MTN Cameroon’s Reforestation Campaign: GM of Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, Jean Melvin Akam Gives Highlights
TimesNews2 juillet 14, 2023
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MTN Cameroon’s Reforestation Campaign: GM of Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, Jean Melvin Akam Gives Highlights

Jean Melvin Akam, General Manager of Regulatory and Corporate Affairs in MTN Cameroon in an interview recently granted to media practitioners highlighted key issues of the ongoing reforestation drive launched nationwide by the mobile operator on June 17, 2023. We all know MTN Cameroon is a company that deals with information and communication technology, why are you engaged in the planting of trees, which is an initiative out of MTN’s core business? We have often been asked this question. For us, the answer is simple: it is a matter of responsibility! We must preserve our planet, which is now facing the consequences of global warming. Trees, as you know, can help reduce climate change effects. As a responsible company, MTN is obliged to play its role and, among other things, plant trees. MTN has been carrying this activity since 2008, during which we planted 250,000 trees in the Adamawa, North, and Far-North regions. What are the objectives MTN Cameroon wishes to achieve throughout this reforestation campaign? MTN Cameroon’s recent reforestation drive has resulted in the planting of 1,600 trees. This is just the first step of a vast project the company plans to roll out nationwide. This project is part of MTN Group’s “Ambition 2025 program”, one of whose strategic priorities is achieving carbon neutrality by 2040. In Cameroon, we are implementing this vision through the reduction-substitution-compensation triad.  Planting trees is part of the compensation process. What are MTN Cameroon’s expectations for forthcoming reforestation campaigns? As I said earlier, it is about taking responsibility for preserving our planet. Over time, we hope to have a positive impact on our carbon footprint and the environment. We also hope that these trees will be of socio-economic benefit to the communities. This is why we prioritize the planting of fruit trees and species with therapeutic properties.

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FUNDHER: “Plus de 350 Startups et PME Féminines Africaines Préparées à recevoir des Investissements”
TimesNews2 juillet 11, 2023
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FUNDHER: “Plus de 350 Startups et PME Féminines Africaines Préparées à recevoir des Investissements”

Afin de réduire les écarts entre les hommes et les femmes en termes d’investissement et outiller les femmes en Afrique à l’accès au financement, l’association WETECH (Women in Entrepreneurship and Technology) a organisé du 30 mai au 1er juin 2023 et du 06 au 08 Juin 2023, la deuxième édition de son programme FUNDHER sous le thème : “Préparer les femmes africaines entrepreneures à recevoir des investissements”. Avec un objectif initial de 200 femmes entrepreneures à former, ce sont finalement plus de 350 participantes fondatrices ou dirigeantes de startups et PMEs en Afrique qui ont pu bénéficier de ce programme de formation organisé par WETECH. Cette deuxième édition de FundHer a été sous forme d’une série de rencontres virtuelles sponsorisées par l’AfriLabs Capacity Building Programme (ACBP) et financées par l’Agence française de développement (AFD) à travers le Digital Africa Seed Fund. FUNDHER, 2ème édition : Une dimension panafricaine « FUNDHER » est un programme de WETECH pour l’inclusion financière et de préparation à l’investissement des femmes en Afrique. Après le succès d’une première édition en 2021, cette 2ème édition du programme avait pour but principal de contribuer à la réduction des écarts entre les hommes et les femmes en termes d’investissement et de financement à travers des rencontres et formations virtuelles réunissant des entrepreneurs, des experts et investisseurs venant de toutes les régions d’Afrique. Lors de cette dernière édition, les webinaires se sont déroulés selon le programme suivant : Jour 1 – Initiation et accompagnement à la préparation à l’investissement Jour 2 – Conversations avec des investisseurs Jour 3 – Leçons apprises des levées de fonds pour les femmes entrepreneures L’organisation de cet évènement a été particulièrement marquée par l’intervention, parmi les panélistes, des fonds d’investissement tels que WIC Capital, Investisseurs et Partenaires, Catalyst Fund, The Baobab Network ou encore Madica VC. Les moments de partage d’expérience des femmes entrepreneures ayant déjà levé des fonds figurent parmi les instants précieux d’échanges pendant cette formation. Le côté motivationnel d’accompagnement et de préparation à la levée de fonds fut relevé par des experts issus de différents incubateurs et accélérateurs de startups en Afrique. A long terme, le programme vise à :  Le programme FUNDHER s’adresse aux femmes entrepreneures fondatrices ou co-fondatrices de startups ou de PMEs en Afrique qui s’appuient sur la technologie et l’innovation pour développer leurs entreprises. FundHer a pour mission d’aider les femmes entrepreneures africaines à comprendre les notions phares dans leur processus de levée de fonds.

