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Paul Ndiho

Produced by Paul Ndiho

March 22, 2024
DRC Reinstates Death Penalty

The Democratic Republic of Congo recently reinstated the death penalty after more than two-decades. The decision was made as authorities struggle to curb violence and militant attacks. The justice ministry said the ban from 2003 allowed offenders accused of treason and espionage to escape proper punishment. For more on the issue, Zihindula Mulegwa, an attorney and former spokesperson for President Joseph Kabila of the DRC, spoke to VOA's Paul Ndiho.
March 20, 2024
Global Warming Impacts Livelihoods and Ecosystems Throughout Africa

Africa is facing the impact of global warming, affecting the continent's economic growth. Many African countries, from the Horn of Africa to West Africa, North Africa to Southern Africa, are experiencing scorching temperatures. Research conducted by Afrobarometer, a pan-African and non-partisan survey research network, suggests that parts of Africa are becoming drier and hotter while others are facing an increase in rainfall, resulting in devastating floods and displacement of many Africans. To provide more insight on this matter, VOA's Paul Ndiho spoke to Boniface Dulani, the Director of Surveys at Afrobarometer, based in Zomba, Malawi.
March 16, 2024
Analyst: Support for African Democratic Elections Has Weakened

In 2024, more than 20 African countries are scheduled to hold presidential or general elections, according to Afrobarometer. Afrobarometer is a pan-African, non-partisan survey research network that provides reliable data on African experiences and evaluations of democracy, governance, and quality of life. The network conducted 9 surveys in 39 African countries and found that while most Africans endorse elections as the best method for choosing their leaders, this preference has weakened over the past decade. VOA's Paul Ndiho spoke to Dr. Boniface Dulani, Director of Surveys at Afrobarometer base in Zomba, Malawi, to provide more perspective on this matter.
March 15, 2024
Analysis: US House of Representatives Votes to Ban TikTok

The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill on Wednesday that would give TikTok's Chinese owner Byte-Dance six months to divest the U.S. assets of the short video app used by about 170 million Americans or face a ban. The U.S. Senate is also likely to pass the bill as well. For more on the potential TikTok ban, VOA’s Esther Gtihui-Ewart spoke to VOA’s Paul Ndiho from the US Capitol.
March 14, 2024
Tech Report: Africa’s Digital Transformation Strategy

Africa is currently developing a Digital Transformation Strategy, which involves significant investment in new technology, secure internet access, data collection, and fighting corruption. A conference is underway in Abuja to raise awareness about cybersecurity and investing in African data centers. In addition to training, the conference strives to integrate technology with other sectors of the economy, such as finance, healthcare, education, and transportation. VOA’s Paul Ndiho spoke to Hilary Damissah, the editor of Cyber News and the Chief Operations Officer at the Center for Cyber Awareness and Development in Abuja, Nigeria for more on the implementation of the Digital Transformation Strategy.
March 12, 2024
South African Youth Play Critical Roll in Upcoming Election

Young people in South Africa could be the deciding factor in the polls. According to analysts, South African youth are not apathetic but no longer believe that elections are the best way to bring about change. Mthoba Chapi, the regional communication officer for the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, uses his platform to change the narrative and encourage youth participation in the upcoming elections. He spoke to VOA's Paul Ndiho via Skype from Johannesburg, South Africa, for more on the youth voting bloc in South Africa.
March 07, 2024
US President Biden Faces Critical Test Ahead of National Address

President Joe Biden is spending the entire day preparing for his annual address to Congress, during which he is expected to discuss a range of important issues. This year, his speech will be particularly significant, as it will serve as a platform for the Biden campaign leading up to the November elections. VOA's Esther Githui-Ewart spoke to VOA’s Paul Ndiho live from Capitol Hill for a look into what President Biden will be facing ahead of the State of the Union Address.
March 06, 2024
VOA Africa Spotlights Sombo Muzata In Celebration of Women’s Month

As the commemoration of International Women’s Month kicks off, VOA Africa spotlights leading Africa academic Sombo Muzata, who is a Ph.D holder and assistant professor in the Department of Political Science at James Madison University in the United States. For more on her career, Muzata spoke to VOA’s Paul Ndiho. The two discussed the importance women empowerment and more.
March 05, 2024
Analysis: Senegalese Civil Society Agrees to Presidential Election

A major Senegalese civil society collective said Thursday it was joining forces with the opposition to ensure the presidential election is held before April 2, when President Macky Sall's mandate runs out. The West African country has been experiencing a political crisis after President Macky Sall postponed the presidential election, which was originally scheduled for February 25. VOA’s Paul Ndiho spoke to Henry Muguzi, the African Elections Observer Network coordinator based in Kampala, Uganda, for more on how the postponed vote.
March 01, 2024
US Republican Senate Leader to Step Down

Mitch McConnell, the senior Senator from Kentucky and current Majority Leader of the US Senate, says he will step down from his leadership role in November, marking the end of an era that spanned almost two decades. The 82-year-old has been a prominent figure in American politics for decades, and his retirement as Senate GOP leader is likely to impact the future of the Republican Party. For more in to McConnell’s announcement, VOA’s Linord Moudou spoke to VOA’s Paul Ndiho.
February 29, 2024
Technology Report: African Data Industry Looks to AI Integration

