Latest Stories from Derrick
I hosted the Live On the Frontlines climate film screening event
Organised in response to recurring climate-related disasters affecting the globe, the Live On The Frontlines event aimed to shed light on the lives impacted by these issues and explore sustainable solutions through a blend of film screenings, panel discussions, and community engagement. Kenya’s Kisumu city, situated on the shores of Lake Victoria, is no stranger to the harsh impacts of climate change. The region’s vulnerability to flooding, particularly in the Nyando...
Understanding Ghana’s long-awaited gender parity bill
Ghana’s President Nana Addo Akufo-Addo signed a groundbreaking bill aimed at addressing historical and systemic gender inequalities. In a region where gender disparities have been entrenched in traditional structures, it sets Ghana on a path toward reshaping women’s futures economically, politically, and socially. Ghana’s Affirmative Action (Gender Equality) Bill 2024, which has been 30 years in the making, acknowledges the imbalance that has long existed in leadership across both the...
Ethiopia bans the import of gasoline and diesel vehicles
Ethiopia has made a bold and unprecedented move by becoming the first country to ban the import of gasoline and diesel vehicles. The country is pushing for a rapid transition to electric vehicles (EVs), signaling a profound shift in its environmental and energy policies. Ethiopia’s decision to eliminate gasoline and diesel vehicles stands as a watershed moment for environmental policy on the continent and globally. With the world’s dependence on fossil...
A look at the explosion of gaming across Africa
The African gaming market has been experiencing unprecedented growth over the past decade, rapidly approaching $1 billion in annual revenue. This remarkable rise reflects the continent's evolving digital landscape, where young people are tapping into gaming not just as a form of entertainment but also as a source of livelihood. The rapid expansion of the gaming industry can be attributed to the proliferation of affordable smartphones, increased internet access,...
Namibia uses elephants and hippos to alleviate food crisis
In a desperate bid to alleviate the hunger crisis plaguing nearly half of its population, the Namibian government has undertaken an extraordinary measure, slaughtering over 700 wild animals - including elephants and hippos - to distribute the meat. More than 1.4 million Namibians, almost half of the nation’s total population, are now facing high levels of acute food insecurity. Prolonged dry spells have devastated crops, wiped out livestock, and crippled the...
The rise of rage rooms in Africa
As economic opportunities dwindle, a new trend is sweeping across Africa, offering young people a unique way to cope with stress; rage rooms. These controlled environments have become increasingly popular, especially among Gen Z, who are grappling with the challenges of unemployment, poverty and limited access to mental health care. In cities across Africa, rage rooms are emerging as a novel form of stress relief. For a small fee, participants...
Navigating the complexities of gender in sports going forward
Imane Khelif, a 25-year-old Algerian boxer, has become a focal point in the ongoing debate surrounding gender and eligibility in women’s sports. Being the first female boxer from Algeria to win an Olympic boxing gold medal, her story is emblematic of the complexities that arise when gender identity and athletic competition intersect. At the Paris Olympics 2024, Imane Khelif’s boxing participation was marked by attacks over gender eligibility and...
Khaman Maluach becomes South Sudan’s youngest Olympic basketball star
At the Olympic Games in France, 17-year-old Khaman Maluach, standing at 7”2, has captured global attention. As the youngest player on South Sudan's basketball team and a top NBA Draft prospect, his journey from a war-torn childhood to the world stage exemplifies resilience, hope, and the unyielding spirit of youth affected by conflict. Khaman Maluach’s early life was shaped by the brutal realities of the South Sudan conflict. Born in...
The failings that caused the tragic school collapse in Nigeria
In a heart-wrenching tragedy, The Saint Academy in the Jos North district of Plateau State, Nigeria, collapsed last Friday leading to the death of 22 students and leaving hundreds more injured. The Saint Academy, in central Nigeria, had its two-storey building collapse when students were having their exams last Friday. Locals claim the collapse was caused by heavy rainfall in the past week, but reports suggest that structural weaknesses might have...
Kenya’s coastal communities fight illegal logging with hidden beehives
Stretching along the coastline, the mangrove forests provide a bulwark against coastal erosion, nurture an array of marine life, and play an essential role in the global carbon cycle. Yet, the mangroves face a relentless threat from illegal logging, driven by demand for timber and charcoal. An innovative idea is turning the tide in favour of mangrove conservation. Thought out by locals, the hidden beehives ploy is now spearheaded by...
