Africa on Focus

Join us for a conversation with Ato Kwamina (KwaminTheMC), Ghanaian broadcaster/radio-personality and all-round media producer visiting the Netherlands for all the right reasons. “Why are you here?”.

Tap into this conversation as Ato shares how his initial career as an engineer ended up bringing him to the world of Media as a producer, presenter and all-round creator. Find out how strategic networking can help you to access creative working positions, how to discover your radio voice and how Ghana media holds his impact in the Diaspora world.

MS.ABA and Donny Addison are joined by Palgrave Boakye, Ghana Government and Security Spokesperson, founding executive director of Kandifo institute, and returning guest on Africa on Focus, to discuss current issues in Ghana and the world. Today we’re touching on the recent e-levy (1,5% tax to electronic payments) that has been put into effect from 1st of May 2022.

Tune in and find out why the government put its e-levy into effect and how the government seeks to boost the private sector through its tax system. Listen to some arguments made by our viewers against the E-levy.

Time for a chat with Carla Kabamba, political scientist, Amsterdam city councillor, artist and speaker. As a true advocate for diversity, Carla has made it her mission to address issues affecting the African Diaspora living in Amsterdam.

Being the first Dutch Congolese-Angolan person to be a part of the 45-member city council in Amsterdam, Carla highlights why she has put a plan of action in place to drive change and encourage multiple black representation in politics.

Enjoy!

We love to see global Africans making major moves. Time for a talk with Belinda van der Stoep, Dutch based Ghanaian actress and performing artist known for her roles in in ‘Alleen maar Nette Mensen’, ‘Gek van Oranje’ and more Dutch movies.

After having won Golden Calf 2021, a Netherlands Film Festival Awards for her first movie role in ‘Bon Bini: Judeska In da House’, the actress reflects on the journey needed to make it in film as a woman of colour.

After the interview with the actress, MS.ABA and Danny also explore career opportunities in tech.

In today’s episode we’re talking faith, our position in faith, and the Christian community. Ms. ABA and Donny Addison are joined by two noted faith leaders in the Ghanaian community in the Netherlands: Emmanuel Annim and Bryon Kwaning to discuss how young people handle faith and what it truly means to be a devoted Christian. These men highlight the importance of transitioning and finding God willingly than forcefully. Furthermore, they touch on how service and church has changed during the pandemic. Though the number of church numbers has decreased, prayers are still being held via zoom to stay connected as a ministry.

In addition, the episode also discusses Covid vaccinations, how the working environment has changed, stricter cocoa laws for ivory Coast and Ghana, and a disrespectful #fufuchallenge.

A new episode where Ms.aba and Donny Addison talk about a list of relevant topics. Debunking the myths surrounding vaccinations, #FixTheCountry Ghana protesters taking the movement to the streets, Ghana’s first Olympic medal since 1992 and a humorous highlight where Senegalese man dresses up as girlfriend to sit exams.

Tune in and be informed about what’s taking place in our world.

Join Ms. ABA and Donny Addison to discuss current issues in Africa and the ongoing global pandemic. The coronavirus has taken the world by storm, yet, many countries are still struggling to get vaccines. Currently in Europe- UK, Malta, and Serbia are leading when it comes to the most people vaccinated. UK is leading the world with over 42million vaccines, but the nation is still struggling to get things under control. In addition, there have been concerns linked to pregnant women and the vaccine, but there is now enough data to prove vaccines are totally safe for pregnant women.

The episode also highlights the political leadership of Rwanda in being the first to aid refugees with vaccines, the struggle Africa is facing getting vaccines, and Twitter opening its first African headquarters in Ghana.

We’re talking ‘How serious is mental health?’ with Raisa Kumaga, a Doctoral student at the Counselling Psychology programme at the University of East London. Her specialism involves psychological interventions for various mental health difficulties and expertise in conducting rigorous qualitative and quantitative research studies on racial and ethnic identity, the black mental health experience, forced migration experience and the phenomenology of mental health in the United Kingdom, as well as in the Netherlands and the United States.

