GCTC Staffs Drill On Telephone, Meeting Etiquette

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Staffs of Giddis Computer Training Center, GCTC located at Obili in Yaounde have been drilled on telephone and meeting etiquette.

***Felicita Mokube emphasizing on the importance of effective communication*** *(Photo Credit: Roland Fai)*

The drilling exercise that took place on February 2, coinciding with the staff monthly meeting. The training of staff meeting was coordinated by Felicita Mokube, Administrative Assistant of GYTEC AFRICA.

During the training, Felicita Mokube emphasized the importance of effective communication for GCTC employees, highlighting the significance of developing active listening skills, maintaining eye contact during conversations, and being fully present and engaged in discussions.

**Staffs during their monthly meeting** *(Photo Credit: Roland Fai)*

In terms of meeting etiquette, Mokube provided valuable insights on the dos and don’ts. She urged teachers to prioritize punctuality, come prepared, dress professionally, speak audibly, actively listen and participate, take turns when speaking, and ask questions at appropriate times, among other guidelines.

**Gilfort F. Fondzenyuy (GCTC Proprietor) encouraging staffs** (Photo Credit: Roland Fai)

Gilfort Fur Fondzenyuy, the Director of GYTEC AFRICA, commended and encouraged the staff to work collaboratively towards achieving excellence. In response, the staff made a commitment to work diligently and support one another, ultimately fostering the growth of the association.

The Cost Of Non-Action On Climate Adaptation In Africa Is High And Unsustainable – Dr. Njamnshi

The Cost Of Non-Action On Climate Adaptation In Africa Is High And Unsustainable – Dr. Njamnshi

The Executive Director of the African Coalition for Sustainable Energy and Access, ACSEA, Dr. Augustine Njamshi, has said the cost of non-action on climate adaptation in Africa is high and unsustainable.

Dr. Njamshi made this statement on November 16 during the official opening ceremony of the inaugural Youth Forum on Adaptation Finance, YOFAFA, which was chaired by Pierre Hélé, Cameroon’s Minister of Environment, Nature Protection, and Sustainable Development.

The three-day event, themed “Empowering Africa: More than Doubling Adaptation Finance for a Resilient Future,” brought together over 150 young African leaders from various regions of Africa.

Dr. Njamshi emphasized the consequences of not addressing adaptation needs, stating that it would lead to humanitarian crises, economic setbacks, and social unrest. He stressed the importance of taking action immediately to avoid these consequences.

He added, “The Youth Forum on Adaptation Finance in Africa is a critical step towards addressing the adaptation finance gap and safeguarding the continent’s future. By mobilizing young leaders, the forum will amplify the voices of the youth in the climate adaptation discourse. I am confident that the forum will inspire and empower all of us to advocate for increased funding for climate adaptation in Africa by more than double.”

Furthermore, Dr. Njamshi urged youths to seize the opportunity of the forum to network and gain knowledge and skills in climate finance, advocacy, and project development. He emphasized the importance of working together to raise awareness and call for action on adaptation finance in Africa.

Dr. Njamshi pointed out recent challenges faced by Africa, such as devastating floods, desert locust invasions, and the looming specter of drought due to a La Niña event. He highlighted the resulting population displacement and stress on water resources. He also emphasized that despite Africa contributing only a minute amount of global greenhouse gas emissions, it suffers disproportionately from the deleterious effects of climate change.

To address these challenges, Dr. Njamshi emphasized the need for urgent and effective adaptation measures to safeguard African communities and ecosystems.

“Given the severity of these challenges, urgent and effective adaptation measures are indeed required to safeguard African communities and ecosystems. Some of these measures include the promotion and use of inexpensive technologies that have already proven themselves in Africa, such as farmer-managed natural regeneration of trees for re-greening landscapes, green manure/cover crops for restoring soil fertility, and water harvesting to improve yields and prevent crop losses from drought,” he added.

