significant projects.
In a statement released on Thursday, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, explained that President Tinubu will make a brief stopover in the United Arab Emirates. The statement partly read: “President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja for Beijing, China, on Thursday, 29th August, for an official visit. President Tinubu will have a brief layover in the United Arab Emirates. The President is expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and hold meetings with Chinese business leaders on the sidelines of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. President Tinubu will be accompanied by senior government officials on the trip”.
South Africa
Johan Rupert surpasses Dangote as Africa’s richest man
South African businessman Johann Rupert has become Africa’s wealthiest person, overtaking Nigeria’s Aliko Dangote, who previously held the top position. Rupert, 74, controls the world’s largest luxury watchmaker, Cie Financière Richemont, through a family trust. This Switzerland-based company owns prestigious brands like Jaeger-LeCoultre and Cartier. According to the latest figures from the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Rupert’s net worth has climbed to $14.3 billion, pushing him ahead of Dangote, whose fortune has dropped to $13.4 billion.
Dangote, a popular Nigerian businessman who heads the Dangote Group, has seen his wealth shrink by about $1.69 billion this year. The decline is largely attributed to the difficult economic conditions in Nigeria, which have significantly affected his business empire. Dangote’s wealth is largely tied to his 86 per cent stake in Dangote Cement, which is publicly traded. His investments also include stakes in Dangote Sugar, Nascon Allied Industries, United Bank for Africa, as well as interests in food manufacturing, fertilizer production, oil, and the Dangote Refinery in Lagos.
South African billionaire Nicky Oppenheimer comes in third in the rankings with a net worth of $11.3 billion. He is followed by Egyptian businessman Nassef Sawiris with $9.37 billion, while South African investor Natie Kirsh is fifth with $9.14 billion.
Kenya
Ruto names panels to select new commission heads
President William Ruto has established selection panels to recruit new chairpersons and members for four independent commissions: the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ), Office of the Ombudsman, and the National Gender and Equity Commission (NGEC). According to a statement released by the presidency, Ruto noted that the non-renewable term of six years of the chairpersons and members of said commissions are set to expire. The President added that the panels were appointed based on nominations from professional bodies, organizations, institutions, and state offices that make up the statutory membership of selection panels.
The selection panel for the recruitment of the SRC chairperson includes Joshua Wambua from the Association of Professional Societies in East Africa (APSEA), Patrick Mtange from the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK), Monica Sifuna from the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA), Quresha Abdullahi from the Institute of Human Resource Management, Amos Gathecha, the Principal Secretary of the State Department for Public Service, Mary Kimonye from the Office of the President, Lawrence Kibet from the Treasury, and Samuel Kaumba from the Attorney-General’s office. The team that will recruit the new ombudsman (CAJ) comprises Edwin Makoru from APSEA, Zena Jalenga from the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, Jasper Mbiuki from the Office of the President, Susan Chelgat from the Attorney General’s Office, and Ambassador Patrick Wamoto from the Public Service Commission (PSC). The NGEC panel includes Florance Nyole, Timothy Odongo, Lerina Kariringah, Linda Musumba, Janet Kung’u, Maimuna Mwidau, Mary Mwiandi, and Reuben Chirchir. Meanwhile, a new IPOA team will be recruited by Arthur Osiya, (Rtd) Justice Msagha Mbogholi, Joyce Nyabuti, Monica Wanjiru Muiru, Raymond Nyeris, and Caroline Naikena Lentupuru.
Liberia
Musu-Scott acquitted
The Supreme Court acquitted Liberia’s former justice minister and chief justice Gloria Maya Musu-Scott of the murder of her niece. The 70-year-old, and three other relatives, had been sentenced to life in prison for the brutal killing of 29-year-old Charlotte Musu in February 2023. At the time of her conviction Musu-Scott had just won a significant case against the Electoral Commission as part of the then-opposition party’s legal team.
Musu-Scot served as Liberia’s justice minister and later as the chief justice of the Supreme Court until her retirement in 2003. She later transitioned to politics and was a lawmaker in Maryland County until 2012. She was still a member of the Unity Party – whose leader Joseph Boakai became president in January – and had been part of the legal team that successfully challenged the Electoral Commission’s refusal to allow parties to see the voters’ roll. The former chief justice had denied the charges against her, saying the 29-year-old had been killed by an “assassin” who had entered her home in the capital, Monrovia.
