It's a Continent

The Year of the Return in 2019 marked a significant moment in Accra, Ghana, inviting people of African heritage to reconnect with their roots. In years since, the city has undergone a transformation in the wake of diasporan migration and tourism. Yet as the diaspora are settling in Accra seeking refuge from racism and comparatively lower paid Western jobs, Accra's landscape is shifting. An influx...

Buy your tickets here: AUGURE (OMEN): FILM NIGHT HOSTED BY IT’S A CONTINENT Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. It's a Continent (published by Coronet) is available to purchase: itsacontinent.com/book   We're on Buy me a Coffee too: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/itsacontinent Visit our website: itsacontinent.com Artwork by Margo Designs: https://margosdesigns.myportfolio.c...

Happy 4th birthday It's a Continent! We're throwing it back to our second ever episode. Thomas Sankara was the president of Burkina Faso from 1983-1987. He remains an inspiration to young Africans and those committed to a pan-Africanist future. His progressive policies, when it came to women’s rights, sustainability, education, and healthcare, were innovative and ahead of his time. We’ll discuss S...

Patrice Lumumba was a distinguished Pan-African politician who served as the first Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after the country gained independence. Lumumba was well-connected in both professional and social circles; however, as he became more politically active and vocal, calling for an end to Belgium's rule and advocating for the DRC's independence, he became a targ...

Marcus Garvey was a prominent figure in Black nationalism and Pan-Africanism, whose ideology, known as Garveyism, continues to influence African pride and unity. Garvey championed the back-to-Africa movement, advocating for the empowerment of Africans and the African diaspora in the face of poverty, discrimination, and colonialism. We discuss Garvey's vision, the challenges he faced from Western a...

Calls for reparations have come at a time where we’ve seen the Head of State be removed in Barbados and the returning of looted items like Benin Bronzes, Patrice Lumumba’s tooth and skulls stolen during the Namibian genocide. In this episode we look at the case for reparations: its definition, political origin and what it could look like. This episode was originally aired on December 13th 2022. Fo...

In this episode, we explore the term Black Tax, originating in South Africa, to describe the financial support provided by black individuals to their families. Examining its roots, we navigate its historical context, cultural and emotional burdens, and its ties to imperialism, colonialism, and apartheid.  Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. It's a Continent (published by...

90-95% of Africa’s cultural heritage is held overseas, with Benin Bronzes languishing in museum basements all over the world for around 125 years. the British Museum containing over 73,000 items from the continent alone. Asante Royal artefacts sit at the V&A, Met Museum and Royal Family. Germany possesses the skulls of Tanzanian chiefs, upsetting the local community and natural order. We discu...

We're joined by Ike Nnaebue, a celebrated filmmaker and cultural entrepreneur based in Nigeria. We discuss his documentary No U-Turn, a personal journey through a popular migration route from Lagos, Nigeria to Tangier, Morocco with the aims of reaching European shores. Together, we explore the themes of hope and shame, challenges faced — and the notion that in order for Africa to make space for Af...

Queen Nanny, also known as Nanny of the Maroons, is Jamaica's only female national hero. This episode delves into the struggles and triumphs of the Maroons - enslaved people who gained freedom and formed their own communities. The British faced significant losses due to Maroon resistance, as Queen Nanny's strategic brilliance and leadership led to the freedom of over 1,000 enslaved individuals. Th...

Botswana was one of the world’s poorest countries at independence – highly dependent on their former coloniser and beef exports. In 1967, De Beers geologists found diamond bearing deposits, changing Botswana's trajectory. The nation had the fastest growing economy in the developing world for over 40 years. Some see Botswana’s story as that of success, as they reversed the “resource curse.” But is...

In this episode, we delve into the world of cobalt, a critical material in the production of rechargeable batteries, especially Lithium-ion batteries that power our everyday devices such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, and electric vehicles. We explore the supply chain, mining, investment, and the future of cobalt. Discover the challenges of exploitation in the Democratic Republic of Congo and t...

