Up Front - VOA Africa

How will Liberia's next president meet the expectations and aspirations of the country's youth. Laramaand Nyonton joins me to talk about the priorities for the incoming administration.

2. After years living in America Henri Nyakarundi returned to Rwanda to start a business as a social entrepreneur, starting a company that builds and supplies low-cost mobile charging stations for the local population.

In a recent meeting of more than 100 countries, leaders agreed to work towards reducing carbon emissions from global aviation by 2030. Nigerian-South African aviation strategist Ogaga Udjo joins me to talk about some of the technological innovations that are being explored to make aircraft more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly.

2. Kenya's Parliament decrees a new dress code, but Kenyans on social media say that legislators should be more concerned about other pressing issues, like the economy.

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.