Africa Straight Talk

22/10/2022

https://africastraighttalk.com/2022/10/14/episode-106-could-prayers-and-homophobia-be-the-key-to-ending-poverty-in-africa/

We don’t think so, but across Africa, leaders who are short of ideas are preying on the gullibility of the continent’s staunchly religious people. From prayer breakfasts to government b…

16/09/2022

Kwesi Wilson returns to the show to talk about the proliferation of evangelical churches in his country of birth, Ghana, and how their around-the-clock “speaking in tongues” ruined what was suppose…

27/05/2022

So good to reconnect with my friend Jori Lewis on Africa Straight Talk to talk about her new book, Slaves for Peanuts. It’s a thrilling (and shocking) story about the role the crop played in slavery and colonization of Africa. Lewis is an award–winning African American journalist who writes about agriculture and the environment.

https://africastraighttalk.com/2022/05/27/episode-99-slaves-for-peanuts-reveals-the-dirty-history-behind-one-of-the-worlds-most-delicious-snacks/

We speak with Jori Lewis about her new book, Slaves for Peanuts, a story about the role the crop played in slavery and colonization of Africa. Lewis is an award–winning African American journalist …

30/04/2022

Africa Straight Talk is approaching 100 episodes! In this one, lawyer Cindano Wa Gakuru, talks about the “same forest, different monkeys” of the political system of , where are scheduled for August 9.

Kenyan lawyer, Cindano wa Gakuru, talks about the “different monkeys” who are fighting it out in the “same forest” that is the the Kenyan elections, which are scheduled for …

15/03/2022

Our take on the ’s war on , and how it affects .

https://africastraighttalk.com/2022/03/11/episode-89-a-brutally-honest-african-perspective-on-putins-war-on-ukraine/

They say when the world sneezes, Africa catches the cold. Putin’s war on Ukraine is no exception, and we offer an unapologetic analysis. (WARNING: This one got heated. Some language might be …

19/02/2022

As part of our coverage, Emmanuel Nado speaks with Samuel Pieh, the great-great-grandson of Joseph of the fame. Pieh was a consultant in the 1997 movie, Amistad.

https://africastraighttalk.com/2022/02/17/episode-86-samuel-pieh-a-descendant-of-cinque-of-amistad-fame-talks-about-attitude-and-gratitude/

As part of our coverage, Emmanuel Nado speaks with Samuel Pieh, the great-great-grandson of Joseph of the fame.

03/02/2022

Citizens of some African countries are celebrating military takeovers of their governments. Is the experiment of western-style democracy in over? ,

https://africastraighttalk.com/2022/02/03/episode-85-why-are-africans-celebrating-coups/

Is the experiment of western-style democracy in Africa over?

18/11/2021

Having failed to create "one nation under God" to match the words of their country's Pledge of Allegiance, U.S. Evangelicals are trying create it in by sponsoring

http://africastraighttalk.com/2021/11/18/episode-81-u-s-evangelicals-trying-to-create-one-homophobic-nation-under-god-in-ghana/

Having failed to create “one nation under God” to match the words of their country’s Pledge of Allegiance, U.S. Evangelicals are trying create it in Africa by sponsoring anti-LGBT…

11/11/2021

Africa will be most affected by , but continent's negotiators show no urgency at . Cut the supply the resources that enable wealthy countries to pollute.

http://africastraighttalk.com/2021/11/11/episode-80-africa-will-be-most-affected-by-climate-change-but-negotiators-show-no-urgency-at-cop26/

African countries will suffer the worst consequences of climate change, but you wouldn’t know it if you looked at the continent’s negotiators at the COP26 talks in Glasgow. Their strate…

05/11/2021

By calling abused workers prostitutes, Kenyan MP David ole Sankok has justified Saudi and of Kenyans.

http://africastraighttalk.com/2021/11/04/episode-79-by-calling-abused-workers-prostitutes-david-ole-sankok-has-justified-saudi-enslavement-and-murder-of-kenyans/

If you thought former U.S. President Donald Trump — the wannabe despot — was crazy when he sided with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman after the murder of journalist Jamal Kashogg…

