At workshop on consolidating national unity: CENPA President hails responsible coverage of crisis in NW, SW.

He made the remarks while opening a workshop, organised by CENPA, in the town of Ebolowa, South Region, Thursday.

The CENPA workshop is to equip media practitioners with tools to promote responsible journalism and strengthen national unity.

The three-day workshop is being staged under the theme: “Consolidating National Unity: The Role of the Media”. 

In attendance are newspaper publishers, journalists and communication stakeholders; who are examining how the press can contribute to peacebuilding, curb hate speech and support national development.

Participants are being trained on a range of topics, “The Media Can Make or Mar”, mainstreaming national integration in news reporting, managing the media in crisis periods etc. 

The Investment Promotion Agency, IPA, also made a presentation, outlining how journalists can project the country’s economic potential and position it as an attractive investment destination on the continent.

The opening ceremony was presided by the South Regional Delegate of Communication, Beko’o B’evina Marguerite Solange, on behalf of the Minister of Communication, Rene Emmanuel Sadi.

Beko’o underscored the timeliness of the workshop and its alignment with ongoing efforts to promote national unity, through responsible media practice. 

She noted the country has experienced the impact of divisive narratives across various platforms, making such initiatives necessary to reinforce positive messaging.

“...It is going to help the media to draw the lines between the hate speech that we’ve been having throughout the different media outlets in the country,” Beko’o said.

According to her, the initiative reflects collaboration between CENPA and the Ministry of Communication, in guiding journalists towards ethical reporting. 

“Without unity, we cannot advance,” Beko’o stated. She added that the training of journalists by CENPA demonstrates that sections of the media are actively committed to national unity, especially at a time when the country is approaching the National Day celebrations.

Enter CENPA President 

Speaking on the crucial role the media plays in preserving peace and national unity, Ngah said: “We have seen how irresponsible media has stirred conflicts in many countries around the world. Permit me cite the case of Radio Mille Collines and its role in the Rwanda genocide. We don't want that to happen in Cameroon”.

He reminded participants of the near-decade-long conflict in the North West and South West Regions, noting that responsible coverage by English language newspapers has prevented the crisis from taking a far worse dimension.

He applauded English language newspapers for demonstrating rare patriotism and responsible journalism during the crisis years.

Ngah pointed to the October 12, 2025 presidential election as a more recent example, noting that the pre and post-election tensions had been partly fed by irresponsible journalism.

“That accounts for why we are here today, to look at ourselves in the mirror and talk face-to-face on how we can better our coverage of sensitive issues affecting the life of our country," he said.

Looking ahead, the CENPA boss explained that with upcoming municipal and parliamentary elections, the association is determined to prepare media practitioners for responsible coverage of what he described as volatile and sensitive polls.

“Our goal should be to ensure that we play a key role in ensuring that the polls hold peacefully before, during and after,” Ngah underscored. 

He urged participants to apply the knowledge gained during the workshop in their respective media organisations.

Ngah paid tribute to the late member of the Association, Wambo Emmanuel, publisher of The Gazette, who passed away weeks ago.

Need for nation-building journalism

On his part, CENPA Secretary General, Tarhyang Enowbikah Tabe, echoed the association's resolve to promote objective and fair reporting across the country. 

He acknowledged that the media landscape had been marred by unfair and irresponsible reporting in certain quarters and said the gathering is a deliberate step toward correcting that.

“We want journalists to understand the role they play as nation builders and not nation destroyers. We are here today to say that English language newspaper publishers in this country have taken a stand to work towards the good of the nation," he stated.

Tarhyang said CENPA is particularly concerned about the state of journalism in the North West and South West Regions, while acknowledging the progress already recorded.

He emphasised the importance of fact-checking, fairness and objectivity.

Tarhyang said the association's expectation is that participants would leave Ebolowa refreshed, better equipped, and ready to lead national discourse in a more responsible direction.

Patron drums integrity… 

CENPA Patron, Ntumfor Barrister Nico Halle, who addressed participants via a recorded message, congratulated the CENPA executive for consistently demonstrating attachment to national development.

He called on media practitioners to champion a set of core moral values, including love, equity, transparency, integrity, and truth. He described the values as being indispensable to building lasting national harmony.

Nico Halle also called on journalists to join the fight against what he described as the many ills plaguing Cameroon and Africa, including bad governance, hate speech, tribalism, nepotism, corruption and embezzlement.

“The role of the media is very cardinal, primordial, indispensable, and irreplaceable when it comes to the socio-cultural, economic and political life of each nation,” he said. 

He expressed confidence that discussions during the workshop would contribute to promoting press freedom and sustainable peace, while also thanking the Ministry of Communication and CENPA for their commitment to developing the media sector.

Participants were welcomed to Ebolowa by the First Assistant City Mayor, Mvondo Eya Jean-Richard. 

He expressed the city's pride in hosting the workshop, noting that Ebolowa's cultural heritage and linguistic diversity made it a fitting venue for the workshop on national unity.

This article was first published The Guardian Post Edition No:3756 of Friday April 10, 2026