Tuesday, December 9, 2014

E K Bensah Jr shared "AFRICA IN FOCUS 02-12-14.mp3" with you

From E K:

"EPISODE #26
Research & Co-ordination: E.K.Bensah Jr
Executive Producer: E.K.Bensah Jr

LINK: https://www.dropbox.com/s/cnnq4hgslad74fk/AFRICA%20IN%20FOCUS%20%2002-12-14.mp3?dl=0

"Dear friends,

Kindly find the link to the podcast of #AfricainFocus show on Tuesday 2 December, 2014.


We spoke to Esi Cleland, former popular blogger-turned-entrepreneur, who has been co-managing Afro-Chic since 2009. She spoke to AIF about the genesis of AfroChic, and told us some of the challenges she encountered. Success has been slow, but steady and sure to the extent that after five years, AfroChic is ready to go higher places. Esi hinted us she may be reviving her very-popular blog, which at any time in 2009/2010 was attracting no less than an average of 100 comments for one post.

The second was Naa Oyo Quartey, who is an award-winning Lifestyle blogger and wedding photographer. We spoke to her about the passion she shares with Esi on why they both chose to use the internet to market their businesses at a time when selling online is not the most reliable way.

Both Esi and Naa revealed to us some of the ways in which they have been able to overcome the challenge of e-transactions.

Finally, in the different segments, we spoke to Ugonna, of the Right to Information Coalition, about a Media Encounter on 3 December about the Coalition's work. We also spoke to Health and Communication officer at West Africa Aids Foundation on what the Foundation was doing to celebrate World Aids Day, celebrated worldwide every year on 1 December.


We look forward to comments!
In solidarity!
Emmanuel""

Click here to view

(E K shared these files using Dropbox. Enjoy!)
© 2014 Dropbox

Sunday, December 7, 2014

E.K. Bensah Jr shared a video with you!

E.K. shared a video with you!

“Dear friends,

To mark the 20th edition of the Africa in Focus show, we started post-show video interviews that seek to both promote the work of the guests we invite, and some of their ideas on the themes we cover for the show.

In this post-show clip, Kobby Blay, lead Volunteer at #EbolaWatch and who has been providing listeners of Africa in Focus Show with a radio version of EbolaWatch updates since August 2014, tells us what we need to look out for about Ebola, and what important steps to take to keep oneself safe.

Comments always appreciated!
Regards,
Emmanuel”
View video
© 2014 Dropbox

Sunday, November 30, 2014

PODCAST: Episode 25 -- Africa's Industrialisation; & Unearthing Robust Voices in Africa's Development

EPISODE #25
Research & Co-ordination: E.K.Bensah Jr
Executive Producer: E.K.Bensah Jr 

LINK: https://www.dropbox.com/s/c2xx1mms258001m/AFRICA%20IN%20FOCUS%2025-11-14.mp3?dl=0

"Dear friends,

Kindly find the link to the podcast of #AfricainFocus show on Tuesday 25 November, 2014. 

We spent some 15 minutes getting a quick update from Enoch A Sackey, Office Manager, of Furniture and Wood Association of Ghana(FAWAG)  on why it remains an important association on which government should rely upon to deliver high-quality furniture for even Ghana's parliament.

We spent the 25th edition of the show looking at two important issues: the first part of the show was on the theme of the 25th anniversary of Africa Industrialisation Day, which was celebrated on 20th November around the world. It is for this reason we spoke to FAWAG. We followed that interview with one of Samuel Mawutor, of Civic Response/FORESTWATCH to give us a summary of some of the major outcomes from the four-day Forest Forum that was held last week in Accra. We touched on the issue of Rosewood, and examined the reasons why government had banned its export, and why the Chinese were so interested in it.

As part of the show's series unearthing robust voices in Africa's development, we spoke to a former official of the West Africa Commission on Drugs, Mrs. Araba Arhin, who served as a Coordinator on a short-term project under the Commission at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre(KAIPTC).  Araba gave us a refreshing insight into drug policy dynamics in the sub-region, and proffered a way forward, including the need for the sub-region to own its problems.

We look forward to comments!
In solidarity!
Emmanuel"

Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

E K Bensah Jr shared "AFRICA IN FOCUS 04-11-14.mp3" with you

From E K:

"Dear friends,

Kindly find the link to the podcast of #AfricainFocus show on Tuesday 4 November, 2014.

We spent some 15 minutes getting a quick update from Mr.Diallo of the Accra-based West Africa Network for Peacebuilding on the unfolding situation in Burkina Faso.

We spent the 22nd edition of Africa in Focus reprising the theme of Africa's aviation sector, with a focus on safety. We spoke to an airline pilot very conversant with the incident that brought domestic airline Starbow to the headlines. We left the show reminded that the airline industry is one of the safest transport systems around, and we need to do one other thing: build more national airports, which are the missing link between aviation fuel and airline tickets.

