admin | May 7, 2026
Aya Marie-Madeleine Konan is a dedicated communicator whose dream of becoming a journalist dates back to her adolescence. Inspired early by the power of voice and the impact of information, she has always been committed to using radio as a tool to educate, inform, and empower communities, particularly in rural areas.
Her radio career began in 2014 as a volunteer and gradually progressed into leadership positions. She is now the Director of Radio Paix et Développement Yackoi in Daloa, in the Haut-Sassandra region of Côte d’Ivoire. She is known for her strong leadership, professionalism, and steady commitment to using media to support community development.
Mrs. Konan’s strength lies in her ability to listen and connect with her audience, translating complex technical information into accessible, actionable knowledge. She is passionate about participatory communication, rural journalism, and the promotion of agricultural development. Her programs actively engage listeners, build trust, and create meaningful links between the radio station and the communities it serves.
She currently hosts and supervises AGRI INFO, a weekly program dedicated to family farmers. The show covers practical topics such as best farming practices, crop protection, livestock management, food security, weather updates, and market access.
Mrs. Konan and her team regularly record episodes on-site in villages such as Madoghuié, N’Drikro, Kouassikankro, Gaboua, Zépréghuié, Zoboua la Belle, Kibouo, Gadouan, Gboghuié, and Brizéboua. This approach ensures that farmers’ voices are central to the programt, giving them space to share their experiences, challenges, and solutions.
Through AGRI INFO, she has addressed critical challenges faced by rural communities, such as low agricultural productivity, post-harvest losses, and limited access to technical information. For example, a special series on post-harvest management of cassava and maize helped several farmers adopt improved storage techniques, directly increasing their incomes. Listeners actively engage with the program through phone calls and messages, providing feedback, asking questions, and sharing results, which helps the station continually adapt content to meet community needs.
Mrs. Konan also integrates entertainment and interactivity into her broadcasts, using a warm tone, local music, interactive games, humor, and real-life stories. This combination makes her programs not only informative but also engaging and memorable for audiences.
Her collaboration with FRI has strengthened her approach, providing training and resources for designing effective and participatory agricultural programs. She has used these tools to enhance AGRI INFO, incorporating pedagogical methods that prioritize farmers’ real-life needs and experiences.
Beyond radio, Mrs. Konan is a staunch advocate for family farming, food security, and the empowerment of rural women. She encourages farmers to form associations to better market and add value to their products. Through her work, she continues to demonstrate the power of radio as a tool for rural development, community engagement, and positive change.