With her experience in Mental health in The Netherlands & U.K, she discusses how we, people from Africa have our philosophies that impacts how we view mental health. Have a listen and find out more on the aspects of mental health and how we, subsequently can find the right help for mental health issues in our communities.

Donny Addison is joined by Palgrave Boakye, founding executive director of Kandifo institute, and a special returning guest on Africa on Focus, to discuss current issues in Ghana and the world. ‘Fix The Country’ is a movement that has been started by Ghanaian youths fighting for a change in leadership in Ghana. Every single year, the number of unemployed people within the country keeps rising and it is becoming a huge problem. Palgrave, highlights the importance of being educated when it comes to business and knowing your rights. He talks the importance of the youth being disciplined and looking for entrepreneurial opportunities instead of just employment opportunities.

In addition, they discuss current corona measures, vaccines, making resolutions, and how your mentality is what helps you think outside the box.

This valentines’ special centres around a topic with a stigma that is quite difficult to understand. For years there has been an ongoing battle in the black community surrounding black men’s emotional availability, neglect, and the lack of protection when it comes to black females and their rights in relation to their white counterparts.

Members of Black Men Talk join Ms. aba and Donny Addison to discuss views on African men, relationships and love, family, job roles and more. The men of Black Men Talk emphasise the importance of dealing with emotions and how black men struggle with this. We learn about how things that happened in our early childhood years shape us to become the individuals we are today.

Going astray comes from somewhere and these men aim to help black men become the best version of themselves. There is a difference between emotional and physical availability, and this must be addressed. Communication is key to any relationship. Join the cast as they discuss the importance of mental health from their own experience, black love and learning love languages, black fatherhood, black women and beyond.

This time Africa on Focus talks a topic so close to heart any person no matter what age can relate. Alongside MS.ABA and Donny Addison, special guest star Patrick Adom, founder of Very Puzzled, who aims to provide children and young adults a platform to learn more of the richness of the African content through puzzles. Adom recognised the lack of diversity in children marketplace after the birth of his daughter and realised there were no black characters should could identify with. This was very troubling and sad to say the least, which can make us all question the actuality of the situation when we were growing up ourselves. Determined and willing to make a change for his child and other black children around the world, Adom started creating different puzzles targeting representation and diversity within its product roll-out.  Adom sprung onto the jigsaw puzzle scene with Very Puzzled.

continuing its mission to bring more diversity to the children’s market by connecting them with their African or Caribbean roots. The change this has created has been amazing. Not only does this give parents an opportunity to educate their children on history, but it also shows the beauty of their culture and not only the struggles that are shown on TV. Adom discusses how this started as something for kids, but has blossomed into a project that helps all age groups. This podcast doesn’t only teach one the ways of integrity, but it also showcases the will of determination in a business.

Join MS.ABA and Donny Addison to discuss current issues in Africa and the world. This episode discusses Africans from the continent and the Diaspora who are making an impact. In this episode we learn how Africa is seen as a continent of need but are rather a continent of creators. The world is now starting to recognise Africa for the talents and wealth they possess. Africa is a land full of entrepreneurs and innovators. Africa is a continent of professionals, institution leaders and teachers.

The episode also highlights the ongoing case of George Floyd and the officers relating to his brutal death. In addition, we learn more about the partnership between PiggyInvestment and Udux- an African music streaming platform.

In an ever growing fast paced environment, agriculture is a beam for hope. In the nearer future the agriculture industry is estimated to be worth trillions of dollars in Africa. The problem however, is that there is lack of education amongst many Africans as to how they can make the agriculture industry work for them.

Joining MS. ABA and Donny, in this educative and engaging podcast is Nana Prempeh Agyeman, a high-growth serial entrepreneur and Chief Executive of Grow For Me. Agyeman, is the CEO of a web based Agricultural crowdfunding platform that funds farmers to scale and grow more crops, using the income received from interested sponsors. Agyeman has multiple businesses in various African countries including Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa. Not only a business man, but also a pastor.

Agyeman talks the importance of a good foundation when growing up to have the motivation to go on in life, the benefits that come with being exposed to the right people in the industry, working together as a team, and ensuring you build trust in your partnerships. Ghana, specifically, is a country blessed with land and water. Tap into this inspiring podcast which consists of life tips and experiences, business advice and chances for future developments in diasporas of interest.