It really is not only about taxes, but about aviation fuel. Every pilot starts his day having factored fuel. Even more so the domestic airlines

As usual, we had different segments, including our regular "Africa in the News".

We look forward to comments!
In solidarity!
Emmanuel"

Click here to view

(E K shared these files using Dropbox. Enjoy!)
© 2014 Dropbox

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Burkina Faso without Compaore!

People power!

Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Request for Expression of Interest - Consultancy Services to undertake the AU Commission Agenda 2063 Capacity Needs Assessment Study and Preparation of Capacity Development Plan | Agenda 2063 | African Union

http://agenda2063.au.int/en/news/request-expression-interest-consultancy-services-undertake-au-commission-agenda-2063-capacity-n

Monday, October 27, 2014

Emmanuel K Bensah Jr shared "AFRICA IN FOCUS 21Oct14.mp3" with you

From Emmanuel K:

"Dear friends,

Kindly find the link to the podcast of #AfricainFocus show on Tuesday 21 October, 2014.

Thanks to a technical challenge, we have brought you a longer version, so kindly start from 3:03, where you can listen to the specific "Africa in Focus" edition.

As usual, we have different segments, including our regular "Africa in the News".

While we complain about yet-two more UN conferences at a time the UN is turning 69 on 24 October, have we not arrived at a point where the Global South accepts that the UN is probably still only the international Forum that continually seeks to allow the African voice to be heard? So even as there were few African lawyers; policy-makers; and African negotiators at the Fourth Conference on Climate and Development in Africa (CCDA-IV), and represented at the Ninth African Development Forum, can we surmise that the UN continues to be the sole space where a semblance of advocacy for equity around global concerns can be expressed?

We also had #EbolaWatch updates from Kobby Blay, our registered nurse at Korle-Bu, who was at the studios this time for our 20th edition.

We look forward to comments!

Kind regards,
Emmanuel"

Click here to view

(Emmanuel K shared these files using Dropbox. Enjoy!)
© 2014 Dropbox

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

The African Union as a ‘Game-changer’ in combating climate Change


Emmanuel is currently in Morocco as part of the live-reporting team of the UN Economic Commission for Africa/African Union Commission/African Development Bank-sponsored Fourth Climate Change and Development in Africa (CCDA), which is underway till 10 October ; and where he will also file stories for the African Development Forum from 12-16th October.

The African Union as a ‘Game-changer’ in combating climate Change
By Emmanuel.K.Bensah Jr  Marakkech, Morocco

At a time when the African Union has come under considerable criticism for doing little to address pertinent development issues on the continent, along comes the African Risk Capacity to help combat climate change. If Tosi Mpanu-Mpanu, Board Member of the ARC Agency Governing Board, is to be believed, the ARC is a real “game-changer” in helping address climate change in Africa.

Mr.Tosi Mpanu-Mpanu, Board Member,
ARC Agency Governing Board
Established in 2012, the ARC is a specialized agency of the AU, established by a Conference of Plenipotentiaries, to help AU Member States improve their capacities to better plan, prepare and respond to extreme weather events and natural disasters.

According to Mpanu-Mpanu, it functions as an insurance scheme that helps African countries pool resources together. He believes a system like this “makes perfect economic sense as countries deal with drought”. It further helps countries insure themselves against risk.

Once a request for assistance is approved by the Board, it takes around one hundred days for the money to be disbursed. This contrasts sharply with the donor agencies, which often take between four and six months. Against this backdrop is the idea that action must be taken quickly.

Pressed on why the idea of the insurance sector helping address Africa’s problems at a time one barely hears of that sector, Mpanu-Mpanu explained that one of the reasons why the ARC is a game-changer is because it is about “changing the narrative” of African countries. It is also about understanding the risk-profile associated with climate change in the sense that when disaster strikes, a country will be well-covered.

According to their website, the ARC comprises two entities: the Specialized Agency and a financial affiliate, ARC Insurance Company Limited (the Company).  The Agency provides general oversight and supervising development of ARC capacity and services. The Company is the financial affiliate that carries out commercial insurance functions of risk pooling and risk transfer in accordance with national regulations for parametric weather insurance in Bermuda, the Caribbean, where it is located until such time that an equally favourable legal and regulatory regime exists in an AU Member State.

Mpanu-Mpanu explained that had Mauritania known of ARC when it experienced its severe drought last year, it would not have spent an excess of around one million dollars to address it. He further elaborated on the dynamics of the mechanism by explaining that, given that disaster cannot hit countries all at once, when countries pay a premium, the pot will get larger than the-over $100m that donors have helped capitalize as the ARC was established.

The ARC is supported by DFID; SIDA; KFW(German Development Bank) and Rockefeller Foundation, among others.

