Tag: West Africa

  • Ghana Recalls High Commissioner Over Alleged Electoral Misconduct

    Ghana Recalls High Commissioner Over Alleged Electoral Misconduct

    Reporting by Premium Times indicates that the Ghanaian Presidency has officially recalled Baba Ahmed, the country’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, with immediate effect. The decision, sanctioned by President John Mahama, follows allegations linking the diplomat to malpractices during Ghana’s parliamentary election primaries for the Ayawaso East Constituency.

    The Ghanaian government clarified that Mr. Ahmed, who was an aspirant in the primaries, was recalled to answer for his alleged role in compromising the electoral process while serving as a high-ranking public officer. This move is seen as a stern signal from Accra regarding the conduct of its diplomatic staff during domestic political transitions.

    The recall has sparked discussions within the West African diplomatic community about the boundaries of political participation for serving ambassadors. Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is expected to be formally notified as the Ghanaian mission in Abuja transitions to interim leadership.

    The story was also monitored by Channels TV and The Punch, which reported that “the recall is a rare but necessary step to maintain the integrity of Ghana’s democratic institutions.” The Sun Nigeria further quoted a source in Accra saying, “The Presidency will not tolerate any public officer using their position to influence internal party processes.”

    Echotitbits take: This recall highlights Ghana’s aggressive stance on electoral integrity, even at the cost of diplomatic continuity. It may temporarily slow down bilateral engagements between Abuja and Accra as a new envoy is vetted.

    Source: Vanguard – https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/02/ghana-recalls-high-commissioner-to-nigeria-over-alleged-link-to-election-rigging/, February 8, 2026

    Photo credit: Vanguard

  • Lagos Hospital Achieves Breakthrough with First Robotic Gynaecological Surgery

    Lagos Hospital Achieves Breakthrough with First Robotic Gynaecological Surgery

    A private clinic in Lagos has reportedly performed the first robotic gynaecological surgery in West Africa, using robotic technology to remove two large tumors on Sunday, January 25, 2026.

    Medical Director Kingsley Ekwueme stated that the milestone expands the scope of robotic surgery in the region from earlier applications in prostate treatments to women’s health. The patient was reported to be recovering quickly, aided by the minimally invasive nature of the procedure and the prospect of a shorter hospital stay.

    Healthcare observers see the development as a potential boost for medical tourism and a sign of growing private-sector capacity to deliver advanced procedures that previously required overseas treatment. Separate reporting also highlighted the technological significance of the operation and referenced commentary from the clinic’s leadership about extending innovation into women’s surgeries.

    Echotitbits take: This is a major win for the “Reverse Brain Drain” in the medical field. If more private clinics invest in this tech, Nigeria could become a regional hub for advanced surgery in West Africa.
    Source: GenezLandHospital – https://genezlandhospital.com/news/lagos-university-teaching-hospital-successfully-performs-first-robotic-surgery-in-nigeria 2026-01-26

    Photo Credit: GenezLandHospital

  • Vice President Shettima Represents Nigeria at Guinea Presidential Inauguration

    Vice President Shettima Represents Nigeria at Guinea Presidential Inauguration

    Vice President Kashim Shettima arrived in Conakry to represent President Bola Tinubu at the inauguration of President-elect Mamady Doumbouya, marking the formal end of Guinea’s military transition and a return to constitutional order.

    Reports say Nigeria’s participation underscores its leadership posture within ECOWAS and its interest in deepening regional economic cooperation, including trade and extractive-sector linkages.

    Echotitbits take: Abuja is signaling commitment to regional stabilization and post-coup normalization. The durability of Guinea’s transition will matter for broader ECOWAS credibility and West African investment sentiment.

    Source: State House Press / Leadership – https://statehouse.gov.ng/nigeria-reaffirms-ecowas-leadership-role-as-vp-shettima-graces-guinea-conakrys-presidential-inauguration/  (January 17, 2026)

    Photo Credit: State House Press

  • NERC Says Togo, Niger and Benin Owe Nigeria ₦25bn for Electricity Supply

    NERC Says Togo, Niger and Benin Owe Nigeria ₦25bn for Electricity Supply

    As disclosed by The Punch, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) said Togo, Niger and Benin Republic owe about ₦25 billion for power supplied under regional agreements.