Delivering the appeal verdict on Wednesday, Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene Yuoh ruled that there was not sufficient evidence to link the former judge and her relatives to the crime. The court said the evidence presented by the state prosecutors had failed to identify the specific individual responsible for the murder. Reacting to news the Women Non-Governmental Organizations Secretariat of Liberia (Wongosol) said the acquittal had “reopened wounds and ignited a sense of urgency to seek true justice” for the murdered woman.
A jubilant crowd greeted her outside the prison as she was freed after serving more than eight months. In her address to the crowd, Musu-Scott lamented the state of the justice system saying more innocent people are still in jail due to the judicial system
Sierra Leone
Sheik-Umarr Minkalu Jah laid to rest
President Dr Julius Maada Bio over the past week joined the family and party members for the Laying Out Ceremony of the late Alhaji Dr Sheik-Umarr Minkalu Jah, former Deputy National Chairman of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP). The ceremony took place at the SLPP Headquarters on Wednesday 28 August 2024. Party Leader Bio reflected on the life of the late Dr Jah, describing him as a man of great character who had dedicated his life to serving Sierra Leone. The President also used the occasion to thank the late Dr Jah’s wife for her unwavering care and support and praised her for his contributions to the country.
The statesman was eulogized by several people who had encountered him in his line of duty. Politician and former Cabinet member Dr Sama Banya reflected on the pivotal role Jah had played in both the country and the SLPP. He recalled meeting Jah as a bright student with an infectious smile during his time as a teacher at Bo Government Secondary School. Banya spoke of the remarkable life that Jah led, highlighting his commitment to the Bo School, the SLPP, and Sierra Leone, and concluded his tribute with a prayer for his soul and family.
Mrs Amie Jah-Rogers, who spoke on behalf of the family, expressed gratitude to the SLPP for honouring Dr Jah. She described him as a kind and selfless leader who saw serving Sierra Leone, the SLPP, and the Bo Government Secondary School as a privilege. She noted that Jah’s dedication to public service was marked by his commitment, openness, and respect for all, regardless of tribe.
Tanzania
Ndugulile elected the new WHO regional director
Former deputy minister for health and current Kigamboni MP, Dr Faustine Ndugulile, has been elected the new WHO Regional Director at the 74th Session of the WHO Afro Regional Committee. In his address, Ndugulile described himself as a dedicated candidate committed to driving transformative change across the continent. He opened his speech with praise for the outgoing director, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, particularly for his role in reducing maternal and infant mortality, combating TB, Malaria, HIV/AIDS, and addressing neglected tropical diseases.
The priorities highlighted by the new Regional Director included ensuring access to quality healthcare for all, enhancing Africa’s preparedness for epidemic outbreaks, strengthening accountability within WHO’s Africa region, and improving communication and collaboration among member states on health matters. He noted that despite achievements cited earlier, critical challenges still confronted the region, including insufficient progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), financial constraints, a shortage of healthcare workers, and the impacts of emerging diseases and climate change and emphasized the urgent need for a new direction to address these issues effectively.
In the election held in Brazzaville, Ndugulile secured 25 out of 46 votes from delegates attending the 74th WHO Regional Committee Meeting, defeating candidates from Niger and Senegal.
Uganda
Traditional healer found with human skulls
A Ugandan man found with 24 human skulls has been accused of using the skulls for human sacrifice. He could face life in prison. The man who has been identified as Ddamulira Godfrey would be charged under the Prevention and Prohibition of Human Sacrifice Act. Animal remains and skins were also found in Godfrey’s shrine in the suburbs of the capital, Kampala. Police are still searching Godfrey’s shrine in the hope of recovering more human remains. “We are charging him first under the Prevention and Prohibition of Human Sacrifice Act, which prohibits one being in possession of human body parts and instruments of human sacrifice”, Mr Onyango said. “If he is found guilty, he will serve life in prison”.
Godfrey claims to be a traditional healer and herbalist. However, the country’s Traditional Healers’ Association has distanced itself from him. This is not the first time such a shocking discovery has been made in Uganda in recent weeks. The police recovered 17 human skulls from a shrine in the central district of Mpigi, about 41km (25 miles) from Kampala last month. Both discoveries have been linked to human sacrifice for ritual purposes. Some people in many African countries believe that magic charms made from human body parts will bring them good luck.