Mpanu-Mpanu looks forward to the day when all fifty-four member countries will be covered by the ARC.

ENDs

Monday, September 29, 2014

Emmanuel K Bensah Jr shared "AFRICA IN FOCUS 23-09-14.mp3" with you

From Emmanuel K:

"Dear friends,

Kindly find the link to the podcast of #AfricainFocus show on Tuesday 23 September, which interrogated some important questions about climate change; deforestation; and how the media can help in demystifying these issues to draw greater attention to the fact that it remains a canker that all of us must unite to combat for the betterment of our nation; region; continent.

As usual, we have different segments, including our regular AU/ECOWAS five minute digest; and "Africa in the News".

We also had #EbolaWatch updates from Kobby Blay, our registered nurse at Korle-Bu.
We look forward to comments!

Kind regards,
Emmanuel""

Click here to view

(Emmanuel K shared these files using Dropbox. Enjoy!)
© 2014 Dropbox

Friday, September 12, 2014

Emmanuel K Bensah Jr shared "AFRICA IN FOCUS 09-09-14 .mp3" with you

From Emmanuel K:

"Dear friends,

Kindly find the link to the podcast of #AfricainFocus show on Tuesday 9 September, which interrogated some important questions about what Africa in Focus calls "Afri-Tourism".

As usual, we have different segments, including our regular AU/ECOWAS five minute digest; "Africa in History"; "Africa in the News".

We also have #EbolaWatch updates from Kobby Blay, our registered nurse at Korle-Bu.
We look forward to comments!

Kind regards,
Emmanuel"

Click here to view

(Emmanuel K shared these files using Dropbox. Enjoy!)
© 2014 Dropbox

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Emmanuel K Bensah Jr shared "AFRICA IN FOCUS 02-09-14.mp3" with you

From Emmanuel K:

"Dear friends,

Kindly find the link to the podcast of #AfricainFocus show on Tuesday 2 September, which interrogated some important questions about E-commerce in Ghana.
We leave the show getting a sense of how three Ghanaian organisations in Baahe.com; Zoobashop.com; and Rancard Solutions are all doing the very level best to ensure that Ghanaians get the opportunity to benefit from safe and secure online transactions.

We spoke to ECOWAS' Stella Attakpah who offered a regional perspective on e-commerce, and gave an insight into how the Dakar-based Intergovernmental Action Group against Money-Laundering (GIABA) continues to offer Member States technical assistance and how governments must put structures in place to protect the buyers and sellers.

As usual, we have different segments, including our regular AU/ECOWAS five minute digest; "Africa in History"; "Africa in the News".

We also have #EbolaWatch updates from Kobby Blay, our registered nurse at Korle-Bu.

We look forward to comments!
Kind regards,
Emmanuel"

Click here to view

(Emmanuel K shared these files using Dropbox. Enjoy!)
© 2014 Dropbox

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Emmanuel K Bensah Jr shared "AFRICA IN FOCUS 26-08-14.mp3" with you

From Emmanuel K:

"Dear friends,

Kindly find the link to the podcast of #AfricainFocus show on Tuesday 26 August, which interrogated some important questions in Africa's hotel industry. We leave the show getting a sense of why hotel prices in Ghana are relatively higher than in other African countries, and why the tourism regulators, and government are found wanting in bringing sanity to the sector.

As usual, we have different segments, including our regular AU/ECOWAS five minute digest; "Africa in History"; "Africa in the News".

We also have #EbolaWatch updates from Kobby Blay, our registered nurse at Korle-Bu.

We look forward to comments!
Kind regards,
Emmanuel"

Click here to view

(Emmanuel K shared these files using Dropbox. Enjoy!)
© 2014 Dropbox

Friday, August 22, 2014

Emmanuel K Bensah Jr shared "AFRICA IN FOCUS 19-08-14.mp3" with you

From Emmanuel K:

"Kindly find a podcast of the 19 August edition of "Africa in Focus", which looked at some of the challenges befalling the Aviation Sector in Africa:

"Guiding Questions answered:

· What concrete measures are airlines taking to help bring down tickets?
· How satisfied are the airlines operating here that the Yamassoukro Declaration is being implemented?
· What is the state of play about aviation fuel? Are some airlines getting it cheaper elsewhere?
· Taxes, Charges and Fees are the highest in West Africa. Is it a case of West African governments being insensitive to the necessity of airlines in contributing to Africa's development?
· With the onset of Ebola, how are airlines bracing themselves to respond to the crisis? What assurances are they giving their passengers?
· What can our governments do better to help the aviation sector, beyond implementing the YD?"

