By Spy Uganda
After 20 years of hosting the popular weekly show Straight talk Africa, Uganda-born journalist Shaka Ssali will retire from Voice of America (VOA).
On his show, Shaka and his guests discuss topics of interest to Africans and the African diaspora including politics, good governance, rule of law, economic development, press freedom, health, social issues, and conflict resolution.
“Shaka is retiring at the end of May after 20 years of hosting Straight Talk Africa. We want to celebrate his career with you. What do you think is Shaka’s legacy? Send us a video here in the comments section or through Facebook Messenger. State your name, where you are from, and be concise. We will include tributes from fans in the last show with Shaka,” the official statement about Sali’s retirement reads.
He says what he has learned during his career is that people can bring about change and that a person should not be afraid to push the limits, to ask probing questions, even in instances where you may not be welcomed. You don’t have to be a journalist, you don’t have to be a member of the press. Remember, above all, you are a citizen.
“I often say that information is the oxygen of democracy. When I left my country in 1976, I left behind a corrupt regime. Information was manipulated, human rights were abused, justice did not exist.” Shaka Ssali said.
Since the first broadcast of Straight Talk Africa, Ssali has interviewed leaders from around the world, including former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Sources close to the senior journalist said that Ssali would turn his attention to encouraging speech and encourage young people in Africa. He is expected to take a few days off before starting his new chapter and retire to his birthplace in the Kabale district of southwestern Uganda.
Who is Shaka Ssali?
Shaka Ssali is a Ugandan-born American journalist who has worked in the Voice of America for 23 years. He is the Executive Editor of the Voice of America’s English Service to Africa and the Editor of “Straight Talk Africa”.
During his program, Shaka and his guests discuss topics of interest to Africans and African immigrants, including politics, good governance, the rule of law, economic development, press freedom, health, social issues and conflict resolution.
He holds a PhD in Cross-Cultural Communication and History from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and is a former Ford Foundation member.
Shaka Ssali has received numerous awards from the United Nations International Peacekeeping Special Achievement Award and the VOA Best Journalist Award.