Meanwhile, more than 15 African countries have included adaptation to climate change in their National Agricultural Investment Plans and are implementing climate-smart measures, including soil and water management, agroforestry, and improved pasture management. These efforts are crucial in building resilience and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Pierre Hélé, while commending the initiative, acknowledged the significant impacts of climate change in Africa and stressed the urgency for action. He highlighted the increasing temperatures, rising sea levels, changing precipitation patterns, and more extreme weather events experienced on the continent. Hélé emphasized that these changes pose threats to human health and safety, food and water security, and socio-economic development.

The conference, organized by ACSEA in collaboration with the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance, aims to inspire and empower young activists from the continent to advocate for a significant increase in funding for climate adaptation in Africa.

Early Rains Expected To Cause Havoc As Yaoundé City Remains Unprepared

Early Rains Expected To Cause Havoc As Yaoundé City Remains Unprepared

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

There might be scorching sunshine and relentless heat waves in Yaoundé at the moment, but soon the rainy season will arrive, and the initial rains are often unforgiving. Known for its tropical climate, characterized by distinct wet and dry seasons, there are concerns about the city’s preparedness for the upcoming weather changes.

One pressing issue is the overwhelming amount of dirt that has engulfed Yaoundé. The gutters, which are crucial for channeling rainwater, are seemingly blocked despite recent efforts by the local councils to address the problem.

It is disheartening to note that city residents themselves contribute to this issue by persistently dumping trash into the gutters. This not only obstructs the flow of rainwater but also creates an unsightly and unsanitary environment.

A concerned city dweller says, “Sometimes, I feel sad because our environment, where we live, remains dirty, and yet we expect the government to come and clean it for us. It doesn’t work that way. I feel bad because even parents, who should be setting an example, are the ones throwing dirt everywhere.”

To combat this problem, designated cleanliness days have been established, urging residents, especially those living or selling goods near the roads, to keep their surroundings clean. However, it has been observed that these dedicated days often result in minimal participation, with people only emerging from their homes once the allotted time is over. This lack of commitment to cleanliness is a growing concern, as it indicates a disregard for the long-term impact on the city’s infrastructure.

“Every Friday in Yaoundé VI municipality, the early morning hours until 10 am are meant for those living near the roads to clean their environment. However, those who are supposed to do so remain in their homes and only venture out to commence their daily activities. This is highly unsatisfactory. We need to prioritize cleanliness. I am apprehensive about what will happen when the first rains arrive,” Mary Stella said.

According to some city inhabitants, the issue of trash disposal also contributes to the overall cleanliness problem in Yaoundé. Some residents habitually abandon trash along the streets, which eventually finds its way into the already clogged gutters, exacerbating the situation. This not only worsens the environmental conditions but also emits unpleasant odors, further compromising the quality of life in the city.

Despite the collection of fees for sanitation purposes, some city dwellers say, there is a lack of proactive action from council officials. According to them, there is a need for stricter regulations and sanctions to ensure that individuals uphold cleanliness standards. Additionally, immediate action is necessary to remove the accumulated dirt from the streets, as it poses a significant challenge when heavy rains arrive.

Nevertheless, Yaoundé is facing multiple challenges as it prepares for the upcoming rainy season. The city’s clogged gutters and pervasive dirt contribute to the potential for flooding and unsanitary conditions. Both residents and council officials must take responsibility and work together to maintain a clean environment that can withstand the impending heavy rains.

Journalists, Health Expert Calls On Cameroonians To Be More Involved In Screening & Vaccination

Fight against Cervical Cancer:

Journalists, Health Expert Calls On Cameroonians To Be More Involved In Screening & Vaccination

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Cameroonians have been urged to go in for screening and vaccination against cervical cancer. The call was made on January 19 in Yaounde during a one-day workshop on the cervical cancer elimination initiative in Cameroon.

