In early December 2024, Ghana made headlines across the globe as John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) won the presidential election, defeating the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia. This marks the fourth time since the nation’s return to multiparty democracy in 1992 that an opposition candidate has successfully unseated a ruling party, …

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier undertook a four-day visit to Africa from 10 to 14 December, focusing on strengthening Germany’s ties with Nigeria, South Africa and Lesotho. His trip underscored Germany’s commitment to enhancing economic cooperation, supporting political reforms and promoting sustainable development across the continent, the German presidency said. Nigeria: Energy and Economic Cooperation Steinmeier began his tour in Nigeria, …

As expected, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has lost a vote of confidence in the Bundestag, setting the stage for early federal elections. The motion, held on Monday (16 December), saw 394 members of parliament voting against Scholz, while only 207 supported him, and 116 abstained. The result fell far short of the 367 votes needed to secure a majority, effectively …