28/10/2021

The Gusii highlands of southwestern Kenya are a Paradise. But as in any Paradise, there is a snake: Ignorance mixed with religious extremism, which have led to savage murders and lynchings of hundreds of people -- mostly elderly women -- on suspicion of practicing witchcraft. Following the recent murder of four people, Africa Straight Talk co-host Edwin "Baba Nani" Okong'o, who was born and raised in the Gusii, speaks about this ugly blemish on his beautiful homeland.

http://africastraighttalk.com/2021/10/28/episode-78-hunting-witches-in-kisii-is-an-ugly-blemish-on-a-kenyan-paradise/

The Gusii highlands of southwestern Kenya are a Paradise. But as in any Paradise, there is a snake: Ignorance mixed with religious extremism, which have led to savage murders and lynchings of hundr…

21/10/2021

Do Africans care about ?

http://africastraighttalk.com/2021/10/21/episode-77-do-africans-care-about-pandora-papers/

Busted: Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and his family hides at least $30 million in offshore tax havens, according to the Pandora Papers leak. Photo: Uhuru Kenyatta licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0 The…

07/10/2021

Namibian President Hage Geingob addresses the 70th United Nations General Assembly. Photo: United Nations. Every year, the United Nations General Assembly presents an opportunity for Africa's leaders to embarrass themselves on the international stage. During this year's assembly, which took part in New York recently, it was Namibian President Hage Geingob's turn to show the world how unbelievably naive our leaders are....

http://africastraighttalk.com/2021/10/07/episose-76-is-vaccine-apartheid-responsible-for-africas-pitiful-inoculation-rates/

Namibian President Hage Geingob addresses the 70th United Nations General Assembly. Photo: United Nations. Every year, the United Nations General Assembly presents an opportunity for Africa’s…

30/09/2021

We look at why African governments stand by and do nothing when their citizens get abused, tortured, and murdered abroad. In the past two years, for example, at least 89 Kenyans working in Saudi Arabia have died under suspicious circumstances. Many were domestic workers, whose bodies had clear signs of torture. What is really going on, and why is it so difficult for the Kenyan government to get an explanation from the Saudis?...

http://africastraighttalk.com/2021/09/29/episode-75-why-saudis-continue-to-murder-kenyan-immigrant-workers/

We look at why African governments stand by and do nothing when their citizens get abused, tortured, and murdered abroad. In the past two years, for example, at least 89 Kenyans working in Saudi Ar…

23/09/2021

Episode 74 - Fleeing capitalism vs. communism: Why is U.S. treating Haitian refugees differently?

http://africastraighttalk.com/2021/09/23/episode-74-fleeing-capitalism-vs-communism-why-is-u-s-treating-haitian-refugees-differently/

The U.S. Coast Guard has a long history of intercepting Haitian refugees and deporting them. Photo: Coast Guard News On Sunday, President Joseph R. Biden’s administration began unprecedented …

16/09/2021

Guinea's President Alpha Condé, 83, under arrest after the Sept. 5 coup. On Sept. 5, the Guinean military rolled into the Guinean presidential palace, overthrew the government, and arrested President Alpha Condé, who had been in power since 2010. The country is now under the military rule of Col. Mamady Doumbouya. The colonel has promised to hand over power to civilians soon. Will he, or is this another story of an African military dictatorship in the making?

http://africastraighttalk.com/2021/09/15/episode-73-guinea-pig-alpha-conde-finally-overthrown/

Guinea’s President Alpha Condé, 83, under arrest after the Sept. 5 coup. On Sept. 5, the Guinean military rolled into the Guinean presidential palace, overthrew the government, and arrested P…

02/09/2021

"Dirty job" Photo: The U.S. Army , In this episode, Nado and Okong'o give their views on the mess their surrogate homeland of the United States has created in Afghanistan, and how it will affect their homeland of birth, Africa. Among the countries that have agreed to help the U.S. save face -- if that's even possible -- is Uganda. How can one of the world's poorest nations, which already harbors 1.4 million refugees, afford to take more?...

http://africastraighttalk.com/2021/09/02/episode-72-an-african-perspective-on-the-u-s-fiasco-in-afghanistan/