Click here to view

(Emmanuel K shared these files using Dropbox. Enjoy!)
© 2014 Dropbox

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Fwd: [Africa in Focus Blog!] FEATURE: ECOWAS Finally sets up Ebola Awareness Page



by Emmanuel.K.Bensah Jr, Head of Research & Communications Unit, Africa in Focus Show

Barely a month after ECOWAS recorded its first fatality at the ECOWAS Lagos Office to Ebola, the regional institution has finally established a website to help respond to staff concerns about the Ebola virus. Dubbed "ECOWAS Health Awareness", the site is in the three official languages of ECOWAS--English; French; and Portuguese--and uses a combination of cartoons and simple language to explain all one needs to know about Ebola.

Under the "All you need to know" tab, there are sections on recognising the virus; preventing it; transmission; and treatment.

On clicking the FAQ tab, one is directed to pertinent questions on Ebola for "ECOWAS"; the "WHO" and the "UN". There is regrettably no information under the UN section, but there are a detailled list of questions under the "ECOWAS" and "WHO" tabs.

Perhaps the most useful part of the site is the "Updates" tab, which is populated by some statistics of deaths recorded since 27 July up to 8 August, 2014. Although the French and Portuguese site have little information, the English site seems to be more up-to-date.

This website comes at a time when many ECOWAS Community citizens have been left wondering what the regional response to the crisis is. Reports that the AU and WHO are actively collaborating to help countries affected by Ebola have left many sceptical as to whether there is actually any ECOWAS Ebola Fund as trumpeted by ECOWAS at the 45th Ordinary Session that was held here in Accra in July.

The West African Health Organisation(WAHO), the regional counterpart to the World Health Organisation, has been found wanting in its response to the crisis. It is only a small news digest about an upcoming emergency meeting in Accra on 28 August that offers some assurance.

According to the WAHO website, the "Extraordinary Meeting of the Assembly of Health Ministers will be devoted to reviewing Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the region". The meeting will seek to provide "an update on the implementation of recommendations from the last WHO-sponsored Accra Meeting and the Summit convened by the Heads of State of the Mano River Union."

More than 1,000 people lost their lives to the deadly virus in Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Nigeria in recent months.

Access the ECOWAS Ebola Awareness site here: http://www.awareness.ecowas.int/

ENDs




--
Posted By Blogger to Africa in Focus Blog! at 8/17/2014 03:41:00 PM



--
_____________________________________________________________________
E.K.Bensah Jr, Head of Research & Host -- "Africa in Focus"(Radio XYZ 93.1FM)
www.ekbensah.net | http://www.twitter.com/ekbensah | www.ekbensahdotnet.org
*TEL:+233.268.687.653 / +233.233.311.789 / +233.243.111.789
*Telegram/Whatsapp:+233.311.789
________________________________________________________________________________
EKBENSAH DotNet: Regional integration Intelligence| West Africa-ECOWAS | Communications | Civil society 
_______________________________________________________________

Fwd:AFRICA IN FOCUS >> Coming up on 19 August, 2014: "Africa's Aviation Sector: Challenges; Prospects; and the Future"



The State of the Africa’s Aviation Sector: Challenges; Prospects; and the Future

In talking about the aviation sector, it is possible to speculate that one has touched on a topic so esoteric and specialised that it requires the knowledge and passion of an expert to explain them. Truth be told, the more one reads, the more one realises that it is more of the same of the quintessential turf wars that populate the literature of the fight between the West and the Global South, especially Africa, for its own policy space.

Let's make no bones about this: we need neither a Western country; a UN agency; NEPAD; nor the AU to tell us about the critical importance of the aviation sector to Africa's development. The principal reason why any international body like the AU, NEPAD, or the UN might want to remind us is simply so Africans can take the bull by the horns and create their destiny about the “open skies” policy the Yamoussoukro Decision seeks to advocate.

There are no easy solutions to the challenge of facilitating an open-skies policy for Africa. This does not mean that we should not try to do something about it. There already exists the YD, which has been in operation since 2002. Other institutions, such as AFCAC, and Banjul Accord Group(linking 7 ECOWAS countries) exist to help resolve the challenge. Africa is fortunate to have organisations, such as AFRAA, that have transformed themselves into virtual advocacy organisations for the African airline industry. There is, however, more that can be done.

It is for this reason that we are using the 14th edition of “Africa in Focus” to interrogate the aviation sector.

There are five major reasons why it is important to look at the sector. First are the perennially-expensive airline tickets. Second is the state of the YD. What are some of the experiences that those in the studio can attest to around its implementation? Third, what are some of the solutions towards resolving the expensive aviation fuel? Is the solution Joint-Fuel purchases? Fourth, how can consumers ever be shielded from the very-high taxes; charges; and fees on airline tickets so that consumers can finally pay for affordable tickets? Finally, in the light of the Ebola scare, how are airlines bracing themselves to respond to what seems like a long-term challenge for the aviation industry?


