African DJ takes to the airwaves without pay

A black African radio DJ starts broadcasting in Donegal today - without pay. Ghanaian Erika Birch-Abban cannot accept a wage because she is an asylum-seeker still waiting for permission to remain in the country.

The young mother has persuaded Highland Radio into allowing her anchor her own programme on African music and culture for 30 minutes. The first one goes out this evening. After that she will have a monthly slot.

Radio producer Ms Lisa Burkitt said: "It may be that eventually we will air the programme more frequently. Much depends on how well it is received by the listeners.

"But we are quite confident that it will be a success. What Erika aims to do is bring African culture to the Irish people. She is trying to do a bridge-gapping thing."

Ms Birch-Abban, who has three children aged seven, four and one, arrived in Ireland 15 months ago seeking asylum. Within a month, after a recommendation in Dublin from another Ghanaian, she took the bus to Letterkenny and has been ever since.

Before emigrating, she worked as a volunteer presenter on a local station in Ghana, Twin City FM. She said her husband, who is still in Ghana, hopes eventually to join her in Ireland.

Voice Of Africa on Highland will be aimed not only at the estimated 500 African immigrants and asylum-seekers in Co Donegal. Ms Birch-Abban hopes to build up a sizeable Irish audience as well.

"I love Irish culture. I believe it is marvellous. I also believe if the Irish knew more about African culture they would know more about us."

She added that although her arrival in Ireland was her first time out of Africa, she didn't experience the culture shock she thought she might. "The people are friendly, like Africans," she said. "But the weather was a shock. The cold takes some getting used to." Apart from a few isolated incidents, she hasn't experienced any serious racial tension.

Ms Birch-Abban, who hopes to have a decision within a year on her application for asylum, lives on benefits. "I get by with careful management," she said. "But I do think it would be preferable if asylum-seekers were allowed work for an income while waiting for a decision."

She said her radio show will be a cultural programme, with music and some gossip.