“Dirty job” Photo: The U.S. Army , In this episode, Nado and Okong’o give their views on the mess their surrogate homeland of the United States has created in Afghanistan, and how…

26/08/2021

Haitian American musical artist, Sophis, gives us some straight-talk insights into the historical context mainstream media often avoid when talking about his country of birth. Haiti is a country with a rich history. It was the first Black nation to liberate itself from European rule, way back in 1804, when a slave revolt defeated Napoleon's mighty French army and declared independence....

http://africastraighttalk.com/2021/08/26/episode-71-artist-explains-haiti-beyond-superficial-coverage-of-political-violence-and-earthquakes/

Haitian American artist, Sophis, says one can’t understand Haiti without going back to 1804, the year of independence. Haitian American musical artist, Sophis, gives us some straight-talk ins…

20/08/2021

"Diversity under God" by mimitalks, married, under grace The population of white people is declining, according to 2020 U.S. Census data released recently. We offer some straight-talking survival advice to any white people who might be angry that they're going to lose their majority and the privileges that come with it.

http://africastraighttalk.com/2021/08/19/episode-70-u-s-census-why-you-shouldnt-be-afraid-of-the-browning-of-america/

“Diversity under God” by mimitalks, married, under grace The population of white people is declining, according to 2020 U.S. Census data released recently. We offer some straight-talkin…

12/08/2021

http://africastraighttalk.com/2021/08/12/episode-69-does-africa-have-the-right-to-blame-brain-drain/

development, they blame braid drain — the exodus of its most intelligent people. But are they right, or are they to blame for frustrating young people so much that they have to go looking of …

05/08/2021

Salani Wamkanganise naGaadza (center) with his wife Kelly Takunda Orphan playing mbira during a virtual live concert that was organized by the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester. Photo: Mosquito Media. We speak with Salani Wamkanganise naGaadza, and Kelly Takunda Orphan, a husband and wife who have become ambassadors of African music and culture. Salani, a Zimbabwean-born virtuoso, doesn't just make music and teach people how to play mbira; …...

http://africastraighttalk.com/2021/08/05/episode-68-meet-wamkanganise-nagaadza-zimbabwean-mbira-maker-teacher-and-cultural-ambassador/

i Wamkanganise naGaadza, and Kelly Takunda Orphan, a husband and wife who have become ambassadors of African music and culture. Salani, a Zimbabwean-born virtuoso, doesn’t just make music and…

29/07/2021

On July 23, Sierra Leone's Parliament voted unanimously to make the west African country the 23rd on the continent to abolish the death penalty. That's a laudable. But is it enough, given the sorry state of the continent's criminal justice systems -- most of which are carryovers from the colonial days?

http://africastraighttalk.com/2021/07/29/episode-67-africa-is-gradually-abolishing-death-penalty-will-it-matter-without-justice-reforms/

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22/07/2021

Former South African President Jacob Zuma's jailing for contempt of court has led to riots that have killed 276 people. Photo: GovernmentZA. In this episode, we look at how the politics of ethnicity holds Africa back. Why are poor Africans willing to kill or die for wealthy corrupt goons like former S. African President Jacob Zuma, whose jailing for contempt of court has led to riots that have killed 276 people? Can we simultaneously fight corruption and support tribal kingpins like Zuma?

http://africastraighttalk.com/2021/07/22/episode-66-this-is-what-is-wrong-with-south-africa/

ople? Can we simultaneously fight corruption and support tribal kingpins like Zuma?

08/07/2021

The Addison sisters, founders of Ghana's pioneer bean-to-bar company '57 Chocolate, enjoying their treats. Photo: 57chocolate.com We speak with the Addison sisters, Kimberly and Priscilla, who set out to challenge the stereotypical belief that premium chocolate can only be made in Europe. Five years ago, they founded '57 Chocolate, a pioneer bean-to-bar chocolate company that uses beans grown within Ghana to create delicious treats.

http://africastraighttalk.com/2021/07/08/episode-65-meet-the-ghanaian-sisters-challenging-europes-dominance-in-chocolate-making/

