ACCRA, Ghana — Ghanaians can now digitally verify marriage and divorce records through a new platform designed to help people confirm the marital status of prospective partners, marriage officials and licensed venues before entering into unions. Known as Marrify, the digital marriage and divorce registry was launched in Accra on August 28 by Marry Right Ghana Limited in partnership with Ghana’s Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection. The platform provides access t

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso —Burkina Faso has approved and recognised more than 18 traditional medicines for use in the country as authorities move to strengthen regulation of a sector relied on by more than 80 percent of the population. Mariam Bagagnan, Director of Traditional and Alternative Medicine, said the approvals were part of efforts to improve the regulation and safety of traditional healthcare products. “To date, more than 18 traditional medicines have been approved

KAMPALA, Uganda — American self-proclaimed missionary Mac Miller has left Uganda following a wave of public outrage over alleged racist comments and social media activity, after Ugandans and other Africans called for his arrest and deportation. Miller, who describes himself as a Christian missionary and had been living in the Mukono area, left Uganda on Friday, following days of intense online backlash over material linking him to allegedly racist posts and comments. The con

HARARE, Zimbabwe — A television game show inNigeria’scommercial hub of Lagos has an unforgiving rule: Speak English and you lose. For a U.S.-born millennial in the audience and a student of her parents’ mother tongue, the high-stakes setting is a perfect classroom. Meanwhile, a 15-year-old Canadian speaks to a teacher about 13,000 kilometers (8,000 miles) away in Zimbabwe, learning a language her parents feared she would never speak. “Mhoroi,” Nyashadzashe Machingura says ch

KIGALI, Rwanda — Zimbabwean pan-Africanist and constitutional lawyer Brian Kagoro has challenged Africans to abandon a mindset of waiting for a better continent to emerge and instead take responsibility for creating the Africa they want. Speaking at the inaugural Africa Mindset Reset Forum held in Kigali, Rwanda,recently,Kagoro delivered a powerful message on African identity, responsibility and the need for a fundamental shift in how the continent approaches its future. Kago

KIGALI, Rwanda — Rwanda is stepping up efforts to increase the value of its coffee exports as the country seeks to position its specialty coffee among the most sought-after products on the international market. The push is being driven in part by the Best of Rwanda Coffee Competition, which brings together coffee farmers, processors and exporters from across the country to showcase high-quality beans. The competition begins with the submission of coffee samples, which are ass

By Staff Reporter King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, the traditional ruler of Uganda’s Tooro Kingdom who became the world’s youngest reigning monarch at the age of three, has died aged 34. The king’s death was announced on Friday by Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki, who described his passing as an “immeasurable loss” to the royal family and the people of Tooro. “I call upon all the people of Tooro to remain united, calm and prayerful during

Miss World Ethiopia Ruth Yirgalem has opened up about one of the most painful moments of her life, revealing that her older sister was kidnapped and later found dead in a suitcase just days before she travelled to Vietnam for the Miss World competition. Speaking during the 73rd Miss World Head-to-Head Challenge, the Ethiopian beauty queen delivered an emotional account of the tragedy, saying her sister was allegedly killed by her best friend of 10 years. Ruth said she spent

Cameroonian-American singer Libianca’s breakout hit “People”, including its high-profile remix featuring Nigerian stars Ayra Starr and Omah Lay, has become another marker of the growing international reach of Afrobeats and African popular music. According to Spotify stream counters,the song has surpassed the one-billion-stream mark globally when its original recording and released versions are considered collectively, underlining the ability of African-rooted music to attrac

Five-time Grammy Award winner Angelique Kidjo has added another major milestone to an illustrious career spanning more than four decades, becoming the first Black African musician to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Benin-born singer was honoured in a ceremony in Los Angeles, where she was celebrated by leading figures from the music and film industries for her extraordinary contribution to global music and humanitarian work. At 66, Kidjo has released 18 albu

KAMPALA, Uganda - In the heart of Uganda’s capital, a remarkable chapter in the preservation of African heritage is being rewritten as the Kasubi Tombs, the spiritual heart of the Buganda Kingdom, reopen after years of painstaking reconstruction. The UNESCO World Heritage site was devastated by a fire in 2010 that destroyed Muzibu Azala Mpanga, the enormous traditional thatched structure built in 1882 by Kabaka Mutesa I. The building was reduced to ashes, leaving behind a pro

Kenya has made a historic bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, potentially becoming the first African country to stage the sport’s flagship global event. The East African athletics powerhouse has submitted an official bid, with Nairobi competing against London, Rome and Munich for the right to host the championships. World Athletics is expected to announce the successful host next month. Athletics Kenya said the country's bid has strong government backing and p

From the streets of Asmara to the global Miss World stage, Snit Tewoldemedhin is breaking new ground for Eritrea. The neuroscience graduate, educator and advocate has become a trailblazer in Eritrean pageantry, having been recognised as the first Eritrean to win Miss Africa USA and the first woman to represent Eritrea at Miss Universe. She is now taking another historic step by representing Eritrea at Miss World for the first time. But Snit's journey goes beyond beauty and pa

South African Afro-soul star Lerato 'Lira' Molapo made history in 2019 as the first African woman to have a Barbie doll created in her likeness. The custom-made doll was unveiled by Mattel as part of Barbie's 60th anniversary "Shero" campaign, which celebrates inspirational women who are breaking barriers and inspiring the next generation. Known for embracing her natural hair, skin tone and African identity, Lira said she hoped the doll would inspire girls across the continen

Africa is a continent bursting with life, history, and culture. With over 1.2 billion people and 54 countries, it is home to a myriad of ethnic groups, languages, and traditions. Each region offers a unique glimpse into the rich tapestry of African heritage. This blog post will explore the diverse cultural richness of Africa, highlighting its traditions, art, music, and culinary delights. Eye-level view of traditional African masks displayed in a cultural exhibition The Ethni