Journalists and Civil Society Organization participating in the workshop — Journalists and Civil Society Organizations participating in the workshop

The workshop was placed under the theme; “We can end Cervical Cancer! Get Informed, Get Vaccinated! Get Screened!” The workshop was organized by the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Board, CBCHS, and Humanity At Heart International, H@H in collaboration with the Cameroon Association of English Speaking Journalists, CAMASEJ Yaounde Branch.

The workshop that brought together the media and civil society organizations was aimed at sensitizing on the gravity of the disease, prevention, and how they can help in alerting the public on what to do.

Speaking during the workshop, Dr. Simon Manga, Deputy Director for Clinical Services of the CBCHS said, “Cervical cancer, which has taken several lives and is still taking lives can be treated if detected early. It can also be prevented with the help of a vaccine, which is free. Since 2007, the CBCHS, through its Vaccination Programme has actively engaged in vaccinating young girls against cervical cancer. Women and especially young girls are encouraged to go for routine checks and to get vaccinated because cancer is expensive to treat and easier to prevent.”

Dr. Manga added that despite the efforts made, the main constraint has been vaccination hesitancy where people are afraid to allow their children to take the vaccines. “When we started, it was only for girls but good enough, the government approved it for boys beginning January 2023. With this inclusion of boys and a single dose, we can go far.”

He maintained that Cameroon is still far behind and needs to do a lot to achieve the WHO target of 90-70-90 by 2023 where WHO is recommending that all nations by 2030 should have vaccinated 90 percent of all girls by age 15 and screened 70 percent of women with high-performance tests and those with precancerous. “To attain this, everybody needs to come on board including the government, media, and Civil Society Organisations among others,” he said.

While admitting that a lot still needs to be done, Dr. Justine Essoni, Deputy Permanent Secretary, of the National Cancer Committee said, the target of the committee is to make sure that the pillars of eradication of cervical cancer are being put in place in the country. This includes vaccination, screening, and treatment.

Meanwhile, Dr. Elit Laurie, Vice Dean of Research at Baptist Institute of Health, Mbingo Hospital, who has been coming to Cameroon since 2016, that Universal Health Care is the biggest priority for Cameroon, training of surgical staff and equipment given that the rural population is still far from affording.

While resolving that and urging Cameroonians to go in for screening and vaccination as well as treatment, Eveline Mayaah of H@H called on the media to help in advocating for policy changes, raising awareness, education, and support among others.

Strives towards the elimination by the CBCHS were also pointed out where approaches such as the school-based approach (CBC Schools), Health Facility approach, Mother-Daughter approach, and Church-based approach (CBC Churches) are being used.

Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control and is caused by the human Papilloma Virus. According to the WHO 2020 estimates, Cervical Cancer ranks fourth in incidence and mortality in women globally with over 604,000 new cases annually and 342,000 deaths.

Cervical Cancer is also ranked the number one and two cancer killer of women across Sub-Saharan Africa with over 72,000 new cases annually and in Cameroon, it ranks as the second most common cancer with 2,770 new cases and 1,878 deaths. According to experts, one woman dies of cervical cancer every 2 minutes… Each one is a tragedy, and we can prevent it.

MTN Foundation Hands Mini-Incubator To Ministry Of Secondary Education

Encouraging School Entrepreneurship:

MTN Foundation Hands Mini-Incubator To Ministry Of Secondary Education

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

MTN Cameroon, one of the major telecommunication giants in Cameroon, has offered a mini-incubator to the Ministry of Secondary Education, MINESEC, for the transformation of plastic waste into pavement stones.

Prof. Nalova Lyonga speaking during the inaugural ceremony

The reception and inaugural ceremony took place on Friday, January 26, at Government Comprehensive High School Bonaberi in Douala. Prof. Nalova Lyonga represented MINESEC, while Mitwa Kaemba Ng’ambi represented MTN Cameroon.

After the ceremony, Mitwa Kaemba expressed that the journey of improving the entrepreneurial skills of children began last year after the 21 Days of Y’ellow Care program. According to her, the aim is to ensure that the skills learned by children in the classroom come to life.

