Liberia: Democracy in Focus New Narratives/Front Page Africa

Coming up in this episode … 
In the second of our two-part series on climate change, a major New Narratives investigation has found Liberia’s farming emergency is fueling a migration crisis. A survey of Liberian farmers finds years of crop failure has nine in every ten wanting to leave the country.
As the number of migrants rises so do the number of traffickers and other scammers preying on them. 
We ask whether solar energy can solve our ongoing electricity crisis.
And, as the momentous news breaks that a war crimes court is coming to Liberia, we get reactions from Lofa county to the recent French court guilty verdict for Ulimo commander Kunti Kamara.
You’re listing to Democracy in Focus.
Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish and US embassies in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.org

As our new government takes shape we look at a looming problem that threatens to upend life as we know it. 
We’re talking, about climate change. From Liberia’s coast to its forests people are feeling the impact of changing weather.  In the first of two programs devoted to climate change we explore a new problem plaguing farmers: pests.
We find the Weah government’s failure to fund the massive coastal defense project has led to delays. In Nimba, we learn about smart farming practices that are helping farmers adjust. 
And.. we ask Liberia’s representative on climate change what the new global loss and damage fund will mean for the country.
You’re listing to Democracy in Focus 
Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish and US embassies in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.org

This week… a special program
 Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission said justice, reconciliation and commemoration of the country’s troubled history was key to moving forward. That has not happened. We visit a country that is dealing with is past … post-apartheid South Africa.  

Thirty years since the system of racial segregation was ended we look at reconciliation efforts in South Africa and ask what Liberia has to learn.

This week.. Democracy in Focus comes to you from Johannesburg, South Africa with reporting from New Narratives reporters Anthony Stephens, Fatu Kamara, of Okay FM/Front Page Africa, and senior NN reporters Nemenlah Cyrus Harmon of Spoon FM and Front Page Africa and Joyclyn Wea of the New Republic. 

Thanks as always to our generous donors who made this trip possible: the Wellspring Philanthropic Fund, the Swedish Embassy in Liberia, the American Jewish World Service and the US embassy in Liberia.  Thanks also to the African Investigative Journalism Conference which provided fellowships to two of our reporters. 



Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish and US embassies in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.org

After two failed attempts, 78-year-old Joseph Boakai is finally elected president. We look at what lies ahead after a bitterly contested poll. The presidential runoff poll was marred by low voter turnout….we ask citizens why they did or didn’t vote.
And women’s representation in the legislature drops even further ….sparking anger and frustration among women’s rights advocates. 
You’re listing to Democracy in Focus.
Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish and US embassies in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.org

Coming up in this episode .. 
Liberia heads to a presidential runoff election in a rematch between incumbent president George Weah and former-vice president, Joseph Boakai.  Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner Massa Washington says the election of accused warlords to the legislature, and their allies to the executive mansion, is bad for the country. 
And… Liberians elect an almost entirely new senate…we ask what new faces in the legislature mean for Liberia 
You’re listing to Democracy in Focus, a collaboration between Front Page Africa and New Narratives with reporters from the New Narratives program.
Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish and US embassies in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.org

Just days before the election we look at candidates plans on a range of issues.  First up: agriculture. Also, as drug addiction takes more Liberian lives we look at candidates’ plans to stem the crisis and ask users what they need.
One of two women running for president, Sara Beslow Nyanti shares her plans to build Liberia. And we hear from two visually impaired people who have defied their condition to find means to support their survival. 
You’re listing to Democracy in Focus. 


Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish and US embassies in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.org