nder The Radar is a special series and newsletter offering from Diplomatic Courier bringing you compelling, under–the–radar stories from around the world over the past month. This month across the Sub–Saharan Africa: justice for a Ghanaian investigative journalist, General Nguema promises democracy in Gabon, and a digital infrastructure push in Namibia. You can sign up to receive the newsletter here.
Anas Aremeyaw Anas, a Ghanaian investigative journalist, has tasted both the fruits and thorns of his work—often criticized for his undercover, investigative practices. After Anas exposed the corruption in African football in 2018, he faced backlash—notably from former Ghanaian MP Kennedy Agyapong—who believed offering money to officials was unethical journalism. Although, “unethical” was not the term Agyapong used, and on 19 March 2025, Anas was awarded $18 million for defamation by a U.S. court.
Anas has been reporting on human rights issues and government corruption for the last 20 years. But in 2018, his film Betraying the Game, which documents his two–years of undercover work filming football officials accepting cash bribes, caught the international community’s attention. The exposé led to suspensions (74 match officials) and slander: Politician Agyapong labeled Anas as a “criminal” who should be hanged. Across several radio and TV appearances, Agyapong can be heard encouraging the punishment of both Anas and his lead reporter, Ahmed Hussein Suale. On live TV, he revealed Ahmed’s face and told his audience to “beat him up.” Ahmed was murdered one year after the investigation.
Now, 7 years after the exposé was released, Agyapong was found guilty of defamation and Ghanaian police have a suspect in custody for Ahmed’s murder. Speaking on the victory, Anas stated, "Justice has prevailed. This victory is not just for me, but for truth, press freedom, and every journalist who risks everything to expose corruption and wrongdoing.” Anas continues his work—maintaining his anonymity with beaded masks—but critics continue to put his life at risk.
General Nguema promises restoration for Gabon after Bongos’ rule
Following a coup d’état in 2023, Gabon’s former president Ali Bongo was detained and sentenced to house arrest. The coup d’état came minutes after Bongo was voted in for a third term which would have extended the Bongo family’s 56–year–long rule. Having been accused of embezzlement and reckless governance, the coup was (mostly) celebrated by the Gabonese. Military generals immediately met to discuss Gabon’s new leader, deciding on General Brice Oligui Nguema. Earlier this month, almost two years after the coup, interim President Nguema announced his decision to run for president in the forthcoming election.
Many were surprised by this announcement, but are looking forward to the erasure of Ali Bongo’s 14–year rule. Gabon’s voters had questioned the legitimacy of Bongo’s victories, with some accusing him of voter fraud both in the 2009 and 2023 election. Additionally, the Gabonese people have had a difficult time grasping how one in three people live below the poverty line when they are one of the richest countries in Africa per capita. Insufficient, yet revealing, evidence was found by the French police who ran a seven–year corruption investigation against the Bongo family.
Thanks to a referendum to the country’s constitution in 2024, General Nguema, and other members of the military, can now run for president. If elected, the Nguema promises restoration; if defeated, the Nguema will return to the barracks.
Digital connectivity ramps up in Namibia with new fund
On 19 March 2025, Namibia launched the Universal Service Fund (USF) which will work to increase digital infrastructure in underserved areas—committing a total of 145 million Namibian dollars. The fund will prioritize the health and education sectors and continue Namibia’s ongoing efforts to promote digital literacy throughout the country. Among those efforts are Namibia’s Vision 2030 and the Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP) which all view the development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as pivotal to national progress.
Priority will be given to regions such as: the Kavango West, Kavango East, Ohangwena, Kunene, and Oshikoto—and others that have less than 80% 4G coverage. The organization who launched the fund, the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), has emphasized that connectivity is a necessity, and that the goal of USF is to “close this gap.” Although, the fund will do more than provide the necessary infrastructure; it will provide the skills necessary to use this technology in a modern world.
However, this increased accessibility does not come without challenges. Due to limited cybersecurity knowledge, Namibia is a target of advanced persistent threat (APT) groups and other cyberthreats. In response, the National Cybersecurity Strategy and Awareness Creation Plan was created to protect Namibians against such threats. It’s critical that cybersecurity education spreads as fast as connectivity in Namibia.
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Amid tragedy, victory for press freedom in Ghana
Black Star Square, Ghana. Photo by Ifeoluwa A. on Unsplash
April 8, 2025
Diplomatic Courier’s Melissa Metos brings you three under–the–radar stories from Sub–Saharan Africa: justice for a Ghanaian journalist, a general promises democracy in Gabon, and expanded digital infrastructure for underserved parts of Namibia.