“This initiative is particularly special for us because we have the dream and vision to contribute to a clean and green Cameroon, and the transformation of plastic is a great step towards that. We are excited to continue developing entrepreneurship in secondary education not only in Douala but across the country,” she said.

On her part, Minister Nalova Lyonga welcomed the gift and stressed that it will go a long way to transform students from mere job seekers to individuals who can create employment opportunities for others in the community.

She stated, “It is going to help the local economy because the students will be going to school and making money at the same time. This is supposed to pay the teacher and student, and he will also be learning. MTN has done a lot of improvement on the technology and it will be a good machine to be given to students to improve their skills,” she said.

The unit of transformation was donated by MTN and its partners within the context of the 21 days of Y’ello Care 2023.

CAMASEJ, LOYOC Signed Partnership Towards Achieving Sustainable Development

Christian Achaleke Leke and Jude Viban presenting MoUs

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Cameroon Association of English-Speaking Journalists (CAMASEJ) and Local Youth Corner, Cameroon (LOYOC) have signed a strategic partnership that is geared towards achieving sustainable peace development in the country.

The partnership was signed on January 29 in Yaounde. Jude Viban, National President of CAMASEJ signed on behalf of his organization while Christian Achaleke Leke, Executive Director of LOYOC penned it down for his organization.

The non-binding agreement is set to last for four years, with the possibility of renewal. Through collaborative project design, implementation, and staff exchanges, the partnership aims to maximize its impact.

Speaking about the partnership, Christian Achaleke emphasized the importance of the media as a crucial partner in promoting peace and security. He stated, “In the context of development, we see the media as a very important partner. We felt that this partnership would provide a mutual platform to fight against hate speech and xenophobia, which are on the rise.”

Viban Jude, on the other hand, highlighted the need to improve the professional lives of CAMASEJ members through life-changing projects. He expressed his belief in the power of collaboration, stating, “Signing this partnership with the Local Youth Corner will help us federate forces for something powerful to germinate.”

The Memorandum of Understanding outlines joint efforts in various areas, including peacebuilding and conflict resolution, youth empowerment and participation, and sustainable development.

The partnership has been hailed as a model for collaborative action that can address complex development challenges. By combining the power of media with the energy and innovation of young people, CAMASEJ and LOYOC hope to pave the way for a more peaceful and prosperous future for Cameroon.

Established in 1992, CAMASEJ brings its expertise in journalism and advocacy to the table, providing greater media exposure and amplifying the voices of local communities. This ensures wider participation and understanding of development initiatives.

On the other hand, LOYOC has a strong track record in mobilizing and empowering young people, which is crucial for achieving lasting change. Their extensive network and experience in project implementation will be invaluable in bringing development plans to life.

At 2023 National Bilingualism Day & launch of National Youth Week: TPCC Pupils Explore Cameroon’s Linguistic Heritage, Celebrate Youth Potentials

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Pupils of the Timely Performance Care Center (TPCC) located in the Damas neighborhood of Yaounde recently celebrated the 2023 National Bilingualism Day and the launch of the National Youth Week.

**Pupils performing during the 2023 National Bilingualism Day and launch of National Youth Week** (Photo Credit: TPCC)

During these celebrations that took place at the school campus on February 1, pupils not only delved into Cameroon’s Linguistic Heritage but also showcased the incredible potential of young people.

The occasion provided a platform for the pupils to demonstrate and explore the richness and dynamism of bilingualism and Youth Day in Cameroon.

Through various interactive activities, the pupils were able to dig into the importance and beauty of speaking both English and French.

They participated in object identification exercises, engaged in a strength game to showcase their perseverance, and even took the opportunity to showcase their talents through captivating dance performances.

The event also served as a proof to the TPCC pupils’ enthusiasm and dedication to promoting bilingualism and celebrating the talents of young Cameroonians.

