Africa Talk Podcast: Recent Episodes
Africa Talk Podcast
Extraordinary stories from Africans on the continent and in the diaspora. News and analysis. Hosted by Nii Akrofi Smart-Abbey and Benjamin Tetteh.
Former captain of Ghana's female soccer team, Alberta Sackey, is a woman of many firsts. She was the first woman to lead her country's female soccer team to its first World Cup tournament in 1999 at a time when the male national team had failed successively to make its global soccer debut. Her goal in the 2003 Women's World Cup game between Ghana and Australia was nominated on FIFA.com for the greatest goal in Women's World Cup history. Now retired, Alberta Sackey reflects on her historic career and the future of female soccer in Africa. And, a banknote issued by the Central Bank of Algeria causes a stir in France as the French language is omitted on the banknote.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Homeschooling is on the rise among Black families especially in the United States. Homeschooling started in the 1970s but became even more popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. With pandemic restrictions mostly relaxed across the United States, data shows homeschooling is still gaining ground. We speak with Mavis Manns, a mother who homeschooled her three older children now in college and has her two younger children in homeschool. She tells us about some of the advantages of homeschooling. And, Namibia says it will renegotiate a deal it agreed last year with the German government for payment relating to the genocide of its indigenous people.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Private radio in Ghana is a little over a quarter of a century old. The first license for commercial radio was issued in 1995 paving the way for what is today, a booming private radio scene. In 1997, a young entrepreneur set up Skyy Power FM, the first commercial radio station in the Western regional city of Takoradi, which had been deemed unprofitable by industry leaders. The station revived the once dormant city and has created thousands of jobs in its 25 years of operation. Our guest, Phillip Nyakpo was among the first group of young talents employed at the station. He chronicles the history of the station, Skyy Power FM and the impact it's had on the city of Takoradi in his book, Absolute Radio: The Inspiring True Story of the First Private Radio in Ghana's Western Region. Phillip talks to us about this incredible African story about entrepreneurship and the future of journalism in Africa. And, Madagascar's president fires his foreign minister for voting in favor of a United Nations resolution condemning Russian's recently held referendums to annex four regions in Ukraine.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
For years, Senegal's political leaders have struggled to end an age-old phenomenon, known locally as 'Talibe'. It is a practice where young boys, sent to religious leaders for instruction, are in turn sent back out onto the streets to beg for money to pay for their religious education. The country's president, Macky Sall has promised to ban the practice, and so have his predecessors, but to no avail. Rights activists in the West African nation say the President's inability to halt the practice is out of fear of incurring the wrath of the religious leaders who back the practice. And, Nigerian authorities dispute UN data suggesting over 20 million children are out of school.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
U.S Peace Corps volunteers, Alithea Parker and Vincent Williams shed more light on their experiences volunteering in Africa. And at a time when many Black Americans are trying to find their connection to the African continent, Alithea and Vincent propose ways to make get many more Black Americans to visit African countries and how to make them feel at home in Africa and bridge the seeming gap between Africans and Black Americans. And, both sides in the Ethiopian conflict agree to attend peace talks this weekend in South Africa.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
The American Peace Corps program recently come under scrutiny of perpetrating neocolonialism and the white savior complex. Each year, hundreds of fresh American graduates are sent as volunteers by the Peace Corps to mostly developing countries as part of what is termed development assistance. Apart from the criticism the program faces, it has very little Black representation among its volunteers. Alithea Parker and Vince Williams, two African-Americans who volunteered in Cameroon and Ghana respectively, share their experience volunteering in Africa and help us understand why there are few Black Americans joining the Corps. And, candidates in Nigeria's upcoming presidential election, sign an agreement promising to run peaceful campaigns.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
When Jamila Zomah moved to the Bronx in New York, she realized she was surrounded by a great deal of African restaurants. They had the food she loved and craved. The problem however, was that none of the restaurants, not even the ones close to her house, did deliveries. So, she set up the African Dishout, a food delivery platform that partners African restaurants and grocery stores to deliver to customers. She talks to us about the app and its recent expansion beyond New York and about its future. And, AU Chair and Senegalese President, Macky Sall, says Africa will not become the battleground for a proxy war between parties involved in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