    The rising arrears have renewed debate about exporting electricity on credit while Nigeria faces domestic supply constraints and tariff pressures.

    NERC said discussions are ongoing on payment plans, warning that persistent non-payment could affect supply volumes.

    **Echotitbits take:** Recovering these debts matters for sector liquidity and stability. Watch for tougher contract terms—especially pre-payment structures—and clearer alignment between regional commitments and domestic power needs.
    Source: The Punch — https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/power-gencos-invoices-fall-n80-56bn-on-weak-demand/ 2026-01-08

    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • Liberia advances domestication of amended International Health Regulations with multisector roadmap

    Liberia advances domestication of amended International Health Regulations with multisector roadmap

    Liberia advances domestication of amended International Health Regulations with multisector roadmap

    As reported in a WHO update carried via Africa Newsroom, Liberia convened a multisector workshop to drive domestication of the amended International Health Regulations (IHR), aligning national systems with updated global health-security rules.

    The report says the process produced an implementation roadmap and included senior-level commitment, aimed at strengthening coordination, surveillance, and response readiness for cross-border threats.

    Domestication is where global standards become national practice—through legislation, procedures, budgets, and accountability across ministries and agencies.

    WHO AFRO noted the workshop ended with the signing of a “national declaration” supporting implementation. Liberia’s NPHIL also described the step as “significant” for enhancing health security and preparedness.

    Echotitbits take:
    The credibility test is capacity. Watch for budget lines, training cycles, labs and surveillance upgrades, and real simulation exercises—those are the signals that domestication becomes real readiness.

    Source: afro.who — January 2, 2026 — https://www.afro.who.int/countries/liberia/news/liberia-advances-implementation-amended-international-health-regulations

    World Health Organization (WHO) 2026-01-02

    Photo Credit: afro.who

  • The Gambia’s national university renames its agriculture school after Akinwumi Adesina

    The Gambia’s national university renames its agriculture school after Akinwumi Adesina

    The Gambia’s national university renames its agriculture school after Akinwumi Adesina

    According to Africa Newsroom (via APO Group), the University of The Gambia has renamed its School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences in honour of Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, citing his long-standing impact on agriculture and development across Africa.

    The move positions the faculty as a symbolic rallying point for food-security research, climate-smart agriculture, and youth-focused agripreneurship—areas that continue to dominate policy conversations across West Africa.

    It also signals a reputational bet: when institutions attach a global development figure’s name to a school, stakeholders expect the standard to rise—through partnerships, research output, and funding.

    Punch also reported the renaming and quoted Adesina’s reaction, including the phrase “deep sense of gratitude.” The Guardian Nigeria similarly confirmed the development, noting the university “renamed its School” in his honour.

    Echotitbits take:
    This is soft power turning into institutional opportunity. Watch for what follows the ceremony—new grants, exchange programmes, and targeted research labs that can turn the name into measurable outcomes.

    Source: The Punch — January 2, 2026 — https://punchng.com/the-gambia-varsity-renames-faculty-after-ex-afdb-president-adesina/
    The Punch 2026-01-02

    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • Ghana deports 42 Nigerians as enforcement tightens in Ashanti Region

    Ghana deports 42 Nigerians as enforcement tightens in Ashanti Region

    Photo credit: The Punch

    2025-12-22 09:40:00

    According to BusinessDay-linked reports and local Ghanaian coverage, Ghanaian authorities in the Ashanti Region deported at least 42 Nigerians following court rulings tied to alleged offences including prostitution and fraud-related activities.

    The development is being framed as part of immigration enforcement, where prosecutions and deportations can run together—especially when public pressure builds around crime narratives involving foreign nationals.

    For Nigerians in Ghana, episodes like this often trigger wider backlash, tighter profiling, and higher compliance costs—even for lawful residents and small business operators.

    ModernGhana reported that “Those deported comprise 42 Nigerians,” while other Nigerian outlets said the deportations followed “court rulings” connected to the alleged offences.

