Category: LATEST NEWS

Ghana’s Vice-President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, on Wednesday, April 24 held a significant meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican, aimed at bolstering diplomatic ties between Ghana and the Vatican City.

The discussions, centered on enhancing the already positive relationship between the Holy city and Ghana. The historic encounter unfolded at the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall, marking a milestone in diplomatic engagement between the two nations.

The discussions covered a range of topics, with a focus on Ghana’s political and socio-economic landscape, particularly exploring potential collaborations in education and healthcare.

This dialogue underscored Ghana’s steadfast commitment to advancing its socio-economic development and seeking partnerships with global stakeholders to achieve shared objectives.

During his visit to Italy, Dr. Bawumia also met with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations. These included exchanging perspectives on pressing international issues, notably the security challenges confronting West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea.

Dr. Bawumia’s visit to the Vatican reaffirmed Ghana’s dedication to strengthening ties with the global community and nurturing diplomatic relations across all levels.

Over 100 prisoners have fled from a correctional facility near Nigeria’s capital following severe rain that caused damage to parts of the prison infrastructure.

Authorities report that initially, 118 inmates escaped from the Suleja Prison, with 10 individuals subsequently recaptured. A large-scale manhunt is underway to locate the remaining escapees.

Details regarding the identities of the escaped prisoners remain unclear, raising concerns about potential risks to public safety. However, a statement from the prison authorities assures collaboration with other security agencies to address the situation and urges citizens to continue their daily routines without undue alarm.

“In conjunction with sister security agencies we have so far recaptured 10 fleeing inmates and taken them into custody, while we are in hot chase to recapture the rest,” stated Abuja’s prison authority.

The incident underscores broader challenges faced by Nigeria’s prison system, particularly the deteriorating conditions of many facilities. Built during the colonial era, prisons like Suleja have aged and become vulnerable to damage, exacerbating security risks.

This recent escape echoes a similar incident two years prior, where over 400 prisoners broke free following an attack on another Abuja-based prison. Tragically, casualties ensued, including four inmates, a security guard, and multiple assailants.

The 2022 attack, claimed by Islamist fighters, aimed to release incarcerated members, highlighting the complex security landscape in Nigeria. Since 2020, more than 5,000 inmates have escaped during various prison breaks across the country, illustrating persistent challenges in maintaining secure correctional facilities.

Talks have begun between the authorities in Niger and the US for the withdrawal of American troops stationed in two airbases in the sahelian nation.

On Tuesday both parties gave confirmation amid the decision of the Nigerien government last month to end military co-operation agreement with Washington.

Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon Press Secretary:

Through two bases in Niger, the US has over the past decade performed counter-terrorism and global security operations against ISIS and Al Qaeda in the West African region. The future of those operations have been cast into doubt but the US pentagon press secretary tried to allay fears.

Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon Press Secretary:

” We’ll continue to work with regional partners to address how best, to ensure that we can continue to do the kinds of things we do to not only protect our national interests but also look at the collective security of of regional partners.”

The withdrawal of US troops was seen as inevitable after the arrival of 100 Russian soldiers in the sahelian nation earlier this month. There have also been mass protests across the capital Niamey calling for the US troops to leave.

British police have arrested three individuals in connection with the deaths of five migrants, including a child, who perished while attempting to cross the treacherous Channel from France.

The incident happened when a small, overcrowded vessel carrying 112 individuals embarked on a dangerous journey across one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. Panic gripped the passengers as their vessel encountered distress not far from the safety of the shore.

According to reports, Rescuers managed to retrieve approximately 50 individuals from the water, with four requiring urgent medical attention. Despite the efforts of authorities, some migrants chose to remain aboard the vessel, resolute in their determination to reach British soil.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) revealed that three men, identified as two Sudanese nationals aged 22 and 19, and a South Sudan national aged 22, were apprehended on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration and unlawfully entering the UK.

The investigation is ongoing as authorities seek to unravel the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.

“This tragic incident once again demonstrates the threat to life posed by these crossings and brings into focus why it is so important to target the criminal gangs involved in organising them,” said NCA Deputy Director of Investigations Craig Turner.

“We will do all we can with partners in the UK and France to secure evidence, identify those responsible for this event, and bring them to justice.”

French police are also continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, alongside their British counterparts, the NCA said.

It added 55 people who were believed to have been on board the boat which arrived in Britain had also been identified.

More than 6,000 people have arrived in Britain this year via small, overloaded boats – usually flimsy inflatable dinghies – that risk being lashed by the waves as they try to reach British shores.

The deadly crossing on Tuesday took place just hours after the British parliament passed a bill paving the way for asylum seekers who arrive in Britain without permission to be deported to Rwanda, a policy which Prime Minister Rishi Sunak argues will deter people from making the dangerous cross-Channel journey.

At least 5 people have died while crossing the English Channel, according to French media, hours after the U.K. approved the migrant deportation bill.

The Voix du Nord newspaper said the bodies were discovered at the Wimereaux beach in northern France on Tuesday. The rescue operation is ongoing and helicopters and boats have been deployed, according to the regional newspaper.

About 100 migrants have been rescued and placed aboard a French navy ship. They will be taken to the port of Boulogne, the paper said.

This came only hours after British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s latest effort to send some migrants on a one-way ticket to Rwanda finally won approval from Parliament. Human rights groups have described the legislation as cruel.

The U.K. government plans to deport some of those who enter the country illegally as a deterrent to migrants who risk their lives in leaky, inflatable boats in hopes that they will be able to claim asylum once they reach Britain.

Vehicles were stranded on Sunday in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, as the devastating toll of heavy rains and floods in Kenya continues to mount.

Since mid-March, 35 people have died in floods that have affected over 100,000 individuals, according to the UN, citing figures from the Red Cross in its latest update.

Floods have been reported in residential areas of Nairobi as rivers overflowed on Sunday evening.

Motorists could be seen driving and wading through the waters that filled the city.

The Kenyan government agency responsible for roads warned Nairobi residents to avoid flooded highways, including the one leading to the coastal city of Mombasa.

Those living along the Nairobi River are urged to relocate to higher ground.

At least 40,265 people are displaced in 21 out of the country’s 47 counties.

Floods and mudslides have also been reported in western Kenya.

In the northern region, a passenger bus was swept away by floodwaters on a bridge earlier in April, with 51 passengers rescued.

The Kenya Meteorological Service forecasts that rainfall will peak this week.