Bennen Buma Gana glows as Best TV Journalist.

The award night was held under the distinguished patronage of the Minister of Communication, and was attended by top government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, political, religious, civil society and traditional authorities, among others.

The award jury was led by Barrister Akere Muna (President), Senator Ekoko Mukete Ekoko IV (Secretary), Esther Omam (Member) and Kristian Ngah Christian (CENPA President).

Bennen won the award of Cameroon’s Best TV Journalist for his “superior quality, shown in TV reporting and news anchoring”.  

It should be noted that Bennen’s excellent TV reporting, news anchoring and first-rate diction, have been endearing him to CRTV viewers. His brilliant commentaries of football matches broadcast on CRTV television, have also made him to stand out as one of the creams of the crowd. 

Speaking to journalists after receiving the award, Bennen Buma Gana, who is current Editor-In-Chief of CRTV TV (day shift), said: “For me, this is great thing. I am really so excited and happy because when you work, you never know that people are watching and probably taking down notes”. 

“I want to use this opportunity to thank the management of CRTV and the Director General of CRTV, for the opportunity he has given to us to be able to work. One of the things I must say is that I knew nothing on television broadcasting, but it is a certain number of people who held my hand through it,” he said.

He added that some of the persons who held his hand through include the great TV producer, Robert Ekukole. 

“He spotted me from day one and began training me on TV broadcast. He has been a great father and teacher,” Bennen disclosed.

He added that: “With this award today, I am dedicating it to all those who have helped me to come to this point…it is a motivation to keep working harder and going forward”. 

Bennen, the outstanding journalist

Bennen is a highly passionate and professional journalist with 14 years of progressive experience in Broadcast Journalism (TV and Radio), Sports Reporting, Corporate Communication, and Public Relations.

He earned a BSc in Journalism and Mass Communication (1996-2000) and Masters in Corporate Communication (2015-2017), from the University of Buea. Bennen is currently studying for a Doctorate of Business Administration at EMAS Business School in Russia.

The astute and levelheaded journalist also has several professional certificates to his credit. These include Certificate of Achievement from Lead Missions International-on completing leadership course in 2024; End of Training Certificate - LIVE2LEAD by Lead Missions International, Yaounde 2023 and End of Training Certificate on Sports Management 2022 by the Olympic and Sports Committee in Cameroon.

Rich career

Bennen began his journalism career in 2000, at Christian Gospel Radio in Bamenda, where he was Editor-In-Chief. He then moved to Calvary Goodnews Radio in Kumba in 2022, where he was Chief of Station. 

From 2009 to 2014, Bennen was Editor-In-Chief of the English Language Desk at Magic FM Radio in Yaounde. He also worked as a freelance journalist with UK-based Science and Development Network, SciDev.Net, from 2005-2007. 

He was also a media consultant at Lord's Business Int. in Yaounde, from 2009-2014. From 2017 till date, he is media consultant with the National Football Academy, ANAFOOT. 

In 2007, Bennen got recruited into CRTV, after tough recruitment exams. From 2013 to 2015, he was Talk Show Host, presenting highly watched talk shows such as Tam-Tam Weekend and HELLO. He also created and presented more than 100 editions of popular youth programme, Brain Box.

Since 2017, he is a sports reporter and commentator. He is prime time television news presenter on CRTV since 2019. 

Meanwhile, from 2018-2020 he was Editor- In-Chief of CRTV News and in 2020 he was appointed Editor- -In-Chief of CRTV-TV (day shift), a position he holds till date.

It should be noted that Bennen has also had stints in CRTV Radio, where he presented a slot, What the Papers Say, on Cameroon Calling, for a long time. He also presented Radio News and Radio Programmes.

This Story was first published in The Guardian Post issue N0:3193 of Thursday August 08, 2024