Auteur/autrice : TimesNews2

As part of activities marking the 2022 official celebration of the international girls in ICTs’ day and the World Telecommunication and information society day, the ministry of posts and telecommunications alongside Plan international Cameroon organized on June 23 in Yaounde, a ceremony to compensate close to 50 girls. Each year on the 17th of May, Cameroon joins the international community to mark the world telecommunication and information society day, WTISD. Yet, this year due to some constraints related to the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Unitary state on May 20, the 2022 edition of WTISD was postponed. The 2022 edition of WTISD officially celebrated on Thursday 23rd June in Yaounde, Cameroon was placed under the theme: “Digital technologies for elderly persons and healthy aging.” As indicated by officials, the main objectives of this year’s celebration were to: launch an information and communication technologies training for elderly persons under 60 years old and raise awareness among the elderly on the use of ICTs; deploy the optical fiber in rural areas and non-connected urban areas of Cameroon and identify ICT projects and hindrances. The opportunity was therefore given to close to 50 young girls from secondary and vocational training schools to unveil their talents and genius in ICTs with regards to the theme of this year’s celebration. The young laureates who were detected on April 29, 2022 during the international day of girls in ICTs came up with series of projects which can change the lives of many elderly persons in the country and even worldwide. Noella Djouku Ngeutchuissi, is a 17 years old lower sixth student at the government bilingual high school of Etoug-Ebe in Yaounde, she marveled the public with her application dubbed “Abuela.” According to Noella, her software program known as “Abuela” which is a Spanish word meaning grand-mother, has been designed to help elderly persons. She says much efforts have been centered on HIV/AIDS, malaria, pregnant women etc. and few people talk about diseases affecting elderly persons. Noella said elderly persons suffer a lot in Cameroon and elsewhere but have little attention. Reason why, with the occasion granted by the 2022 WTISD, she focused on old persons. She said: “The purpose of Abuela is simply to train people on how to cater for their grand-parents with age related issues. Abuela has several options and among these options we have articles on how to take care of your grand-parent in the house, how to cook his or her food and which quantity of salt to use in the cooking process. The second option enables you to share your experience with people. After all, you can be at a given place and you share with others what you have been facing with your grandmum or grand pa. Like for instance: one day grand mum had a heart attack and you tell others what you did in order to save her life… The third option has to do with booking an appointment. If you are in a rural area for example, knowing how difficult it is to move from the rural to the urban zone with your grandparent, you book an appointment with the doctor who in return gives you a fixed time in order to meet him without stressing up. And the fourth and last option is dedicated to people who wish to propose their services like nurses, home teachers and others…” With all these beautiful ICT initiatives exposed to the public, the young laureates seized the occasion to address government officials from the ministries of post and telecommunications, secondary education and technical partners such as the international telecommunication union and Plan International Cameroon, to accompany them in developing their projects. As spokesperson of the young girls in ICTs, Noella Djouku Ngeutchuissi underscored the need for a support in training, mentorship, finances etc. “We were more than 50 girls taking part in this competition. We are all passionate of ICTs. We have good notes in school but we need people’s help. We know that our projects have values and it is necessary for us to develop ourselves. So we were equally here to ask for help, let it be training, finances or have areas with good internet connection, where we could go and sit in order to work. Most of us have a good mastery in Php, JavaScript, python and we are really into and we need support…” She narrated. Melingui Cecile Solange 15, a trainee from an inclusive training center known as “Bobine d’or” in Yaounde has expressed the need for the support from government and other development partners. She said together with her classmates, they came up with the idea of creating an online store that will help them sell products they have designed to avoid been jobless. “The idea for us as we finish our 3-year training in Bobine d’or on December 3, 2022, is to have some little financial resources that will help us for a living…” She said. According to their mentor, Mrs. Tenlep Florence Nickaise, Director of Bobine d’or center which grants inclusive training to girls and women living with disabilities and not, this is their second participation in this competition. The Director of Bobine d’or said: “It is true that in our first participation we didn’t really know what we were looking for. This year, we came up with an online sale project to help all our female students who are about to end their training to have an autonomous reinsertion later on. And as usual, we call on the government and persons of goodwill to help us upgrade our computer science room with machines and modems that will permit us have quality internet for the trainees…” Speaking on behalf of the Minister of posts and telecommunications, Mr. Nlend Raphael, the Technical Adviser said the celebration of WTSID reminds us of the great importance of ICTs in our daily life. He said with the rapid evolution of ICTs in the world, many obstacles have been addressed and distant issues have