The late former UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan said; "Education is a human right with immense power to transform." Unfortunately, across Africa and in many other parts of the world, the education sector is still rife with lots of problems. Aisha Diori, founder and CEO of Africa Everything, is raising funds from the grassroots to help provide infrastructure for schools in West Africa. The non-profit has already rebuilt schools in some West African countries and awarded scholarships too. Aisha Diori tells us about what inspired her to take on this project and about her plans for the future. And, South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to press for more negotiations between Russia and Ukraine during talks with U.S President Joe Biden.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Of the countries that previously colonized Africa, France is the only one that still seems to have a great influence over its former colonies, a relationship which has been criticized repeatedly by many. In the concluding part of our conversation with Dr. Kassim Kone, he talks about how France's apparent grip on its former colonies including Mali, accounts for the current sociopolitical situation in the West African nation. And, Burundi's president, Evariste Ndayishimiye has replaced his prime minister and a top aide in a high-level reshuffle following warnings of a coup plot against him.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Since the military coup in Mali last year that deposed Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, the country has come under scrutiny. But the coup is not the only challenge facing the West African nation. Mali has also been dealing with an insurgency by radical Islamists which its colonial power, France, has been trying to counter for years. But with the relationship between the Malian military junta and France deteriorating, we ask Malian academic, Dr. Kassim Kone, who is a professor at SUNY Cortland, New York, to walks us through history to help us understand what's happening in Mali. And, Kenya's Supreme Court is to rule on Monday on the election petition case over last month's election.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
About a year after she won a music talent show on television as a member of the group, Black N' Peach, Wiyaala started her solo career. She has since become one of the most notable young Ghanaian musicians around the world, a future she recalls speaking into existence many years ago in this Sky News interview. This year, Wiyaala joined a growing list of Ghanaian musicians who have become members of the Recording Academy. Wiyaala reflects on her journey from the talent shows on television to the Academy. And, southern African states reject a proposed U.S law countering Russian influence and activities in Africa.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Ama Asantewa Diaka, better known by her stage name Poetra Asantewa, is a spoken word poet, writer and community organizer who is creating spaces/communities for African artists to thrive and grow their art. Asantewa is the founder of Black Girls Glow, a space for women artists and Tampered Press, a forum for African writers and writers of African descent to publish their works. She tells us about the importance of these spaces and her new book, a collection of poems, Woman, Eat Me Whole. And, Kenya's deputy president, William Ruto wins the highly contested presidential election.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Until about a decade ago, the major international news outlets covering Africa were from the United Kingdom and the United States. But the Chinese are beginning to make their presence in the African media space known through the extension of their state broadcaster, CGTN and others, as well as the provision of satellite television services. What is behind this move? We investigate. And, election observers have hailed the conduct of Kenya's general elections describing it as 'calm, peaceful and orderly.'
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
For 11 years, the Chale Wote Street Art Festival has made art accessible to Ghanaians from all walks of life. Some alumni from the festival have since become notable names in art in Ghana and beyond. As the festival celebrates its 12th edition (Aug 12-21, 2022) and it's grand return since going virtual due to COVID-19 restrictions, the festival's producer, Mantse Aryeequaye speaks to us about the impact the festival is having on the Ghanaian art scene and why knowledge sharing among artist is central to the festival. And, Nigeria's government confirms the purchase of vehicles worth $3million for its northern neighbor, Niger, to help that country address its security concerns.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
From his introduction to the music of reggae legends like Bob Marley and Peter Tosh to Ghanaian highlife greats like Koo Nimo and Nana Ampadu as a young boy growing up in one of Ghana's military barracks in the capital, Accra, Rocky Dawuni has evolved as a musician and so has his music which is recognized around the world. He talks to us about his process of creating music and what made his albums Branches of the Same Tree and Voice of Bunbon, Vol. 1 get recognized by the Music Academy with Grammy nominations. Follow Rocky Dawuni on social media (@rockydawuni) and YouTube. And, Mali's junta leader signs a new law paving the way for elections and a return to constitutional rule.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Grammy-nominated musician Rocky Dawuni is a global star whose craft goes beyond simply entertaining his scores of fans with his music. He is an activist: a Global Ambassador for the United Nations Foundation's Clean Cooking Alliance and United Nations Environment's Goodwill Ambassador for Africa. In the first part of our conversation, we talk about Rocky's activism role and discuss how to make climate change easily understandable by all. And, Tanzania's Maasai people, under pressure to leave their ancestral home in the Ngorongoro Conservation area, ask United Nations to protect their land rights.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Scholastica Amekugee is a registered nurse and an entrepreneur or 'Nurspreneur' with a mission. Having switched to nursing from theater after her son was diagnosed with sickle cell disease, Scholastica has since set up a charity organization to help sickle cell patients in Ghana and to help demystify the disease. She is also CEO of NSA LLC, a nurse staffing agency in Chicago which is giving a boost to nursing in the state of Illinois. And, Irish budget airliner, Ryanair drops Afrikaans test for South African passengers following backlash.