Maritime Accountability: Akuapem North MP Sammi Awuku is demanding a full legal explanation from Ghana’s Maritime Authority over its decision to waive a US$1 million penalty tied to MV Sankofa, after the vessel was intercepted off Axim with its AIS switched off and a later inspection flagged major safety and registration gaps, including missing statutory certificates and absent pollution-control records; Awuku says the waiver rationale—reportedly based on lack of proof the ship traded in Ghana—doesn’t answer how the vessel entered and operated in Ghanaian waters and was ultimately cleared to leave. Institutional Neutrality in Elections: In São Tomé and Príncipe, President Carlos Vila Nova used the 51st anniversary of the National Police to stress that the force must sit above political disputes, urging discipline and neutrality as the country heads toward multiple election dates. Heritage and State Visibility: UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee meeting in Busan highlighted São Tomé and Príncipe’s first-time inscription alongside other underrepresented regions, with a new SIDS heritage strategy for 2026–2034 announced. Regional Integration via Services: A SADC trade-focused update points to progress on Mutual Recognition Agreements under Article 7, noting São Tomé and Príncipe among the countries that have ratified the Free Movement Protocol. Sports and Diplomacy: Ethiopia’s Afcon 2028 bid notes it recently beat São Tomé and Príncipe in qualifiers, keeping the match-up in the political spotlight as hosting plans face infrastructure questions. Port Security Watch: São Tomé and Príncipe remains on a US Coast Guard port-security advisory list, meaning extra antiterrorism conditions may apply to ships calling there before entering the US.