In a vibrant demonstration of radio’s enduring power to connect communities across borders, Senegalese cultural broadcaster Cheikh Ibrahima Fall has emerged as a leading voice for the Senegalese diaspora in Ivory Coast through his work at Treichville FM.
Based in Abidjan since 1997, Fall, affectionately known to listeners as “Koch Barma”, hosts multiple Wolof-language programs designed to inform, entertain, and unite Senegalese nationals living abroad. Broadcasting from the François Albert Amichia studio in Treichville, his flagship show, “Penthioum Sénégal,” airs three times a week on 93.6 FM, offering a mix of music, cultural storytelling, and community updates.
The program deliberately avoids political content, instead focusing on cultural preservation and social cohesion. Listeners are treated to popular mbalax music and updates on diaspora life, as well as coverage of major cultural events. Recent broadcasts have highlighted performances by artists such as Youssou Ndour and Ngaaka Blindé, as well as the upcoming Festival of Urban Music of Anoumabo.
Beyond entertainment, Fall uses the platform to promote community initiatives and religious gatherings, including the international Hadratoul Jummah event scheduled at the Palace of Culture. His broadcasts aim to mobilize the diaspora, encourage solidarity, and reinforce a shared cultural identity.
Fall also emphasizes the deep historical ties between Senegal and Treichville, noting that the area was among the first settlement hubs for Senegalese migrants in Ivory Coast. He frequently references prominent figures such as Félix Houphouët-Boigny, whose historical connections to Senegal underscore longstanding cultural links between the two nations.
In addition to “Penthioum Sénégal,” Fall hosts “Sénégalaisement vôtre,” a weekly program dedicated to educating younger generations born in Ivory Coast about their heritage. With a guiding philosophy to “train, inform, educate and guide,” his shows serve not only as cultural platforms but also as tools for social mediation, sometimes helping reconnect families and strengthen community bonds.
As global migration continues to reshape societies, voices like Cheikh Ibrahima Fall’s highlight the vital role of local radio in preserving identity, fostering unity, and bridging cultures across borders.The presenter also emphasizes the education of young people and the role of parents, whom he invites to engage more in dialogue with their children, in a context marked by the omnipresence of mobile phones.
The journey of “Koch Barma” illustrates a singular rise. Upon arriving in Ivory Coast, after the death of his father, he initially worked as a seller of onions and potatoes in the markets of Abidjan, after failing at school.
His life changed dramatically at a Senegalese community event where his oratory skills attracted the attention of Ivorian journalist Marie-Catherine Koissy, recognized as the first female radio boss in the country, who subsequently integrated him into a communication unit before directing him towards radio.
After training in audiovisual production, Cheikh Ibrahima Fall embarked on a career as a presenter, a career he had not considered, but which he has fully embraced for more than two decades.
Today, he regularly accompanies Senegalese singers on trips to Ivory Coast, such as Pape Diouf, Alioune Mbaye Nder, Coumba Gawlo or Titi.
He also took part in hosting shows as part of the Abidjan African Performing Arts Market (MASA), notably at the Yelam’s hall in Treichville
Through his radio work, Cheikh Ibrahima Fall continues to promote Senegalese culture in Ivory Coast, while also contributing to strengthening ties between the communities of the two countries.