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All protocol observed. Our goal is for The Continent to be the most important source of African news for anyone, anywhere. To get there, we need y...

The issue of Ghana’s national debt will decide 7 December’s presidential election. Much depends on the length of voters’ memories. Francis Kokutse reports from Accra.

It’s the stupid economy

Both leading candidates in this weekend’s election helped to create Ghana’s economic mess.

All Protocol Observed Welcome to Issue 185 of The Continent France isn't having a great month. This week, its government collapsed. And last week, not one but two of its former African colonies told it to get lost. A lot of western analysts are blaming Russia. This misses the point. https://bit.ly/TC185

Test of time: A teacher monitors pupils as they write their end-of-year exams in the northern Sudanese village of Usli, which is home to sites of archaeological renown, some dating back to 1,500 BC. Photo: AFP

REVIEW: The British Museum is a cemetery, a place where human remains are kept. Bones, skulls and more, some local to the United Kingdom but much, much more from its former colonies says a new book by Noah Angell. https://continent.substack.com/p/review-the-spirit-of-our-past-stalks

Tech companies are hoarding African data. The African Union wants them to hand it over. If a TikTok user from the US or Europe wants any of their data that the platform collects, they can request it from the company. The same is not true for African TikTok or YouTube users, who aren’t even given the option to apply.

Give us our data back, says AU

Tech companies are hoarding African data. The African Union wants them to hand it over.

COMMENT: It’s easy to be sceptical of pan-Africanism. The notion that Africa isn’t just a geographical space but a metaphysical entity whose population, though genetically the most diverse on earth, shares culture, heritage and a common fate, can seem dubious. But, the idea is bred of necessity not genetics. https://continent.substack.com/p/we-must-lead-the-world-or-be-damned

Borderlands: Fnideq, like other Moroccan towns near the Spanish cities of Ceuta and Melilla, has become a beacon for Africans trying to head north.

The Last Resort: So close to Fortress Europe’s African outposts, yet so far

Fnideq, like other Moroccan towns near the Spanish cities of Ceuta and Melilla, has become a beacon for Africans trying to head north.

Barbra Banda is accurate, brisk, creative, daring and an example of women’s sporting excellence – so it’s no surprise she has the footballing world at her feet. On Tuesday, she was named BBC’s Women’s Footballer of the Year, an award voted for by readers of their website.

The Beeb says Babs is best – no lie detected

Barbra Banda adds yet another accolade to her growing collection.

More than a month after the presidential election, Mozambicans still haven't heard from president-elect Daniel Chapo of the ruling Frelimo party. Civil disobedience and urban warfare are immobilising the capital Maputo as the country’s election dispute continues.

Mozambique: Hubris among the elites, chaos on the streets

Civil disobedience and urban warfare are immobilising Maputo as the nation’s election dispute continues.