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nder The Radar is a special series and newsletter offering from Diplomatic Courier bringing you compelling, under–the–radar stories from around the world over the past month. This month across the Sub–Saharan Africa: justice for a Ghanaian investigative journalist, General Nguema promises democracy in Gabon, and a digital infrastructure push in Namibia. You can sign up to receive the newsletter here.
Anas Aremeyaw Anas, a Ghanaian investigative journalist, has tasted both the fruits and thorns of his work—often criticized for his undercover, investigative practices. After Anas exposed the corruption in African football in 2018, he faced backlash—notably from former Ghanaian MP Kennedy Agyapong—who believed offering money to officials was unethical journalism. Although, “unethical” was not the term Agyapong used, and on 19 March 2025, Anas was awarded $18 million for defamation by a U.S. court.
Anas has been reporting on human rights issues and government corruption for the last 20 years. But in 2018, his film Betraying the Game, which documents his two–years of undercover work filming football officials accepting cash bribes, caught the international community’s attention. The exposé led to suspensions (74 match officials) and slander: Politician Agyapong labeled Anas as a “criminal” who should be hanged. Across several radio and TV appearances, Agyapong can be heard encouraging the punishment of both Anas and his lead reporter, Ahmed Hussein Suale. On live TV, he revealed Ahmed’s face and told his audience to “beat him up.” Ahmed was murdered one year after the investigation.
Now, 7 years after the exposé was released, Agyapong was found guilty of defamation and Ghanaian police have a suspect in custody for Ahmed’s murder. Speaking on the victory, Anas stated, "Justice has prevailed. This victory is not just for me, but for truth, press freedom, and every journalist who risks everything to expose corruption and wrongdoing.” Anas continues his work—maintaining his anonymity with beaded masks—but critics continue to put his life at risk.
General Nguema promises restoration for Gabon after Bongos’ rule
Following a coup d’état in 2023, Gabon’s former president Ali Bongo was detained and sentenced to house arrest. The coup d’état came minutes after Bongo was voted in for a third term which would have extended the Bongo family’s 56–year–long rule. Having been accused of embezzlement and reckless governance, the coup was (mostly) celebrated by the Gabonese. Military generals immediately met to discuss Gabon’s new leader, deciding on General Brice Oligui Nguema. Earlier this month, almost two years after the coup, interim President Nguema announced his decision to run for president in the forthcoming election.
Many were surprised by this announcement, but are looking forward to the erasure of Ali Bongo’s 14–year rule. Gabon’s voters had questioned the legitimacy of Bongo’s victories, with some accusing him of voter fraud both in the 2009 and 2023 election. Additionally, the Gabonese people have had a difficult time grasping how one in three people live below the poverty line when they are one of the richest countries in Africa per capita. Insufficient, yet revealing, evidence was found by the French police who ran a seven–year corruption investigation against the Bongo family.
Thanks to a referendum to the country’s constitution in 2024, General Nguema, and other members of the military, can now run for president. If elected, the Nguema promises restoration; if defeated, the Nguema will return to the barracks.
Digital connectivity ramps up in Namibia with new fund
On 19 March 2025, Namibia launched the Universal Service Fund (USF) which will work to increase digital infrastructure in underserved areas—committing a total of 145 million Namibian dollars. The fund will prioritize the health and education sectors and continue Namibia’s ongoing efforts to promote digital literacy throughout the country. Among those efforts are Namibia’s Vision 2030 and the Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP) which all view the development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as pivotal to national progress.
Priority will be given to regions such as: the Kavango West, Kavango East, Ohangwena, Kunene, and Oshikoto—and others that have less than 80% 4G coverage. The organization who launched the fund, the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), has emphasized that connectivity is a necessity, and that the goal of USF is to “close this gap.” Although, the fund will do more than provide the necessary infrastructure; it will provide the skills necessary to use this technology in a modern world.
However, this increased accessibility does not come without challenges. Due to limited cybersecurity knowledge, Namibia is a target of advanced persistent threat (APT) groups and other cyberthreats. In response, the National Cybersecurity Strategy and Awareness Creation Plan was created to protect Namibians against such threats. It’s critical that cybersecurity education spreads as fast as connectivity in Namibia.
