#defyhatenow Did it in Douala for 5 Days

 #defyhatenow Did it in Douala for 5 Days

It was a week's stay in Cameroon's economic capital, Douala for the holding of varied workshops at varied venues with varied participants drawn from varied walks of life and regions of the country. It was one of the biggest commitments the hate speech mitigation organisation ever had.  

Ngala Desmond, Country Director of #defyhatenow for West and Central Africa spoke to the press at the close of the various workshops. He recapitulated  the activities carried out to Mbengwi Online. On Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 February a Design Sprint on Peace Builders Maker Spaces workshop was held, an initiative to bring people together to think and contribute ideas for a community led development program so as to have a real impact in transforming communities away from violence toward positive peace as these spaces offer educational opportunities, trainings, resources, events and community engagement in local activities. 

Kendi Gikunda from Kenya Presenting the Social Media Field Guide

Baiye Ebai Frida, a participant at the said workshop said "It was a defining moment for administrative authorities, hub managers, community based organizations, peace advocates and journalists to brainstorm on ideas and sharpen skills in promoting community voices towards peace building initiatives in ending the ongoing armed conflict in the two English speaking regions of Cameroon."

Away from that, as Desmond narrated, on Wednesday 17 February, the organisation held a stakeholders meeting with pastors, members of the civil society, journalists and human rights activists with the main goal of having their own views on what #defyhatenow is doing, especially as within the next eight months, the organisation should be ending its mandate as programmed with its various funders.

On Thursday and Friday, he continued, " Media for Peace and Africa Fact Checking Fellowship both took place simultaneously at different venues. 

Ngala Desmond, Country Director, #defyhatenow West & Central Africa

Hear him, "At the end of these two days, I'm certain of one thing, that the media can efficiently and effectively contribute to peace in Cameroon. As far as AFF is concerned, we've not only been looking at fact checking information but also how best information can be corrected on Wikipedia, an online open source of data contaminated  with fake news and misinformation which many take for gospel truth"

Then he added that from Douala, #defyhatenow shall in the days ahead be moving to Bamenda for an engagement with the civil society as well as community based organizations and later to Maroua for an engagement with IDPs to mitigate their sufferings from a #defyhatenow standpoint. 

In terms of evaluating the performance of the various media persons that have so far  been trained by the organisation within the past months, Desmond affirmed their expectations have been met because there's  been a change in the way they (media persons) now report the news especially in their choices of words as many now go more for the facts and don't stand on one position again.

Participants

However, he regretted that since old habits die har, there are still a few that have remained very reticent to change. "We are still seeing people we taught them one thing today and the very next day they're doing the opposite. This gives us the impression that there's much work still to be done. We still need to engage journalists in different capacities as the days go by. Until the right thing is done, we're not going to relent our efforts" This declaration he made before later giving his expectations from the trained journalists thus, "If there's anything more still to be expected from those who just ended this last training, it'll be that they don't go back and sleep thinking they were given the gospel truth during the various workshop lessons"

Lastly, he challenged them to challenge the organisation. "We are challenging them to move out of their comfort zones and go look for better information out there. Let peace reign in Cameroon at least from a journalistic perspective" he ended. 

During the various trainings, the Social Media Hate Speech Mitigation Field Guide was presented to participants by Kendi Gikunda of Kenyan nationality, a Training Manager at #defyhatenow. It is a pack containing Facilitators Notes, Discussion Cards, Posters, Snakes and Ladder Peace Game, USB Key, Sticky Notes and the Field Guide which itself is the main book. 

Eugene Nforngwa, Trainer

Speaking at the close of the various workshops, Eugene Nforngwa of the African Knowledge and Policy Centre, the main facilitator said "The goal has been to have a crop of journalists  in Cameroon who know that their work has an impact in society especially on conflicts. As we come to the end, we're confident that we now have a good number of journalists that can continue to contaminate their colleagues so that we have a large body of journalists who are conscious of the impact of their work in society." 

He went on to salute the professionalism og the participants. "When I hear the kinds of contributions, ideas that came from the journalists, the kinds of questions they asked, I am very confident that we have not wasted any time and now what we are watching is to see is how their reports will change" he ended.

