Successful Training Session Conducted by Médias Ebène's Radio Technicians in Lomé
The Francophone African Christian Media Forum (FOMECAF) has just successfully concluded a series of training sessions led by two renowned experts, Christian Gaspoz and Denis Steffen, who were sent by the Association Médias Ebène. These training sessions, which took place from May 7 to 9, 2024, at the HEST campus in Lomé, brought together sixty-nine (69) Christian media professionals from about ten Christian, state-run, and even commercial radio stations in Togo.
Christian Gaspoz, a seasoned radio engineer, led a workshop on transmitter maintenance methodology, sparking joy, a sense of accomplishment, and relief among the participants. Despite initial challenges related to varying levels of knowledge, Gaspoz captivated the audience with a dynamic teaching approach. Participants gained an in-depth understanding of technical terminology and were introduced to identifying the various functional modules of FM transmitters. In addition, Gaspoz expressed his gratitude for having identified participants with prior experience, thereby paving the way for future collaboration on continuing education via distance learning.
For his part, Denis Steffen shared his expertise during a workshop focused on the use of digital tools in Christian broadcasting. Over the course of three days, participants were immersed in the fundamentals of Christian communication, incorporating the latest technological advancements available in sub-Saharan Africa. Topics ranging from creating program schedules to the use of artificial intelligence were covered, offering participants a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities in today’s media landscape.
The training concluded with a book signing for Denis Steffen’s book, *Christian Radio: A Handbook for Building in the Digital Sphere*, as well as the presentation of certificates to the participants. A WhatsApp group was also created to facilitate the sharing of resources and maintain the network of contacts established during the event.
“I remain convinced that the future will reveal the changes brought about by these three days,” said Denis Steffen, reflecting the optimism shared by all participants regarding the lasting impact of this training.
FOMECAF thus continues to play a crucial role in capacity building and professional development for Christian media professionals in Africa.
About the Médias Ebène Association
In a spirit of solidarity and a shared vision for the future of Christian media in French-speaking Africa, two pioneering organizations, “Radio Réveil France” and “Radios Ébène Développement,” have merged to form a new entity: “Médias Ébène.” This strategic union, formalized in March 2024, marks a decisive turning point in development assistance and training for media in French-speaking Africa.
On March 16, 2024, the French association “Radio Réveil,” known for its radio content creation, broadcasting, and training programs, adopted new bylaws and a new name. A week later, on March 23, “Radios Ébène Développement,” which specializes in supplying technical equipment and providing support to radio stations, voted to dissolve itself and transfer its assets and projects to “Médias Ébène.”
