Visionary Reports

 They took the commitment during the launching of the Peace Journalism and Conflict Transformation project in Douala

Over the years, Cameroon has been facing some armed conflicts and security crisis that has led to the lost of human   lives and the destruction of property and villages in some parts of the country. During all these years, journalists in the littoral region have been involved in reporting the different crisis in one way or the other.  While some reports have helped to calm down tempers others have simply spur up violence. In effect, members of the Cameroon Community Media Network CCMN littoral chapter have reinforced their commitment in the promotion of peace in Cameroon. This was during the launching of the second phase of the Peace Journalism and Conflict Transformation project sponsored by the Peace Office of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon and Bread for the World.  After the first phase of the project that was executed only in the North West and South Wet Regions, the funders decided to extend to all the regions of Cameroon.

 The main beneficiary of the project is the Cameroon Community Media Network whose littoral chapter members have taken the engagement to fully take part in the project and change the narratives. This was evident in the address made by the CCMN Littoral Regional coordinator, Madam Regina Liengu Etaka Esong who said journalists in the region are prepared to engage in Peace building.  She said  journalists have the power to make or mar as such if they fully involved in peace building Cameroon  will be a safe haven. She thanked the PCC  peace office for kick starting the launching of the project in the littoral region.

On his part, while launching the project in Douala, the Coordinator of the PCC Peace Office Rev, Nta William Nche said the two year project will go a long way to engage journalists to take up peace and change the, narratives while reporting.  He said at the moment Cameroon is plague with crisis in some regions and it was high time media practitioners get on board and involve in the peace building process in Cameroon. Rev Nta William Nche explained that the main objective of the project is to deescalate violence in Cameroon and ensure that peace journalism practices are established as a conventional way of reporting in Cameroon. The project that started in May 2020 will last till May 2022 during which journalists in the littoral region will receive intensive training on the different principles of peace journalism and conflict transformation. For Leandre Nzie a member of CCMN littoral chapter, it was an opportunity for him to gain new skills in reporting. He said peace journalism concept is new to him and he is ready to put in practice lessons learnt.

 By GINA ESONG