Benn Meno gets accolades as Best TV News Presenter.

The Cameroon English Language Publishers Association, CENPA, singled him out as the country’s Best TV News Presenter and awarded him for his high-level professionalism in TV news delivery.

This was during the association’s maiden award night organised at the Yaounde Hilton hotel on July 25, 2024. 

It was in the presence of top government officials, heads of state corporations, members of the civil society, traditional authorities and the press.

The accolade is a testament to his unwavering commitment to delivering news with finesse.

Benn Meno’s journalistic prowess and eloquence have set a remarkable standard. 

The long-time anchor of 7:30p.m. news on national television, has always kept viewers spellbound.

He masters the role of television news anchor with such plain-spoken grace that he is called “the trusted man,” by CRTV Director General, Charles Ndongo.

Considered a reference by young journalists, the 51-year-old journalist has an unflappable delivery, and a distinctly avuncular voice.

Affectionately called Pa Benn, Uncle Benn or simply Benn, he is respected, liked and listened to. 

‘It’s an honour for me’

Reacting to the award, Benn Pufong said: “I am thrilled to be awarded this distinction as Best Television Newscaster in Cameroon by CENPA. It's an honour to join an elite club of men and women who have graced this prestigious profession since television started beaming in this country way back in 1985”.

He said though he has been recognised, it doesn’t stop him from perfecting his skills.

“…TV news presentation is an art and a show that entails more than just the scripts we have before us,” he said, adding that: “This, to me, is just a poignant reminder and note to self this recognition…this distinction, because when not moderated with humility, it becomes a weapon of arrogance”.

Benn Pufong & his journey in journalism profession

Benn Meno Puffong, born some 51 years ago and named Meno Mouokuio, grew up with the pet name Benn.

The name Benn Pufong, which he is being identified with today, came about because his siblings bore the name Pufong, which was actually the name of their paternal grandfather.

His Primary, Secondary and High School studies took him to Balikumbat and Bamessing in Ngoketunjia; Ndu and Nkambe in Donga Mantung and Yaounde.

Benn Pufong obtained his Advanced Level in 1986 and went on to enroll at the University of Yaounde I, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts BA (Hons) in English in 1990.

Benn says even as he enrolled into university, he had one dream, which was becoming a journalist.

He sat the entrance examination into the Advanced School of Mass Communication, ASMAC, in 1987 and 1998 but didn’t succeed in any of the two sessions.

He didn’t give up and in his third attempt in 1991 after obtaining his First Degree, he sat the ASMAC entrance examinations and was declared successful among 25 candidates.

Benn Pufong graduated from ASMAC in 1994 and went on to serve as cadre at the Ministry of Communication. He later joined CRTV in 1998.

Even before he officially joined the state broadcaster, Benn and some of his mates had constituted themselves into an elite group of cub reporters, who integrated CRTV’s Yaounde FM 94 as external collaborators.

He is credited with initiating the English language midday news summary at the station. Following his recruitment into CRTV in 1998, he was posted to various capacities, including correspondent at CRTV Littoral in Douala. 

In early 1999, he was called back to the CRTV television house in Mballa II, where he presented for the first time the 7:30p.m. newscast.

Since then, Benn has had to shuttle between the TV and radio. He has also served as presidential affairs correspondent.

Benn Meno is presently editorialist, doubling as Deputy Director of Television News Department at CRTV and at the same time main anchor of the 7:30pm news. He also holds the post of Editor-in-Chief in the same newsroom.

The television newscaster is married to Judith Yeba Meno, Guidance Counsellor and Member of Parliament for Yaounde VI, with whom they have two children(girls). 

Apart from his role at CRTV, Benn Meno Pufong is also a journalism lecturer at the Advanced School of Mass Communication, ASMAC Yaounde.

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