September 30, 2022
Nigeria: Nigeria At 62 - Five Essential Reads On Why There Isn't an Inspiring Story to Tell
As Nigeria marks its 62nd independence anniversary, many will be checking to see if there is indeed any reason for celebrations. Read more »
South Africa: Universities Need to Better Support Doctoral Supervisors
South Africa's government has ambitious plans for doctoral education. The country aims to increase its output to 5,000 doctorates annually by 2030. In 2013, the figure stood at… Read more »
Nigeria: Nigeria Ticks Some Boxes As a Democracy. Why This Hasn't Translated Into a Better Life for Most
Since gaining independence on 1 October 1960, Nigeria has struggled to maintain a democratic government. Read more »
September 29, 2022
Africa: Africa Risks Losing Out On Trade As Rich Countries Cement Relationships With Trusted Partners
Over the past few years, the world's supply chains have been strained and disrupted by the COVID pandemic, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and rising geopolitical tensions. These… Read more »
East Africa: 5 Steps to Stop Ebola Spreading in East Africa - A Frontline Expert Advises
The biggest Ebola outbreak in human history happened in West Africa from 2014 to 2015. I was on the front lines in Liberia serving as the head of case detection for the National… Read more »
Africa: Green Hydrogen Sounds Like a Win for Developing Countries. But Cost and Transport Are Problems
Hydrogen is used mainly to make chemicals such as fertiliser, and in oil refineries. Most hydrogen in the world today is made from natural gas or coal - methods associated with… Read more »
Nigeria: Foreign Investment Into Nigeria Has Fallen Sharply - Rights and Freedoms May Be One Reason
Nigeria has always managed to attract foreign direct investment despite its poor economic outlook. This is thanks to its oil reserves and the consumption potential of its large… Read more »
Kenya: Can Kipchoge Now Run a Marathon In Under Two Hours?
Sixty-nine seconds. Read more »
Africa: Why Has My Cold Dragged On So Long? and How Do I Know When It's Morphed Into Something More Serious?
Common colds are caused by viruses. There are no effective cures, and antibiotics do not work on viruses, so treatment is targeted at managing the symptoms until your immune system… Read more »
Africa: Getting Fit After Covid? Why You Should Be Strength Training - and How to Do It
After recovering from COVID, you might be eager to get out and do some exercise, particularly if you'd previously enjoyed keeping fit. While a bit of light cardiovascular training… Read more »
September 28, 2022
Africa: Dogs Can Smell People's Stress - New Study
Dogs have a long history alongside humans, giving them an amazing ability to read human cues. Dogs also possess an incredible sense of smell, which enables them to detect diseases,… Read more »
Nigeria: 'Gutter Water', 'Monkey Tail' and Smoked Faeces - New Drug Dangers
New, unconventional drugs are becoming popular in Nigeria, designed by dealers and users to replicate the effects of illegal substances like cannabis, cocaine, and ecstasy. They… Read more »
Nigeria: Abortion Pills Are Being Widely Used in Nigeria - Women and Suppliers Talk About Their Experiences
Unintended pregnancy is common among women of reproductive age in Nigeria and a substantial number end in abortion. Annually between 2015 and 2019, almost three million pregnancies… Read more »
South Africa: Child Custody in South Africa - What to Do When Co-Parenting Goes Wrong
The COVID-19 lockdowns severed many families, where they found themselves having a limited period to decide who would live where and with whom. In other instances, it cemented the… Read more »
Africa: Has the Pandemic Changed Our Personalities? New Research Suggests We're Less Open, Agreeable and Conscientious
For many of us, some personality traits stay the same throughout our lives while others change only gradually. However, evidence shows that significant events in our personal lives… Read more »
South Africa: Obesity Is On the Rise Among South African Women - A Risk to Maternal and Child Health
Obesity in adults has nearly tripled between 1975 and 2016 across the world. The World Health Organization estimated that by 2016, about 1.9 billion adults worldwide were… Read more »
Africa: Deep Brain Stimulation Can Be Life-Altering for OCD Sufferers When Other Treatment Options Fall Short
Imagine growing up tormented by fears and life-consuming rituals that make no sense to you or those around you. Then imagine the shame of being told by mental health providers… Read more »
September 27, 2022
Ghana: Northern Ghana Is Underdeveloped Because of Underinvestment During Colonial Rule, Not Geography
Ghana's most important development problem is arguably the disparity between the north and south of the country. The north is acutely underdeveloped, trailing the south in… Read more »
Africa: Child Marriage Comes With a Heavy Cost for Young Girls in Africa - but There's One Clear Way Out
650 million women and girls alive today were married before their 18th birthday. That's one of the startling figures contained in a 2021 UNICEF report about child marriage.… Read more »
Nigeria: Nigeria's Sacred Osun River Supports Millions of People - but Pollution Is Making It Unsafe
Pollution has become a worrying threat to Nigeria's Osun River. The river supports millions of people who rely on the water for agriculture as well as industries. It is also an… Read more »
Africa: Abortion in Kenya and Benin - Women and Girls Need to Feel Safe Socially and Medically
Safe abortion and post abortion care are essential health services. But until the publication of the 2022 World Health Organization (WHO) abortion care guidelines there was a… Read more »
Africa: Sex and Power in the Animal Kingdom - Seven Animals That Will Make You Reconsider What You Think You Know
It's easy to assume all animals have a neat dividing line between the sexes because the differences in appearance between males and females can be so striking. But the more… Read more »
September 26, 2022
South Africa: How to Help People Stay On Antiretroviral Therapy When Life Gets in the Way
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has turned HIV into a manageable chronic condition. When ART is working effectively, HIV cannot be transmitted. This allows people with HIV to live… Read more »
South Sudan: South Sudan Should Disarm Civilians - The Evidence Shows This Improves Security
A long-running state of insecurity has recently intensified in Unity State - one of South Sudan's 10 states - resulting in many innocent lives being lost. Read more »
South Africa: Some Plants Can Short-Circuit the Toxic Effects of Metals - Scientists Are Trying to Harness Their Power
At first glance, it's hard to see what gold, iron, lead, arsenic, silver, platinum and tin have in common. A look at the periodic table will clear up the confusion: they are all… Read more »