A new journalism body, christened Association of Cultural Journalists
(ACJ) has seen the light of day in the N.W region of Cameroon. This was
at the end of a Half-Yearly Follow Up Workshop for Journalists of
Radio, TV, Print Media and Bloggers on Reporting on Cultural Journalism
that recently took place in Bamenda on the 25th and 26th of September
2019 organised by the Mbororo Social, Cultural and Development
Association (MBOSCUDA) in collaboration with the North West Farmer's
Organisation (NOWEFOR), funded by the European Union through United
Purpose based in the United Kingdom.
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| ACJ N.W Pioneer EXCO |
In the Month of May 2019, MBOSCUDA carried out a Training and
Sensitisation Workshop for Journalists on Cultural Diversity and
Cultural Rights Issues in Bamenda with objective to strengthen the
capacity of media houses in order to raise more awareness and
understanding of cultural diversity and cultural rights as stipulated by
the international (UNESCO Convention) and national instruments (
Cameroon Government Initiatives/Policies).
Four months after, MBOSCUDA once more rallied the earlier on trained
journalists to evaluate the distance covered after the initial training
with interest on work done, challenges faced, work still to be done and
way forward. The follow up workshop was facilitated by Mr. Nji Charles,
a journalism consultant who evaluated the output of the journalists
ever since their training and ranked their performance at 90%,
considering the peculiarities of the region amidst the ongoing
Anglophone Crisis after personally monitoring what they reported on
radio, TV, newspapers and blogs about cultural journalism.
As a follow up measure to ensure the knowledge passed across and gained
doesn't end in vain, a network of cultural journalists in the North West
Region was formed and on the 21st of June 2019, its maiden General
Assembly was held during which its official name and bylaws were
adopted.
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| Participants at Follow Up Workshop |
This was corroborated by Sali Usmamu, the MBOSCUDA Monitoring and
Evaluation officer who expressed satisfaction with the turnout and
participation of members. Accessing the work done, he said
"Most of them have taken some steps towards incorporating intercultural
dialogue in their discussions and programs as there are now interesting
elements of culture which are becoming very eminent in their programs
and reports." He then ended by letting the participants know
that though sustainability is very important, every project has a
lifespan. Sali Usmamu assured participants that MBOSCUDA after
terminating the Bridging the Gap project will not end its cordial
relationship with the media in the region. Considering the importance of
communication in development, subsequent projects of the association
will still involve the media in their implementation.
Legalisation modalities of the association are soon to be completed
after which the body shall effectively commence work, that of upholding
the practice of cultural journalism reporting and sourcing for funding
for cultural journalism practices especially from international bodies
like UNESCO.
At the end, an elective General Assembly of the earlier on formed
network was held during which a pioneer Executive Council of the
Association of Cultural Journalists (ACJ), N.W was democratically voted
into office headed by Abongwa Fozo of City FM and Fawah Agatha of
Abakwa FM as Vice President. Other members of the council included Nji
Ignatius of Eden Newspaper as Secretary General, Mokom Thomas of
Ndefcam Radio as Vice S.G, Philo Happi of Eden Newspaper as Financial
Secretary, Ninpa Francis of Radio Hot Cocoa as Treasurer and Gnoukapasi
Martial of Afrique Nouvelle Radio as Public Relations Officer. Wanchia
Cynthia of MBOSCUDA Communication Unit and Jeff Ngawe of The Reporter
Newspaper were tasked the responsibility of being advisers of the EXCO.
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| Abongwa Fozo, ACJ N.W President |
On behalf of MBOSCUDA, members of the newly elected maiden bureau of
the association were immediately installed into their various functions
by Sali Usmanu who first expressed satisfaction with the gender
consideration of the team before cautioning them that "leadership
begins with yourself." He then congratulated the elected members for
the confidence bestowed unto them by their peers while promising that
MBOSCUDA will always be available to lend a helping hand for the
betterment of the newly formed journalism association in the region.
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