Douala: CENPA to honour Cameroon’s movers & shakers tomorrow.

In its third edition, tomorrow’s CENPA Awards Night is expected to spotlight excellence, innovation, and service to nation across key sectors of society.

Placed under the distinguished Patronage of the Minister of Communication, the high-profile awards ceremony will serve as a platform to celebrate deserving Cameroonian men, women, and corporate entities that have made exceptional contributions to nation-building, socio-economic progress, peace, and public welfare.

According to organisers of the awards, top government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, political figures, civil society representatives, religious authorities, and traditional rulers have already confirmed their presence at the highly anticipated event.

To ensure widespread coverage of the high-level ceremony, about 30 national and international media organisations have been accredited to broadcast and report on the ceremony, according to organisers.

The 2026 event marks a continuation of CENPA’s tradition of hosting its flagship award presentation in iconic locations across the country. 

The inaugural edition of the CENPA Award ceremony was launched in grand style at the prestigious Hilton Hotel in Yaoundé in 2024, setting a high standard for media-driven national recognition. 

Building on that maiden success, the second edition moved to the South West Region and was hosted at the historic Buea Mountain Hotel in 2025.

Organisers say by taking the third edition to Douala, CENPA is reinforcing its footprint as a nationwide institution capable of gathering leaders, policy architects, and community champions from every corner of the triangle.

How it all started…

The maiden CENPA Awards, it should be recalled, was held in July 2024 in Yaounde. The second held in Buea in June 2025. The maiden event celebrated outstanding achievements in the media industry and other walks of life. 

The event, which honoured close to 25 journalists, media professionals, and organisations, was marked by the presence of high-profile personalities. 

In his opening remarks at the Yaounde event, the President of CENPA, Kristian Ngah Christian, explained that the celebration was not just about recognising individual achievements but more about highlighting the crucial role that media workers play in society. 

Journalists and media professionals, he said, are the unsung heroes who inform, educate, and inspire the public. 

By acknowledging their efforts, Ngah noted that CENPA was also recognising the impact they have on their communities and the broader society. 

One of the evening's highlights was the award for Best Critical Writer, presented to Colbert Gwain, the founder of The Colbert Factor.

Gwain's works, which critically examines day-to-day happenings in Cameroon, has been lauded for its insightful analysis and courageous commentary. 

He received his award from Prof Felix Zogo, Secretary General at the Ministry of Communication, who represented the Minister of Communication.

The ceremony also recognised the contributions of Kristian Ngah Christian as the Best Print Media Manager, whose leadership at The Guardian Post has set a high standard in the industry. 

Kristian Ngah Christian, it was disclosed, runs a printing press that operates seven days a week, pays regular salaries, and even maintains an office in Washington, DC, thus highlighting his commitment to professional excellence and international engagement.

The Guardian Post itself was celebrated as the Best English Language Newspaper, further solidifying its reputation in the media landscape. 

Other notable awards included The Post, which was recognised as the Best Anglo-Saxon Styled Print Media, and Kolle George Nkume, who was awarded Best Radio Pidgin Newscaster for his work at Mount Cameroon FM in Buea.

Barrister Akere Muna, who served as President of the Jury, addressed the audience, explaining the rigor of the selection process. 

According to him, the jury faced a challenging task due to the high calibre of nominees. 

The jury he said, was meticulous in the evaluations to ensure that the most deserving candidates were honoured. 

The event also featured special recognitions, including an award to Minette Libom Li Likeng, Minister of Post and Telecommunications, for promoting digitalisation in Cameroon. 

A long journey covered in few years

Created in 2019 as a professional umbrella body, bringing together 40 English-language newspaper publishers across Cameroon, CENPA plays a pivotal role in the national media landscape. 

The association was established with the primary objective of promoting ethical journalism, responsible reporting, conflict-sensitive news coverage, and national cohesion. 

Through capacity-building workshops, editorial standards enforcement, and public advocacy, CENPA has continuously equipped publishers and editors to practice peace journalism, counter hate speech, and contribute constructively to Cameroon's democratic growth.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3913 of Friday September 18, 2026