Up Front - VOA Africa

The intersection of travel and social media has changed the way people experience, and share their travel adventures. But how do we balance the need to share these experiences with the cultural sensitivities of local communities? We speak to acclaimed travel writer and photographer Lola Akinmade Åkerström 2.Afrobeats continues to gain recognition at international music awards, further elevating the genre's influence and impact on the global music industry. We chat with young upcoming Nigerian artist Qing Madi as she concludes her first US tour.

Zimbabwean all female acapella group Nobuntu, are breaking barriers in a mostly male dominated music genre known as Imbube. The group currently on their North American tour join me to talk about their inspiration and the concept of Ubuntu. 2. Has hip-hop recognized and rewarded its female talent? While there have been some female rappers who have achieved significant success and acclaim, the hip-hop industry--which is celebrating its 50th year anniversary--has faced issues of gender inequality and disparities. Award winning Rapper Trina talks to me about this and other issues.

UN agencies warn that the number of people living in modern slavery is growing, reaching 50 million--according to a 2021 report. Modern slavery victims are often entrapped and exploited to provide cheap or free labor in industries and homes around the world. Joanna Ewart-James the Executive Director, Freedom United joins us to talk about her organization's mission to fight human trafficking and modern slavery through global advocacy campaigns. Gambian restauranteur Hatib Joof talks about his mission to bring West African cuisine and food culture to the Washington DC region. A young Kenyan man is arrested for impersonating a lawyer, after winning 26 cases for his clients. Josephine Muthengi joins us from Nairobi to talk about the implications of this case on Kenya's judicial and education system.

Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier recently apologized for killings under colonial rule in Tanzania. Thousands of Tanzanians were killed and others died from hunger after German troops targeted their food sources. Renowned East African writer and lawyer Jenerali Ulimwengu tells me that Tanzanians rebelled against the brutal force and exploitative practices by the Germans.

Economist say that Ghana needs to boost investment and tourism in response to an economic crisis driven by high inflation and a decline in the value of the local currency. We talk to Akwasi Agyeman, head of Ghana Tourism Authority and Yofi Grant the Chief Executive Officer at Ghana Investment Promotion Centre. 2. Team DIMA Global CEO, Dimathalia Rizk talks to us about the values of social entrepreneurship and her organization's work with Kenyan youth.

On this fresh, fast-paced show VOA's Jackson Mvunganyi talks to teens and young adults about politics, trends, lifestyles, health, entertainment, and other issues touching listeners’ lives. For more on Upfront visit www.upfrontafrica.com

Breast cancer is a significant health concern in Africa, and it presents several unique challenges in the region. Dr.William Dahut, the Chief Scientific Officer for the American Cancer Society joins us to talk about the importance of early diagnosis and the barriers to accessing breast cancer treatment in sub-Saharan Africa. We are also joined by award winning musician Melanie Edwards to talk about the power of music therapy.

A new book by acclaimed author Marc Sommers—examines how pop culture figures like American rapper Tupac, Reggae icon Bob Marley, and the movie character Rambo, inadvertently radicalized young people to fight in Sierra Leone's decade long civil war.

On October 10th, Liberians will vote in their fourth presidential election since the end of the civil war in 2003. The incumbent President George Weah is seeking a second term in office. He will face off against former Vice President Joseph Boakai, philanthropist and entrepreneur Alexander Cummings, and human rights attorney Taiwan Gongloe among other candidates. Fresh off her trip to cover the recently concluded UNGA, Evelyne Dan Epelle joins me to talk about some of the issues discussed in New York

Moroccan tech entrepreneur and Change maker Hanae Bezad's new book 'Being Other' offers insights and observations that highlight the qualities and capabilities of people who live and work outside of what is considered mainstream.

Humanitarian and rescue efforts continue in Marrakesh and nearby communities as they grapple with the aftermath of the strongest earthquake to hit the country in the last 120 years. Yasmine El Baggari a Moroccan Entrepreneur living in the US, rushed back home to help in the aid effort working with the World Central Kitchen to provide warm meals to people.

The Nairobi Declaration: African leaders and environmental activists called for new global taxes and reforms to international financial institutions to help fund climate change action on the continent. They also called for more youth engagement in the fight to mitigate the impacts of Climate change. Joseph Nguthiru joins us from Nairobi to talk about the discussions at the conference and his startup HyaPak Ecotech Limited, a company that is transforming the water hyacinth plant, into biodegradable alternatives. From Abuja, Policy researcher Evelyn Dan Epelle talks to us about the Importance of citizen's participation In elections and governance

On this fresh, fast-paced show VOA's Jackson Mvunganyi talks to teens and young adults about politics, trends, lifestyles, health, entertainment, and other issues touching listeners’ lives. For more on Upfront visit www.upfrontafrica.com

Military officers in Gabon said they had seized power on Wednesday and had put President Ali Bongo Ondimba under house arrest. This follows a similar move in Niger where the Presidential guard, In late July, soldiers detained President Mohamed Bazoum at his home and installed a military junta, marking the ninth coup in Africa since 2020. Ugandan Singer Irene Ntale joins us to talk about the country's vibrant music industry.

On this fresh, fast-paced show VOA's Jackson Mvunganyi talks to teens and young adults about politics, trends, lifestyles, health, entertainment, and other issues touching listeners’ lives. For more on Upfront visit www.upfrontafrica.com

Chardelle Moore is a multidisciplinary artist and motivational speaker, her debut album, "Inward Awakening," is a multi-genre poetic collection that explores self-knowledge. She spoke to about her debut album and the importance of maintaining her African roots. Cameroonian American beauty queen Elizabeth Nintai talks about her journey,from serving in the military to competing in beauty pageants.

This month VOA's English to Africa Service celebrated 60 years of serving the continent. UpFront joined the E2A family in 2007, covering major events including the Arab Spring, the independence of South Sudan and growth of social media as an important source of information. On this episode we present a selection of interviews with news makers, prominent authors and leaders that have appeared on the show over the years.

Through their #StandAsMyWitness, CIVICUS-- a global alliance of civil society organization is calling on governments to free human rights activists and journalists in prison. Nigerian Singer Okwy Osadebe is paying to tribute to his late father, the legendary highlife musician Chief Osita Osadebe.

On this fresh, fast-paced show VOA's Jackson Mvunganyi talks to teens and young adults about politics, trends, lifestyles, health, entertainment, and other issues touching listeners’ lives. For more on Upfront visit www.upfrontafrica.com

The leaders of Sudan's seven neighbours in a joint statement called on the warring parties to commit to a ceasefire, appealed to regional states not to interfere in the conflict, and agreed to facilitate delivery of aid. A new report says that imported second hand clothes do not threaten the local textile industry