Author: Priscilla Agyeman-Duah

South Africa has imposed an 8.5% increase in the national minimum hourly wage, enhancing it to $1.46. Predicted to impact the lives of the country’s 6.44 million workers who earn the minimum wage, the decision comes amidst tracking inflation rates, currently recorded at 5.7% according to the National Department of Employment and Labour.

Facing a sustained threat to national security, the government of Mali has reportedly contracted the services of the Russian private security firm, Wagner, instead of extending its almost decade-long reliance on French troops, causing ripples in the international diplomatic sphere.

South Africa’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has embarked on an unprecedented operation to enable prison inmates across the country to participate in the forthcoming local government elections. Taking the constitutional right to vote to another level, the commission registered eligible voters in 147 correctional facilities in a recent drive.

Landing another significant punch for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Niger has pronounced its departure from the bloc, citing the community’s damaging economic sanctions. The president, Mohamed Bazoum, described ECOWAS embargoes as an instigator of economic and social suffering. This follows in the footsteps of Mali and Burkina Faso, two nations that recently broke ties with ECOWAS after facing similar punitive measures following coups.

The African Union (AU) is pressing for dialogue between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and regions in West Africa plagued by military coups, with specific emphasis on Guinea and Mali. This comes in the wake of military authorities in Mali showing intent to delay anticipated elections until 2026, contradicting ECOWAS’ calls for a swift return to constitutional rule.

The United Nations (UN) Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations was recently in the Central African Republic on an emergency visit amid palpable tension. The visit by such a high-ranking official underscored the UN’s commitment to supporting the people of the Central African Republic during this period of instability.

In today’s interconnected and technologically driven world, it is integral to understand the profound impact artificial intelligence (AI) continues to have on job postings. As our society continues to innovate, AI has become a useful tool in an array of industries, influencing employers and their requirements for potential candidates.

In an ambitious bid to uplift Africa’s agricultural sector and bolster food security, the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) have unveiled a new joint initiative. The project, named ‘Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT)’, aims to enhance agricultural productivity and reduce poverty, targeting the termination of hunger across Africa by 2025. The initiative is set in alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

On the occasion of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Canada’s Minister of International Development, Kamal Khera, issued a statement expressing Canada’s firm dedication to eradicating the scourge of human trafficking and providing support to its victims.

The South African authorities have captured a suspect linked to the devastating high-rise building blaze in Johannesburg that led to the tragic loss of 77 lives. The fire erupted on January 21 and is regarded as one of the most catastrophic in the nation’s history.