Focus on Africa

Over 3,000 African fighters are involved with the Russian army as claimed by Ukrainian authorities. Many of them say they have been misled or coerced into fighting by illegal recruitment agencies promising a good job and salary in Russia.
We speak to the BBC's Sammy Awami who gained access to a prisoner of war facility in western Ukraine, and spoke to some of the young men trapped there.
And we hear about the frustrations of African fans hoping to travel to the US for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Godwin Asediba, Ayuba Iliya and Blessing Aderogba
Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango
Senior Producer: Keikantse Shumba
Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla

PCOS affects an estimated 170 million women worldwide during their reproductive years yet as many as 70% of those affected remain undiagnosed, according the World Health Organization. Experts hope that will change following the condition’s recent renaming to Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), a term they say better reflects its impact on the whole body, not just the ovaries. So what is it like to live with the condition?
We spoke to 35-year-old Bianca Chenai from Zimbabwe, and 25-year-old Ghanaian, Juliana Naa Dede who have been living with PMOS from a young age. 
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Fana Negash and Basma El Atti
Technical Producer: David Nzau
Senior Producer: Priya Sippy and Carolyne Kiambo Jotham
Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla

Foreign nationals in South Africa are facing renewed fears following the latest wave of xenophobic attacks, which have reportedly killed nine Mozambican nationals. Ghana and Mozambique have begun evacuating some of their citizens, while other countries are considering similar moves. We hear from those fleeing the tensions and how they are rebuilding life in their home countries.
Then, we head to Lagos to meet acclaimed Nigerian musician and producer Cobhams Asuquo. Born visually impaired, he taught himself to play the piano and went on to help shape the sound of modern African music. BBC Outlook's Tommy Dixon meets him to discuss his journey, his music, and navigating life without sight.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers:Godwin Asediba, Bella Twine and Blessing Aderogba
Technical Producer: David Nzau
Senior Producer: Keikantse Shumba
Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla

Teachers in Nigeria's Oyo, Borno and Lagos states protest kidnappings of teachers and learners. And how poor sanitation puts mothers at risk of maternal sepsis in Zambia.

Ghana’s President John Mahama has said the recently passed anti-LGBTQ+ bill will undergo a review by the Attorney General and legal advisers at the presidency before he decides to sign it into law. The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, was approved by parliament last Friday. The legislation proposes a three-year prison sentence for same-sex relations and up to five years imprisonment for promoting LGBTQ+ activities. The law has attracted mixed reaction within the country. This is not the first time Ghana has come up with such a proposal. A previous bill approved in 2024 recommended stricter punishment but was never signed into law.
Also, we hear about a controversial multi-million dollar sports event allowing participating athletes to use performance enhancing drugs, usually banned in international competitions.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producer: Bella Twine, Priya Sippy and Ayuba lliya
Technical producer: David Nzau
Senior Ppoducer: Keikantse Shumba
Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla