Best Addis Ababa Podcasts (2026)

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Ghana in Focus: Hopes and Aspirations for 2026 34:32

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1h ago34:32

34:32

Send us a text This weeks edition of Ghana in Focus looks at the hopes and aspirations for 2026 in the wake of the new NDC government's first year in power. We take a close look at key aspects of life in Ghana that will be key this year. The Economy: We state how key indictors of the economy like inflation, interest rates , the cedi have ALL improv…

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Afrika in Focus Special: Review of 2025 Feat. Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Kenya 40:22

6d ago40:22

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Send us a text The past year across Africa delivered sharp turns in politics, conflict, and economic strategy, challenging easy narratives and forcing a rethink of power and priorities. Tanzania’s election controversy reignited debates about democratic backsliding, as opposition figures were sidelined and protests met force. Kenya’s public anger ov…

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Ghana in Focus special: Review of 2025 Part II, feat, Health, Illegal mining, Agriculture and the NPP opposition, 45:45

8d ago45:45

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Send us a text We continue our review of 2025. Health We explain why healthcare is not just about building hospitals/ clinics but providing first class facilities such as prostate cancer screening and cancer diagnosis as well as giving guidance and support in improving health outcomes. We state the obesity time bomb in Ghana and urge the need for a…

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S2 E6| Syria: Washington’s Bet and Risks on the Ground 38:53

22d ago38:53

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Washington is betting on a new Syria. The question is whether Syria can survive the bet. In this episode of The Diplomat, Joe Kawly speaks with Will Todman of CSIS, who recently returned from Syria, about what has changed since the fall of Assad and what has not. The conversation cuts through optimistic policy narratives and examines the risks that…

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Ghana in Focus Special: 2025 Year in Review Part I Feat. The Economy, Cost of living, Unemployment and Housing 38:36

15d ago38:36

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Send us a text This week's edition of Ghana in Focus takes a look back at the year 2025 in Review, We look at some of the key socio-economic indices that have affected the country this year. The Economy: John Dramani Mahama was sworn for a second and last term (there is talk of a third term) on 7th January promising key economic improvements like r…

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Afrika in Focus - Tourism: Spotlight on Lagos The Mega city that never sleeps! 16:34

22d ago16:34

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Send us a text Forget the usual holiday circuit. We head to Lagos, Nigeria, and show why Africa’s megacity delivers a richer, more alive trip than many popular global destinations. From the Atlantic shoreline to neon-soaked nights, Lagos blends business, creativity, and community into a city that moves at full volume—and invites you into the rhythm…

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AFCON (Africa Cup of Nations) 2025 --- Preview 26:09

22d ago26:09

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Send us a text AFCON returns with a point to prove, and we’re opening the playbook on everything that will shape the tournament in Morocco. From media narratives to matchday realities, we break down why this competition is more than a mid-season inconvenience and how it embodies continental pride, history, and elite football. The timing debate and …

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Afrika in Focus, Tourism - Spotlight on Addis Ababa 19:57

29d ago19:57

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Send us a text Trade the usual winter wander for a city that fuses origins, diplomacy, and nightlife in one sweep. Addis Ababa doesn’t whisper its story—it sings it across museum halls, cathedral aisles, market lanes, and skyline bars, and we built a listener’s guide to make every hour count. We start with the big promise: why Addis rivals and ofte…

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Ghana in Focus Special: Why there is a Housing Crisis in Ghana and what can be done.. 37:55

1M ago37:55

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Send us a text Ghana’s housing crisis did not arrive overnight. It is the product of rapid urban growth, stalled public building, and a market skewed toward luxury that prices out the average Ghanaian. Accra and Kumasi pull people in with jobs and services, but the supply of affordable homes has lagged for years. Estimates suggest a deficit of four…

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S2 E5|Israel at a New Strategic Crossroad 36:03

2M ago36:03

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Israel’s security model is being tested on every front. Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Iran are all shifting at the same time, and the old formulas of deterrence are no longer behaving the way they used to. In this episode of The Diplomat, Israeli Defense Strategist Assaf Orion breaks down why Israel’s traditional reliance on walls, buffer zones, and pr…

