AKO Essan Emile

AKO Essan Emile has worked for the past four years as the managing director of Radio Arc-en-ciel, a community-based radio station in the populous urban area of Abobo in Côte d’Ivoire. Under his management, Radio Arc-en-ciel became known as the best community radio station of Côte d’Ivoire, and in 2014 won a UNICEF competition on mother-and-child wellbeing. In June 2015 AKO participated in the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders Initiatives at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Prior to the October 2015 Presidential elections in Côte d’Ivoire, AKO worked with his radio team to promote Free and Fair Elections through Public Radio Shows, street interviews and live  radio programs in Ivorian local languages. These initiatives were supported by the USAID’s Office for Transition Initiatives. The elections were non-violent, Free and Fair in Abobo according to all the observer missions. AKO holds a Master’s degree in English Linguistics, and further certification in sustainable development, advocacy and community-based development approaches. Currently, he is working toward setting up a Youth-focused Radio Station that will seek to empower and motivate young people for sustainable changes.