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21 Days of Y’ello Care 2023: Over 1.600 Trees Planted by MTN Staff, Volunteers as Part of Reforestation Drive
TimesNews2 juillet 5, 2023
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21 Days of Y’ello Care 2023: Over 1.600 Trees Planted by MTN Staff, Volunteers as Part of Reforestation Drive

As activities of the 21 days of Y’ello Care unfold nationwide, employees of MTN Cameroon embarked on a reforestation campaign in a bid to protect the environment. Within the framework of MTN’s  21 Days of Y’ello Care 2023, a reforestation project was launched on the 17th of June 2023, recognized as World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought. The move was spearheaded by mobile telecommunications company, MTN Cameroon which launched the operation in six targeted regions of the country. From June 17 to 24, over 1.600 trees were planted in the Adamawa, East, Littoral, North, North-West, West, and South regions.  In the Littoral region, more precisely in Douala, employees of leading telecommunications company, MTN Cameroon planted fruit trees at the Government Comprehensive High School of Bonaberi. On the ground, employees of MTN were supported in this environmental activity by the club of veterans of MTN Cameroon, members of the Cameroon Journalists Trade Union, CJTU, and some public figures such as former international footballer, Lucien Mettomo and Kaisa Pakito, an artist musician. In the West region where the operation was launched, employees of MTNC were accompanied by the regional delegation of environment, nature protection and sustainable development, and some locally based associations. Over 500 trees were planted in the sacred forest of the Bafoussam supreme chiefdom. Pierre Marie Tidjou, Chief of Service in charge of sustainable development in the regional delegation of environment, nature protection, and sustainable development said:  “Thanks to MTN’s initiative, hundreds of trees have been planted, which will help to restore and protect our fragile ecosystem. I was impressed by MTN’s commitment to environmental sustainability. Their holistic approach to corporate social responsibility is reflected in their 21 Days of Y’ello Care initiative. This demonstrates that the company recognizes the importance of actively engaging in concrete actions to preserve our environment and support local communities.” In Garoua, the regional headquarters of the North, it was disclosed that MTN volunteers and local authorities planted 400 trees at a site commonly known as: “Champ de Foret”. This operation brought together MTN volunteers, staff of the regional delegation of environment, nature protection, and sustainable development as well as those of the Garoua II council. As announced by the leading telecommunications enterprise, this operation is the first step of a major reforestation project that MTN Cameroon intends to roll out nationwide. It is part of MTN Group’s “Ambition 2025” strategy, which focuses on reducing the operator’s carbon footprint through energy transition and compensation initiatives such as recycling and reforestation. “By planting these trees with the help of our partners, we are working together today to prepare the future of our planet. Because, as a company and as individuals, we have a responsibility to bequeath a viable earth for future generations. We would like to thank all those who have agreed to support us, especially the various regional delegations of the Ministry of Environment, nature protection, and sustainable development.” said Mrs. Mitwa Ng’ambi, CEO of MTN Cameroon. About the 21 Days of Y’ello Care “21 Days of Y’ello Care’’ program is a charitable and benevolent initiative created by the MTN Group, which has been engaging its employees each year to carry out for 21 days, social actions for the welfare of communities in the 22 footprints of the Group throughout the world since 2007. It is a social investment policy complement embodied by the MTN Foundation. Unlike the Foundation’s projects that are funded by the Company and achieved over time, the “21 Days of Y’ello Care’’ is supported by the efforts of employees. In all footprints of the MTN Group, employees themselves define the social actions they intend to carry out, and then materially and personally invest in achieving such projects. Each year, the 21 Days ofY’ello Care program centers on a theme related to Education, Health, the Environment, or Youth Empowerment. Timesnews2.info