Why Public Figures Must Take Responsibility for their Words and Actions

Why Public Figures Must Take Responsibility for their Words and Actions

"Public figures by virtue of their social statues enjoy a lot of power and influence. As such, they can't avoid taking responsibility for things they say and do. It's a price they have to pay." This was one of the lessons dished out to some members of the fourth estate by Eugene Nforngwa, main facilitator at a two day Media for Peace Mentorship workshop organised by #defyhatenow that held at Bano Hotel, Akwa, Douala from the 18-19 February 2021. 

On Wednesday January 6th 2021, an attack on the Momo S.D.O's convoy on its way back from official duties in the subdivisions of Njikwa and Andek leading to the death of some soldiers and a civilian, the Divisional Delegate of Communication made headline news in the local, national and international press. The Guardian Post Daily Newspaper Edition No. 2044 of Friday January 8 2021 carried as banner headline UN Peace Official Calls on Bakwerians to Quit NW, after the killing of the delegate.

Participants at #defyhatenow Organised #Media4Peace Workshop

He made this clarification after participants were tasked to debate on whether or not statements and actions of influential public figures can be separated from them as individuals and their offices. Considering the need to use practical examples for better understanding, the debate stemmed from some past stories  reported by the national press that sparked varied views on whether or not they should have been reported (the way they were reported).

We won't mention their names but rather share what they said. A reporter from The Median Newspaper sorted for clarification on whether the concerned made the statement as a UN peace official or as a Bakweri son? "We should at least separate people's social media outings from their office" he added. In response, a reporter from the said newspaper that carried the story defended that "If John, the pastor commits adultery on a week day, the news out there shall be pastor has committed adultery and not John has committed adultery"

Eugene Nforngwa, Facilitator

A read through the article presented the said official as Prof. Samuel Kale Ewusi of Peace Studies and International Relations, doubling as the Director of the Africa Regional Programme of the United Nations: University for Peace (UPEACE). By then when it was still fresh, journalists that have undergone trainings by #defyhatenow debated on the headline in some social media chat groups created by the organisation.

Lastly, The Guardian Post reporter came back to conclude that "The fundamental role of the media is to hold perpetrators of hate to account. Ignoring it wouldn't help the situation. It is obvious that after this public outburst,  Prof  Ewusi will hence choose his words wisely. At least that's the smallest thing expected from a man of his standing"

He pressed on with his justification that "Your private life should not be in sharp contrast with the goals of your employer." A claim corroborated by a radio station manager in Bamenda who cued in to say "A certain position of responsibility warrants that your actions and words are well chosen."

Coming back to the workshop, participants were clarified that bringing someone's personal credentials into a story is often to improve understanding. However, it should be avoided if it's irrelevant and or stigmatises the concerned. He also clarified that "Each time someone speaks to you as a journalist, they're granting an interview" this after after having schooled the attentive participants on how much error journalists can commit in their reports and how much harm such reports can cause.  

Projection of Sample Material 

To buttress this, he made it clear that each time a public figure speaks, he or she is doing so in official capacity. In terms of their actions, he affirmed that there's no private life in wrong doings. This accounts for why at times the media reports certain stories others think are people's private life. Such persons must thus always watch their actions and chew their words.

Again, both participants and facilitators also exchanged views on whether or not people have the right to say whatever they want to say. Here, the common agreement was that 'Yes'. However, it's not everything one says that the journalist should disseminate because the ethics of the profession, personal biases, laws, editorial policies, morality and  common sense demand that the journalist sieves information before spreading. 

Participants in Session

This explains why at times, what's news for "A" is a non event for "B".  For example, prior to October 1st 2017 after the September 22nd grand peaceful street protests across the entire two English speaking regions of Cameroon, South West governor, Bernard Okalia Bilai came under criticism for referring to anglophones as "Dogs". According to some online sources, in an interview aired by state media CRTV, the governor in addressing parents and anglophone elites living in other towns said “…Everyone should go to their family, village and catch their dogs. If dogs continue to take to the streets to bite, that is to destroy, they will meet with security forces,”

Using this as an example during the #defyhatenow organised Media for Peace Mentorship Workshop, it was explained that to an extent both interviewee and interviewer failed to be responsible. The governor could withdraw his statement there and then before the journalists went to press or even after for interviewees have the right to withdraw their statements. Since it wasn't a live interview, the journalists too had the yam and knife in deciding which part of the entire interview will be aired and which won't. 