Guiding Questions to be answered:
·        What concrete measures are airlines taking to help bring down tickets?
·        How satisfied are the airlines operating here that the Yamassoukro Declaration is being implemented?
·        What is the state of play about aviation fuel? Are some airlines getting it cheaper elsewhere?
·        Taxes, Charges and Fees are the highest in West Africa. Is it a case of West African governments being insensitive to the necessity of airlines in contributing to Africa’s development?
·        With the onset of Ebola, how are airlines bracing themselves to respond to the crisis? What assurances are they giving their passengers?
·        What can our governments do better to help the aviation sector, beyond implementing the YD?


Guests in the studio:
Ø  William Afadzinu, Marketing Manager, ASKY Airlines
Ø  Anthony Sarfo, Marketing Manager--West & North Africa, Kenya Airways
Ø  Adewale Adeniran, Sales Manager, Arik Air


Tune in at 13h10 GMT (1:00pm Ghana Time). We’re also streaming live  www.radioxyzonline.com.


Contact us Facebook on: http://www.facebook.com/africainfocusonradioxyz and radio XYZ 93.1FM. Tweet us @africainfocus14 and @ekbensah. Listen to us on #MultiTVChannel29. Thanks!


HOW TO CONTACT "AFRICA IN FOCUS"
1. Google plus BUSINESS PAGE: http://gplus.to/contactafricainfocusxyz
2. Google plus COMMUNITY:
http://gplus.to/africaonradioxyz
3. Google plus Profile: 
http://gplus.to/africainfocusongoogleplus


*Email:  africainfocusonradioxyz AT gmail.com
*FACEBOOK: 
http://www.facebook.com/africainfocusonradioxyz
*Twitter: 
http://www.twitter.com/africainfocus14, using #AfricainFocus #radioxyz


--
Posted By Blogger to Africa in Focus Blog! at 8/17/2014 12:26:00 PM



--
_____________________________________________________________________
E.K.Bensah Jr, Head of Research & Host -- "Africa in Focus"(Radio XYZ 93.1FM)
www.ekbensah.net | http://www.twitter.com/ekbensah | www.ekbensahdotnet.org
*TEL:+233.268.687.653 / +233.233.311.789 / +233.243.111.789
*Telegram/Whatsapp:+233.311.789
________________________________________________________________________________
EKBENSAH DotNet: Regional integration Intelligence| West Africa-ECOWAS | Communications | Civil society 
_______________________________________________________________

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Emmanuel K Bensah Jr shared "AFRICA IN FOCUS 5-08-14.mp3" with you

From Emmanuel K:

""Kindly find a podcast of the 5 August edition of "Africa in Focus".

In this edition of AIF, we talked to Kenya's erstwhile "King of Facebook", and Brand Ambassador of Safaricomm to find out how that East African country has been able to revolutionise New Media. We also talked to the former Knowledge Management Officer of the UNECA who played an active role in ensuring that the rather-prosaic policy of Africa's integration and development is translated into the more exciting and vivacious New Media channel in Facebook.

Even more importantly, we used the show to explore the extent to which New Media, especially blogging, is still a good idea, and does it have validity in a space where twitter seems to be king? We tried to find out what Kenya's King of Facebook thinks about other forms of New Media, and does his commercial success lend weight to the fact that his template is one that can be replicated elsewhere in Africa?""

Click here to view

(Emmanuel K shared these files using Dropbox. Enjoy!)
© 2014 Dropbox

Monday, August 4, 2014

AFRICA IN FOCUS >> Coming up on 5 August, 2014: "Africa & Social Media: Blogging; Activism; and the Future"


Africa & Social Media: Blogging; Activism; and the Future

If someone were to be documenting Ghana’s young history of its foray into Social Media, one might refer to the 1 July demonstration, which triggered the hashtag #Occupyflagstaff, as one of the examples of Ghana’s foray into activism. Activism, because many months after the so-called “Arab Spring”, many have questioned when sub-Saharan Africa would have its own Spring.

But long before there was even any talk of a “Spring” africaine, Ghana had begun making moves around Social Media. First it was Penplusbytes, or the ICT Institute of Journalism in 2001. Seven years later came BloggingGhana – considered the largest association of bloggers writing about Ghana. With the advent of New Media has come opportunities for training and education on New Media, which the latter two organizations have been involved in.

That said, one could be forgiven for thinking that without being associated with these two organizations, survival in New Media is impossible. Far from it, as there remain many individuals blogging, and fully-engaged in New Media through many different initiatives they undertake.

Then there is the case of our media houses, which are taking the New Media bull by the horns and running with it. Back in 2009, the host of “Africa in Focus” was called to national duty for the 14th GJA Media Awards. Word had it that his blogging activism was what led him to that calling.  Sitting on that committee as a judge for online journalism was indeed a priviledge, but he was disheartened by the fact that subsequent GJA Media awards did not deem Blogging and New Media an important component of Ghana’s media.

