Author: WAJ Editor

Ghana has received its first shipment of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine as part of a nationwide effort to prevent cervical cancer among girls and women. The first shipment of 441,860 doses marks the beginning of a wider rollout to address one of the most common yet preventable cancers affecting women. UNICEF Ghana, which is facilitating the procurement and delivery of the vaccines, announced that more than 2.5 million doses will be delivered in the coming weeks. The vaccines will support a five-day national vaccination campaign planned for September 2025, managed by the Ghana Health Service. Following the campaign, the…

Two Kenyan police officers appeared in court on Thursday in connection with the shooting of a street vendor during protests in Nairobi earlier this week. The incident, which took place in broad daylight on a busy street and was caught on camera, has reignited public anger over ongoing police brutality in the country. A Nairobi court has given investigators 15 days to complete their investigation into the actions of officers Duncan Kiprono and Klinzy Barasa, who allegedly attacked and shot a street vendor during Tuesday’s protests. The officers will remain in custody until July 3. The protests erupted following the…

Zambia has announced a $40 million investment under the Presidential Solar Initiative to install solar energy systems in 209 public institutions, including schools and hospitals. The project, announced on June 19, 2025, will provide 50 MW of solar capacity in partnership with Accura Logistics and Baker Global Capital Africa. The installations will primarily be carried out in the country’s eastern province and aim to improve energy access and reliability in essential public services. Energy Minister Makozo Chikote called on international investors to collaborate with Zambian companies to encourage local participation and support the country’s energy development goals. The initiative follows…

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which supplies more than 70% of the world’s cobalt, is taking steps to stabilize the metal’s volatile market and strengthen its dominance in the global supply chain. Cobalt is essential for electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy technologies, but fluctuating demand and geopolitical pressures have caused significant price fluctuations in recent years. Cobalt prices, which reached $100,000 per ton in 2018, have fallen to $30,000 per ton in 2024 due to oversupply, slower-than-expected EV growth and changing battery technologies. In response, the DRC government imposed a four-month export ban in early 2025, followed by…

The United Kingdom (UK) has denied entry to South African opposition leader Julius Malema, saying his presence would “not be conducive to the public interest”, local media reported on Wednesday. Malema, the 44-year-old leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a far-left, anti-capitalist party in South Africa, was reportedly denied a visa due to his controversial statements and political affiliations. According to News24, the UK Home Office, which obtained a copy of the letter, cited concerns about his conduct, including his apparent support for Hamas (a group banned in the UK), as the main reason for the refusal. The letter…

A Kenyan man who was shot by police during anti-brutality protests in Nairobi has been put on life support, according to officials at Kenyatta National Hospital. A passerby who was reportedly selling face masks during Tuesday’s demonstrations suffered a gunshot wound to the head. Witnesses and journalists at the scene said he was shot at close range by a police officer, sparking widespread anger and renewed calls for accountability. The hospital’s interim director, William Sigilai, said the victim suffered “serious brain damage and extensive bleeding” and is undergoing surgery to remove the bullet. He remains in critical condition and on…

Somalian Ministry of Defense announced on Wednesday that at least 25 Al-Shabaab militants were killed in an airstrike by the Somali National Army in the Lower Juba region. According to the ministry, elite Danab special forces, in coordination with international allies, launched precision strikes on Al-Shabaab positions in Maqooqaha, about 100 kilometers northwest of the port city of Kismayo. The targeted location reportedly serves as a key operational command center for the militant group used to coordinate terror attacks. Authorities said the site suffered significant structural damage. Kismayo, the administrative capital of Jubaland state, is located about 500 kilometers south…

The Nigerian government has expressed concern over the US’s plan to impose visa restrictions on several countries, including Nigeria and other West African countries. Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, at a regional meeting in Abuja, described the proposed move as “unfortunate”, stressing that such restrictions could hinder economic cooperation. Speaking at the 54th Regular Session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council, Tuggar highlighted West Africa’s economic potential and readiness for international trade and investment. “We are a region of opportunity,” he said, warning that visa restrictions act as non-tariff barriers that could hinder critical partnerships. The concerns follow a…

