Inside Cameroon

The twin ceremony, which is an initiative of the First Lady, Chantal BIYA, founder of CIRCB (Centre International de Reference "Chantal Biya") ties with the UN's goal for the 2016-2020 horizon, which is, "zero new infections with HIV, zero discrimination and zero new deaths related to HIV".

The cutting of the symbolic ribbons to inaugurate the multimedia and videoconference centers was done at FCB Ecole des Champions - Up Station and P.S.S Mankon. Then, the launching ceremony was done at the Bamenda Congress Hall and greatly attended by teachers, pupils and richly intermeddled with musical displays by artists like Richard Kings and Chilly.

Talking at the ceremony, the General Coordinator of the Program in the "Chantal BIYA" International Reference Center, madam JAJI MBAH Rose sited the target population to be 5.500.000 pupils and youths from Nursery through primary and post primary education levels as well as 130.000 teachers, seeing that 71% of the 35 million people worldwide living with HIV are from black Africa as per the 2013 estimates. 

The event noted the symbolic handing of the "Social Vaccine" to those in-charge of the different links or shackles of the education council.

Taking the cue, the Governor of the North-Zest Region emphasized on the first lady's intentions to produce pedagogic manuals on a large scale, saying it is for sensitization campaigns in all Divisions and Sub-Divisions and why not the Central African sub-regions. He equally called on the would-be installed Management Committees to judiciously make use of the highly equipped multimedia video-tele centers offered to them.

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Jackson Tantoh

05.May.2016

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A 70 seater bus belonging to l'agence AVENIR travelling from Douala to the West region of Cameroon today collided with a truck, 12 people died at the spot while many wounded were rushed to the local hospital according to eye witness reports and local  hospital officials.The accident occured  between Kompina and Kombe popularly called Carrefour Penda Mboko.The cause of the accident is yet to be determined.

Barely a few days ago, many people were roasted to ashes on April 28, 2016, after a fire engulfed three vehicles at an accident site, 111 km from Yaounde on the highway to Ayos.

More than 10,000 people died in road accidents in Cameroon last year, according to the transport ministry.

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Lilian Agwetang

04.May.2016

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On April 27, the U.S. Embassy in Yaounde hosted a session on how to create websites using free online tools for 20 participants at the James Baldwin Information Resource Center’s (IRC) Multimedia Corner. Public Affairs Officer Roberto Quiroz II and Social Media Manager Dorine Takam encouraged participants to tell their story and that of topics of public interest through their website or social media accounts. Smart and responsible use of social media and other free online tools available on the internet can make a tremendously positive impact promoting access to information, entrepreneurship, and development, they noted.

In his welcome remarks Mr. Quiroz said, “Diplomacy has evolved over the centuries from government to government engagement to also include public engagement through visits outside embassy walls. Now, at the advent of the 21st century, we can expand this with the ability thanks to technology to communicate with thousands if not millions of citizens directly and on a real time basis. Social media and blogs can be instruments of peace and development building, and presenting facts versus fiction is the essence of its credibility and the positive impact it can have to ensure a more informed citizenry. This enables the United States, through its Facebook and Twitter accounts at its embassies and consulates around the world, to directly welcome and respond to commentsfrom the public on questions of our foreign policy and programs.

It is especially important to provide facts based information and to welcome positive feedback as well as dissent. This enables us and you to present the public with information they can receive, process, and respond to. That type of engagement has led to an increase in the number of our U.S. Embassy Yaounde Facebook page followers, while Cameroon’s internet penetration rate is approximately 14%. Our real time engagement sends the message to every follower that their opinions are very important and that we will respond to them. We also welcome the public to tell us their stories, and highlight the achievements of every day Cameroonian heroes whose efforts their fellow citizens should be proud to emulate in their own communities.

We appreciate positive public feedback, and sometimes we have critics, who are very important to listen to and to solicit their thoughts and perspectives in order to enrich the conversation. Quite often lengthy Facebook conversations to our posts develop between Cameroonians at home and in the diaspora. When some members of the public disagree with us, they see that we care to respond one, two, three, four, five times or more in response to their questions, and if they are still not persuaded then we may agree to disagree respectfully. That is a key lesson in democracy. We have to celebrate everybody’s freedom of speech. Every voice counts. Every person’s opinion matters. Every person deserves respect whether we agree with them or not, or whether they agree with you or not. Tolerance for the views of others is an essential value to observe, and in fact allows us to see matters from a different perspective while presenting our own or your own assessments.”

Social Media Manager Dorine Takam introduced participants to basic terminology and concepts of web design conducted a session titled “Creating a Website with Free Online Tools” co-presented with guest speaker Gaspard Baye, who outlined lessons on how to maximize online social media tools. Mr. Baye is actively involved in promoting the use of technology through his start-up organization Katamba Technologies: http://katambatech.com/ In his presentation, Mr. Baye outlined steps needed to create a professional website with the free online tool WordPress.

The participants expressed their appreciation to the U.S. Embassy “for implementing such creative programs to help us communicate more efficiently and to develop (an) entrepreneurship spirit. The session will be followed by weekly two hour sessions on Thurdays at the Information Resource Center. For information on how to attend one of the sessions.

us embassy

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Elangwe Pauline

04.May.2016

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The National Council of the Teachers Association of Cameroon, TAC, has warned against any increase in registration fees for the General Certificate of Education exams.

Meeting in Bamenda on April 26,the TAC Council, issued a press release signed by its National President, Valentine Taweh Nfon, warning the authorities of the GCE Board not to increase GCE registration fees. The release states that, after broad-based consultations with parents and teachers: “TAC saw the move to increase the subject registration dues for GCE examinations to be too hasty and untimely and resolved that a lot of consultation, sensitisation and education be carried out before any such move is attempted.”

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Elangwe Pauline

02.May.2016

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Apply Collective Convetion and stop Complaining of The Non existence of Descent work In Cameroon ----Labour Minister tells owners of Media Organs.

Cameroon is a country found in central Africa,the giant in the sub region but its minimum paid wage is 36 000FRS.

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Prince Nfor Hanson

01.May.2016

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Maurice KAMTO who is the leader of the MRC opposition political party had to trek 4 kilometers to get to Bertoua in the East region of Cameroon where his militants were expecting him for a rally. A contingent of police and gendarmes had barricaded the roads to stop his motorcade from making its way to the city.

Cameroon Concord learned that militants who had earlier hit the road found their bus stopped and were asked to do a U turn. The party's office in Bertoua was surrounded by a cohort of armed law enforcement officials who denied any access to or exit from the building. 

Last week Maurice KAMTO met territorial administration minister Rene SADI to complain about the excessive repression of his party's activities by service men and informed him of his intention to hold a meeting on Saturday . The party had sent a correspondence to local administrative authorities in Bertoua and received no response amidst rumors of an eventual ban of the meeting. The minister we are told reassured KAMTO and gave him the green light to go hold it.

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Jackson Tantoh

30.Apr.2016

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