Mali troops die in ambush on convoy

At least 24 soldiers were killed and others are unaccounted for after gunmen ambushed a convoy in central Mali.

The army said eight survivors had been found following Saturday’s attack, about 60 miles (100km) from the border with Mauritania.

No group has admitted carrying out the raid but Islamist militants are active in the area.

Mali has been blighted by instability since 2012 when an Islamist rebellion broke out in the north.

Army officials said about 12 vehicles had been in the convoy and four of them were destroyed in Saturday’s ambush.

BBC Africa editor Will Ross says that with reports of soldiers missing, it is possible that the death toll could be higher than the military is admitting.

It is the biggest loss for the military since November last year when more than 50 soldiers died in an attack.

On Saturday, two United Nations (UN) peacekeepers were also killed when a logistics convoy was targeted in the north of the country. The UN has 13,000 troops in Mali.

Since 2012, Malian forces have managed, with French help, to regain control of large swathes of territory taken by militants. France has 4,500 troops deployed in the region.

But thousands of lives have been lost as Mali struggles to contain the violence, which has spread to neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger.

President Ibrahim Boubakar Keita has offered to open dialogue with the jihadists but our correspondent says there seems little hope of that working. -BBC

Enoch Boateng to host spirit-filled worship experience

All roads lead to the Word Arena Chapel International, as Enoch Boateng Ministries lead worshippers to the throne room tomorrow at Dansoman in Accra.

Dubbed ‘Let Judah Rise,’ it aims to uplift the spirit of attendees, ignite faith and create an atmosphere of deep worship.

In an interview with The Spectator Agoro, the UK-based artiste who doubles as a pastor said the first edition which was held in Oda in the Eastern Region was super and promises attendees that this year’s edition would be mind-blowing and full of miracles.

He stated that special guests ministering in songs include Joshua Ahenkorah, the soulful Efe Grace, and Benny Brooks.

Pastor Enoch Boateng has since extended invitation to everyone to come and experience God’s presence in a unique way.

By Linda Abrefi Wadie

News

Fusing politics with fashion

A section of the public in all white to signify their happiness

Ghanaians, especially die-hard sympathisers of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) trooped to the Black Stars Square to be part of history.

The occasion was the historical return of Mr John Dramani Mahama as president of Ghana and Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as vice president.

President Mahama was coming to the office of the president for the second time while Prof. Opoku- Agyemang was sworn-in as the first female Vice President.