Author: newsfilegh

In our series of letters from African journalists, Zeinab Mohammed Salih looks at a growing phenomenon of “re-circumcision” in Sudan. Some women in Sudan are opting to undergo female genital mutilation (FGM) a month or two before their wedding to pretend to be virgins. This is even though most of them have already been circumcised as girls – something that usually happens between the ages of four and 10 years old. In the mainly Muslim country this can involve the removal of the clitoris and labia and often includes some stitching to narrow the vaginal opening – a process known…

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says he must change the “energy” at a club he feels have lost their way since he left after retiring as a player in 2016. Arteta, 37, has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract to succeed Unai Emery, who was sacked in November. He has served as an assistant coach at Manchester City but has never managed. “I have so much respect for this club, if I didn’t feel I am ready and prepared for this I wouldn’t be sitting in this chair,” Arteta told reporters. “It was always a dream for me. The day I made a…

President Donald Trump has officially funded a Pentagon force focused on warfare in space – the US Space Force. The new military service, the first in more than 70 years, falls under the US Air Force. At an army base near Washington, Mr Trump described space as “the world’s newest war-fighting domain”. “Amid grave threats to our national security, American superiority in space is absolutely vital,” he said. “We’re leading, but we’re not leading by enough, but very shortly we’ll be leading by a lot.” “The Space Force will help us deter aggression and control the ultimate high ground,” he…

Idris Elba has been given citizenship of his father’s native Sierra Leone. The British film star landed in the capital Freetown on Wednesday for his first visit to the country. Elba told the BBC’s Umaru Fofana that citizenship was “the biggest honour I could get from my country”. “I’m no stranger to Africa: I’ve been in Africa, I’ve made films in Africa, I’ve championed Africa,” he said. “But Sierra Leone, it’s a very different feeling because it’s my parent’s home.” “The welcome has been incredible, and I’ve plugged straight into that energy that I think Sierra Leone is rising with.…

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has criticised the newly crowned Miss World Africa for “wearing Indian hair”. Tweeting a photo with fellow Ugandan Quinn Abenakyo shortly after her pageant win, he said “we must show African beauty in its natural form”. Asked what Mr Museveni meant by “Indian hair”, his spokesman Don Wanyama told the BBC: “Just look at the photo and you will see the type of hair. “It’s an unnatural wig, he was saying she should wear her natural hair.” Many on social media have defended Miss Abenakyo’s choice to style her hair as she pleases, and have hit…

The state is readying itself to present to the court in the case involving ACP Benjamin Agorzor and nine others, which the prosecutor said would shake the nation. Opposing a bail application by lawyers for the nine persons who have been accused of planning to destabilize the country, atate prosecutor, Hilda Craig however argued that the state needs time to properly investigate the matter. Lawyers for the nine accused went to the high court to seek bail for their clients arguing the state is unreasonably delaying the case because of lack of evidence. Lead counsel, for the nine, Kojoga Adawudu,…

A Takoradi circuit court has sentenced a 42 year old unemployed, Kwesi Botwe to a total of 30 years imprisonment for defiling and impregnating his 15 year old daughter. He was sentenced 15 years each for defilement and incest but he is to serve the two concurrently. Prosecuting, Lance Corporal Philomena Johnson told the court that, the convict, a resident of Appremdu in the Effia Kwesimintsim municipality, is married to the complainant, Faustina Eshun with whom they have six children including the victim. According to prosecution, somewhere in 2018, the mother noticed that the victim was pregnant and upon questioning,…

Donald Trump has become the third US president in history to be impeached by the House of Representatives, setting up a trial in the Senate that will decide whether he remains in office. The House voted on two charges – that the president abused his power and that he had obstructed Congress. Nearly all Democrats voted for the charges and every Republican against. President Trump’s Republicans control the Senate so it is highly unlikely he will be removed from power. As voting took place in the House, Mr Trump was addressing a campaign rally in Battle Creek, Michigan. He told…

Ghana’s music legend, Kojo Antwi has praised Media General Ghana Limited; a leading media for continuously projecting the entertainment industry in Ghana and Africa. The ‘Music Man’ said “I get excited whenever I come for interview in your environment”. “I am able to talk and express myself very well on issues that are happening anytime I come here for interview”, the Maestro told Onua FM’s Yen Sempa hosted by Christian Agyei Frimpong. MG Radio Limited currently operates four radio stations in Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi, producing content in English and Akan. These are: 3 FM, Onua FM, Connect FM and…

Roberto Firmino scored a dramatic injury-time winner – five minutes after coming on as a substitute – to give Liverpool victory over Mexican side Monterrey and book their place in the Club World Cup final. The Brazilian striker, who replaced Divock Origi in the 85th minute, poked in fellow substitute Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross from close range in Doha. Liverpool’s Naby Keita had opened the scoring in the first half after an excellent Mohamed Salah through ball before Rogelio Funes Mori equalised. The Reds will take on Brazil’s Flamengo in Saturday’s final (17:30 GMT kick-off), which will be shown live on…