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At Plan for Girls’ National Steering Committee, Stakeholders Reviewed Achievements & Prospects
TimesNews2 juillet 5, 2023
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At Plan for Girls’ National Steering Committee, Stakeholders Reviewed Achievements & Prospects

Members of the national steering committee of the project dubbed “Plan for Girls” met in an ordinary session last Thursday, 29th of June in Yaounde, Cameroon. After 5 years of effective implementation in Cameroon, the project dubbed: “Plan for Girls” has recorded successes and gains. The project which was fully set up in the north region notably in the localities of Lagdo and Ngong has so far targeted 60 villages. To assess activities of this project piloted by Plan International Cameroon with the support of Canada, an ordinary session of the national steering committee took place in Yaounde under the chairmanship of Pr. Marie-Thérèse Abena Ondoa, Minister of women’s empowerment and the Family. At the session on Thursday, 29th of June 2023, it was disclosed that the project that comes to an end will step into a transitional period, being the 6th year of implementation. A balance sheet of activities conducted in terms of sensitizations, educative talks training, empowerment of adolescent girls, and construction of infrastructures for young people was highlighted in the course of the meeting. Apart from the registration of thousands of adolescents and young people into the project, there has been the construction and equipment of two centers for women’s empowerment and the family. Minister Abena Ondoa saluted the strides made by this project which to her calls for more support that will generate additional fruitful results. The acting High Commissioner for Canada to Cameroon, Lorraine Anderson praised the project and said it addresses the numerous challenges women and young girls face. “The young leaders present here today have demonstrated to us the positive impacts this project can have and we are very proud to finance them and to continue to finance them next year.” Mrs. Anderson Lorraine said. Speaking to the media at the end of the session, the representative of the country director of Plan International Cameroon said the project plan for girls will be pursued in Lagdo and Ngong, to meet the unmet needs and the demands of the target populations. Fabien Ongono outlined the fact that, as the project enters year 6, the focus will be on restructuring some health centers and accentuating the training of the girlchild with the support of local leaders. As one of the beneficiaries of this project, Solantine Mainipa, aged 16, has shared her experience since her enrollment in 2021. She said: “With this project, I have gained my autonomy as a girl. I have benefited from training and accompaniment.  Today, I know key subjects on sexual and reproductive health and rights, and I can speak without being ashamed. Since I entered into the program plan for girls, I encourage many young girls to go back to school and to get fully involved in community-led activities, to dialogue with their mother on issues concerning their reproductive health.” About the Plan for Girls’ project The project helps to empower adolescent girls in Benin and Cameroon. Through this project, youths have access to improved, adolescent-friendly services in the areas of education, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and economic empowerment by creating an integrated package of core, community-level activities for adolescents. The project uses an approach that puts girls at the center of its actions, working in collaboration with parents, community leaders, and governments, to advance gender equality and empower adolescent girls. It also addresses persistent challenges to girls’ rights and well-being, including discriminating social practices. As underscored the activities of the project are centered around increasing girls’ knowledge regarding their rights, and child protection; strengthening adolescent girls’ and boys’ groups that conduct peer-to-peer education on gender equality, rights, and child protection and monitoring of related services; changing attitudes of families, communities, and leaders to contribute to a gender equitable social environment conducive to the realization of adolescent girls’ rights; and providing training to service providers to deliver improved services to adolescent girls in sexual and reproductive health, education and vocational training, and child protection. Elise Kenimbeni

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Jeanine Chancelle Banadji Ngambe, one of the Prominent Entrepreneurs revealed at the 6th edition of APIC Praises the Initiative supported by MTN Cameroon
TimesNews2 juin 29, 2023
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Jeanine Chancelle Banadji Ngambe, one of the Prominent Entrepreneurs revealed at the 6th edition of APIC Praises the Initiative supported by MTN Cameroon

