Jim Olang

Africa Editor

Articles by Jim Olang

1 Mar, 2024 00:03 EST

Africa Society & Culture

Ghana's parliament passes bill introducing new criminal penalties for LGBTQ+ activity and promotion

By Jim Olang

On Wednesday, February 28 Ghana’s legislative body passed a bill in the country’s parliament that introduces new criminal penalties for LGBTQ+ activity, advocacy, and promotion. This development follows the rejection last Wednesday of an amendment by ruling-party lawmaker Alexander Afenyo-Markin that would have replaced prison time with non-custodial sentences including counselling. Currently, gay sex is punishable in the West African nation by up to three years in prison, a penalty that would i
7 Feb, 2024 10:02 EST

Africa Society & Culture Church & Missions

Evangelical leader warns against spiritual extremism, as leader of Kenyan cult charged for hunger deaths

By Jim Olang

Following the discovery of more than 400 victims buried in shallow graves in a remote forest in eastern Kenya, a cult leader has been charged with murder. Paul Mackenzie and 29 other defendants pled not guilty when they appeared in court in the coastal town of Malindi. Mackenzie is accused of torturing children, committing acts of terror, accusations that he denied.
25 Jan, 2024 03:56 EST

Africa Society & Culture

Femicide in Kenya on the rise, Church leaders call for justice

By Jim Olang

A ground-breaking study, “Silencing Women,” highlights the devastating toll of women killed by their partners or family members in Kenya from 2016 to 2023. Femicide is the most extreme form of gender-based violence against women. It is often fuelled by gender stereotypes, harmful social norms and an unequal balance of power between men and women.
18 Jan, 2024 08:01 EST

Africa Church & Missions

Christians in Africa participate in counter-terrorism efforts

By Jim Olang

“Africa has emerged as the key battleground for terrorism, with a major increase in the number of active groups ...
4 Jan, 2024 14:55 EST

Africa Society & Culture

Africa bracing for “the worst of times” in 2024 – a report from IRC states

By Jim Olang

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) released a report this month forecasting a sharp global increase in the humanitarian crisis in 2024. In its 2024 Emergency Watch list, IRC President David Miliband’s wrote, “it’s the worst of times.” The report lists armed conflicts, rising debt crisis, climate change and donor apathy as contributing factors to what it described as “heightened” humanitarian crisis in 2024.
2 Jan, 2024 06:01 EST

Africa Family & Children Church & Missions

African churches are not immune to child sex abuse

By Heather Pubols Jim Olang

A recent investigation in Spain revealed more than 200,000 endured sexual abuse at the hands of Catholic clergy. The 700-page report, ordered by Spain's Congress, unveils the “devastating impact” on victims, criticizing the Church for its inaction and attempts to conceal or deny the abuse. Is the situation different in Africa? Child Safety Investigator Philip E. Morrison says no.
30 Dec, 2023 06:12 EST

Africa Church & Missions

New data protection laws have implications for African churches

By Jim Olang Ken Kagicha

In September 2023, Kenya’s Office of the Data Protection Commissioner issued fines totaling KES 9,375,000 (more than $60,000 USD) to three institutions for contravening the Data Protection Act. The highest penalty (more than $30,000 USD) went to an educational facility for using minors’ pictures without consent from parents or guardians. These were the first penalties given since the law came into effect in 2019.
11 Dec, 2023 09:12 EST

Religious Freedom

"Persecution is to be expected" - an interview with Brazilian theologian Dr. Rosalee Velloso Ewell

By Jim Olang

In an interview with CDI’s Africa Editor Jim Olang, Brazilian theologian Dr. Rosalee Velloso Ewell shared some reflections on how to interpret persecution today and what forms it may take in different parts of the world.

Jim Olang

Grupo de Marcas