West Africa Democracy Radio

WADR's mission is to promote and defend the ideals of democratic and open societies, advocate for mutual understanding and respect between and among individuals and communities, promote peace and human security, transparency and accountability in governance, regional economic integration, and socio-cultural development amongst the people of the region. The station works to promote peace and reconciliation with a more open, tolerant and democratic society in West Africa, and to create a channel to enable people to voice their opinions on the many issues affecting them.

The station facilitates information exchange by encouraging dialogue at a grassroots and regional level. According to WADR The station also provides a platform for an alternative to the "bad news is good news" notion and approach adopted by some groups reporting on Africa.

WADR produces a number of human rights and community focused programmes. Fifty-Fifty, for example, is a weekly half-hour magazine that strives to enlighten the public about all aspects of gender equity and gender-related developments. The programme features organisations, individuals and groups working toward promoting gender balance and respect for the rights and roles of women.

Growing Matters is another magazine programme that promotes agriculture, the environment and national and sub-regional food security efforts. The programme is designed for a sector that employs more than 70% of the West African population, and is a platform for farmers, middlemen, buyers and consumers, as well as researchers, policy-makers, and other stakeholders to interact. Organisers say environmental conservation is also a highlight of the magazine.

The station can be accessed in Dakar on FM 94.9 or online with live streaming. In addition, WADR programmes are also delivered via satellite to a string of partner community radios in a number of West African countries for rebroadcast and translation into local languages. Broadcasts are in English and French.

The West Africa Democracy Radio website also provides current news from around West Africa, as well as information about the station's programmes, and provides live streaming.

Community development, Democracy