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S2 E4| Partner or Problem: Turkiye’s Power Explained 32:09

2M ago32:09

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Why Trump sees Turkey as an essential problem solver, and why Israel views the same moves as a growing danger. Middle East politics are rearranging themselves in real time, and Turkey is touching every pressure point. Ankara is brokering deals in Gaza, pushing into Syria, resetting ties with Egypt, and balancing between Washington and Moscow. All o…

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Ghana in Focus Budget Special: What it means for you!! 41:09

2M ago41:09

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Send us a text Prices have been biting, businesses have been leaving, and confidence has felt fragile. Now a new budget promises a reset: six nuisance taxes abolished, inflation pulled into single digits, and a growth path built around food security, infrastructure, and a 24-hour economy. We unpack what actually changes for families at the market, …

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S2 E3| Why Lebanon’s leadership can’t disarm Hezbollah without risking civil war 30:28

2M ago30:28

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Lebanon has been called a failed state, a fragile state, even a cautionary tale, but none of these labels capture what’s really happening. In this episode, Dania Arayssi, Senior Fellow at the New Lines Institute and a political scientist studying Lebanon’s public trust and remittance economy, joins Joe Kawly to unpack: • Why Lebanon’s leadership ca…

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Ghana in Focus: UK Black --- Why Ghanaians and Afrikans MUST STOP sending money home 40:51

2M ago40:51

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Send us a text This week's episode of Ghana in Focus introduces a new segment called UK Black. We explore topics affecting the Ghanaian/Afrikan diaspora. In this first episode we tackle a controversial subject, sending money back home or as it has become known as the Black tax . The so‑called black tax—monthly transfers to parents, siblings, extend…

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S2 E2 | The Quiet Collapse of Global Democracy 31:56

2M ago31:56

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This week on The Diplomat, we look at how some democracies are quietly reshaping themselves under pressure. Jonathan Katz, an anti-corruption and democracy expert, from the Brookings Institution explains why Moldova is moving forward while Ukraine, Tunisia, and others are struggling to keep reform alive. From strategic corruption to AI-fueled disin…

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Afrika in Focus Health Special: Poisoned Sanitary Pads 27:17

2M ago27:17

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Send us a text This week's episode of Afrikan in Focus highlights a deeply concerning health issue namely poison in women's sanitary pads. A viral TikTok in Kenya prompted public outrage and a coordinated petition against major manufacturers, alleging misleading labels and petroleum-based (toxic) materials in sanitary pads products marketed as cott…

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Black History Month UK featuring Black rulers of Europe and great Afrikan queens 15:29

3M ago15:29

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Send us a text Black History Month in the United Kingdom carries a distinct origin story, built on the need to recognise contributions erased from the national narrative. The roots stretch to Carter G. Woodson’s Negro History Week in 1926, an intervention against a school system that ignored Black achievements. Decades later, activists in London, i…

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S2 E1| The Middle East After the Wars: A Region Rewriting Itself 31:21

3M ago31:21

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In this episode of The Diplomat, Dr. Kenneth Pollack joins Joe Kawly to map what comes next: Iran is retrenching, Israel is recalibrating, and Gulf capitals are quietly rewriting the rules of power? Pollack has been inside the CIA, briefed U.S. presidents, and watched the Middle East reinvent itself through war, diplomacy, and everything in between…

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Ghana in Focus Health Special: Prostate Cancer, causes, symptom's and cure 30:57

3M ago30:57

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Send us a text The core distinction many miss is between benign prostate enlargement and prostate cancer. Enlargement is a growth of the gland itself, which can obstruct urine flow and disrupt daily life. Cancer involves uncontrolled cell growth that may spread if not caught early. This difference matters because it changes how we assess risk and c…

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Ghana in Focus Health special: The HPV Vaccine rollout, responsible healthcare or sinister agenda 33:29

3M ago33:29

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Send us a text Cervical cancer in Ghana stands at a difficult intersection—technically preventable, yet disproportionately affecting Black women. The primary culprit is persistent infection with high-risk strains of human papillomavirus (HPV), especially HPV-16 and HPV-18. Health officials advocate for vaccinating girls before their sexual debut, c…

