KEY POINTS
- Voice of America ceases radio broadcasts in Ghana, Nigeria, and across Africa after Trump administration slashes funding to US international media operations.
- Media watchdogs warn the shutdown reduces press freedom and leaves millions without a trusted news source, particularly in Hausa, Swahili, and French-speaking regions.
- The move comes as China expands its media presence in Africa, raising concerns about shifting geopolitical influence in the continent’s information landscape.
The Voice of America, VOA, has abruptly ceased radio broadcasts across several African countries, including Ghana and Nigeria, following drastic budget cuts implemented by the Trump administration.
The shutdown, which took effect this week, affects millions of listeners who relied on the US-funded broadcaster for news and information.
“We regret to inform our audience that VOA English-to-Africa radio broadcasts have been discontinued due to funding reductions,” confirmed a statement from the broadcaster. The move comes after President Trump’s 2025 budget proposal eliminated nearly $200 million from the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees VOA operations.
In Ghana, where VOA has broadcast for over 60 years, the sudden silence on FM frequencies has left many loyal listeners stunned. “This was my daily source for unbiased international news,” lamented Kofi Mensah, a 58-year-old teacher in Accra. “Now we’re left with fewer reliable options.”
Disruption to VOA: A major setback for press freedom
Media rights organizations have condemned the funding cuts as a blow to independent journalism in Africa. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called the move “deeply troubling,” noting that “VOA provided a crucial alternative to state-controlled media in many African countries.”
Ghanaweb reports that the shutdown affects not only English broadcasts but also programming in Hausa, Swahili, and French – languages serving key populations across West, East, and Central Africa. In Nigeria, where VOA Hausa service reached millions in the north, local journalists warn the void may be filled by less reliable sources.
“This comes at a terrible time,” said Lagos-based media analyst Adeola Akinremi. “With elections approaching in several countries, citizens need access to credible international reporting more than ever.”
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