Young female entrepreneur, Jeanine Chancelle BANADJI NGAMBE, who is the Manager of the brand “New Puzzle” in a local company specialized in interior decoration, food processing, and services took an active part in the recently held 6th edition of APIC (Ateliers préalables à l’installation au Cameroun) supported by the leading mobile enterprise, MTN Cameroon. Why did you decide to take part in this project? As any young company that wants to launch and go to the market, you need to know what to do. After all, setting up a business is all well and good, but making it a success is even better.  So, when we come to APIC, it’s precisely to get the tools we need to do everything legal and regulatory, as well as the tools we need to be present, to perpetuate and optimize our presence on the market. How did you find this MTN Cameroon training? This training, sponsored by MTNC, is very interesting because, as a young company, you go in without knowing where you’re going, and very often you stumble and fall because you don’t have the necessary tools, information, or approach. At APIC, we’re taught everything we need to know: the process, the information, which door to knock on…and all that’s very important. If you don’t have the information you need, you’re bound to fall. You can’t move forward like that. So, the APICs sponsored by MTNC are a real godsend for start-ups and those with projects in the pipeline. How will this training help you realize or boost your project? This is already the step you need to take to be in the normal, legal way. On top of that, you’re given the tools you need to enter the market, to grow in the market. That’s what it’s all about creation, presence, growth, and development. And then, why not export? All these are assets that APIC, with the support of its partner MTNC, gives us.

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Comprehensive Sexuality Education: Plan International Cameroon Empowers Young People at 4th Bloggers’ Summit
TimesNews2 juin 29, 2023
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Comprehensive Sexuality Education: Plan International Cameroon Empowers Young People at 4th Bloggers’ Summit

Close to 60 students convened at the 4th Bloggers’ Summit were upskilled in comprehensive sexuality education in line with digitalization. Proud to have learned how to express openly in public on sexual and reproductive health issues and to fight for her rights as an adolescent, Hadia Kassim, 17, a female student from “lycée de la cite-verte” in Yaounde, Cameroon, praised the multiple sensitization campaigns launched by Plan International in several high schools and colleges nationwide. Hadia Kassim was one of the 60 students empowered by Plan International Cameroon during the capacity-building session on sexual and reproductive health and rights that took place on Wednesday 28th of June 2023 at the 4th Bloggers’ Summit holding in Yaounde. Thanks to her fluent intervention during the capacity-building session, Hadia Kassim was brought on stage to share knowledge with her peers. She was opportune to share the skills acquired so far in the course of the numerous educative and sensitization talks coupled with the digital advocacy competition organized in some high schools in May 2022, by Plan International Cameroon. “I thank Plan Cameroon for this other session that has helped me to express myself. I pray their activities go a long way because thanks to this organization I can openly talk, I have a good number of skills acquired with them which could help me in my projects. I can also describe myself today as an agent of change, someone ready to empower others. I am a girl with rights, I am a girl who knows her rights.” said Hadia Kassim. Empowering young girls & boys Other students from the three public secondary schools which emerged winners of the digital advocacy contest, that is: “lycée de la cite-verte” in Yaounde II, the government bilingual high school of Emana in Yaounde I, and the government high school of Nkolmesseng in Yaounde V, were quizzed on key topics related to sexual and reproductive health and rights. The session animated for close to three hours by the staff of Plan International Cameroon was aimed at encouraging the young participants to be actively involved as agents of change for youths’ rights online and gender equality and enlist them as ambassadors for the “Girls Get Equal campaign”. Jacqueline Nkongla, sexual and reproductive health and rights lead alongside Doris Akungha Yong, gender equality and inclusion specialist upskilled and exchanged with these young boys and girls on issues such as puberty, menstrual periods, gender equality, unintended pregnancies, online abuse and harassment and how to advocate for their rights. As underscored by the two female experts of Plan International Cameroon, many adolescents lack the knowledge required to make responsible decisions and are exposed to sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy. Influencing strategies Talking of the role of young people as agents of change, Plan International’s communication and influencing specialist, Dr Eddy Patrick Donkeng highlighted the students on three main aspects to be taken into account. He talked of the 3H being: the heart, the head, and the hands which are indispensable in making things change positively. At the end of the session, Dr. Donkeng said it was another opportunity seized by Plan International Cameroon, as media men are enablers of change just like young people who are equally agents of change. He outlined that, such an activity where all these actors are gathered brings more grease to their missions and vision. “For us, it was a great opportunity to share knowledge, not only for them to understand and believe that they are true agents of change but secondly, we had to continue what we started a few weeks ago with the Ministry of youth affairs and civic education, on how to further engage young people against hate speech and other social ills…” Dr. Eddy Patrick Donkeng said. Dr. Donkeng believes the informative session organized by Plan International Cameroon will further boost upcoming activities, as it was realized that there is a lot of potential among these young people. “We are thinking on how to further involve them and create a platform where they can discuss and share issues concerning them…” He narrated. Advocating for young people’s rights The capacity-building session that took place as part of educative activities initiated by Plan International and its partner, the Cameroon bloggers association, appeared as a room of exchanges for young people to protect and advocate for their health, well-being, and dignity by providing them with a necessary toolkit of knowledge, attitudes, and skills. As indicated by Plan International Cameroon, the organization aspires to be at the forefront of promoting and protecting all children’s rights, especially those of young girls, adolescents, and young women. In its Influencing strategy, Plan International recognizes that it must partner with and influence a wide range of players to catalyze sustainable, transformative change at scale, from local to global levels via effectively contributing to the realization of its theory of change: change in attitudes, norms and behaviors, change in policy, legal framework and budgets, and lastly, enhance social and economic resources and safety nets. Elise Kenimbeni