The OPEC Fund for International Development has announced more than $1 billion in new financing for development projects in Africa and other regions as Western countries scale back bilateral aid to poorer countries. The commitment is part of a broader $2 billion pledge by Arab donors over the next five years, announced at a high-level meeting of the Arab Coordination Group (ACG) in Vienna. The Vienna-based fund, established by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to support non-OPEC countries, is also launching a new trade finance initiative aimed at helping developing countries maintain imports and access liquidity in…

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has launched four major regional initiatives worth over $120 million, with funding from the European Union, Germany and Spain. The projects, announced on Wednesday, aim to improve peace, governance, institutional capacity and trade within the bloc. The initiatives, worth over €105 million in total, are designed to strengthen ECOWAS’ role in promoting regional stability and economic integration. Key areas of focus include improving governance, supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by promoting exports in services and enhancing regional trade competitiveness. Speaking at the launch in Abuja, ECOWAS Commission President Omar…

The Tanzanian Government has initiated diplomatic consultations with the US following reports that the East African country could face travel restrictions amid a broader migration crackdown led by the administration of US President Donald Trump. In a public statement, the Government Spokesperson and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Mr Gerson Msigwa, confirmed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was in contact with US authorities to address specific concerns regarding immigration and consular processes. “The Tanzanian Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has initiated consultations with our US counterparts to identify areas that need…

Morocco plans to review its trade deal with Türkiye and seek more investment to offset a growing trade deficit, largely fueled by Turkish fabric imports. Local sources said on Tuesday that Morocco’s cabinet member for trade, Omar Hjira, will soon visit Türkiye, Morocco’s sixth-largest trading partner, to discuss measures aimed at reducing the $3 billion deficit. Morocco’s Ministry of Trade and Industry did not make a statement on the matter. Morocco and Türkiye, first signed in 2004, introduced changes to their free trade agreement five years ago, including imposing a 90% tariff on Turkish textile and clothing imports to protect…

Kenya has been officially classified as a low-risk country under the European Union’s newly introduced deforestation regulations, providing a significant boost to its agricultural exporters amid fears of rising compliance costs. The EU’s new rules categorize countries based on deforestation trends, agricultural land use, legal enforcement and environmental management, categorizing them into low, standard or high risk levels. Low risk status indicates a country’s agricultural exports are less likely to be linked to deforestation activities. The announcement follows a high-level meeting in Nairobi between Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe and EU Ambassador to Kenya Henriette Geiger. Kagwe welcomed the EU…

A Kenyan police officer has been arrested for shooting an unarmed civilian during a protest in Nairobi, according to police spokesman Muchiri Nyaga. The demonstration erupted over the recent death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang in police custody, triggering outrage across the country and protests in several cities. Footage posted on Citizen TV’s social media platform shows two officers confronting a man, hitting him in the head as he tries to walk away, before one of them opens fire. In the video, passersby can be heard shouting “You killed him.” Additional footage released by the Nation newspaper includes a…

Belgium’s prosecutors announced Tuesday that they want to try a 92-year-old former diplomat in connection with the 1961 assassination of Congolese independence leader Patrice Lumumba. Etienne Davignon, the sole surviving suspect among ten Belgians named in a 2011 lawsuit filed by Lumumba’s children, could become the first Belgian official to take legal action over the murder that has haunted Belgium’s colonial legacy for more than six decades. Lumumba, a fierce critic of colonialism and the first prime minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo after it gained independence in 1960, was overthrown in a coup and executed on January 17,…

The Malian government has seized control of the Loulo-Gounkoto gold complex belonging to Canadian mining giant Barrick Gold amid an escalating tax dispute. A Malian court ruled on Monday that the site should be placed under interim management for six months. Judge Issa Aguibou Diallo appointed Zoumana Makadji, a former health minister and accountant, to oversee the mine’s operations within 15 days. While Barrick’s subsidiaries technically retain ownership, operational control has now passed to a Mali-appointed administrator, according to local media reports. Barrick has slammed the move, calling it “unfair.” The company claims the decision comes after a series of…