    Echotitbits take: This will inflame the usual Nigeria–Ghana social media wars, but the real issue is legal protection and diplomacy. Watch for Nigeria’s consular response, and whether Ghana frames this as targeted enforcement—or a broader crackdown likely to expand.

    Source: Punch — Dec 22, 2025 (https://punchng.com/ghana-deports-42-nigerians-for-prostitution-others/)

  • Burkina Faso Releases Nigerian Air Force Crew After Emergency Landing Talks

    Burkina Faso Releases Nigerian Air Force Crew After Emergency Landing Talks

    2025-12-18 00:00:00

    In a report carried by Punch, Burkina Faso has released Nigerian Air Force personnel detained after a military aircraft made an emergency landing, following diplomatic engagement between both countries.

    The development, according to the report, followed high-level talks led by Nigeria’s foreign affairs officials, with authorities seeking to de-escalate what had become a sensitive regional incident.

    The aircraft, Punch notes, was en route for scheduled maintenance when the emergency diversion occurred—an episode that unfolded amid broader tensions in the Sahel region.

    The Associated Press quoted a spokesperson as saying, “Matters have been resolved, they are no longer detained,” while noting that the incident had triggered heightened security posture in the Sahel alliance. (AP)

    The Guardian earlier described the landing as an “unauthorised” incident that deepened a diplomatic standoff and fuelled conflicting reports about the troops’ status. (The Guardian)

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: The quick resolution underscores how fragile airspace and security incidents can become in West Africa’s current climate. Watch for whether this episode leads to new protocols on military transit, clearer regional deconfliction channels, and re-calibrated Nigeria–Sahel alliance engagement.

    Source: Punch — December 18, 2025 (https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/843935-burkina-faso-frees-detained-nigerian-soldiers.html)

    Photo credit: Premium Times

  • Reps Urge Burkina Faso to Release Nigerian Soldiers Held After ‘Aircraft Incident’

    Reps Urge Burkina Faso to Release Nigerian Soldiers Held After ‘Aircraft Incident’

    Photo Credit: Punch

    2025-12-17

    In a report by *The Punch*, Nigeria’s House of Representatives is asking Burkina Faso to release Nigerian soldiers allegedly detained following an aircraft-related incident, as diplomatic engagement continues.

    Lawmakers argue that the detention risks worsening regional security cooperation at a time when West Africa is battling cross-border terrorism, arms flows, and insurgent financing.

    The development also highlights how fragile trust has become in the Sahel, where military-led governments and shifting alliances can rapidly complicate crisis management.

    Other reporting on the same development includes:
    – BBC Africa: “Regional tensions are rising amid strained security partnerships in the Sahel.”
    – Al Jazeera: “Diplomatic channels are being tested as governments demand consular access and due process.”

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: Nigeria should push for quiet, fast diplomacy—public grandstanding rarely helps. Watch for ECOWAS backchannels, whether Burkina Faso grants consular access, and if the incident triggers new rules for military flight clearances in the region.

    Source: The Punch — December 17, 2025 (https://punchng.com/reps-seek-release-of-aircraft-soldiers-detained-by-burkina-faso/)

     

  • Tinubu urges tougher ECOWAS collective action as coups and insecurity spread

    Tinubu urges tougher ECOWAS collective action as coups and insecurity spread

    2025-12-15 08:00:00

    According to The Punch, President Bola Tinubu called on ECOWAS leaders to strengthen unity and collective responses to military coups and regional instability at the bloc’s 68th ordinary session in Abuja.

    Punch reports discussions referenced recent attempted and successful power grabs and the need to operationalise stronger preventive measures, including coordination on intelligence and border management.

    The report situates the push within wider debates about how ECOWAS balances sanctions, diplomacy and security deployments.

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: ECOWAS credibility now hinges on consistent enforcement and funding for its security architecture. Watch for concrete decisions on standby-force financing, timelines for deployments, and how the bloc handles Guinea‑Bissau and other flashpoints.

    Source: The Punch — December 14, 2025

    The Punch https://punchng.com/tinubu-urges-ecowas-unity-to-resist-coups-ensure-regional-stability/ December 14, 2025