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Afrika in Focus Health Special: Trump, Pharmaceuticals, and Pregnancy: Medical Controversies Examined 20:19

3M ago20:19

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By Kwame

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Ghana in Focus Special: Why President Mahama's UN assembly speech was in vain 16:33

4M ago16:33

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Send us a text President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana recently delivered a speech at the United Nations General Assembly that touched on two critical issues: how the global economy is rigged against Africa, and why the United Nations needs reform to include permanent African representation on the Security Council. While these points resonate with m…

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Ghana in Focus Special: Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day - Nkrumah, Ghana and Afrikan emancipation 37:54

4M ago37:54

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Send us a text Today marks Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day in Ghana, a time to reflect on the profound legacy of a man whose vision for African unity and sovereignty continues to reverberate across the continent. Nkrumah's dream of a united, self-sufficient Africa free from Western interference remains as relevant today as it was during his leadership o…

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Ghana in Focus Economy Special: Why Ghana's currency lost 13% of its value and what it means for you 37:10

4M ago37:10

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Send us a text Ghana's currency, the cedi, has recently experienced significant fluctuations that have captured the attention of economists, business owners, and everyday Ghanaians alike. After appreciating by an impressive 50% against the US dollar between January and June 2025—making it the world's best-performing currency during that period—the …

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Ghana in Focus: Economy Special - Why Ghana DOES NOT need investment from Pakistan and Japan 42:04

4M ago42:04

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Send us a text This week's edition of Ghana in Focus takes a critical analytical eye on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) This is centered around two significant recent events: the Pakistan Rice Roadshow in Accra and President Mahama's visit to Japan to court investment in energy, agribusiness, and manufacturing. The Pakistan Rice Roadshow, facilitat…

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Afrika in Focus: Relationships part 10 - Money Matters: The Hidden Impact on African Relationships 25:35

5M ago25:35

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Send us a text Financial dynamics in African relationships can either build strong foundations or lead to devastating breakups. This eye-opening discussion was sparked by a viral story of a South African doctor who suffered financial abuse at the hands of her husband, who manipulated her into funding his luxury lifestyle complete with Mercedes Benz…

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Gaza’s Agony and America’s Gamble: What Comes Next a conversation with Elliott Abrams 51:42

5M ago51:42

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He served under three U.S. presidents, shaped policy on the Middle East and Latin America, and was America’s special envoy for both Iran and Venezuela. In this episode of The Diplomat, Elliott Abrams joins Joe Kawly to assess whether Iran’s influence across the region is truly weakening or if that is just an illusion. From Hezbollah’s arsenal in Le…

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Ghana in Focus: Relationships in Ghana Part 9 - Who Pays on the First Date? A Modern Ghanaian Dilemma 18:16

5M ago18:16

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Send us a text We examine whether men should foot the bill on a first date. In Ghana, this seemingly simple question reveals deeper cultural expectations and potential relationship dynamics that deserve exploration. The tradition in Ghana has typically leaned heavily toward men paying for everything on the first date—from drinks to dinner to transp…

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Inside NATO’s Blind Spot on Russia and Cyber Wars 27:46

5M ago27:46

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He warned NATO about Russia long before the tanks rolled into Ukraine and built one of the world’s most advanced digital societies from a country once dismissed as a “former Soviet republic.” In this episode of The Diplomat, former Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves joins Joe Kawly to reveal how ignorance, prejudice, and misplaced faith in dia…

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Ghana in Focus: Relationships in Ghana Part 8 == Does size matter?? 20:41

5M ago20:41

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Send us a text Ghana in Focus features a controversial topic that many discuss privately but rarely in public forums: addressing whether "size matters" in sexual relationships. The conversation was sparked by a remarkable story circulating in Ghana about a woman who married a man despite knowing he had a smaller-than-average penis. After marriage, …

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Why the U.S. Can’t Quit Israel - Even Now 30:49

