Today, 133 cardinals entered the Sistine Chapel to begin the sacred process of electing the next pope. After chanting ancient hymns, the doors closed with “Extra omnes.” From here, it’s prayer, reflection, and secret ballots.
White smoke = New pope.
Black smoke = Not yet.
The top contenders are Vatican insider Pietro Parolin, Africa’s Fridolin Ambongo, Asia’s Luis Tagle, and Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who could be the first Italian pope in decades.
It’s been five months since President John Dramani Mahama returned to power as Ghana’s 14th president, and the momentum is undeniable. As part of his ambitious “First 120 Days Social Contract with the People of Ghana,” Mahama pledged to kickstart 26 key initiatives during the first four months of his new administration.
Seven major promises have already been fulfilled, signaling a busy start and a determined effort to rebuild trust in leadership and deliver results where it matters most. Among the standout achievements:
A lean and efficient government structure to cut costs and reduce bureaucracy.
A nationwide crackdown on illegal mining (galamsey) to protect Ghana’s environment.
The reopening of investigations into unresolved high-profile crimes is rekindling hopes for justice.
A National Economic Dialogue to confront fiscal instability head-on.
Laying the groundwork for his flagship 24-Hour Economy Policy, aimed at boosting productivity and job creation.
Convening a National Education Forum to chart bold reforms in Ghana’s struggling education sector.
This progress echoes President Mahama’s priorities in an exclusive pre-inauguration interview with Paul Ndiho, in which he vowed to lead with action, not just rhetoric.
Critics say challenges remain, especially inflation, youth unemployment, and debt restructuring.
Last week marked a historic change in Gabon. Brice Oligui Nguema was sworn in as president, ending 55 years of Bongo family rule. His inauguration, attended by more than 20 African leaders, symbolized the conclusion of a 19-month military transition. Nguema, a former general and cousin of ousted president Ali Bongo, achieved an impressive 95% victory in last month’s election, significantly defeating former Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze, who received just 3% of the vote. While this electoral win is noteworthy, governing Gabon remains a daunting task. The country faces substantial challenges, including deteriorating infrastructure, escalating debt, and a pressing need to diversify its economy beyond oil dependency. Having closely observed Gabonese politics for over a decade, many question whether Nguema represents genuine reform or another iteration of the existing political system. Your thoughts are welcome. Feel free to share them in the comments and connect with us on social media platforms like X, Instagram, and YouTube.
Changes within USAID and their far-reaching implications for Africa. The current administration’s reduction in aid, particularly to crucial health programs like HIV medication, poses a serious threat to the continent’s well-being. However, this moment presents a unique opportunity for African nations to seize control of their economic futures and pursue self-reliance. Massad Boulos recognizes Africa’s value despite these obstacles as the senior advisor for Africa. Sir Leonard Anyogo, a constitutional lawyer and political analyst based in Abuja, Nigeria, joins me in providing further insight.
Ethiopian Airlines is again making history—not just in the skies, but on the ground. On May 3, 2025, the airline’s prestigious Aviation University celebrated the graduation of 974 aviation professionals, marking a significant milestone in African aviation.
The ceremony in Addis Ababa brought together airline executives, ambassadors, dignitaries, and proud families to honor the new class of pilots, technicians, cabin crew, marketers, and hospitality specialists. What stood out most was that 614 graduates were women, signaling a significant shift toward gender balance in the industry.
The graduates came from across Africa—Congo, Mozambique, Cameroon, Gabon, Uganda, South Sudan, Zambia, and Sierra Leone—and 38 students from China. This diverse group reflects the airline’s continental impact and long-standing ties with China, dating back to 1973.
CEO Mesfin Tasew called the event a symbol of Ethiopia’s leadership in building skilled aviation talent for the continent. As the fastest-growing airline in Africa, Ethiopian Airlines continues to invest in training and empowering the next generation of aviation experts.
We want to hear from you! What do you think this means for African aviation?
Drop your thoughts in the comments.
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Today, on Different Perspectives, we discuss the humanitarian crisis in Eastern Congo, where the M23 rebel group captured Goma and Bukavu. Since the offensive began, more than 7,000 people have been killed, and hundreds of thousands have been displaced. The international community has urged Rwanda to end its support for the rebels and withdraw its troops, a claim Rwanda denies. The crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo stems from its rich mineral resources and persistent political instability. Kambale Musavuli, a research analyst at the Center for Research on Congo-Kinshasa, highlights the need to address historical injustices and ensure accountability for violence to achieve lasting peace. Justice is both a legal and moral imperative that demands immediate action.
Dr. Shaka Ssali wasn’t just a journalist—he was a voice of reason, a champion of truth, and a fearless advocate for democracy and press freedom in Africa.
From his humble roots in Kabale, Uganda, to becoming the host of Straight Talk Africa on Voice of America, Shaka inspired generations. He gave a platform to the voiceless, held leaders accountable, and reminded us that the African story deserves to be told by Africans.
Despite his global fame, Shaka lived. No car. No mansion. Just a deep commitment to truth, justice, and lifting others, especially young African journalists. I know because I was one of them.
He gave me his shoulders to climb on, and I will forever be grateful.
To honor his legacy, I’m launching a new podcast, Different Perspectives with Paul Ndiho—where we’ll continue the conversation, challenge power, and keep the African hope alive.
The past few days have been harsh. Many of my colleagues at Voice of America, including myself, have been placed on administrative leave or given termination notices due to recent executive orders. I want to thank everyone who reached out to check on me—it truly means a lot.
After nearly 20 incredible years at VOA, my journey there has ended. It’s been an honor telling stories that matter, and I’m deeply grateful to my colleagues, producers, and the fantastic audience that welcomed me into their homes.
But this is NOT goodbye—it’s a new beginning! I’m launching “Different Perspectives with Paul Ndiho,” a daily video podcast tackling real issues, politics, and diverse voices. Now more than ever, we need open dialogue and truth.
To my colleagues with the skills and expertise who want to continue this journey—let’s join hands. Together, we can build something great!
Stay tuned—exciting things ahead! #NewBeginnings #PaulNdihoPodcast
A World Bank report reveals that women represent less than a third of the global tech workforce and are often in the minority at major tech companies. Analysts believe empowering women in Africa’s tech sector can significantly benefit their communities, as women are equally capable of leading technological advancements. The gender gap in STEM is particularly troubling in Africa, with women representing around 4%. In Ghana, Eugenia Boadi, author and founder of StemSheCan aims to change this by empowering young women to pursue careers in tech from an early age. Earlier, I spoke to Eugenia about what International Women’s Day means for women in tech.
Tensions have risen sharply after the arrest of several senior officials from the opposition group SPLM-IO by security forces. A fragile power-sharing arrangement between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar is threatened due to conflicts among their allied troops in Upper Nile State. South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, ended a five-year civil war in 2018 with a power-sharing agreement between Kiir and Machar. For more insight, VOA’s Paul Ndiho spoke to Reith Tang, a South Sudan’s National Legislative Assembly member and Deputy Chairperson of the National Committee on Foreign Relations – SPLM -IO.
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