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The authorities in Burkina Faso have launched an investigation into the circumstances of the deaths of 28 people whose bodies were found in the north-western town of Nouna. In a statement, the government said the killings were discovered on the night of 30 December and condemned the “unacceptable violence”. The Reuters news agency quotes prosecutors as saying that the victims were ...

The United States has dropped Burkina Faso from its AGOA trade preference program citing deep concerns over “unconstitutional change” in government in the West African country, the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) office said on Sunday. Frustrations over the government’s inability to curb an Islamist insurgency spurred two military coups in Burkina Faso in 2022. Both the previous and current juntas ...

The Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has expressed optimism that Ghana will continue on the path of economic emancipation and accelerated development this year. He has, therefore, stressed the need for Ghanaians to reposition their hands, minds, and hearts as the government deployed all efforts humanly possible for a happy new year. “I am very optimistic of Ghana’s future and my prayer ...

The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers-Ghana (COPEC) is projecting a marginal drop in the prices of fuel products effective January 1, 2023. According to the Chamber, petrol is expected to be sold at a minimum price of GH¢9.30 per litre while diesel is expected to be sold between GH¢12.80 and GH¢15 per litre at various pumps. This will be a decline ...

The UN Security Council has denounced Taliban government policies targeting women and girls in Afghanistan. The Taliban have banned women from attending university and working for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) within the last week. The 15-member Security Council said it was “deeply alarmed” by the increasing restrictions on women’s education. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the latest restrictions “must be revoked”. A statement from ...

 Oil prices fell on Wednesday on concerns that rising COVID-19 cases in China, the world’s top oil importer, will disrupt its economic recovery and fuel demand growth as it unwinds its pandemic restrictions. Brent futures for February delivery fell 78 cents, or 0.9%, to $83.55 a barrel, by 0900 GMT. U.S. crude fell 75 cents, or 0.9%, to $78.78 per ...

The international wildlife and conservation charity Born Free has warned that hippo numbers in Africa are continuing to decline as legislation, partly due to the tightening of the illegal ivory trade. The giant teeth of hippos which, like the tusks of warthogs, are also classified as ivory, have become much cheaper and easier to obtain than ivory from elephants. And ...

A minibus has hit a landmine in Burkina Faso in West Africa, killing at least 10 people, officials say. Five others were wounded in the blast, which occurred in the east, near the border with Niger, on Christmas Day. The governor of the Fada N’Gourma region said the death toll could rise as some passengers were still missing. Burkina Faso ...

The Ghana Police Service has reminded all, especially faith-based organisations that the law on the communication of prophecies is still in force. It prohibits the public communication of doomsday prophecies, particularly of deaths and harm and similar ones with the potential to lead to the breakdown of law and order. The Police says it has consequently instituted 27th December every ...

The world faces a recession in 2023 higher borrowing costs aimed at tackling inflation cause a number of economies to contract, according to the Centre for Economics and Business Research. The global economy surpassed $100 trillion for the first time in 2022 but will stall in 2023 as policy makers continue their fight against soaring prices, the British consultancy said ...