Breaking News

Ignatius Annor

Produced by Ignatius Annor

August 04, 2023
Mixed Reactions Greet Trump's 'Not Guilty' Plea

WASHINGTON — Mixed reactions met the news of former U.S. President Donald Trump pleading not guilty Thursday over his attempts to subvert the U.S. Constitution and hold on to power after he lost the November 2020 elections.
August 03, 2023
'Blacks for Trump' Rallying Against Indictment

A group of Black Americans, identifying as Blacks for Trump, gathered Thursday in front of the federal courthouse in Washington D.C. to protest the indictment of former United States President Donald Trump, who faces charges for his attempts to overturn his loss in the 2020 election. For more, VOA’s Ignatius Annor spoke to Maurice Symonette, founder of the group.
July 31, 2023
Does Niger's Coup Affirm Democratic Backsliding Theories in West Africa?

WASHINGTON — Analysts say the toppling of a democratically elected regime in Niger last week gives credence to theories by advocates that West Africa’s democracy is failing, adding the current development in the nation warrants international attention.
July 31, 2023
USIP: Africa could be Seeking ‘Customized Democracy'

The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) says the recent coup in Niger could be a message from young citizens in Africa that democracy is no longer appealing to the continent, and that what they might be seeking is "customized democracy." Kamissa Camara, senior advisor on Africa at USIP, tells VOA’s Ignatius Annor that the coup leaders capitalized on insecurity within the region to illegally grab power, urging the international community to find strategic ways to engage them. Camara’s remarks come as regional bloc, ECOWAS, suspended ties with the Sahelian country following last week’s coup.
July 27, 2023
Analysts: Moscow Seeks to Assert Geopolitical Influence with Africa Summit

Security analysts say Russia’s resolve to host Africa for its second Russia-Africa summit this week could be Moscow’s attempt to prove its influence in global geopolitics despite its invasion of Ukraine amid increasing isolation.
July 22, 2023
HIV/AIDS Advocates Warn Against Complacency in Ending Epidemic

HIV/AIDS advocates have welcomed news that ending the virus is still feasible by 2030, but warned against complacency as new infections rise among key populations like adolescent girls, young women and sexual minorities in Africa.
July 19, 2023
Analysts: Russia's Grain Deal Halt Critical to Resolving World Hunger

WASHINGTON — Russia’s decision to halt its United Nations and Turkey-brokered grain deal with Ukraine may have come as a surprise as concerns over yet another surge in global food prices unnerves the world, particularly in regions such as the Horn of Africa.
July 17, 2023
Who are the Front-Runners for Senegal's Presidential Elections?

Senegal’s presidential election is just seven months way with uncertainty over who is likely to succeed two-time President Macky Sall following his announcement on July 3 that he’ll not seek re-election.
June 28, 2023
Can Russia-Wagner Tension Impact Africa?

Strained relations between Russian-backed paramilitary Wagner Group and the Kremlin has heightened concerns over the future of the mercenary group’s activities in Africa.
June 01, 2023
Free Language App Builds Horn of Africa Literacy

The Horn of Africa might be reeling under a myriad of challenges including drought, hunger and poverty over the devastating impact of climate change, but a local charity is poised to help develop literacy skills in the Somali language to improve education in the region.
May 31, 2023
Africa’s LGBTQ+ Community on the Edge

Human Rights activists are concerned that Uganda’s "Anti-Homosexuality Act" assented by President Yoweri Museveni last Friday could have a domino effect across Africa as Ghana’s legislature deliberates a similar bill. Although the bill in Ghana, known formally as the "Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill," is yet to pass, news that the East African nation has enacted the legislation has sent shivers down the spines of LGBTQ+ persons and allies in the West African nation. VOA’s Ignatius Annor seeks to find out what’s next as LGBTQ+ persons living on the continent remain on edge about their very existence. Annor reports from Washington.
May 31, 2023
Uganda Anti-Gay Law: Activists Want Speedy Hearing

Uganda's Key Population Consortium, an NGO focused on health, human rights, and justice for minority groups, says it hopes for a speedy hearing after petitioning the Constitutional Court on Monday against the 'Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023' signed by President Yoweri Museveni last Friday.
May 19, 2023
Can the 'African-Ukraine Peace Mission' Deliver?

Analysts say an "African-Ukraine Peace Mission" delegation announced by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to try to end Russia’s war in Ukraine is unlikely to "bear fruits" without the vested interest of global powers, and as Pretoria's neutrality in the war remains in dispute.
May 08, 2023
Can US Sanctions on Sudan Stop the Fighting?

Analysts have expressed doubt that U.S. sanctions imposed on individuals involved in recent fighting in Sudan could help assuage warring factions to end further bloodshed.
May 03, 2023
Is AI a Threat to Journalism?

Have you viewed an online news report, believed it, only to learn later that it was a fake? Advancements in artificial intelligence are now making that possible. Like an image showing a fictitious skirmish with former U.S. President Donald Trump and New York City police officers before he was first arraigned in a state court last month. The AI-generated image was widely circulated during Trump's arraignment. As the world marks World Press Freedom Day on May 3, we ask if AI is becoming an existential threat to journalists and journalism. Media analysts say emerging technology spaces are very likely to put the credibility of quality journalism to the test. VOA's Ignatius Annor reports for Straight Talk Africa.
May 02, 2023
Is Artificial Intelligence a Threat to Journalism?

Media analysts say artificial intelligence is a threat to authentic journalism and poses further risk on credibility and integrity as practitioners continue to grapple with deep fakes and the ‘’fake news’’ rhetoric.
May 01, 2023
Analysts: Safety, Misinformation & Online Violence Press Freedom Risks

Analysts cite safety, misinformation and online violence as the most critical threats facing African journalists today, saying the fact that some countries on the continent like Mali are "no-go" areas for journalists underscores the risk to press freedom.
April 25, 2023
Miss Africa USA 2023 Winner Poised for Change

Miss Africa USA 2023 winner Snit Tewoldemedhin has said she intends to embark on a trip to Africa during her 12-month reign to educate Africans about the potentials of children with special needs, while demystifying long held beliefs on the continent that such children are a burden onto society.
April 25, 2023
Miss Africa USA 2023 on a Mission

Miss Africa USA 2023 winner Snit Tewoldemedhin told VOA Monday that she's determined to use her platform to help tailor-make a child-friendly curriculum for students with special needs in Africa. Tewoldemedhin says she regrets that such children are seen as a burden to society and is hoping to change that narrative about their existence. The 24-year-old reigning beauty queen from Eritrea was at the VOA studios for a conversation centered around her desire to help children with Down syndrome and a life-long dream of building a school for children with special needs in Africa. VOA's Ignatius Annor spoke to her in this wide-ranging interview.
April 18, 2023
Analysts Fear 'Knock-On Effects' of Sudan Conflict Despite Cease-Fire

Analysts have welcomed Sudan’s 24-hour cease-fire announced Tuesday but said the ‘’knock-on’’ effect of the four day conflict continues to pound civilians as the World Health Organization lament that the country’s health system is near collapse.

XS

SM

MD

LG