Editor's note

For a country that’s been widely touted for its advances in press freedom, Ghana’s constitution still allows certain state institutions to hinder journalists’ rights. Jacob Nyarko examines the journey of the country’s media from operating under military rule to navigating a constitutional environment that is still hostile to journalists.

The office of the Public Protector is a key institution in protecting South Africa’s constitutional democracy. But the office has become mired in controversy under the current incumbent, Busisiwe Mkhwebane. Some of her findings have been overturned by the country’s courts, including a recent judgment against her by the Constitutional Court. Theunis Roux explores the implications.

Sanitation systems are vital for human health. But hundreds of millions of people still lack access. In today’s episode of Pasha, Becky Sindall discusses the role of sensibly designed toilets can improve the situation.

Godfred Boafo

Commissioning Editor: Ghana

Top Stories

A journalist at work with his camera. Wikimedia Commons

Ghana’s constitution is meant to protect the media: but does it?

Jacob Nyarko, University of Cape Coast

The state in Ghana still justifies taking steps that amount to suppression of the media.

South Africa’s Public Protector, Busisiwe Mkhwebane. EPA-EFE/Nic Bothma

Storm around South Africa’s public protector shows robustness, not a crisis

Theunis Roux, UNSW

In this case, the appropriate conclusion about the Constitutional Court's finding against the Public Protector is that there's much to be comforted by.

Arts & Culture

Johnny Clegg: South Africa’s universal man of uncommon passion

David Coplan, University of the Witwatersrand

Johnny Clegg was a prophet, even if the ideal future he prophesied has not yet come to pass.

David Koloane fought for the right to define himself – and his art

Ruth Simbao, Rhodes University

Deeply influenced by Steve Biko and the Black Consciousness Movement, artist David Koloane, who died on 30 June 2019, believed that artists have a right to define their own work.

Podcast

Pasha 28: What it will take to build the toilets of the future

Ozayr Patel, The Conversation

Technology is only part of the solution to giving people access to sanitation.

Pasha 27: Employed, but still poor, in South Africa

Ozayr Patel, The Conversation

In South Africa, it is possible to be employed and still poor.

From our international editions

Without school, a ‘lost generation’ of Rohingya refugee children face uncertain future

Rubayat Jesmin, Binghamton University, State University of New York

An estimated 500,000 Rohingya children, refugees from Myanmar, are growing up in Bangladesh in overcrowded camps with no access to formal education.

Russian Twitter trolls stoke anti-immigrant lies ahead of Canadian election

Ahmed Al-Rawi, Simon Fraser University; Yasmin Jiwani, Concordia University

An examination of the Twitter activity after the Québec mosque murders reveal that the majority showed sympathy towards the victims, but Russian trolls worked to spread antagonism and fake news.

How to build a moon base

Ian Whittaker, Nottingham Trent University; Gareth Dorrian, University of Birmingham

Any base on the moon would need very thick walls.

Swimmer protests at the World Championships renew calls for urgent anti-doping reforms

Daniel Read, Loughborough University

Why swimmers are protesting against China's Sun Yang at the World Championships.

 
 
 
 

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