5M ago30:49

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He advised U.S. presidents, negotiated peace deals, and shaped Washington's Middle East policy from the inside. In this episode of The Diplomat, veteran peace negotiator Aaron David Miller joins Joe Kawly to explain how domestic politics, evangelical support, and deep-rooted alliances continue to shape America’s policy on Israel and Gaza. From the …

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Afrika in Focus: Tourism in Afrika - Cairo, the splendour and glory of an Afrikan colossus 28:16

5M ago28:16

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Send us a text Step into Cairo, a living museum where ancient wonders seamlessly blend with modern vibrancy. Many have misunderstood Egypt's true place in the world, but this megacity of 20 million stands firmly in Northeast Afrika—NOT the so called Middle East or "Arab world"—and carries the profound legacy of one of humanity's greatest civilizati…

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The Memo Before the War: James Jeffrey on Iraq, Iran, and the Limits of Power 42:08

6M ago42:08

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What happens when the truth comes too early, and no one listens? He wrote the memo that warned the Iraq war could ignite a regional storm. Then he was sent into the storm. In this episode of The Diplomat, Ambassador James Jeffrey reflects on what Washington refused to see, from Iraq’s fragile sovereignty to the myth of unlimited U.S. support. Joe K…

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The Quiet Wars of Kuwait and the Battle to Rebuild Iraq 37:42

6M ago37:42

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What happens when war creeps to your doorstep, and you’re the one sent to hold the line? In this episode of The Diplomat, Ambassador Douglas Silliman tells the untold stories of his time in Kuwait and Iraq. From covert smuggling routes to tense backroom talks, this is the kind of diplomacy that never makes the news, but changes everything. Host and…

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Afrika in Focus: Tourism in Afrika --- North Africa's Gems: Algiers and Casablanca 19:54

6M ago19:54

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Send us a text Journey with us beyond typical tourist destinations as we unveil two magnificent North African cities that deserve prime positions on your travel bucket list. Algiers and Casablanca stand as testament to Africa's incredible diversity, blending Mediterranean charm, Islamic artistry, European influences, and authentic African heritage …

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What Washington Avoided: From the Backrooms of Addis Ababa to the Fires of Darfur 29:27

6M ago29:27

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Former U.S. Ambassador David Shinn offers rare insights into the shifting dynamics of the Horn of Africa. In this exclusive podcast interview, he unpacks U.S. policy, regional rivalries, and the road ahead. Joe Kawly brings extensive experience from conflict zones in the Middle East to the power corridors of Washington. As a journalist, he’s seen h…

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Afrika in Focus: Tourism in Afrika --- The marvel and splendour of an Afrikan megacity, Cape Town 25:50

6M ago25:50

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Send us a text Perched at the southernmost tip of the African continent where the Atlantic meets the sky, Cape Town stands as a magnificent testament to Africa's breath-taking diversity and beauty. Far from the limited narratives often portrayed in Western media, this coastal jewel offers experiences that rival—and often surpass—those of the world'…

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Inside Israel’s Quiet Wars: From Iran to Lebanon 31:44

6M ago31:44

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From nuclear red lines to backchannel diplomacy, Eyal Hulata was at the heart of Israel’s national security strategy during some of its most delicate moments. In this episode of The Diplomat, Hulata speaks openly about covert strikes on Iran, the maritime deal with Lebanon, and the sentence that made him a political target. From secret mediation be…

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Lessons from Washington’s Mistakes in the Middle East 31:17

7M ago31:17

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“We were not careful in Lebanon.” With that quiet indictment, former U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker begins a story that doesn’t read like memoirs, but like real lessons from the heart of war. In this episode of The Diplomat, Crocker recounts surviving the 1983 U.S. Embassy bombing in Beirut, exposing how Syria used terror as a foreign policy tool, an…

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Ghana in Focus Special: The Cedi appreciation - The Good, Bad and the Ugly 34:03

7M ago34:03

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Send us a text Ghana's currency, the cedi, has undergone a remarkable transformation in 2025, emerging as the world's best-performing currency just two and a half years after being ranked the world's worst in 2022. This extraordinary turnaround has seen the cedi appreciate by nearly 50% against the US dollar since January, strengthening from 15 ced…

