Latest Stories from Derrick
Pregnant girls to be allowed back to school after birth in Tanzania
On Wednesday, Tanzania lifted a ban on pregnant students and teenage mothers continuing with their studies that had been in place for 19 years. Speaking in Dodoma, Tanzania’s Education Minister Prof Joyce Ndalichako said the government will allow all students who dropped out of school due to pregnancy related issues and other reasons to resume classes. The Ministry further assured that the affected students could resume school within a two-year...
Ethiopia: Sexual violence against women and girls amid conflict
Amnesty International’s new report says military forces are subjecting women and girls to sexual violence - which is considered a war crime by the UN. Trigger warning: This article contains details of violent acts and sexual assault. Reader discretion is advised. A recent report released by Amnesty International states that Ethiopian Forces, Eritrean Forces, the Amhara Regional Police Special Force, and a militia group called Fano, have subjected hundreds...
Are Africa’s relentless coups eroding democracy?
In the last five years, ten of all eleven recorded global military coups were in Africa, potentially diminishing the effectiveness of democracy in the long-term. Just this year alone, there have been successful military takeovers in Chad, Mali, Guinea, and most recently in East Africa, Sudan. Africa’s democracy is being threatened by these ongoing coups, caused largely by less-then-stellar governance from democratically elected leaders. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoYsmHfgW_Y After most African countries gained independence, military coups...
Can COP26 reduce the threat of climate change in Africa?
Despite Africa contributing the least to greenhouse gas emissions of all continents, it remains the most threatened when it comes to climate change. Africa remains the most endangered continent from climate change according to reports by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The report mainly highlights climate change risks to human health, extreme drought, flooding, water, and food security, which directly affects Africa’s biggest economy - agriculture. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5JKdNKdud4 This year’s ongoing COP26 summit...
Digital currency makes its way to Nigeria with the launch of eNaira
Nigeria, Africa’s economic powerhouse, has just rolled out its digital eNaira currency, the first of its kind for the region. On Monday, Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari launched a new digitized model of the Naira currency, known as the eNaira. This launch comes shortly after Nigeria became the second largest country to trade in peer-to-peer Bitcoin after the US, and after Central Bank banned financial institutions from dealing with local...
Nigeria could ban under 18s from accessing mobile SIM cards
Following a decision earlier this year to ban Twitter indefinitely, Nigeria is now deliberating on a bill to ban citizens under 18 from using mobile phones. During a public inquiry, the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) brought forth a plan to ban citizens under the age of 18 from registering and owning mobile phone SIM cards. Making amendments to the SIM replacement guidelines, registration of telephone subscribers, and the spectrum trading guidelines,...
Climate change threatens biodiversity in the Congo Basin
The Congo Basin contains the world’s second-largest rainforest, crucial for regulating the world’s climate. It is under threat as our planet heats up – though there are several schemes and projects under way to protect it. The world’s second largest forest area, the Congo Basin, is under threat due to the climate crisis. The Congo Basin is so huge that is spans across six countries in central Africa. These include...
How can Africa respond to rising teenage pregnancy?
Teenage pregnancy and maternal deaths see substantial rises across Africa as a result of Covid-19. Is this now the second societal pandemic? According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), pregnancies among adolescent girls remain a global problem. An estimated 21 million girls aged 15–19 years in developing countries become pregnant and about 12 million of them give birth every year. African healthcare systems - including the provision of sexual and...
Guinea President overthrown by military coup
Alpha Conde, the President of Guinea, has been overthrown in a military coup. Heavy gunfire was heard on Sunday morning at the Presidential Palace in Guinea’s capital, Conakry. The military in Guinea has announced a nationwide curfew ‘until further notice’ as well as the replacement of governors by the military. Despite a number of schools closed in the country, the Guinean capital saw comparative calm on Monday morning, a day...
Kenya to host World Athletics U-20 Championships
After two weeks of glamour at the Tokyo Olympic Games, focus has now shifted to Nairobi, Kenya, venue of the 2021 World Athletics U-20 Championships. The World Athletics U-20 Championships have been awarded to an African country for the first time. Over 1,300 athletes from 128 countries are expected to compete in Kenya this August. The competition has found many great stars from various nations over the years, as young...
