Essan Emile Ako

Essan Emile Ako 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 Ivory Coast. Under his management, Radio Arc-en-ciel became known as the best community radio station of Ivory Coast, and in 2014 won a UNICEF competition on mother-and-child wellbeing. As a part-time consultant in advocacy and participatory budgeting, Essan Emile Ako is passionate about training and mentoring local stakeholders using results-oriented approaches. After the Fellowship, he wishes to set up a radio station specializing in motivating and impacting young people and women for sustainable changes. Ako holds a Master’s degree in English Linguistics, and further certification in sustainable development, advocacy and community-based development approaches. Currently, he is committed to promoting peaceful elections in his Côte d’Ivoire through the organization of public radio shows prior to upcoming presidential elections, a project funded by the USAID. Stayed in Africa.