Group Work

If they had considered their role in society of not being channels via which hate speech is propagated, of not adding fuel to flames in their reports, such a portion of the interview would've been  discarded.  But again, as earlier on mentioned,  because of biases, convictions, editorial policies etc, no principle is absolute in the media. 

Truly there's freedom of speech but note be taken that the quality of speech too matters. Nforngwa Eugene categorically made it clear that "In no circumstance is freedom of expression absolute, not even in the most democratic countries." With these lessons gained, the trained reporters are now supposed to publish exemplary reports that will depict the knowledge imparted into them by #defyhatenow

Amateur Robbery at Mbon Market, Budding Thieves Abandon Booty and Flee at Sight of Military

Amateur Robbery at Mbon Market, Budding Thieves Abandon Booty and Flee at Sight of Military

A foiled robbery incidence occurred at the Mbon main market, Mbengwi in the early hours of Sunday morning, February 21st 2021. Sensing danger, the two night watchmen at the market alerted some traders on phone then went into  hiding, switching off their own phones. 

The military was tipped and the brigade commander, Tchengang Theophile, popularly known in Mbengwi as Eto'o immediately took his boys to the market for intervention. Upon sensing their presence, the criminal(s) escaped leaving behind what had been stolen. 

Recovered Stolen Items Sampled for Identification and Collection

The Market Gate Via Which Bandits Often Pass. It Has to be Fortified

At least 5 sheds in the clothing line were broken into but not much carried away. The municipality was in darkness probably reason why the hoodlums took advantage of the darkness to go steal. They forced their way into some shops after having jumped over the gate and undid the staples while the locks remained hung on the hasps (check online about hasp and staple locks). 

When traders got up in the morning and got the news, they quickly rushed to the market to check about the wellbeing of their items. The municipality's mayor, Ndangsa Kennedy Akam also descended to the scene of action to ascertain the situation. The traders have expressed joy as their items were recovered, thanks to quick alert and prompt military intervention. The recovered items made up of shoes, bags, dresses and food items were sampled for identification and collection. 

Mayor Ndangsa Kennedy Akam (with pocketed hands) Exchanging With Traders 

Traders Identifying their Stolen But Recovered Items

Cases of banditry at the Mbon market aren't new. On January 6th 2021, the mayor held a meeting with hundreds of traders in the council hall to understand their plights and other issues related to their welfare. During the said meeting, the president of the Mbengwi Trader's Union, Mr. Anye Collins complained about lack of collaboration among the traders. To him, the executive once tasked the traders in the market to each contribute 200Frs to improve security by helping equip the night watchmen with torchlights, warm clothing and other tools but shockingly, they refused to contribute. 

This explains why during the recent incidence, the two elderly fathers had not even a torch and so for their own safety had to hide. After all life has no duplicate. The mayor told the traders he's taken note of the loopholes and has promised to fortify the three main gates into the market via which the bandits always pass by increasing their heights. He also assured the night watchmen that in the days ahead, sophisticated torchlights, the type used by the military shall be bought and given to them. 

Mbon Market Night Watchman Carrying Recovered Items

Mayor Ndangsa & Mr. Tangoh Humphrey, Momo DDSE Evaluating Damage Caused 

One of the Shed Burgled 

While these measures are to be put in place, the traders must be reminded of the need to be responsible. Many at times the blame is on the night watchmen and the council but when proposals are given for collective initiatives to improve on security in the market, they don't cooperate. They have been schooled severally that one can't be having goods worth hundreds of thousands or millions and can't spare few francs or thousands to secure them.

The traders voted their executive and so must empower it by collaborating for their own good without which such incidences may continue to occur and victims continue to bear losses. The council itself ought to go for night watchmen worth the salt, though a topic for another because the type of persons that guard institutions at night in Cameroon...

Parliamentary Outreach: Momo East Constituents Take their M.P to Task

Parliamentary Outreach: Momo East Constituents Take their M.P to Task

Questions about legitimacy are now things of the past as constituents of Momo East, Mbengwi now expect even more than Oliver Twist from their Member of Parliament, Hon. Injoh Foo Ngang Prodencia, elected during the most turbulent moment of the nation's political history, 2020.

Because the voting exercise was boycotted by most of the electorate though not willingly but due to security challenges, many thought constituents who never voted the parliamentarian will in turn expect nothing from her. Far from that. 

