This rural station in Tanguieta operates in 11 languages. It costs 3200 CFA (4.80 Euro) a week to advertise in the local language of Byali, and just 100 CFA (0.15) a week to advertise in between programmes in French.
Beautiful, lush countryside in the Northern part of Benin. Very green at the moment as the rainy season has just finished.
This is one of the oldest and most successful community radio stations in Benin, located in the north-west of the country at the edge of a huge wild-life park.
This station is broadcasting deep into Nigeria from Parakou, one of the cities in the North of Benin. That's because the diaspora supply a lot of the finance to keep this cultural station going. Of course the borders of Nigeria and Benin were put their by Europeans....says nothing about the cultural threats which run horizontally across this part of West Africa.
Towards the central part of Benin is a lot of evidence of deforestation, with the teak and shea trees being cleared to grow corn instead. In areas where they grew cotton, the land is quickly made useless and has to lie fallow for 5 years in order to recover.
Saw thye railway track several times as we criss-crossed through Northern and Central Benin. Never saw a train. Not in use for passenger traffic I believe. The roads across most of the country are superb, so it took away the business.
It is petrol, brought across the border with Nigeria, usually in boats. Sold about 100 CFA cheaper than the state petrol stations.
It is my pleasure and privilege to have Soule Issiaka as my guide on the radio tour of Benin. This man has done more to change the face of broadcasting in West & Central Africa than anyone I know on the planet. True passion for his people - and a great sense of humour.
There's a mobile phone shop on every corner, and you can upgrade your account by as little as O.75 cents. Many people buy a big card and sell on micro-credit to others, making themselves salespeople for the phone company. Clever
This UNESCO monument on the site of a Portuguese fort used to ship slaves off to other colonies. Moving experience
Yes, fell for a tourist trap shot in Ouidah, on the coast near Cotonou. Got the 8 minute tour of the Python temple where I was told the locals worship the Python. These have had their fangs removed. They don't feed them in the temple, so the snakes make their way into town looking for food (like maize). Locals bring them back. They don't bite...feels cold cause they're cold blooded.
Broadcasting deep into Nigeria from Parakou, one of the cities in the North of Benin
Radio is far more important than TV in Benin. This mast carries the national TV channel, plus the FM antennas for the national radio and foreign broadcaster, Radio France Internationale. FM goes a hell of a long way in a flat country like Benin - we could hear RFI more than 120 kms North of this antenna.
These guys are brilliant - Soule Issiaka runs a tight ship. These people have done more for broadcasting in West Africa than a lot of European stations put together. They are working with local broadcasters, not in competition to them.
Radio Netherlands African Bureau is ten years old since it was (re-)established in Cotonou. Benin makes a lot of sense as a production centre - the country is a laboratory for democracy.
Doing quite a bit of writing and editing to finish projects that are due at the end of the month. Luckily it has cooled down a bit....it's difficult to remain sane when its 34 degrees in a edit suite - and machines never work as fast as you want them to do. Still pleased with the way the Canon 30D is performing.
Actually quite pleased with the way the Canon 30D works. Practising for some safaris coming up later in the month. Don't want to have to fumble with the instruction manual.
I am testing the new Canon 30D with various lenses. So far, I'm impressed by what this digital camera can do. I am using the EF-S17-85 mm lens.