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Did We Fail to Stop Nuclear Proliferation? 35:06

7M ago35:06

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Behind every nuclear crisis is a pattern of overlooked loopholes, ignored warnings, and political blind spots. From civilian cover stories to strategic exceptions, Henry Sokolski has spent four decades warning about the cracks in the global nonproliferation system. In this episode of The Diplomat, Sokolski explains how enrichment and reprocessing b…

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Afrika in Focus Special: Why the White man KILLED The King of pop, Michael Jackson 30:54

7M ago30:54

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Send us a text Sixteen years after his death, Michael Jackson's legacy as the greatest entertainer in music history remains unmatched, yet the circumstances surrounding his demise reveal a disturbing conspiracy that few have dared to examine. This special edition of Africa in Focus peels back the layers of industry manipulation that ultimately led …

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Afrika in Focus Special: Afrikans, Don't come to the UK!! Stay in Afrika 37:54

7M ago37:54

37:54

Send us a text The UK's economic landscape has undergone significant transformation over the past two decades. The global financial crisis of 2008, Brexit, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the disastrous mini-budget of Liz Truss's brief premiership have collectively devastated the British economy. The national debt exceeds £4 trillion, while the cost of…

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Afrika in Focus: Money Matters - Why Black people MUST support Black businesses 31:55

7M ago31:55

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Send us a text The Economics of Supporting Black Businesses: This economic reality has profound consequences. In the UK, many food shops selling traditional African foods—yam, cocoyam, plantain, sweet potato, and other staples—are owned by Asian (primarily Indian and Pakistani) entrepreneurs rather than Black business owners. Similarly, in the Unit…

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Cables, Chaos, and the Truth That Sparked a Revolution 23:15

7M ago23:15

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In December 2010, a fruit vendor’s act of protest sparked a revolution. Weeks later, Tunisia’s longtime dictator fled the country—and at the center of it all was Gordon Gray, the U.S. ambassador whose private cables pulled no punches about what was really happening on the ground. In this third episode of The Diplomat, Gray reflects on the moment wh…

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The Word That Sparked Accusations: From Egypt to Turkey 24:07

7M ago24:07

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When former U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Francis Ricciardone spoke up about freedom of expression in 2013, it wasn’t meant to ignite a firestorm. But the backlash was swift, and the accusations - explosive. In this premiere episode of The Diplomat, we explore the thin line between diplomacy and provocation, and how one sentence turned into a geopoliti…

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Afrika in Focus: Money Matters - Why Africans SHOULD cultivate a savings culture. 18:21

8M ago18:21

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Send us a text Financial literacy remains one of the most critical yet overlooked challenges facing African communities worldwide. As discussed in a recent podcast , the global cost of living crisis has only magnified pre-existing financial vulnerabilities across the diaspora, making the development of a savings culture not just beneficial but esse…

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On Gaza, Assad, and The Truth They Didn’t Want to Hear 28:03

8M ago28:03

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From the Israeli withdrawal from South Lebanon in 2000 to the looming famine in Gaza in 2024, Ambassador David Satterfield has been in the room where decisions are made—but rarely discussed. In this first episode of The Diplomat, Satterfield reveals how Hafez al-Assad tried to sabotage Israel’s withdrawal by leveraging Hezbollah, how Syria blocked …

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Afrika in Focus Special: Africa Day Special Why the West deliberately keeps Afrika POOR!! 26:20

8M ago26:20

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Send us a text In a compelling episode of "Africa in Focus," we delve into the contentious but critically important topic of why Western powers systematically work to keep Africa underdeveloped. The podcast opens with a powerful reference to economist Howard Nicholas, whose viral lecture exposed how Western economic interests rely on keeping Africa…

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Afrika in Focus Special: White Genocide in South Afrika - Myth or Reality 31:40

8M ago31:40

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Send us a text The concept of "white genocide" in South Africa has become a rallying cry for right-wing movements worldwide, but what's the truth behind this inflammatory claim? Our deep dive reveals how this narrative serves as a calculated distraction from South Africa's genuine crisis: the ongoing economic apartheid that persists decades after t…