Fortunately, New Media has managed to move beyond relying on the Ghana Journalist Association. The establishment of organizations like BloggingGhana and Penplusbytes can verily attest to this fact. But even with their respective successes, what have other countries been able to do around New Media and Blogging?

In this edition of AIF, we talk to Kenya’s erstwhile “King of Facebook”, and Brand Ambassador of Safaricomm to find out how that East African country has been able to revolutionise New Media. We also talk to the former Knowledge Management Officer of the UNECA who played an active role in ensuring that the rather-prosaic policy of Africa’s integration and development is translated into the more exciting and vivacious New Media channel in Facebook.

Even more importantly, we will be using the show to explore the extent to which New Media, especially blogging, is still a good idea, and does it have validity in a space where twitter seems to be king? What does Kenya’s King of Facebook think about other forms of New Media, and does his commercial success lend weight to the fact that his template is one that can be replicated elsewhere in Africa?

Guests in the studio:
Ø  Edward Tagoe, BloggingGhana
Ø  Ato Ulzen-Appiah, Rancard Solutions/ex-Google Ghana
Ø  Kwami Ahiabenu, Penplusbytes New Media Hub/African Elections Project

On the line:
Ø  Golda Addo, Renewable Energy advocate; Activist   @ 13h40
Ø  Stephen Musyoka, TrInc Media/ former Kenyan “King of Facebook”/City Council of Nairobi @ 13h55
Ø  Mawuli Tsikata, CITI fm, @14h10
Ø  Mkhu Ncube, Young Zimbabwe Business Platform/ex-UNECA @ 14h25

Tune in at 13h10 GMT (1:00pm Ghana Time). We’re also streaming live  www.radioxyzonline.com.

Contact us Facebook on:
http://www.facebook.com/africainfocusonradioxyz and radio XYZ 93.1FM. Tweet us @africainfocus14 and @ekbensah. Listen to us on #MultiTVChannel29. Thanks!

HOW TO CONTACT "AFRICA IN FOCUS"
1. Google plus BUSINESS PAGE: http://gplus.to/contactafricainfocusxyz
2. Google plus COMMUNITY:
http://gplus.to/africaonradioxyz
3. Google plus Profile: 
http://gplus.to/africainfocusongoogleplus


*Email:  africainfocusonradioxyz AT gmail.com
*FACEBOOK: 
http://www.facebook.com/africainfocusonradioxyz
*Twitter: 
http://www.twitter.com/africainfocus14, using #AfricainFocus #radioxyz


--
Posted By Blogger to Africa in Focus Blog! at 8/04/2014 11:31:00 AM



--
_____________________________________________________________________
E.K.Bensah Jr, Head of Research & Host -- "Africa in Focus"(Radio XYZ 93.1FM)
www.ekbensah.net | http://www.twitter.com/ekbensah | www.ekbensahdotnet.org
*TEL:+233.268.687.653 / +233.233.311.789 / +233.243.111.789
*Telegram/Whatsapp:+233.311.789
________________________________________________________________________________
EKBENSAH DotNet: Regional integration Intelligence| West Africa-ECOWAS | Communications | Civil society 
_______________________________________________________________

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Fwd: [Africa in Focus Blog!] Podcasts of last 10 Episodes of "Africa in Focus"


22 July, 2014: Energy Security in West Africa
Kindly find a podcast of the 22 July edition of "Africa in Focus", which interrogated the question that:

"understanding energy security is important because the reliable supply of commercial energy services is critical for growing economies in West Africa. Just like people elsewhere, citizens in West Africa seek a higher standard of living, which is only possible with access to commercially-sustainable energy services.

Yet, most of the region lack the energy infrastructure needed to meet demand, although resources such as oil, gas, hydro and coal are available and there are opportunities for modern use of biomass and other renewables such as wind and solar"

Other Questions answered:
• What is energy security, and how is it prosecuted in West Africa? (ERERA)
• What are some of the threats to energy security in (West) Africa? (ERERA/GIABA)
• How can energy security be maintained? (ERERA)
• What are the regional & continental responses to countering challenges to energy security? (ERERA/GIABA)"

Guests included:
Ø  Uwem Thompson, Communications OfficerEcowas Regional Energy Regulatory Electricity Authority (ERERA), Accra
Ø  Stella Attakpah, Programmes Manager, Intergovernmental  Action Group Against Money-Laundering(GIABA), Dakar [on the line from Vienna, Austria]

Tune in at 13h10 GMT (1:00pm Ghana Time). We’re also streaming live  www.radioxyzonline.com

15 July, 2014: East Africa Rising: Rwanda, Rwanda!
Kindly find a podcast of the 15 July edition of "Africa in Focus", which interrogated the question that:

"Even as we celebrate this beautiful new star of Africa, we must begin to ask important questions on how it has been able to link conservation and tourism to development in a way that is reflected through the annual gorilla-naming ceremony. As Ghana prepares itself to host the UN World Tourism Organisation international conference on Tourism Branding, what lessons can it learn from Rwanda which makes up to USD300m a year on tourism?"