In recent times it’s become so evidently clear that Africa is the face of the future. Yet, many are still struggling to understand how business works, or what kind of business they should get into. Alongside Ms. ABA and Donny Addison, special guest star Jake Jason Timm, techpreneur and founder of Hakuna Group B.V. bringing Agri-related technology to the forefront of Africa, shines light on how to position yourself in the African market. Not only has Timm been able to create a business that has members spread all over Africa and Europe, but he is also making money during the Covid-19 pandemic. Timm discusses how many seem to miss the business potential in Africa because Africa doesn’t follow the same business rules Europe does. In his beliefs, each individual in Africa is an entrepreneur because in Africa you need to go out and get it to make the money. With a booming sweet potato and ginger business, Timm explains you have to ease people into things by training them on how to use it. Furthermore, he discusses believing in your-self, not forcing investors if they don’t see your vision, educating yourself as much as you can, and taking a leap of faith.

How often do we hear how important it is to take care of your body? How often do we hear about the link between physical and mental health? That’s right, I’m sure just like us you’ve heard it more than a 100 times. In this educative podcast with Caroline Onyamea, health educator and founder of Afrakan Health, we discover why it is very important to take care of the two, and the risks associated with lack of proper physical and mental health care. Alongside Ms. ABA and Donny Addison, Onyamea discusses health matters!

Onyamea highlights how background cultures plays a role in the eating habits of many, how lack on education about how the body functions and processes things affects consumer choices, insecurities, and much more. In order to make healthier choices and long-lasting changes, it is important that one thinks of health as a lifestyle and not a short-term goal for a quick result. Onyamea emphasises that it is okay to start bit by bit. No one works well under pressure and if you try to do too much too soon, the body crashes and succumbs back to old habits. Furthermore, believing in your-self, the right support systems, not forcing others, and understanding it’s okay to reincorporate certain foods is discussed.

Tap into your inner creative side in this special episode featuring guest star Myx Quest. Anything is possible if you try to put your mind to it regardless of how crazy it may seem.

Alongside Ms. ABA and Donny Addison, Quest discusses different business opportunities in Africa and a global level. Quest, a creative entrepreneur is a British-Ghanaian record producer, serial entrepreneur, and property developer. He bridges the gap between working in an African continent and a European continent. Quest, explains how it all starts with an idea, but it takes creativity and consistency to drive a business to sustainability. Quests highlights the importance of building a lasting income. He also emphasizes the necessity for the right networks and connections. In order to make a business successful it is important that one is properly calculated. Connections strengthen a business image, but how your success is measured is how you approach your business truly to your personality. Furthermore, support systems are discussed, believing in yourself, infrastructure and how to stay ahead.

Let’s talk relocation. Why are so many western millennials deciding to take the step to move back to Africa? By now we all know that many Africans want to show the world that Africa is not the “village” it’s made out to be, but is that the only reason?

Joining MS. ABA and Donny, in this exciting and engaging podcast is the Acheampong Family, a Dutch-Ghanaian influential content creating family who continue to impact our perceptions about moving back to Ghana.

The Acheampong’s, reflects on their personal experiences that prompted this move, such as unspoken lack of acceptance in job roles and the community, how Ghana has saved their marriage, and the true happiness that comes with having the confidence to take a risk. The family initially planned to have a long stay which has ended up being a permanent move. They use their social media channels to give the world a ‘real’ view on living and working in Ghana.

Tap into this stimulating podcast that consists of life experiences, life advice and future developments.

This episode Africa on Focus discusses a very important issue- Health care in Africa. How can we come up with theories that make sense? How can we as a society improve? Alongside MS. ABA and Donny Addison, special guest star Charles Agyemang, Professor of Global Migration, Ethnicity and Health, and Principal Investigator at Amsterdam University Medical Centres addresses the misinformation and inequalities when it comes to our health. Agyemang emphasises that it is important that we as a society become more aware and educate ourselves on how to stay safe and healthy.