BBC World Service marks the launch of two FM relay stations in Ivory Coast with a special programme initiative dedicated to the country. To celebrate the start of 24-hour, seven-days-a-week broadcasting on BBC 97.7 FM in the capital, Yamoussoukro, and BBC 93.9 FM in Bouaké, the BBC's radio and online service for Francophone Africa, BBC Afrique, has staged a series of events from these locations and from the country's largest city, Abidjan, where the BBC broadcasts on 94.3 FM.
The BBC Afrique teams have toured the three locations in a BBC-branded bus in popular squares, market places, schools and universities, taking local voices and views to the BBC's global audiences. Today (Friday 26 September) the initiative culminates in Ivory Coast Day which will bring audiences across French-speaking Africa live reports from Ivory Coast.
The BBC Afrique flagship news and current affairs programmes, BBC Matin, L'Afrique en direct and BBC Soir, will bring live discussions and interviews on important issues affecting the country's political and cultural life, and engage audiences in lively debates.
Jerry Timmins, Head of BBC World Service Africa and Middle East Region, says: "The new BBC FM relays will bring BBC Afrique closer to its audiences in Bouaké and Yamoussoukro enabling them to listen to our flagship programmes in crystal-clear FM quality. We are delighted about this development and look forward to the special broadcasts from Ivory Coast."
Razvan Scortea, Head of BBC World Service French and Great Lakes service, adds: "The launch of these two new FMs offers us an excellent opportunity to meet face to face with our existing listeners and to reach out to new ones.