Africa has always been a continent with untapped potential. However, with new digital technologies such as AI and Big Data, analysts believe Africa has a unique opportunity to drive large-scale transformation and competitiveness. The tech industry is thriving globally, and African countries have the potential to be part of this thriving industry and to benefit from the potential that AI and Big Data bring to the table. For more on how Africa’s data industries are integrating artificial intelligence in their modern systems, VOA’s Paul Ndiho spoke to Momar Dieng, a Harvard University professor, and Dean of the School of Business at the African Leadership University.
February 28, 2024
Empowering Female Politicians in South Africa

South Africa is gearing up for its seventh general election under universal adult suffrage on May 29, 2024. The Africa Liberal Network's Women's Empowerment Program, supported by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, empowers female politicians by providing them with the necessary skills to secure candidate nominations, win elections, and take leadership roles within their parties. For a look into how the foundation helps to aid women in the electoral process, VOA’s Paul Ndiho spoke to Masechaba Masemola wa-Mdaka, the foundation’s Regional Programs Officer for sub-Saharan Africa.
February 27, 2024
Analysis: Senegalese Politics in Crisis Over Election Postponement

On Saturday, hundreds of Senegalese took to the streets of Dakar to demonstrate both in support of and against President Macky Sall. The country faces a political crisis after the postponement of the presidential election, which was initially scheduled for February 25th, 2024. For more insight into Senegal’s political fallout, VOA's Paul Ndiho spoke with Momar Dieng, a former senior technical and policy advisor in Senegal's Ministry of Education and Dean of the School of Business at the African Leadership University in Kigali, Rwanda.
February 22, 2024
Technology Report: Social Media as a Fashion Advertiser

Tesslo Concepts, a fashion label founded in 2005 by Nigerian-born fashion icon Tessy Oliseh-Amaize, is creating a buzz in the Washington D.C.’s fashion scene, with its custom designs and consignment services. Despite Amaize’s success, selling her clothes on the mass market has been a challenging journey. To learn more about her fashion label, VOA’s Paul Ndiho spoke with Tessy Oliseh-Amaize, the creative director of Tesslo Concepts.
February 20, 2024
Analysis: Senegal Political Developments Disturbing

Political analysts say they were disturbed by the postponement of Senegal’s presidential elections. However, they applaud the nation’s Constitutional Court for its ruling last week to have elections held “as soon as possible” — demands echoed by opposition leaders who say the polls should be held by April 2, when President Macky Sall’s term is set to end. For more, VOA’s Paul Ndiho spoke to Henry Muguzi, the coordinator at the African Elections Observer Network.
February 17, 2024
Fruitful Orphanage Helps Struggling Children in Tanzania

Fruitful Orphanage in Arusha, Tanzania, offers a beacon of light amid life's challenges. Isaac John, an orphan himself, wanted to give back to the community that raised him. He opened his home and welcomed children from all walks of life with open arms. As the orphanage seeks continued support and expansion, it's a tale of compassion and community coming together to make a difference. For more, VOA's Paul Ndiho spoke to Isaac John, the founder of Fruitful Orphanage in Arusha, Tanzania.
February 15, 2024
Tech Report: Regulating Artificial Intelligence in New Technologies

Some technology analysts argue that using artificial intelligence responsibly can boost productivity and economic growth across the continent. But there is growing concern that this new technology needs regulation. Several countries in different parts of Africa are looking for ways to regulate the fast-moving technology. For more insight, VOA’s Paul Ndiho spoke to Gbenga Sesan, the executive director of Paradigm Initiative, a pan-African social enterprise working on digital inclusion and digital rights based in Lagos, Nigeria.
February 15, 2024
M23 Rebels Continue Battle in DRC

Decades-long conflicts in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, involving numerous rival armed groups fighting over land and resources, have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people and displacement of over seven million. The M23 rebels pose a threat to the strategic eastern city of Goma in the eastern DRC. Although Rwanda denies accusations that it backs the M23, the DRC, Western governments, including the United States, and reports from a United Nations expert group strongly indicate that the rebel group receives support from Rwanda. To provide more perspective on the issue, Zihindula Mulegwa, attorney and former spokesman for President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo, spoke to VOA's Paul Ndiho.
February 09, 2024
Africa Accountability Conference Addresses Corruption on the Continent

Africa experiences an annual loss of approximately $88.6 billion due to corruption, including illicit financial flows as reported by the United Nations in 2021. Inadequate oversight of public institutions and weak systems impact public service delivery across the continent. VOA’s Esther Githui-Ewart spoke to VOA’s Paul Ndiho live from the Africa Accountability Conference in Washington, D.C. for a look into how graft, malfeasance and mismanagement is being handled on the continent.
February 05, 2024
Namibian Opposition Leaders Halt Campaigning Until Former President Is Buried

Panduleni Itula, president of Namibia’s opposition Independent Patriots for Change says former President Hage Geingob, who died on Sunday at age 82, was a “patriotic statesman who believed in building his country.” The opposition leader also said his political party will show respect to Geingob by halting all campaign activities until the deceased leader is buried. For more, VOA’s Paul Ndiho spoke to Itula via Skype.

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