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Digitalisation du Système Electoral : Elecam et le Centre des Nations Unies pour les Droits de l’Homme et la Démocratie vers un Nouvel Horizon
TimesNews2 juin 28, 2023
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Digitalisation du Système Electoral : Elecam et le Centre des Nations Unies pour les Droits de l’Homme et la Démocratie vers un Nouvel Horizon

C’est au cours d’une table ronde organisée le 27 juin 2023 à Yaoundé, que les deux institutions ont dévoilés la mise en place d’un système digital afin de booster le processus électoral au Cameroun. Créer un espace d’échanges et de dialogue entre différentes parties prenantes sur les défis de la promotion de la démocratie face à la montée du digital à travers une analyse croisée de la situation des libertés publiques au Cameroun. Tel est l’objectif général de la table ronde dénommée « Forum de la démocratie », troisième du genre, organisée par le Centre des Nations Unies pour les Droits de l’Homme et la Démocratie en Afrique Centrale (CNUDHD-AC) en partenariat avec Elections Cameroon (ELECAM), le Ministère de la Justice et la Commission des Droits de l’Homme. Le thème choisi pour cette rencontre était : « le digital et les élections ». Une thématique qui a permis aux différents participants convies de s’attarder sur les enjeux, l’impact du digital sur le processus électoral au Cameroun. Au cours de la cérémonie de lancement officiel de cette table ronde, il a été question de planter le décor en rapport avec les nombreux avantages qu’offre le digital de nos jours et son impact positif sur le système électoral. Il a été démontré que les solutions numériques peuvent faciliter les inscriptions en ligne ; permettre que les votes se font à distance ; promouvoir davantage l’inclusion pour des personnes vivants avec handicaps et même accentuer le nombre des électeurs à travers le pays. Le Conseiller Régional du Centre des Nations Unies pour les Droits de l’Homme et la Démocratie en Afrique Centrale (CNUDHD-AC), Abdoulaye Traore lors de son interview avec les journalistes a tout d’abord tenu à saluer la présence massive des médias qui selon lui contribuent à la construction de la démocratie et la paix. Il a ajoute que cette table ronde ne pouvait pas se tenir sans la participation des médias au vu de leur rôle majeur dans la défense des droits de l’Homme. « Les médias sont également à la pointe du combat pour renforcer les droits de l’Homme dans le processus électoral. C’est pour cela que, lorsque nous avons initie cette table ronde, nous l’avons ouverte aux médias. » dit-il. Mr Traore Abdoulaye a indiqué que :« Lorsque que les droits de l’Homme sont garantis dans le processus électoral avant, pendant et après les élections. Lorsque les femmes participent, lorsque les femmes sont élues, lorsque les personnes handicapées participent au vote et elles sont élues, lorsque les populations autochtones sont prises en compte, nous considérons qu’il ya des éléments moteurs pour prévenir les tensions électorales. Et c’est pourquoi je considère que Elections Cameroon est la maison de la démocratie et des libertés vu le rôle majeur que cette institution a joué dans le processus de vitalisation des institutions démocratiques d’un point de vue de la construction de la bonne pratique. Elections Cameroon est un bon exemple. Je dirai même un bon exemple pour l’ensemble des pays de l’Afrique Centrale, et c’est pourquoi je voudrais saluer une fois cette collaboration à travers cette table ronde digital et élections… » Le Président du Conseil Electoral d’Elecam, Enow Abrams Egbe a souligné l’importance de cette table ronde qui vient au moment où