Radio programming from the digital radio station Black Talk Radio Network.

A focus on Neocolonialism and the foreign intervention of erstwhile colonial leaders in African countries was our focus today on #VillageSquareAfrica. Sulaiman Aledeh was joined by the executive director, Centre for Public Accountability, Olufemi Lawson and Public affairs analyst, Jide Ojo.

Thousands of Beta Israel Jews in the Ethiopian city of Gondar are living in limbo while waiting to emigrate to Israel. Their chances of leaving Ethiopia and joining relatives who have already made the move to Israel are being complicated by religious factors: Israel doesn't recognize them as true Jews and won't let them immigrate into the country.

A young Robert Mugabe pushes for racial equality in a changing Zimbabwe (then Southern Rhodesia). He spoke to the late Morley Safer, of 60 Minutes fame, then a CBC foreign correspondent.

Smallholder farmers are key actors in the global food system, producing roughly 80 percent of the food consumed in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Yet, the voices of smallholders are often neglected by policy makers when trade deals are negotiated or regulations established. Increasing the participation of smallholder farmers in agricultural trade has the potential to boost livelihoods, improve food security, and fuel economic growth.

Within an international trade regime marked by ever-more-stringent quality and safety standards, sophisticated value-chains, and byzantine contracts, the challenge of linking smallholders to markets is no simple task. Considering the increasing importance of agricultural trade to food security, it is also not a task that we can afford to ignore.

What is the role of smallholder farmers in the global exchange of agricultural goods? What barriers do trade regulations and standards impose for smallholders to access local, regional, and global markets? How can we build an enabling environment for trade in which smallholders can participate more fully?

This is the story of an inspiring Maasai man who has brought positive change to his land and community through permaculture. Joseph Lentunyoi started a permaculture center in his dry, arid homeland of Laikipia County 7 years ago where he showcases sustainable food systems following permaculture design principles, land regeneration practices, and other simple solutions that can improve livelihoods (solar, biogas, natural building techniques, etc.). Laikipia Permaculture Center -- the organization he founded -- also helped create business opportunities for women, including making cosmetics from Aloe and many different products from a locally growing cactus.