OTHER QUESTIONS ANSWERED INCLUDED:
•             When did the idea for the gorilla-naming ceremony come about, and why is it important for Rwanda? (Ignatius, RwandAir)
•             What are some of the best practices on tourism that Rwanda can share?
•             What are some of the achievements Rwanda has been able to chalk since the end of the genocide in 1994 (Ambassador Habineza)
•             Why did the city of Kigali decide to establish the Genocide Memorial museum? (Serge Rwigamba)
•             How has the genocide memorial been able to renew the spirit of Rwandans towards re-building their country? (Serge)
•             What has Rwanda done right which Ghana can learn from?

Ø  Ignatius Ahimbisibwe, Sales & MarketingRwandair
Ø  Francis Agyemang, Commercial director, Eurotours [invited]
Ø  Ambassador Joseph Habineza, High Commissioner of Rwanda to Abuja & Accra
j** Serge , Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, Rwanda


Tune in at 13h10 GMT (1:00pm Ghana Time) every Tuesday. We’re also streaming live www.radioxyzonline.com.


8 July, 2014: Informal Economy in Africa
Kindly find a podcast of the 8 July edition of "Africa in Focus", which interrogated the question that:

"In the difficult prevailing economic conditions, it is likely that more people are operating in a so-called shadow economy where they have a 9-to-5 job, and couple it with one in the informal economy.

A general discussion needs to be had so Africans can begin to reflect on the trajectory of the sector, and how it can be modernized. And a specific discussion is found wanting because countries, such as Rwanda, do not necessarily have an informal sector in the traditional way that people in West Africa understand it.

So, what is it, for example, that they have been doing to upset the apple cart on modernizing the economy? Is there something that other African countries can, yet again, learn from this small, landlocked country in East Africa that has been getting things right after the country died 20 years ago? If the informal sector is to remain an important part of regions like West Africa, what needs to be modernized about it to ensure it remains equitable for those who are in it, and what are the linkages to the formal economy that can be explored to maximize efficient development of Africa’s global economy?"

Guests included:

*Eunice Marfo, Executive Secretary at Ghana Association of Savings and Loans Companies (GHASALC)

* Janet Faden, a freelance Online journalist based in Jos, Nigeria, who practices under her media enterprise called JfadenMultimedia

 Edmund Benjamin-Addy, who has worked in advisory service for the past five years for individual clients in the Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SME's) and works as Head of Monitoring and Evaluation at the Ghana Susu Collector’s Association

* Dr.Akosua Darkwa -- a representative from Network for Women’s Rights (NETRIGHT)

Tune in at 13h10 GMT (1:00pm Ghana Time) every Tuesday. We’re also streaming live www.radioxyzonline.com.


24 June, 2014: African Problems? African Solutions!

Kindly find a podcast of the 24 June edition of "Africa in Focus", which interrogated the question that:

Whether it is in the challenge of combating drug trafficking in the sub-region; controlling our external borders; or the private sector examining concrete solutions to facilitate trade in the sub-region, the bottom line is that we have answers and solutions under our noses.

Same can be said about our agriculture, and how many young people can be more active and proactive in that sector. We couple this with the fact that the AU is celebrating a year-long anniversary for Agriculture (a major talking point at the AU Summit underway in Maputo, Equatorial Guinea). 

Guests were:

**  Stella Attakpah, Programmes Manager at GIABA – the Dakar-based Ecowas agency concerned with combating money-laundering and financing of terrorism; (from Bamako)

** Temitope Olodo – counter-terrorism and law enforcement expert based in the UK, and host of “Africa Security” programme in the UK; (from the UK)

**  Afua Eshun – of Accra-based BORDERLESS Alliance, concerned with facilitating free movement in West Africa; (studio)

**Edison Gbenga Ade -- of AgriPro Consulting, based in Osu, which works on agribusiness industry in Africa; (studio)


17 June, 2014: Forget Africa Rising -- it's East Africa Rising!

"Please find a link to the latest edition of the "Africa in Focus" show, which aired on Radio XYZ93.1 fm on Tuesday 17 June at 13h10.

Kindly find a podcast of the 17 June edition of "Africa in Focus", which interrogated the question that:

"Much of the time, there is talk that Africa can learn from the East. We play ball closer to home by asking what can Africa, especially the sub-region of the West, learn from African countries that are East of the continent!"