Samora Machel's legacy is rich and far reaching - he was a revolutionary leader, playing a vital role in Mozambique's road to independence. His work symbolised the end of Portuguese colonial domination, heralding a new era. We discuss Machel's upbringing, socialist policies and his suspicious demise in a plane crash. Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. It's a Continent (p...

The Aba Women’s War took place in south eastern Nigeria in 1929. By the late 1920s, restrictive colonial practice affected women in Igbo, Efik and Ibibio ethnic groups in Nigeria as societal structures weakened. These women took their traditional practice of “sitting on a man” to rebel against British rule by destroying symbols of colonial rule. The war remains a key example of colonial authority...

The West's treatment of refugees has become one of the most devastating human rights disasters in modern times. We’re joined by Andrei Popoviciu ( @AndreiPopoviciu) , an independent investigative journalist, reporter, audio producer, and photographer based in Dakar, Senegal. There are countless misconceptions surrounding the refugee crisis, and migration from the Global South to North. We discuss...

We're joined by Chef, Entrepreneur, and Author Maria Bradford. Maria was born in Freetown, Sierra Leone, where her passion for food emerged. This passion led her to found the Sweet Salone (which means ‘fancy’ in Creole) catering business. We discuss how food can provide a unique narrative for understanding Sierra Leone, explore African fusion cuisine and fine dining, and delve into her emotional j...

Known as Africa's 'secret paradise,' the Comoros Islands are located in the Indian Ocean. Whilst it is is an independent state, the nation faces challenge concerning Mahoré, the fourth island - as it remains under the administration of France, effectively creating an EU border. The living conditions for residents of Ngazidja, Mwali, and Nzwani, the other three islands, continue to be challenging...

Our book baby It's a Continent celebrates her first birthday and is out in paperback this week! We're marking this occasion with a replay of our Behind the Mics episode. We're joined by Juliana from No Shame in My Name Podcast, where she interviews us (on our own show - why not!) We discuss the writing process, our origin story, secrets behind the podcast and what we'd love our readers to take fro...

Around 15 million clothing items flood Accra, Ghana every week, mostly from Europe, North America and Australia. These items are mostly donations to charity bins, or cast-offs that are no longer needed. 40% of clothing received in Ghana is unacceptable for use, ending up as waste. Is this the continuation of a colonialist relationship - with the Western world dumping waste on the continent? We dis...

Quite often – and misleadingly, Liberia is referred to as one of the only two African countries that were not colonised. Whilst Liberia was not carved up by Europeans in the Scramble for Africa, the country was actually founded by the American colonisation society, and many freed black Americans were sent to live in Liberia, despite living in America for generations. These black Americans and thei...

On 1st December 1944, the French army opened fire on West African soldiers in Thiaroye, a suburb in Dakar, Senegal. These African soldiers previously fought for France during World War II, some even becoming prisoners of war in the process. Their crime? Asking for equal compensation for their war effort. We uncover this act of colonial violence towards Africans, and the erasure of colonies’ contri...

In this episode, we delve into the world of cobalt, a critical material in the production of rechargeable batteries, especially Lithium-ion batteries that power our everyday devices such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, and electric vehicles. We explore the supply chain, mining, investment, and the future of cobalt. Discover the challenges of exploitation in the Democratic Republic of Congo and t...

We're joined by Dr Estrella Sendra: scholar, teacher, filmmaker, journalist and festival organiser based at King's College London. We bring marginalised African film into the spotlight as we learn about the origin of Francophone West African film and its pioneers. We discuss the genre's evolution - including its globalisation and top tips for getting into Francophone West African cinema. Follow us...

Meet Albert Luthuli, the first African to win the Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent fight against apartheid. As the leader of the African National Congress, he became well-known in South Africa's anti-apartheid movement. In this role, his views on justifiable violence were tested and evolved. We explore his story of perseverance and courage. Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsaco...

Chocolate is something we all know and love to consume. However, it’s no secret that cocoa as a commodity has its roots in something a lot more sinister. Human rights campaigners continue calling on global chocolate companies to recognise the role the cocoa trade has played in enabling poverty and child labour, particularly in countries such as Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana - West Africa's top cocoa pro...