From politics to migration to slums, American media tends to focus on the sensational in their coverage African affairs. On this week’s episode of At The Moment, Ghanaian journalist Anny Osabutey spoke with host Sharon Benzoni about the complex world of journalism in his West African country and how Africa is represented in international media.
Click on the above audio file to listen to the show, or download it on iTunes to listen later.
From Osabutey’s perspective, the most important issues for Ghanaians have to do with a poorly managed healthcare system, where people are often denied care, and a lack of a consistent electrical supply. If those issues were solved, he believes, many of the pressures that lead to civil unrest and migration would be relieved. Keep in mind the complexities of African societies, he says, when you read or hear stories about African issues, and watch out for those who would paint with too broad a brush.
Osabutey gave us a glimpse into the journey of West Africans from the Ghanaian port city of Takoradi, north through the desert and onto the the boats that take them to Europe. He took us into the world of Old Fadama, a community living in slum conditions and nicknamed “Soddom and Gomorrah,” revealing the lives and dreams of people who live there. Finally, he gave us a whirlwind tour of the fast-paced entertainment world of Nigerian and Ghanaian film and music.
