Focus on Africa

A BBC Disclosure investigation has uncovered significant questions about what happened at the hotel where Charmain Spiers died. In 2015, Charmain's body was discovered in a hotel room, and her death was determined as “heroin poisoning”. Her husband and self-proclaimed prophet, Eric Adusah was seen at the hotel on the night of her death, and a test of her hair showed no long-term heroin use. The BBC Disclosure team has been to Ghana to hear from witnesses about what happened in the days leading up to and the night of her death. 
And the population of mountain Gorillas in Uganda may increase following conservation initiatives aimed at improving the lives of local communities to discourage poaching activities.
 
Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Bella Twine, Chiamaka Dike, and Blessing Aderogba
Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
Editor: Maryam Abdalla

Pope Leo XIV has started his 11-day visit of four African countries. The Pontiff arrived in Algeria on Monday, where he called for peace, forgiveness and justice at the Martyrs monument in the capital, Algiers. The Pope is expected to visit Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea. Pope Leo XIV wants to "turn the world's attention to Africa" according to a senior Vatican official. More than a fifth of the world's Catholics are in Africa, making it one of the fastest-growing regions for the Church.
Also - we hear from the Head of African Music at YouTube on how creators can earn more on the platform.
Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Ayuba Iliya and Blessing Aderogba
Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
Editor: Maryam Abdalla

15 April marks three years since the Sudan war began, as the vicious power struggle between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces continues.
More than 150,000 people have died in the conflict across the country, and about 12 million have fled their homes in what the United Nations has called the world's largest humanitarian crisis.
Yet even in the darkest moments, music lives on. Sudanese musicians are using their voices to spread hope - and to heal. We hear from one of Sudan’s most influential bands, Aswat Almadina, on how music is helping them survive. 
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Fana Negash, Basma El Atti and Bashar Osman
Technical Producer: Mbarak Abdallah
Senior Producer: Priya Sippy
Editor: Maryam Abdalla

Voters in Benin will head to the elections on April 12 to choose a new president. The winner of the vote will take over from the current leader, Patrice Talon - who is stepping down after two terms and a decade in power. The two candidates in the poll are 49-year-old finance minister Romuald Wadagni, who will face off against opposition candidate Paul Hounkpè. We hear the priorities of young voters in the election.
And we get up close with Ify Adenuga, mother to British-Nigerian Rapper, Skepta as she shares what it was like raising a child who wanted to be a rapper?
Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Blessing Aderogba
Technical Producer: Mbarak Abdallah
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
Editor: Maryam Abdalla

The US and Iran have announced a two week ceasefire which will see the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz - one of the largest transit routes for oil. The conflict in the Middle East has led to a shortage of fuel in many African countries, and cut off key exports from Africa to the Gulf. We ask if the stand off has triggered African countries to trade more with each other to offset the disruption brought about by the war.
Also in Uganda, some refugees from neighbouring countries are finding it difficult to access land to bury their loved ones while others lay in unmarked graves. What's behind this?
Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Bella Twine, Chiamaka Dike and Blessing Aderogba
Technical Producer: Mbarak Abdallah
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
Editor: Maryam Abdalla