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  • Wednesday, 10 February 2010
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Straight Talk Africa Wednesdays Podcast Podcast

Straight Talk Africa Host Shaka Ssali

Discussion Program on African Issues

Join us every Wednesday for Straight Talk Africa - an international call-in talk show hosted by Shaka Ssali.  Shaka and his guests discuss topics of special interest to Africans, including politics, economic development, press freedom, health, social issues and conflict resolution.

Broadcast Schedule

Straight Talk Africa is broadcast live every Wednesday from 1830-1930 UTC/GMT simultaneously on radio, television and the Internet.

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Listen to the most recent program: Windows Media | MP3

Join the Discussion

10 February 2010


The United States of Africa
 
Join us for a live one-hour television and radio call-in simulcast when host Shaka Ssali and guests take a closer look at the African Union and Gaddafi's dream of the "United States of Africa."

Guests:

Professor Patrick Ukata
School of International Service
American University

Baffour Ankomah
Editor, New African Magazine
Via remote from London

Question of the week:
Is Gaddafi’s call for a “United States of Africa” feasible or practical for member states of the African Union?

Send us your questions and answers.  Here's how:

Before program: Send an e-mail with your question or answer to:  africatv@voanews.com

During the show: Call us at +1.202.619.3111.  We'll call you back.

About the Host

Shaka, a Ugandan born American journalist, holds a doctorate in cross cultural communication and history from UCLA in California. He is a former Ford Foundation Fellow and has received numerous honors, including a United Nations Peacekeeping Special Achievement Award in International Journalism. Other awards include VOA's Best Journalist Award and Kigezi College Butobere's first ever Highest Achievement Award in International Human Communication. Butobere is located in Kabale, southwestern Uganda, and is Shaka’s alma mater.

During his career, Shaka has interviewed and hosted many heads of state.  Among them:  Botswana President Seretse Khama Ian Khama; Ghana President John Evans Atta Mills; Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete; Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President, Liberia; Hifikepunye Pohamba, President, Namibia; Uganda President Yoweri Museveni; Joseph Kabila, President, DRC; Rwanda President Paul Kagame; and General Salva Kiir, First Vice President, and president of the government of Southern Sudan.

He has also hosted newsmakers and policy makers who interact with Africa, including:   Johnnie Carson, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs; Donald Kaberuka, President, African Development Bank; South African jazz legend Hugh Masekela; Nobel Peace Prize laureate Wangari Maathai; Luis Moreno-Ocampo, Chief Prosecutor, International Criminal Court; Mo Ibrahim, Chairman Mo Ibrahim Foundation; Nobel Literature laureate Wole Soyinka; Professor Ali Mazrui, SUNY; Professor George Ayittey, American University; Professor Sulayman Nyang, Howard University; Uganda Supreme Court Justice George Kanyeihamba; Dr. Rebecca Nyandeing de Mabior, a Southern Sudan government official and widow of former SPLA leader Dr. John Garang.

Contact Us

For questions and information during times the show is not live on the air please contact us in the following ways:

E-mail
africatv@voanews.com

Postal Mail
Voice of America
TV to Africa - Suite 1613
330 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20237
USA

Internship Opportunities

In the competitive and changing television industry, nothing is more valuable for job-seekers than "real world" experience. The Straight Talk Africa internship program offers motivated and outstanding students exciting opportunities to experience practical journalism.  In addition to helping to get our weekly studio programs on-the-air, interns also produce a final project for their portfolios. Projects include writing and producing promos, stories, and even full-length documentary or magazine shows.

Watch our interns in action

For more information and/or send your resume to:  africatv@voanews.com attention Roblyn Hymes. Applications are accepted on a open deadline basis.

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