Momo East M.P Explaining to Beneficiaries Reasons for the Shortage

Consignment of Day Old Chicks

A recent activity carried out by the M.P to distribute poultry inputs to farmers in her constituency proved otherwise. It was on Saturday February 6th 2021 that hundreds of farmers gathered at the Mbon Motor Park with great expectations to carry home their own share of the package they had earlier on registered to benefit from. 

Unfortunately, the package was limited. In an earlier report published by Mbengwi Online, the M.P was quoted saying she shall be distributing five thousand (5.000) day old chicks to some selected Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), women, youths, farming groups and the vulnerable in her constituency. However, on the distribution day proper, only one thousand (1.000) chicks were available. As such, she was taken to task by mostly the women and youths that showed up with high ambitions.

Aerial View of Event Ground 

Handing Over 

The beneficiaries that had come from far and near didn't hide expressing their feelings of disappointment directly to their representative in parliament. For the first time they surrounded her demanding for explanations, a move some observers interpreted as clear prove that they recognise her and expect her to deliver the required results.

Hon. Injoh Foo Ngang Prodencia had actually earmarked distributing 5.000 day old chicks but unfortunately, as she explained, there was a disappointment at the level of the hatchery from where the chicks were to be bought. Due to limited supply, she could secure only one thousand. 

Beneficiaries

Arrival of D.O of Mbengwi, Representing S.D.O of Momo

These explanations were given to the highly inquisitive constituents who were assured that the promise made shall be strictly kept, meaning in the days ahead, the 4.000 remaining chicks shall still be distributed by the time the expected quantity is finally obtained from the hatchery. Since the ceremony had been announced for the 6th, there was virtually no way it could be postponed until the promised quantity is available, an explanation that was understood by the disgruntled beneficiaries. 

Speaking earlier on at the handing over ceremony, the Momo Divisional Delegate of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry, Mr. Utagah Eric Tacho described Mbengwi as highly favourable for agricultural cultivation and livestock breeding considering that both crops and animals/birds do well in the subdivision.

Mbengwi Council Mayor & Momo Divisional Delegate of Livestock

In addition to the 1.000 vaccinated day old chicks donated, the fortunate beneficiaries also  received feeders, drinkers and feed. Many more await the day the remaining 4.000 shall be shared. Speaking to Mbengwi Online at the end of the exercise, the M.P said "My main concern is to see a strong, healthy and dynamic population socially and economically. Secondly, I'm interested to empower my people, to see them have surplus to sell, earn more and build better lives for themselves, their children, families and the society at large"

She went further to announce the imminent creation of an agricultural input store within her constituency that shall be put at the disposition of farmers to obtain farming tools, animal feed, seeds, fertilizers and chemicals at affordable prices. Away from agriculture, Hon. Injoh Foo Ngang Prodencia also announced that she has secured 15 full time scholarships from the National Employment Fund for youths of her constituency who wish to study Hospitality Management. Registration she disclosed is ongoing at the Mbengwi Council for those interested in grabbing the scholarship opportunity.

Publicity Banner of Event

Drinkers 

Fast spreading but yet to be confirmed rumours talk of the M.P having secured a multimillion grant from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Civic Education for some youths of her municipality as startup capital to invest in businesses of their choice. All ears are still on the ground anxiously waiting for the materialisation of this big catch. 

Worthy of note is the fact that the Hon. Injoh Prodencia has constantly been braving security challenges to make her presence felt within her constituency, Mbengwi. The day old chicks donation ceremony was one of her first activities that brought her in close contact with the commoners as previously, almost all of her visits to Mbengwi were mostly administrative and official.

D.O of Mbengwi & M.P of Momo East Constituency

Her gesture was highly saluted by the beneficiaries, the mayor of the Mbengwi Council, Ndangsa Kennedy Akam and the Divisional Officer of Mbengwi Central Subdivision, Sakwe Jarvis Esapa seating in for the Momo Divisional Officer, Fouda Nicaise. The administrative officer described agriculture as thr backbone of Cameroon's economy. Hear him, "Agriculture in our nation is actually very important and can't be despised. You could be a government authority, an M.P, an S.D.O, a minister but there's one thing that's rest assured; all of us must eat and we must drink"

Sakwe Jarvis also encouraged other elites of Momo division in general and Mbengwi subdivision in particular to copy the good examples of the M.P and a few others that have repeatedly carried out similar donations back home and that when they do so, it should be publicised through the media so that people get to know.