Africa Daily

Mental health has seldom been a priority for most African governments. So, when the pandemic hit, the few support services available often found themselves overwhelmed. But younger people are using social media to put the topic back on the agenda. How much difference can they make? If you are affected by any of the issues mentioned in this episode, you can find information about support organisations on the Befrienders Worldwide website: https://www.befrienders.org/Host: Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guests: Aphlyne Turfy, medical psychologist in Kenya; Angel Yinkore, Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative; Shudufhadzo Musida, Miss South Africa 2020.#AfricaDaily(Episode first released on 11 Feb 2021)

Rwanda has recently started fighting against insurgents linked to Islamic State in Cabo Delgado in the north of Mozambique. Traditionally their armed forces have served as peacekeepers to many United Nations missions and as a country contribute more troops than any other in Africa. In the next episode of Africa Daily Alan Kasujja looks at why they are involved in these conflicts.Host: Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guest: Beverly Ochieng of BBC Monitoring

The medals, the surprises, the controversies. With the first week of the Olympics almost at the end, it’s time to take stock. Are African athletes bringing home the deserved gold? And, with Covid cases reaching new heights in Japan, are the pandemic Games living up to all the hype? Host: Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guest: Victoria Uwonkunda, BBC reporter (@Msuwonkunda on Twitter)#AfricaDaily

Is this the end of malaria? Last year, malaria killed four times as many people in Africa as Covid-19 did. But a brand-new vaccine could help the continent finally get rid of the disease. It uses some of the cutting-edge technology developed during the pandemic - but will it work?Host: Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guests: Dr Akpaka Kalu, World Health Organisation; Wilfred Mbacham, Multilateral Initiative on Malaria; Benjamin, Isaac, Caroline, Desmond – former malaria patients.#AfricaDaily

Is Ethiopia’s Tigray region any closer to finding peace? It’s been almost nine months since the war in Tigray began. Since then, both sides have claimed significant victories – and yet, fighting isn’t likely to stop any time soon. In fact, there are now fears the war may be spilling over to neighbouring regions. How big a danger is that? And what price will Ethiopia pay for a continued war?Host: Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guest: Kalkidan Yibeltal, BBC’s correspondent in Addis Ababa.#AfricaDaily

What now for Tunisia’s young democracy? Following a day of nationwide protests, Tunisia’s president sacked the PM and suspended parliament. As he put himself in charge, he said this was about getting the country back on track. Problem is: his critics accuse him of leading a coup. Do they have a point? Host: Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guest: Rana Jawad, BBC’s North Africa correspondent (based in Tunis).#AfricaDaily

The United Nations says that among all sources of pollution and waste, plastic occupies the very top. But because its cheap to produce and is also very durable, plastic remains attractive for industries. Many African countries however remain dedicated to eliminating this waste and to date 16 countries on the continent have banned plastic bags. At times imposing very harsh laws. In the next edition of Africa Daily Alan Kasujja looks at whether these laws work.Host: Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guests: Angelo Louw, Greenpeace Pan-African Plastic Project Lead. Sally Kahiu, Head of Communications and Marketing at the Kenyan Association of Manufacturing. 

Taking your music everywhere has never been this easy. Music streaming is now a multi-billion dollar industry – and African start-ups want in on the action. After all, in a continent where most people are under 25, the potential for new subscribers seems huge. But can they make it?Host: Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guests: Nana-Aisha Salaudeen, Nigerian journalist; Tendai Madziwanyika, CEO of Gateway Stream App.#AfricaDaily

Sunday Igboho is a wanted man. The separatist leader has called for the creation of an ethnic Yoruba state in south-west Nigeria. His lawyer says he’s been arrested in neighbouring Benin, but Nigerian authorities have kept their lips sealed. If confirmed, what could this news mean for his movement?Host: Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guest: Ishaq Khalid, BBC correspondent based in Abuja.#AfricaDaily

“Africa’s Che Guevara” lives on. Thomas Sankara became the President of Burkina Faso back in 1983. Known for both his charisma and revolutionary politics, he had an auspicious vision for his country and the continent. Sankara was killed in 1987, but not his message: after all these years, many young Africans still look up to him. How come?Host: Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) Guests: James Copnall, BBC presenter; Smockey, hip hop artist from Burkina Faso; Juma Kenneth from South Sudan.#AfricaDaily