Liberia: Boakai Appoints 35-Year-Old Atty. Cornelia Kruah As Youth & Sports Minister - Move Seen As Push for Generational Shift

[FrontPageAfrica] Monrovia -- In a move signaling a strategic pivot toward youth inclusion, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has nominated Attorney Cornelia Wonkerleh Kruah as the Minister of Youth and Sports. Source

Liberia: At Davos, Liberia's Foreign Minister Meets Elon Musk As Spacex Praises Country's Business-Friendly Reforms

[FrontPageAfrica] Davos -- Liberia's Foreign Minister, Sara Beysolow Nyanti, has held talks with SpaceX founder Elon Musk on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, as Liberia intensifies efforts to position itself as an emerging destination for global investment. Source

Nigeria: Nigerian Govt Unveils New Macro-Strategy to Tackle Food Insecurity

[Premium Times] Mr Shettima said the "Back to the Farm" initiative is designed to curb inflation, reduce foreign exchange spending on food imports, insulate Nigeria from global shocks, and restore productivity in the country's key food basket regions. Source

Liberia: Boakai to Deliver SONA Amid Mixed Reactions

[New Dawn] Monrovia -- Amid mixed public reactions to the government's performance, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai is expected to use Monday's State of the Nation Address (SONA) to calm rising public anxiety and rebuild trust in his leadership. Source

Ghana: 58 Percent of Ghanaians Optimistic About Country's Direction - IEA Survey Reveals

[Ghanaian Times] A nationwide poll conducted by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) indicates that many Ghanaians are satisfied with the direction of the country. Source

Uganda: Heavy Security At Butambala Court As Kivumbi Expected Amid Election Violence Probe

[Nile Post] Heavy security has been deployed at the Butambala Chief Magistrate's Court ahead of the expected appearance of Butambala County legislator and National Unity Platform (NUP) Buganda deputy president, Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi. Source

Liberia: Minister Piah Announces Govt to Return Controversial 'Yellow Machines' Negotiated By Mamaka Bility Amid Completion of New Deal

[FrontPageAfrica] Monrovia -- The Government of Liberia has announced plans to return 35 earth-moving machines, commonly referred to as "yellow machines," that were imported under a controversial arrangement negotiated by Minister of State without Portfolio Mamaka Bility, as a newly negotiated procurement deal nears completion--rekindling public concern over wasteful spending and weak due diligence. Source

Liberia: Govt Seeks U.S.$900 Million to Transform Ports, Transport Sector

[Liberian Observer] The government has unveiled an ambitious plan to inject nearly US$900 million into the country's ports and transport infrastructure, a move officials say could fundamentally reshape Liberia's economic landscape and reposition the country as a strategic maritime and logistics hub in West Africa. Source

Kenya: Gachagua Alleges Intimidation of North Eastern Journalists Over Planned Interview

[Capital FM] Nairobi -- Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has claimed that journalists from Northeastern Kenya withdrew from a planned interview with him after allegedly facing threats and intimidation. Source

Sudan: Sudanese Refugee Children Haunted By Traumas of War

[Dabanga] Kampala -- By Abdelmoneim Madibu for Radio Dabanga Source

South Africa: Illegal Dumping Turns Soshanguve Schools Into Health Hazards

[Health-e] Several government schools in Soshanguve, north of Pretoria, have become breeding grounds for health hazards, due to delayed waste collection and illegal dumping. During a recent visit to Soshanguve Block R, Health-e News saw waste dumped at three separate schools. Source

Uganda: For Sudanese Refugee Women in Uganda, a Cup of Coffee and a Space to Speak

[The New Humanitarian] Kampala -- "I heard others telling their stories, and I felt they were similar to my own." Source