Meet the team

The BBC World Service has launched websites for three Ethiopian languages, the Amharic, Afaan Oromo and Tigrinya this week. The launch of radio programmes in the three languages would be followed in a few months, it was said. Based in Nairobi from where the BBC produces programmes for Kiswahili and Somali speaking audiences, the programmes would be supported by reporting from Ethiopia and Eritrea. The team of presenters that will front the station are some well-known names in the Ethiopian press, including three of them from the Reporter, Yemane Nagish, Tibebesleassie Tigabu and Meheret Aschalew. While Yemane who used to be political editor at the Reporter joined the Tigrinya section, Tibebesleassie and Meheret, who used to cover arts and social issues, have joined the Amharic service. Meheret, who is currently on maternal leave, has not yet moved to Nairobi but the others already did.
The Amharic language editor, Ashagre Hailu used to be a producer at Population Media Center and at FM Addis 97.1 before joining the BBC. He worked on major editorial and strategic projects. Kalkidan Yibeltal, who used to write for Capital and Addis Standard, will report from Addis Ababa. Another of the presenter Christine Yohannes used to write commentaries for Addis Fortune. She also used to perform at public events and conduct poetry workshops in schools. The Afaan Oromo editor is Beletu Bulbula and she has lots of experiences working in research and translation jobs with WAAS International Management, Social and Marketing consultants, Sub-Saharan Research and Training PLC. The acting Tigirgna editors are Samuel Gebrehiowt and Yemane Nagish. Girmay Gebru, the former VOA’s Tigrigna services’ correspondent will be reporting from Mekele.