Community’s response to mental illness

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In New York’s West African immigrant communities, friends and families take it upon themselves to deal with an individual who shows signs of mental illness. Rather than encouraging the patient to see a doctor or therapist, the community pools its money to buy plane fare and pressures the person to return to Africa. Some say this is a compassionate response, but others say it is driven by shame and does not serve the best interest of the sick individual. Laura Starecheski reports from New York. Download MP3

A bronze statue

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We’re looking for a massive new statue for today’s Geo Quiz. It’s known as the “Monument of African renaissance.” Download MP3

Bassekou Kouyate

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Malian musician Bassekou Kouyate has made his mark with the West African lute – the ngoni … not by playing traditional music on the ancient instrument, but by exploring its potential with among other styles like Western music. Anchor Marco Werman has details. Download MP3

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Ivory Coast toxic waste lawsuit near settlement

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Anchor Marco Werman speaks with the BBC’s Liz MacKean about a possible settlement in a class action lawsuit against multinational company Trafigura. The company is accused of illegally dumping toxic waste in the West African nation of Ivory Coast, making tens of thousands of people sick.

Ghanaians Await President Obama

President Barack Obama arrives in Ghana on Friday. The World’s Laura Lynch is already in the capital, Accra, getting a sense of how Obama-mania has gripped the West African nation.