The Addison sisters, founders of Ghana’s pioneer bean-to-bar company ’57 Chocolate, enjoying their treats. Photo: 57chocolate.com We speak with the Addison sisters, Kimberly and Priscil…

02/07/2021

https://africastraighttalk.com/2021/07/01/episode-64-white-man-raises-1-million-by-insulting-kenyans-and-their-food/

We look at how Robin Reecht, a white Frenchman –who after being in Kenya for only three days–managed to come up with a start-up idea that raised $1 million to improve Kenya’s & #82…

18/06/2021

Sudanese-born billionaire businessman Mo Ibrahim (L) with President Paul Kagame of Rwanda at Mo Ibrahim Foundation dinner in London. Photo: Paul Kagame Of the 1.3 billion people in Africa, only about 7 million have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Mo Ibrahim, the Sudanese-born billionaire, blames rich countries for hoarding vaccines. What if instead he redirected that $5 million prize he gives annually to African presidents for leaving office to areas like healthcare, where it's desperately needed?...

http://africastraighttalk.com/2021/06/17/episode-62-do-africans-have-the-right-to-complain-about-covid-19-vaccine-hoarding/

Sudanese-born billionaire businessman Mo Ibrahim (L) with President Paul Kagame of Rwanda at Mo Ibrahim Foundation dinner in London. Photo: Paul Kagame Of the 1.3 billion people in Africa, only abo…

10/06/2021

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and former President Donald Trump speak to reporters at the White House. Photo: The White House. We look at the implications of Cameroonian-born Prof. Achille Mbembe -- one of the fiercest critics of France's grip on Africa -- accepting Emmanuel Macron's invitation to organize the next France-Africa Summit. We also examine Nigeria's ban of Twitter, after the American social media giant deleted President Muhammadu Buhari's tweets for threatening Biafra secessionists with violence. Buhari's government now says it will arrest and prosecute any Nigeria who tweets.

http://africastraighttalk.com/2021/06/06/episode-61-african-critic-of-france-turns-ally-nigeria-and-twitter-at-war/

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and former President Donald Trump speak to reporters at the White House. Photo: The White House. We look at the implications of Cameroonian-born Prof. Achille Mb…

27/05/2021

Children scavenge at an e-waste dumpsite in Ghana. Photo: BRS MEAS In this episode we look back at some of the most innovative entrepreneurs we've interviewed, and why they are struggling to get their brilliant ideas off the ground. Instead of assisting them, African governments continue to welcome dumping of plastics and other toxic materials that seem to make worse the problems these innovators are trying to solve.

http://africastraighttalk.com/2021/05/27/episode-60-why-african-governments-accept-dumping-from-abroad-while-ignoring-local-innovators/

Children scavenge at an e-waste dumpsite in Ghana. Photo: BRS MEAS In this episode we look back at some of the most innovative entrepreneurs we’ve interviewed, and why they are struggling to …

20/05/2021

Ivorian Prime Minister Patrick Achi has left hospital. His predecessors weren't so lucky. Photo: Joes Dongui It seems like one of the most dangerous jobs in the world is Prime Minister of Ivory Coast. Two former occupants of the office have died in the past year, and the current one, Patrick Achi, was recently hospitalized in France. Thankfully, we have our very own Emmanuel Nado to explain what the hell is going on in his home country....

http://africastraighttalk.com/2021/05/20/episode-59-the-curse-of-the-ivorian-prime-ministers-office/

Ivorian Prime Minister Patrick Achi has left hospital. His predecessors weren’t so lucky. Photo: Joes Dongui It seems like one of the most dangerous jobs in the world is Prime Minister of Ivo…

06/05/2021

Word from the motherland is President Idriss Déby, Chad's ruler for the last 30 years, dies in the front line fighting rebels in the northern part of the country. Do we at Africa Straight Talk believe it? One thing we believe, though, is that Dr....

http://africastraighttalk.com/2021/05/06/episode-58-chads-dictator-meets-heroic-death-as-god-summons-covid-19-denying-kenyan-doctor/

Word from the motherland is President Idriss Déby, Chad’s ruler for the last 30 years, dies in the front line fighting rebels in the northern part of the country. Do we at Africa Straight Tal…