Guests included:** Anthony Annan, a Ghanaian entrepreneur living in Rwanda

** Eyob Tekalign Tolina, an Ethiopian who has worked with the UNECA, and well-versed on Trade Policy

** Uwem Thompson, Communications Officer of Ecowas Regional Energy Regulatory Authority (ERERA)

** Christine Njeru, a Kenyan Lawyer and Consultant living in Nairobi

** H.E. Ambassador Joseph Habineza -- High Commissioner of Rwanda to Nigeria & Ghana.


10 June, 2014: The State of Civil Society in West Africa post-2015 Agenda
"Please find a link to the latest edition of the "Africa in Focus" show, which aired on Radio XYZ93.1 fm on Tuesday 10 June at 13h10.

As Ghana has been identified as a middle-income country, aid flows to the country will diminish significantly with a number of major donors that will begin to set deadlines for the end of their aid frameworks. In this light, civil society will need to answer the question as to where CSOs, as a vital part of society, will continue to find funding in the future.

Guests included: -
**Executive Director of WACSI Nana -- Asantewa Afadzinu
**OSIWA Programme Manager in Charge of Law, Justice and Human Rights -- Afia Asantewaa Asare-Kyei
**STAR Ghana's Mary Tobbin-Osei


3 June, 2014: Is Africa Integrating?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1f5jtdfvsqflrj6/AFRICA%20IN%20FOCUS%20%2003-06-14.mp3>> 

Kindly find a podcast to the latest edition of "Africa in Focus", which interrogated the question of how far Africa is integrated. It was a lively discussion that featured two studio guests from Ghana--Dr.Lloyd Amoah of Ashesi, and Charles VanDyck of West Africa Civil Society Institute -- and two from outside Ghana. These were UNECA official Dr.Joseph Attah-Mensah, and Zimbabwean former UNECA official-turned-entrepreneur Mkhululi Ncube


27 May, 2014: Responsibility to Protect (RtoP)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/fux4d2r9rotyc5t/AfricainFocus-27May2.wav >> 

Kindly find the link to the podcast of the interview of the second guest for the Responsibility to Protect edition of the show on 27 May. She is Nana Asantewa Afadzinu -- the Executive Director of the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI). Previously a visiting scholar at Columbia University’s Human Rights Advocate Training Programme, completed her Masters in Law at New York University and has worked with Media Foundation for West Africa and the Center for the Study of Human Rights, Columbia University, in establishing a West and Central Africa Human Rights Institute. She joined the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) as Governance Program Officer in 2005 and was OSIWA’s Country Coordinator in Nigeria from 2006 to 2008

*****
https://www.dropbox.com/s/92y6zof42eoybbb/AfricainFocus-27May1.wav >> 

Kindly find podcast of interview of Dr.Cyril Musila by Host of "Africa in Focus" E.K.Bensah Jr. Dr. Cyril Musila, who is an Associate Fellow within Sub-Saharan Africa program since June 2010. He obtained his Phd in Social Sciences from Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales (Paris).He is professor of Geopoliticis of African Conflicts and Peace Research at the Catholic University of Paris. The theme of the show was on Responsibility to Protect(RtoP).




13 May, 2014: "Peace and Security in West Africa: the missing girls; free movement; Boko Haram; and the role of ECOWAS"


Kindly find a link to the latest 13 May, 2014 edition of "Africa in Focus", entitled "Peace and Security in West Africa: the missing girls; free movement; Boko Haram; and the role of ECOWAS".

We have an eye-witness account of a lady from Chibok who relates how some residents are sleeping on trees and in the bushes out of fear of what might be inflicted on them by Boko Haram. She can confirm there is a clear and present threat of Boko Haram, and that the girls were truly abducted.

We also speak to a Janet Faden, a Nigerian journalist, who explains that Nigerians have been kept in the dark as to what is happening, and that it is difficult to authenticate the video that is out on youtube in which one sees what looks like girls in an undisclosed location.


6 May, 2014 : "The EPAs & Matters Arising"

This is the FULL 74-minute edition of the very-first edition of the "Africa in Focus" show on Radio XYZ93.1 FM, which examined the Economic Partnership Agreements between Ghana and the EU. It is live on air every Tuesday from 13h00 to 15h00. It is proudly-sponsored by Eastgate Hotel and the West Africa Civil Society Institute(WACSI)


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Posted By Blogger to Africa in Focus Blog! at 7/24/2014 11:36:00 AM



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E.K.Bensah Jr, Head of Research & Host -- "Africa in Focus"(Radio XYZ 93.1FM)
www.ekbensah.net | http://www.twitter.com/ekbensah | www.ekbensahdotnet.org
*TEL:+233.268.687.653 / +233.233.311.789 / +233.243.111.789
*Telegram/Whatsapp:+233.311.789
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EKBENSAH DotNet: Regional integration Intelligence| West Africa-ECOWAS | Communications | Civil society 
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