Author: Ohene Anochie

The Chief Executive Officer of the Drivers and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Julius Neequaye Kotey, has defended his proposal to formalize the operations of ‘goro boys’, the unofficial middlemen who facilitate vehicle registration and licensing services. Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, Kotey argued that instead of continuously battling these informal agents, the government should integrate them into a regulated system to enhance efficiency and transparency within the licensing process. A Call for Regulation, Not Elimination According to the DVLA boss, efforts to eradicate the influence of these middlemen have failed over the years, making it necessary to explore a…

The Philippine Department of Health (DOH) has reported a staggering 73% rise in dengue cases during the first quarter of 2025, as the mosquito-borne disease spreads rapidly across multiple regions. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly a million suspected cases have been recorded globally, with the outbreak affecting 48 countries across Africa, the Americas, Southeast Asia, and the Western Pacific. National data from the Philippines shows that between January 1 and March 1, a total of 62,313 cases of dengue were reported. While the country’s case fatality rate has declined to 0.35%—down from 0.42% last year—the rapid surge…

With just eight weeks to go, Bord Bia Bloom 2025 has announced its final line-up for this year’s highly anticipated festival, set to take place over the Bloom bank holiday weekend in Phoenix Park, Dublin. Now in its 19th year, the festival promises an exciting blend of gardening, food, sustainability, and family-friendly entertainment, with over 100 talks, demos, and performances scheduled across five days. Visitors can expect appearances from some of Ireland’s top chefs, garden designers, and sustainability experts, including Donal Skehan, Diarmuid Gavin, Neven Maguire, Darina Allen, Adam Frost (BBC Gardeners’ World), Aishling Moore, Holly White, and Jimi Blake.…

Authorities in Nyinahin, Ashanti Region, have issued a strong warning to the Ghanaian government, demanding that any bauxite refinery be established in their town or no mining should take place at all. Speaking at a press conference, local leaders accused successive governments of deliberately sidelining Nyinahin which holds an estimated 45-50% of Ghana’s bauxite deposits in favor of Sefwi Awaso (15%) and Kyebi (5%), despite their significantly smaller reserves. “Sabotage Against Asanteman” The Nyinahin authorities claim the decision to build a bauxite refinery anywhere other than Nyinahin is an orchestrated act of economic sabotage against Asanteman (the Ashanti Kingdom). “It…

Niger’s ruling military junta has taken decisive action against Chinese mining companies, ordering an immediate suspension of their operations as part of a broader effort to curb foreign exploitation of the country’s vast mineral resources. The move comes amid rising nationalist sentiment and growing concerns over unfair contracts, environmental degradation, and economic exploitation. Niger, a major producer of uranium, gold, and lithium, has long been a key supplier of critical minerals, but critics say foreign companies—especially Chinese firms—have reaped disproportionate benefits while offering little in return to local communities. Junta Cracks Down on Foreign Mining Interests In a televised address,…

In a small restaurant kitchen in Tunisia, Wahida Dridi carefully washes a batch of snails, preparing them for iftar, the meal that breaks the daily fast during Ramadan. “They are boiled first, then removed from the water, which is later used to cook pasta or vermicelli. You can cook whatever you want with it. It’s very delicious and has many benefits,” she explains, stirring a pot of the peppery delicacy. Traditionally, red meat is a staple on the iftar table. But as Tunisia battles its worst economic crisis in decades, meat has become unaffordable for many families. With beef prices…

Burkina Faso’s ruling military junta has intensified its crackdown on press freedom by arresting three prominent journalists, a move that rights groups say reflects a growing pattern of repression in the country. According to a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report released Thursday, Guezouma Sanogo and Boukari Ouoba, the president and vice-president of the Association of Journalists of Burkina Faso, were arrested alongside Luc Pagbelguem, a journalist with the local television channel BF1. Their whereabouts remain unknown. The arrests come just days after the Journalists’ Association held a press conference on March 21, condemning increasing restrictions on media freedom under the…

With Morocco set to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal, the capital city of Rabat is undergoing extensive construction and restoration projects to prepare for the historic tournament. The event, marking the 100th anniversary of the World Cup, will see games played across six countries, including Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. Rabat is one of six Moroccan cities chosen to host matches, marking the first time the country will stage World Cup games. Authorities are investing heavily in infrastructure, including highways, hotels, restaurants, and an expanded high-speed rail network connecting Marrakech and, later, Agadir. “There are matters…

The East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have expanded their mediation team for the ongoing Congo conflict, reinforcing efforts to broker peace between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the M23 rebels, and Rwanda. In a virtual meeting on Monday, the two regional blocs appointed additional former heads of state to strengthen the negotiations. Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and ex-Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo remain on the team, while former Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde replaces Hailemariam Desalegn. The team now also includes former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe and ex-Central African Republic leader Catherine Samba-Panza.…