CENPA celebrates excellence at maiden award in Yaounde.

This was during a historic award night the association staged at the Yaounde Hilton on Thursday July 25.

It was a high-class event that had in attendance several members of government, diplomats, leaders of civil society organisations, traditional rulers among others.

The event was organised under the distinguished patronage of the Minister of Communication, Rene Emmanuel Sadi. 

The member of government was represented by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Communication, Prof Felix Zogo.

Speaking at the event, the President of CENPA, Ngah Christian Mbipgo, who doubles as Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of The Guardian Post, saluted the resilience of Cameroonian journalists, particularly those of English expression, for upholding truth and exercising responsibility in the practice of their profession.

Ngah said though designed to recognise journalists, “CENPA also reasoned that other Cameroonians who are serving the country selflessly, be they in the public or private sector, should also be recognised”.

Award jury president, Barrister Akere Muna addressing guests

Ngah disclosed that the award was the first of its kind in Cameroon to be organised by newspaper publishers. 

He nonetheless declared that: “Responsible journalism and peace are our watch words”.

In this light, he added that, “CENPA members have stood their grounds against all forms of manipulation and threats to align with those championing the crusade for a separate state for Anglophones”.

The CENPA boss said: “God alone knows at what level the crisis in the two English-speaking Regions would have been, had we, members of CENPA, taken the road of Radio Mille Collines in Rwanda”.

He also regretted that the crisis in the two English-speaking Regions has affected newspapers, in addition to other challenges such as a rise in the cost of printing materials, limited government subvention, and the non-payment/delay in paying bills. 

The constraints, he went on, “are seriously threatening our existence”. 

He said government has turned a blind eye to their challenges.

Cross-section of guests at award ceremony

Beyond the challenges, Ngah said CENPA has continued to play a key role in fighting against hate speech, xenophobia and other social vices that threaten peace and national unity.

Taking the floor, Prof Zogo, on behalf of the Minister of Communication, saluted English language newspaper publishers for working in unity and promoting national unity.

To note that awards dished out during the ceremony touched on several sectors such as; journalism practice on different platforms, community development, digital transformation, health, leadership, financial sector among others.

By Hure Hamidou Abdu & Carl Wobyeb (Journalism students on internship)

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3183 of Monday July 29, 2024