Focus on Africa

Teachers in Nigeria's Oyo, Borno and Lagos states protest kidnappings of teachers and learners. And how poor sanitation puts mothers at risk of maternal sepsis in Zambia.

Ghana’s President John Mahama has said the recently passed anti-LGBTQ+ bill will undergo a review by the Attorney General and legal advisers at the presidency before he decides to sign it into law. The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, was approved by parliament last Friday. The legislation proposes a three-year prison sentence for same-sex relations and up to five years imprisonment for promoting LGBTQ+ activities. The law has attracted mixed reaction within the country. This is not the first time Ghana has come up with such a proposal. A previous bill approved in 2024 recommended stricter punishment but was never signed into law.
Also, we hear about a controversial multi-million dollar sports event allowing participating athletes to use performance enhancing drugs, usually banned in international competitions.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producer: Bella Twine, Priya Sippy and Ayuba lliya
Technical producer: David Nzau
Senior Ppoducer: Keikantse Shumba
Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla

Protests erupted on June 1 near a military airfield in Central Kenya where the US government is planning to establish an Ebola quarantine centre for American citizens. Construction on the site was paused last week by a Kenyan court pending a hearing into a lawsuit lodged by campaigners to block the move. However local media has reported that two US military aircraft have already delivered medical personnel and equipment to the base. The proposed quarantine facility has proven controversial with medics and the public in Kenya opposing it.
Also, Nigerian Singer, Tiwa Savage speaks about legacy and her role in helping women find their space in technical and executive roles in the music industry.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Bella Twine and Ayuba lliya
Technical Producer: David Nzau
Senior Producer: Keikantse Shumba
Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla

For many women, having larger breasts may be down to genetics. But for some, breast growth is extreme, painful and life-altering. The condition is called 'gigantomastia'. A condition that causes excessive breast tissue growth, leading to chronic pain, mobility challenges, and emotional distress.
Focus on Africa podcast host Nkechi Ogbonna speaks to 25-year-old South African content creator Michelle Sekwena, who has been sharing her journey with gigantomastia and her experience undergoing breast reduction surgery.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Fana Negash, Basma El Atti
Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi
Senior Producer: Carolyne Kiambo Jotham
Editors: Priya Sippy and Maryam Abdalla

BBC Global Disinformation reporter Jacqui Wakefield has spent a year examining the rise of two of the most influential manosphere figures. In Kenya, she met Andrew Kibe who has millions of followers online and offline. We hear how these individuals have built massive online audiences and the lucrative business behind it all.
And a look at how the political fallout between Senegal's former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye means for the West African country.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Bella Twine, Keikantse Shumba, Blessing Aderogba and Helen Oyibo
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi
Editors: Priya Sippy and Maryam Abdalla