Jim Olang

Africa Editor

Articles by Jim Olang

27 Dec, 2024 09:10 EST

Africa Society & Culture

The African Church should be more proactive to stem deadly Africa-Europe migration trends, says Dr. Joe Bonga

By Jim Olang

The Refugee Highway Partnership has urged African Churches to be more involved in reducing unemployment, conflict and discrimination as a means of curbing irregular and dangerous immigration. Dr. Joe Bonga, who serves in the Refugee Highway Partnership Global Leadership team, said that the church in Africa has the potential to be a transformative force in addressing the root causes of forced immigration.
30 Oct, 2024 11:10 EDT

Africa Society & Culture

Chris Brown concert sparks petition and renews focus on gender-based violence in South Africa

By Jim Olang

Women for Change, a South African women’s rights organization, launched a petition calling for the cancellation of Grammy-winning artist Chris Brown’s December 2024 Johannesburg performances due to his history of domestic abuse. The change.org petition, which surfaced on Oct. 2, 2024, asks concert promoters and the government to “reconsider” allowing Brown to perform at the FNB Stadium, the largest stadium in Africa, where over 94,000 tickets sold out in less than two hours. The controversy refl
14 Aug, 2024 09:08 EDT

Africa Society & Culture

Increasing bans on FGM and child marriage in Africa give hope for end of harmful practices

By Jim Olang

It has been one month since the Gambian Parliament upheld the ban on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) on July 15, 2024 – a practice that experts warn can cause severe short-term and long-term physical and psychological harm, including infections, future reproductive complications, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The ban is a significant milestone, especially given the country’s high FGM prevalence rates.
17 Jul, 2024 06:07 EDT

Africa Society & Culture Church & Missions

Cybercrime threats escalate in Africa and beyond, churches among those at risk

By Jim Olang

A Cameroonian man and more than 20 Chinese citizens received lengthy prison sentences and fines in a Zambian court for online fraud activities on 8 June 2024. The convicts worked for a Chinese-owned call centre in a suburb of Lusaka. The company exploited digital platforms to deceive victims within Zambia and globally from Singapore to Peru.
29 May, 2024 16:05 EDT

Africa Society & Culture

The Evangelical Alliance of South Africa urges citizens to keep leaders accountable regardless of who wins election

By Ken Kagicha Jim Olang

South Africa holds its local and national elections today in what will likely be the toughest election for the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party that has been in power since the end of apartheid thirty years ago.
4 May, 2024 06:05 EDT

Africa Society & Culture Church & Missions

As Eastern Africa faces "first" cyclone, Christian leaders hope to shift attitudes towards gospel-centered farming

By Jim Olang

As Cyclone Hidaya looms over Eastern Africa, Kenya and Tanzania brace for yet another natural disaster. Still reeling from the aftermath of devastating floods that have claimed hundreds of lives and displaced thousands, torrential rains forecasted to hit the coastal city of Mombasa and the Eastern coast of Tanzania are causing major concerns.
23 Apr, 2024 11:04 EDT

Africa Church & Missions

Message of Global Christian Forum recognizes brokenness, points to healing only in Christ

By Timothy Goropevsek Jim Olang

As the Global Christian Forum (GCF) concluded in Ghana this past week, the 250 participants from more than 60 countries and all streams of Christianity sent a message reflecting on their joint experience in Accra, Ghana. They had met from April 16-19 for the fourth GCF global gathering, with part of the program including a day trip to slave castles in Cape Coast where they offered a special service of lamentation.
18 Apr, 2024 11:04 EDT

Africa Church & Missions

Global forum kicks off in Ghana, highlights shift of Christianity’s focal point to Africa

By Jim Olang

The Global Christian Forum’s (GCF) fourth global gathering kicked off in Accra, Ghana, with an emphasis on major demographic shifts in global Christianity. With the theme That the world may know, the event held from April 16 to 20 brought together 240 participants from 60 different countries representing all major Christian traditions.
14 Apr, 2024 22:04 EDT

Africa Society & Culture Church & Missions

On 30th anniversary of genocide, Rwanda's evangelicals envision lasting reconciliation

By Jim Olang

As Rwanda commemorated the 30th anniversary of the genocide this past week, the nation has been confronted with reminders of its painful past.
27 Mar, 2024 06:03 EDT

Africa Society & Culture Church & Missions

Africa's migration trends: an opportunity for the Church

By Jim Olang

Recent data from a United Nations report on ‘Migration Dynamics, Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons in Africa’ sheds light on the migration dynamics within Africa, revealing a continent experiencing significant movement both within its borders and beyond.
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.

Jim Olang

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