Africa Daily

Sometimes a story catches the imagination of a nation and really gets people talking. That’s certainly the case in Ghana – after a woman took her boss to court last month for reneging on a deal in which he promised to pay her rent and buy her a car if she had a sexual relationship with him. When it all went sour, he took the car back. It’s all got people discussing what the workplace is like for young women starting their careers and the shocking power imbalance in the workplace.Many Ghanaian women have come onto Twitter saying sexual harassment is a reality they face daily. That they’re EXPECTED to look for a sugar daddy. Some young men say they look forward to a day they’re important enough to have both a wife and a young mistress. Today on Africa Daily, Akwasi Sarpong talks about the issue with two women: actress, writer and film producer, Lydia Forson; and Boakyewaa Glover, a published author and a human resources professional specialising in organisational psychology. Presenter: @akwasisarpong Guests: @lydiaforson and @boakyewaaglover

Zimbabwe’s central bank introduced a policy last year to sell gold coins in a bid to stabilise the country’s economy and combat inflation. They were meant to be an alternative to dollars as a way of safeguarding people‘s wealth – even when the local currency was losing its value. But with the top tier coin worth $2,000 and the smallest currently valued at $188 – they’re not something the average Zimbabwean can afford. So are these coins all they’re cracked up to be?Africa Daily’s Mpho Lakaje finds out more.

Today’s guest on Africa Daily is a young woman who seemed to have it all. Noella got a job as a reporter with a local TV station in Nairobi – and then, around six years ago, she got a scholarship to study filmmaking in the US. But then she had her first manic episode and woke up in a psychiatric ward in North Carolina. She was told she had unspecified bipolar – but didn’t understand what it meant and how it would change her life.Now she’s made a film for BBC Africa Eye called ‘What is Eating My Mind’ to try and help others in a similar situation. She spoke to Mpho Lakaje about her experiences.

The debate over whether sex work should be decriminalized has been going on for years in South Africa. But the shocking discovery of the bodies of six women in October last year heightened the debate. They were believed to be sex workers – and campaigners said that only by making them legal – allowing them to seek help from the police without fear - would such people be protected. Now, the South African government is pressing ahead and changing the law. For today’s Africa Daily, Mpho Lakaje speaks to a sex worker about how this may change her life – as well as to politicians on both sides of the debate. Presenter: @mpholakaje Guests: ‘Mary’, a sex worker, John Jeffrey and Marie Sukers

Burundi’s economy has been battered: first by years of conflict, then Covid-19. And so the World Bank has stepped in and provided $40 million in aid – with another $150 million still to come. Hundreds of thousands of the poorest households will receive cash – with some targeted at setting up new businesses. So, can Burundi strike a balance between handouts and hand-ups? And can the people receiving the aid eventually become self-reliant?For today’s Africa Daily, Mpho Lakaje discusses this question, as well as speaking to one of the recipients of the money about how it’s changed her life.

It’s not easy being Gay, Queer or Transgender in many African countries. In some it’s illegal, in others it’s just socially unacceptable.But a BBC investigation has found how both gangs and the police are using dating apps to target LGBT people in Egypt. It came to light after a series of videos – made by gangs – were shared millions of times, showing young people stripped naked, abused and forced to say they are gay to the camera. The victims were asked for money and the videos sent to their families.Now, some of those shown on the videos have agreed to talk about their experiences. For Africa Daily, Mpho Lakaje speaks to the journalist behind the report, Ahmed Shihab-Eldin. Their conversation contains graphic descriptions of violence and abuse.Presenter: @mpholakajeGuest: Ahmed Shihab-Eldin @ase

Africa is home to more than a sixth of the world’s Catholics, and that share is rising. But Africans are significantly under-represented in the Vatican, and other regions such as Latin America currently have far more sway in Rome. As the Pope travels to the DRC and South Sudan this week, many Africans in the Church are hoping he is sincere when he says their voices need to be heard. And despite concerns from more conservative figures on the continent, Pope Francis seems focused on his progressive agenda. Ahead of the trip he criticised laws criminalising homosexuality, which are common in many parts of Africa. So what will this trip mean for the future of Catholicism in Africa? For Africa Daily, Mpho Lakaje puts this to religious thinkers on the continent…

Lebanon is in the midst of one of the most severe and prolonged economic depressions the world has seen. More than 80% of the population live in poverty and their currency has reached a record low. It’s left many struggling to afford essential goods like food, fuel and medicine. Ethiopians make up the majority of the 250,000 domestic workers there. For many of them, life has become so much worse. Migrant domestic workers operate under what’s called the “kafala system” a labour sponsorship that forces foreign workers to seek their employer's permission to change jobs or leave the country. Human rights groups describe the system as modern-day slavery. Africa Daily’s Mpho Lakaje has been looking at the impact the economic crisis has had on African domestic workers who are already marginalised and often mistreated.

Since the end of last year both old and new naira notes have been in circulation. But from 31st January, the old notes will no longer be accepted as legal tender. President Buhari says the introduction of these new cash notes will help to tackle corruption, counterfeit money and the illicit hoarding of cash. Nigeria has the biggest economy in Africa. It’s also often labelled the ‘cash-king’ of the African continent, because the majority of people there make payments with cash. So how are Nigerians feeling about the rollout of these new notes and the 31st January deadline? Africa Daily’s Mpho Lakaje has been finding out.

In February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, leading to disruptions in the supply of gas across Europe. Germany is now looking to Africa, among other regions, for solutions. Last month, the country’s Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck visited South Africa and Namibia, to sign green hydrogen deals worth millions of dollars. Green hydrogen can best be described as a clean energy source that only emits water vapour and leaves no residue in the air, unlike coal. But the deal between Germany and the two nations is raising questions, considering that Africa is having energy problems of its own. Who stands to benefit the most from these negotiations? Africa or Europe? Presenter: Mpho Lakaje Guests: Lungile Mashele, James Mnyupe and Fausi Najjar