[cr-india] Jokkoo FM: A Rufisque Pride financed by the IPDC

[Frederick Noronha]

Jokkoo FM: A Rufisque Pride financed by the IPDC
27-12-2006 (Dakar)
Jokkoo FM: A Rufisque Pride financed by the IPDC
Financed by UNESCO's International Programme for the Development of
Communication , radio Jokkoo FM is the pride of the people of
Rusfisque, a town at 300 km for Senegal's capital Dakar.
This is one example on how IPDC, within the financing of its projects,
is meeting the needs of marginalized people.

Rufisque was playing in the past an important role in the political,
cultural and economical development of the country. One of the four
communes from the colonial time, Rufisque is the only one who kept its
original architecture and remains today as a cultural melting pot,
where tradition cohabits with modernism. Nevertheless, its proximity
with the capital Dakar, never gave her the opportunity to show her
uniqueness.

But on 11 October 2003, a magic bus appeared early in the morning,
hailing at the ears of the Rufisque population and became the voice of
thousands of people. Jokkoo FM (ex FM sans voix) was born, with the
assistance of the IPDC and the town of Rufisque, with a financing of
20.000 US$ . That especial day still remains as a major event in the
life of citizens of that department, who were enjoying for the first
time the benefits of the freedom of expression and improved their
self-image.

Jokkoo FM which broadcast on 87.7 and on the Internet via xalima.com
is the first radio of the department. It is broadcasting 19 hours
every day. The programmes are much diversified and reach almost all
the linguistic communities (Wolof, Serere, Peulh, Mandingue, Assania)
and all the sector of activities (agriculture, farming, education,
health, economy etc.) The radio is keeping a large part of its
programme for youth, women and sport, not forgetting history and the
culture of the region.

The radio is reaching all the department, meaning the four communes:
Rufisque, Bargny, Diamniadio, Sebikhotane and two rural communities:
Yenne and Sangalkam. Because the entire population of the department
completely adhere to the project, Jokkoo FM radio is today the most
listened radio in the area, with 82% of listeners according to the
last survey and at the 13th rank in the top 15 radios in the region of
Dakar. The work done by a team of dynamic youth attracted a lot of
partners to the radio programmes and activities. Obstetrical care for
women, children work, HIV/AIDS, environment, education problems faced
by the department are part of the radio programming.

The major asset of Jokkoo FM, is its local news programmes which take
80% of the time among the various radio news and bulletins.

Boubacar Khalil Ndiaye
Radio Director
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