Up Front - VOA Africa

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.