West Africa

Ghana has been producing commercial oil since 2010.

As global oil prices surge, some African countries may see a silver lining

Surging oil prices are hurting everyday consumers in Africa, but some oil-producing countries have seen a windfall with higher revenues — boosting investment spending in other areas.

As global oil prices surge, some African countries may see a silver lining
In this Friday, Jan. 15, 2016, file photo, people pass a banner reading "STOP EBOLA," forming part of Sierra Leone's Ebola free campaign in the city of Freetown, Sierra Leone. 

How do 'whole-of-government' programs actually work? Part II

How do 'whole-of-government' programs actually work? Part II
São Sebastião Fort and Museum with statues of conquistadors São Tomé.

'Born in Blackness': A new book centers Africa in the expansive history of slavery

'Born in Blackness': A new book centers Africa in the expansive history of slavery
A large crowd of people are shown with their hands in the air cheering a group of armed soldiers in a car.

Soldiers who led Mali coup promise new elections; EU steps up pressure on Lukashenko; Autobahn crashes possible terrorist attack

Soldiers who led Mali coup promise new elections; EU steps up pressure on Lukashenko; Autobahn crashes possible terrorist attack
A group of demonstrators are shown with one man carrying a placard and flag.

Mali soldiers promise election as region seeks way out of coup crisis

Mali soldiers promise election as region seeks way out of coup crisis
Contact tracers are pictured in a room

COVID-19 threatens global progress in fight against other communicable diseases 

Concerns are growing that the singular focus on COVID-19 is having a secondary impact — threatening years of progress in efforts to slow the spread of other, long-standing communicable diseases. 

COVID-19 threatens global progress in fight against other communicable diseases 
A girl washes her hands at a spigot at the entrance of her parents' house in Pikine, on the outskirts of Dakar, Senegal, on March 9, 2020.

What the US can learn from West Africa to slow the spread of coronavirus

Contact tracing, or meticulously tracing individuals exposed to illness, has been key to combating outbreaks of Ebola, cholera and tuberculosis throughout the world. Dr. Sheila Davis of the nonprofit Partners in Health explains what the US can learn from those crises.

What the US can learn from West Africa to slow the spread of coronavirus
We see a close up of a man, who visits the new MSF (Doctors Without Borders) Ebola treatment centre in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Scientists say Ebola is no longer incurable

Doctors from Democratic Republic of Congo want to prioritize two new treatments made from Ebola antibodies while dropping the use of other, less effective treatments.

Scientists say Ebola is no longer incurable
Alfred Brownell

This Liberian lawyer risked his life to save West Africa's last remaining rainforest from palm oil developers

When a palm oil development project tried to cut down the last major swath of tropical rainforest in Liberia, lawyer Alfred Brownell jumped into action — and almost lost his life.

This Liberian lawyer risked his life to save West Africa's last remaining rainforest from palm oil developers
workers carrying coffin of a victim of ebola

Deadly Ebola outbreak contained within Congo

The Ebola outbreak — by far the biggest Congo has seen, and the world's second largest in history — was declared by national authorities in August. It is concentrated in Congo's North Kivu and Ituri provinces.

Deadly Ebola outbreak contained within Congo
a screenshot of the BBC's pidgin language site

Why West Africa's pidgins deserve full recognition as official languages

Today, variations of pidgins are used in all spheres of life ranging from political campaigns, television and radio broadcast.

Why West Africa's pidgins deserve full recognition as official languages
Senegal

Overfished: In Senegal, empty nets lead to hunger and violence

The crisis is now forcing West African countries fronting the Atlantic to fight one another over the fish that remain.

Overfished: In Senegal, empty nets lead to hunger and violence
A reflection from the wing mirror of a car shows people ride motorcycles in Douala.

As gang violence escalates in Cameroon, residents are 'not safe anymore'

In Douala, the economic capital of this central African country, this scene is becoming increasingly common as young men armed with knives, machetes and sticks roam the streets, often murdering, looting and raping in conflicts with other gangs.

As gang violence escalates in Cameroon, residents are 'not safe anymore'
Man on a boat lifting a young child to hand to rescuers

A year after the Italy-Libya migrant deal: Fewer deaths at sea but persistent abuse on land

In February 2017, Italy and Libya signed an agreement to try to slow the arrival of migrants across the Mediterranean from Africa to Europe, with Italy giving logistical and financial support to Libya's coast guard. Since then, migrant sea arrivals in Europe have declined, and so have drownings, but many migrants returned to Libya face abusive detention.

A year after the Italy-Libya migrant deal: Fewer deaths at sea but persistent abuse on land
Ellen Sirleaf wears a grey headwrap and robe as she speaks to a man in a blue suit.

Liberia's Ellen Sirleaf: Women's icon with nerves of steel

Ellen Sirleaf, the first elected president in Liberia who has served two six-year terms, will preside over the country's first democratic transfer of power since 1944

Liberia's Ellen Sirleaf: Women's icon with nerves of steel