Cameroon Advances As Christopher Wooh’s Late Goal Electrifies Yaounde Streets

AFCON 2023:

Cameroon Advances As Christopher Wooh’s Late Goal Electrifies Yaounde Streets

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

The streets of Yaounde erupted into an electrifying atmosphere of jubilation as fans of the Cameroonian national team celebrated their triumphant victory over Gambia, securing their place in the second round of the ongoing Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON. The thrilling match ended with a score of 3-2 in favor of Cameroon, thanks to a late goal from their defender, Christopher Wooh.

The moment Wooh’s decisive goal found the back of the net, jubilant Cameroon fans spilled out onto the streets of Yaounde, expressing their joy and pride in their team’s remarkable comeback. The match started with a goalless first half, but Cameroon bounced back in full force during the second half. Karl Toko Ekambi broke the deadlock and put Cameroon in the lead. However, Gambia managed to equalize and subsequently took the lead, creating a tense atmosphere on the field.

In a dramatic turn of events, an own goal from a Gambia player leveled the score, sending waves of celebration through the Cameroonian supporters. The decisive moment came when George-Kevin Nkoudou’s well-placed corner kick was met by the head of Christopher Wooh, resulting in a euphoric 3-2 lead for Cameroon. Gambia’s hopes for a late equalizer were dashed as the goal, scored with the hand, was rightfully disallowed.

With this thrilling victory, Cameroon now sets its sights on the quarterfinals where they will face their fierce rivals, Nigeria. The anticipation and excitement among fans are palpable as they eagerly await this highly-anticipated clash between two football powerhouses on the African continent. The stage is set for a captivating encounter that will surely keep fans on the edge of their seats.

Cameroon U-20 Lionesses Qualify for Women’s World Cup

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

The Cameroon U-20 Indomitable Lionesses have qualified for the 11th edition of the biennial Women’s World Cup Colombia from August 31 to September 22, 2024.

Impressively securing their qualification ticket, the U-20 Indomitable Lionesses defeated Egypt with an aggregate score of 5-3. In the first leg, Cameroon emerged victorious with a 4-2 victory over Egypt, and in the second leg held in Yaounde on January 21, both teams played to a 1-1 draw.

Lamine Mana scored two goals in the first leg and gave Cameroon the lead in the away leg before Egypt drew level 1-1 at the Amadou Ahidjo Stadium.

Nigeria and Morocco will join Cameroon in the tournament, while the fourth-place team will be determined after the clash between Senegal and Ghana. Morocco secured their qualification with a 2-1 aggregate victory over Ethiopia, while Nigeria recorded a 2-0 aggregate win against Burundi to secure their spot.

This event will mark Colombia’s inaugural FIFA women’s tournament. On October 4, 2023, FIFA announced the expansion of the tournament to include 24 teams. Notably, this will be Colombia’s third time hosting a FIFA tournament.

AFCON 2023: Song Confident Ahead Of Cameroon’s Crucial Encounter Agaisnt Senegal

By Etienne Mengnjo Mainimo

Ahead of a crucial match between Cameroon and Senegal, Coach Rigobert Song has maintained his confidence in the team’s readiness to prove their point in the second group match of the ongoing 34th edition of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire.

During a pre-match press conference, Song stressed the importance of finishing and stated that the upcoming match against the defending champions would be a significant challenge for the Cameroon national team.

“Tomorrow, there will be some good things. Matches come and go, but they’re never the same. We’re aware of that. My players and I are confident. It can be done. We believe in it,” expressed Rigobert Song.

Regarding the line-up for the match against the Terranga Lions, the Cameroonian coach believes that a winger will be included in the starting line-up. He further stated, “Tomorrow, you’ll have a team of 11, and everyone will be in their position.”

Cameroon faces an uphill battle as they aim to bounce back after their disappointing 1-1 draw against Guinea in the first group match. Football experts suggest that Cameroon must secure a victory to keep their dreams of qualifying for the second round alive.

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CAMASEJ, LOYOC Signed Partnership Towards Achieving Sustainable Development

Cameroon Advances As Christopher Wooh’s Late Goal Electrifies Yaounde Streets