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Fresh out of high school, Jonathan Kennedy Sowah set up INOVTECH Stem Center. The self-taught robotics engineer has since trained over 10,000 young Ghanaians, many of whom are enrolled in various STEM programs at the university. And, European budget airline, Ryanair comes under fire for asking South African travelers to take Afrikaans test to prove nationality.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Fourteen States in America have so far passed the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (C.R.O.W.N) Act designed to end race-based hair discrimination such as the denial of employment and educational opportunities because of a person's hair texture and to protect hairstyles like braids and locs. Nigerian-American lawyer and a member of the Minnesota State House of Representatives, Esther Agbaje talks to us about efforts being made in her state to get the act pass into law. And, the Central African Republic approves new legislation to make death sentences illegal.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Namibian-Belgian musician, songwriter and activist, Shishani is on a mission to reintroduce African folk music to the world. Having spent her life between Africa and Europe, Shishani talks about the importance of keeping folk music - which appears to be dying out - alive since it is an integral part of the African culture and history. And, the government of The Gambia says it is ready to prosecute the country's former president, Yahya Jammeh for crimes allegedly committed during his more than 20-year rule.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
After years of relying solely on credit ratings from "The Big Three" credit rating agencies (Fitch, Moody's and S&P), the African Union (AU) is considering setting up its own ratings agency. The African Peer Review Mechanism office (an arm of the AU) has been researching the feasibility of such an institution and the AU Finance Ministers will consider the findings of the research at their next meeting in June. The APRM's lead researcher for the project, Dr. Misheck Mutize, walks us through the proposed project and its benefits. And, Benin is to halt its military and police unit contributions to the UN Peacekeeping mission in Mali.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
For years, Africa countries have imported vehicles from the US, Europe and Asia. The trend is expected to change as car assembling plants are opening up across the continent. Last year, German automaker, Volkswagen (VW) opened its fifth African assembly plant in Ghana, operated by Universal Motors. Subhi Accad, Managing Director of Universal Motors talks to us about their plans to boost Ghana's auto industry. And, a Police Commissioner in the Democratic Republic of Congo is handed a death sentence for his role in the 2010 murder of a human rights activist.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Eloïne Barry started her communications career at a top PR firm in London. With all the bad rap Africa has endured over the years, she set up the African Media Agency to help reshape the narrative about Africa on the international stage. And, six midwives go on trial in Senegal following the death of a pregnant woman and her unborn child at a local hospital.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
As Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, Western sanctions against Russia seem to be adversely affecting foreign students in that country. President of the National Union of Ghana Students, Kodwo Pobee-Quaynor talks about some of the challenges they face as the academic year nears its end. And, Ghana's independence era party, the Convention People's Party, announces plans to rebury its founder and the country's first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Grace Olatona and Phillip Bobbie-Ansah, fifth-year students of Vinnytsia National Pirogov Medical University in Ukraine, talk about escaping Ukraine during the Russian invasion, facing racial discrimination at the border and their plans for the future with a year left for them to graduate from medical school in Ukraine.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Since discovering his passion for medicine when he moved to the United States to restart his college career, Kwadwo Sarpong has been working to bridge the gender gap in the field of science in Africa through his Research Academies for women even as he pursues his own interest in neurosurgery. And South Africa declares a state of disaster in KwaZulu-Natal province following deadly floods.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Nii Ayikwei Parkes shares his optimism about the future of storytelling in Africa as well as his guiding principle as a writer. And Burkina Faso's former President Blaise Compaoré handed a life sentence for his role in the assassination of his predecessor, Thomas Sankara.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Award-winning poet and writer, Nii Ayikwei Parkes speaks about his love for poetry, language, writing for children and the challenges African writers often face. He's the author of the children's books; Tales From Africa (Puffin Classics) and The Ga Picture Alphabet (Kane Series). More than a thousand small-scale tea farmers in Rwanda have been handed ownership of the country's largest tea factory.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Having spent over a decade working in theater, Effie Nkrumah came close to walking out on her thriving acting career until she decided to give it one last shot. Her decision paid off landing her a role in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway in Melbourne, Australia. She's an interdisciplinary artist whose work explores blackness and the construct of race. Follow her on Instagram and Facebook @benumah . UNHCR Chief, Filippo Grandi decries treatment meted out to black and brown people fleeing Ukraine.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Anne Mungai (PhD) is creating a legacy of education through the Caroline Wambui Mungai Foundation. Learn more about the foundation at www.cwmf.org .And Burkinabé architect, Diébédo Francis Kéré, becomes the first African to win architecture's prestigious Pritzker prize.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
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