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Bawumia says quickly concedes defeat to Mahama to  preserves Ghana’s Democracy

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▪︎President -elect, John Dramani Mahama

Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has declared Ghana’s former President John Dramani Mahama, the winner of the country’s Saturday’s presidential election.

“I am making this concession speech before the official announcement by the electoral commission to avoid further tension and preserve the peace of our country,” said Bawumia.

The  December 7, 2024 elections were contested by 13 presidential candidates and 807 parliamentary candidates.

In a concession speech delivered on Sunday, Mr Bawumia, the candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), stated that internal data from his party indicates that the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has secured victory in both the presidential and parliamentary polls.

“Let me say that the data from our own internal collation of the election results indicate that former President John Dramani Mahama has won the presidential election decisively.

“The NDC has also won the parliamentary election. Even though we await the final collation of a number of seats, I believe ultimately these will not change the outcome.

He continued: “The people of Ghana have spoken, the people have voted for change at this time and we respect it with all humility.”

The defeat in Saturday’s election ends two terms in power for the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) under President Nana Akufo-Addo.

Mahama, who was president of Ghana between July 2012 and January 2017, confirmed on X he had received Bawumia’s congratulatory call over his “emphatic victory”

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Health

US Pauses Chikungunya Vaccine Over Severe Side Effects

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US health authorities have suspended the license for the Ixchiq vaccine against the chikungunya virus following reports of “serious adverse events”, the drug’s French maker said Monday.

Ixchiq is one of just two vaccines approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the mosquito-spread virus, which mainly occurs in tropical and subtropical regions but has recently been discovered to countries worldwide.

French company Valneva obtained US approval for the vaccine in 2023, but reports of side effects have prompted reviews in particular over its use in older patients, including by the European Medicines Agency this year.

“The suspension of the license is effective immediately,” Valneva said of the FDA order issued Friday, citing four additional cases of serious side effects, three of which involved people aged 70 to 82.

“As we determine potential next steps, and as the clear threat of chikungunya continues to escalate globally, Valneva remains fully committed to maintaining access to our vaccine as a global health tool,” chief executive Thomas Lingelbach said in a statement.

Public health experts say chikungunya could be a potential future pandemic threat as climate change pushes the mosquitoes that spread it into new regions.

The symptoms are similar to those of dengue fever and Zika virus, with high fever and severe joint pain that is often debilitating and varies in duration.

Chikungunya is rarely fatal, though there is an increased risk of death for babies and the elderly.

In July, the World Health Organization warned of the risks of a major chikungunya epidemic, calling for urgent action.

The agency said it was picking up the same early warning signs as in a major outbreak two decades ago, which swept across the Indian Ocean before spreading globally and affecting almost half a million people.

So far this year, Europe has seen 27 chikungunya outbreaks, a new record for the continent, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said this month.

AFP

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International

Indonesia and US Begin Joint Drills with 11 Allies

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Indonesia and the United States kicked off the annual “Super Garuda Shield” military exercises on Monday, involving more than 4,100 Indonesian and 1,300 US troops alongside forces from nine other allied nations. The drills, running until September 4, are taking place across Jakarta, the western island of Sumatra, and the Riau archipelago.

This year’s exercises, described by US Indo-Pacific Command chief Samuel Paparo as the largest to date, aim to strengthen regional stability and collective deterrence in the Asia-Pacific. While some allies, including the US and Australia, have voiced concerns about China’s growing assertiveness in the region, officials emphasize the drills are not targeted at any specific country.

Paparo highlighted the importance of deep trust and cooperation among partners, stating the exercises prepare participants to deter any attempts to alter the status quo by force.

The programme includes staff exercises, cyber defense drills, and live-fire events, with observers from India, Papua New Guinea, and East Timor attending. Indonesia, maintaining a neutral foreign policy, balances its relationships with both Washington and Beijing amid rising superpower tensions.

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Health

US Reports First Human Case of Flesh-Eating Screwworm

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The United States has confirmed its first human case of New World screwworm, a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on living flesh, in a Maryland resident recently returned from El Salvador, where an outbreak is ongoing.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the patient began showing symptoms shortly after returning and was diagnosed on August 4, 2025.

“Screwworm larvae literally eat living tissue, which can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening infections if not treated promptly,” said CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky. She urged travelers to seek immediate medical care if symptoms appear after visiting affected areas.

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) confirmed the case on August 24, 2025, emphasizing close monitoring of travel-related risks and coordination with Central American health agencies. “We are taking this very seriously and working to prevent any further spread,” said HHS spokesperson Dr. Anthony Fauci.

While screwworm infections are more common in livestock, causing severe damage and economic losses, human cases are rare but dangerous. Dr. Jose Ortega, senior USDA veterinary official, explained the larvae burrow into live tissue, creating deep wounds difficult to treat.

In response, the USDA is building a sterile fly facility in Texas and has temporarily halted cattle imports from Mexico to control the pest’s spread. Mexico is also expanding its sterile fly operations, as Panama’s current facility is insufficient for the ongoing outbreak moving north from Central America.

No animal cases have been confirmed in the US this year, but experts stress that even a single human infection highlights the need for vigilance. “Early detection and treatment are essential to prevent serious consequences, both for public health and agriculture,” Walensky added.

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