Zambia
Nine dead in a quarry pit accident
Nine men have been reported dead after the collapse of a large pile of gravel on them while they were working in a quarry in Zambia. According to the police the men were operating illegally in the quarry and were loading gravel onto a truck. The driver of the truck survived with injuries and was taken to the hospital. The collapse happened in a quarry in Chongwe about 50 kilometers (31 miles) east of the capital, Lusaka.
Eight bodies were recovered on Sunday before the rescue operation was suspended at nightfall. A ninth body was pulled out on Monday, police said. Chongwe District Commissioner Evans Lupiya said the men and the truck were buried under the gravel. Police have opened an investigation. Zambia has had several fatal accidents involving men operating illegally in quarries or mines. In December, nearly 30 informal miners died at an open-pit copper mine in the north of the country when heavy trains triggered landslides that buried them alive inside tunnels.
Malawi
Mpox screening begins at entry points
Malawi has begun screening for mpox at all ports of entry in a bid to prevent the spread of the virus. The move comes just days after the first two suspected cases were registered in the country and are currently awaiting laboratory test results. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has recorded a more deadly strain of the virus that emerged last year and has subsequently spread to more than 10 other African states. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the spread of the new strain of mpox a public health emergency of international concern. Africa’s top public health agency has also said some countries on the continent could start vaccinating against mpox within days.
While Malawi says it is planning for a worst-case scenario, not everyone will be vaccinated against the virus. The vaccine is reserved for those who are at a very high risk. The decision to screen visitors to the country is part of a raft of preventative measures which includes an awareness campaign, especially through community health networks. It has also set up a mobile diagnostic unit at a hospital in the country’s capital, Lilongwe. Malawi is one of the few Southern African countries that have so far managed to avoid an mpox outbreak.
Eswatini
Court maintains sentence against Ncamase investment director
High Court Judge Titus Mlangeni says that he has made it clear that Director Issufomia Issufo Calu of Ncamase Investments (Pty) Ltd should serve his time in jail for contempt of court. In a ruling he delivered yesterday, Mlangeni said the businessman had deliberately defied court orders and further emphasized that his contempt of court sentence was non-negotiable. The judge said Calu, while a ruling was awaited, persisted in effecting the unlawful removal of Galp Eswatini’s property from the rented premises at Big Tree Complex in Matsapha. Galp Eswatini (Pty) Ltd is the applicant while Ncamase Investments (Pty) Ltd and Calu are the first and second respondents.
Mlangeni said while there was a restraining order issued on 17 May, non-compliance led to another application on May 22 which called for sentencing to imprisonment for a period of 30 days. Judge Mlangeni said Calu was ordered to immediately comply with the interim order issued on May 17. He said when the interim order was to be confirmed on May 31, neither Calu nor his lawyers attended court. According to the judge, Calu said Justice Mlangeni granted orders in a secret hearing to which he was not invited. The judge also took exception to the respondent’s allegations that the proceedings during which the order was granted were held in secret. Mlangeni pointed out that this was factually incorrect. He described Calu’s behaviour as common among foreigners.
Rwanda
Kagame receives letter of credence from envoys
President Kagame received, at Urugwiro Village, letters of credence from Mr Jin Weon-Chae, Korea’s Ambassador to Rwanda, Mr Saleh Bin Suleiman Bin Ahmed Al-Harthi, Oman’s ambassador to Rwanda, and Mr Nguyen Nam Tien, Vietnam’s Ambassador to Rwanda. The cooperation between Rwanda and Korea focuses on the areas of education and capacity building, rural development, agriculture, as well as information and communications technology. Development cooperation with Korea is implemented through the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) which has an office in Kigali. KOICA’s main projects in Rwanda in the next four years are in the sectors of Agriculture, TVET as well as in tax policy and administration
Rwanda and the Sultanate of Oman enjoy good bilateral relations. The two countries have a long-established trade relationship with the Omani merchants estimated to be valued at USD 920,000 to USD 2.3 million in 2017 and 2018 respectively. Petroleum products represent 82 per cent of imports from Oman to Rwanda. Rwanda and Vietnam established diplomatic relations in 1975. In 2000, a general cooperation agreement was signed and in May 2008, His Excellency the President of Rwanda paid a state visit to Vietnam upon invitation by his counterpart. During the visit, three cooperation agreements were signed in the areas of agriculture, health, and education.