les nouvelles technologies de l’information et de la communication (NTIC) sont des instruments majeurs dans l’éclosion des libertés. Enow Abrams Egbe dit :« Le digital est de nos jours considère comme un véritable vecteur de transformation et de modernisation, aussi bien pour les zones urbaines que pour les modèles de gouvernance locale. C’est pourquoi, la maitrise des changements et l’appropriation des nouvelles intelligences biométriques qui se mettent progressivement en place grâce au développement du numérique, font partie intégrante des préoccupations quotidiennes et des ambitions d’Elections Cameroon, des acteurs du processus électoral et de l’ensemble des politiques publiques. » Il a aussi évoqué le fait que le processus de digitalisation viendra réduire le temps que prend la délibération des résultats et ce qui permettra de lever l’équivoque sur la manipulation des bulletins de votes. Selon Enow Abrams Egbe : « Pour bâtir un Cameroun digitalement prospère et démocratiquement épanoui, cela nécessite de la détermination et de l’audace. C’est à cette audace que nous sommes tous appelés, administrations, universitaires, société civile, et surtout partis politiques et élus locaux dont le rôle dans la sensibilisation et l’accompagnement des populations reste et demeure une priorité nationale indispensable. Car la construction de la démocratie dans notre pays se fera ensemble, avec chacune et chacun de vous. » En plus du digital aujourd’hui, il est à noter que le système des élections biométriques a été introduit au Cameroun en 2012 par Elecam dans le but de sécuriser les données personnelles et le fichier électoral afin de garantir des élections transparentes. Elise Kenimbeni

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Industries Extractivistes : Les femmes riveraines apprennent à dire Non 
TimesNews2 juin 26, 2023
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Industries Extractivistes : Les femmes riveraines apprennent à dire Non 

Elles ont été outillées aux techniques de communication actives en situation de crise. Former les femmes riveraines des projets extractivistes à communiquer, tel est en substance, l’objectif de l’atelier de formation en Communication tenu le 22 juin 2023 dans les locaux du CICM de Mvolye à Yaoundé, Cameroun.  Orientée sur le « Droit de dire Non », la rencontre qui abritait une trentaine de participantes, toutes riveraines des industries dites « extractivistes », a permis aux formateurs de l’ONG Journalists For Earth (J4E), d’entretenir l’auditoire sur le thème de la communication active en général. Tout au long de cette demi-journée de travaux, ces femmes, très souvent victimes de violences et de bien d’autres exactions de la part des compagnies exploitantes, ont reçu de J4E des connaissances qui leur permettront, dans un futur proche, de porter leurs revendications avec davantage d’efficacité, d’impact, et d’acquérir plus d’influence sur les processus qui ont cours dans leur environnement immédiat et qui modifient leur cadre de vie. Notions de base de la communication, techniques de production d’images, d’écrits et éléments de prise de parole ont ainsi figuré au menu des échanges. Ils ont été utilement complétés par des exercices pratiques, qui ont permis aux participantes de traduire en actes le savoir récemment acquis. Cet atelier figurait au menu d’un programme de formation d’une durée de deux jours, impulsée par le Réseau des Acteurs de Développement Durable (RADD) et Green Development Advocates (GDA), des organisations qui œuvrent en faveur de la protection des droits des populations riveraines des industries extractivistes.

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