Plan International, leading organization incharge of the promotion and protection of children’s rights held a training session with junior MPs ahead of the 23rd session of the children’s parliament. 16 years-old Stephine from the South-West region of Cameroon has always dreamt to be the voice of the voiceless. She is part of the 180 junior members of parliament who will address on Sunday 26th of June 2022, government officials in the traditional session of the children’s parliament. An occasion which she thinks will grant her the opportunity to unveil the string of problems children of her locality face daily. Stephine who is a form 4 student in a secondary school affected by the crisis in the English speaking regions, is actively taking part in a one-week training camping launched by the ministry of social affairs in Yaounde, Cameroon’s nation capital. “I’m going back to my place to educate the population on harmful practices like female genital mutilation, child abuse, sexual harassment and so on. I’m going to share knowledge with people and my mates because these issues affect children nowadays very badly. Many children have been abandoned by parents because of early pregnancies caused by rape. When a girl has been raped by an individual, she consequently abandons the child because of such sad incident. Others even abort from what we have learnt and this is a phenomenon which affects the lives of many children. It is the same with poverty which I know is a great cause of child abandonment in our society. When someone is pregnant and don’t know how she will deliver or feed the baby, she is forced to abandon the child or abort…I wish to tell my people that children are the future of tomorrow.” Stephine narrated. Being part of this year’s new cohort of junior MPs is a great opportunity for Stephine. She expressed the will to address the Minister Delegate at the presidency incharge of defence, the Minister of public health and the Minister of water resources and energy. The female junior MP wishes despite tremendous efforts of government that, a heedful ear should be granted to the grievances of children from the crippled South-West and North-West regions affected by the crisis since several years now. She said: “Because of insecurity many children can’t go to school and it is so sad.” Stephine added that, in her native South-West region, many children are affected by the sale of harmful and narcotic drugs and wishes to call on the attention of the Minister of public health, for him to bring out palliative measures. To the Minister of energy and water resources, the junior MP wishes to address him on continuous shortages of water and absence of electricity. “Where I come from in the Lebialem division, we face a lot of difficulties due to the scarcity of water. Before a child goes to school, he or she has to go and fetch for water. And to read in the night is another problem, there is no light for us to study. This really impacts on our examination results.” Stephine said. Just like Stephine, other junior MPs gathered in Yaounde from June 17 to 27, wish to exchange with government officials notably on issues affecting children in their daily lives. Ahead of this 23rd session of children’s parliament to take place at the plenary hall of the national assembly, non-governmental organization, Plan International organized a training session with the selected 180 junior MPs from all ten regions of the country. Sensitization talks focused mostly on the theme retained for the upcoming children’s parliament, being: ” the phenomenon of child abandonment: an obstacle to the life, development and survival of children.” The two-hour training session that took place on Wednesday, 22nd June 2022 at the government technical high school of Nkolbisson in Yaounde, aimed at sensitizing junior MPs on child protection and their Rights. The staff of Plan international Cameroon upgraded their skills on existing conventions and judicial instruments that lay emphasis on children’s rights. The MPs were equally schooled on harmful practices affecting young people in general and children in particular. They were highlighted on the negative impacts of drugs consumption, alcohol, child abuse, rape, early child marriages, unhealthy practices which they can be faced with. As new ambassadors of children’s rights and the girl child, the MPs were deeply sensitized on key attitudes and behaviours to adopt in public and by the way, put at the forefront their education. Pauline Irene Nguene, Minister of social affairs who paid a courtesy visit to the junior MPs exchanged with them and granted some advice.  Plan International’s roving country Director for West and Central Africa, Johnson Bien-Aimé said such initiatives are to be praised because junior MPs are the ones who will lead the future of the country tomorrow. He said: “This exceptional encounter with junior MPs enters within the framework of the development and protection of children’s rights which is at the heart of what we do in our organization. And we are once more here to reaffirm our support to the government. We are ready to continuously build and reinforce their capacities and even engage them in our numerous activities because they are the future, the ambassadors of this country.” Mr. Johnson Bien-Aimé equally mentioned the fact that, these ambassadors will have a pivotal role to play in terms of peace and harmony amongst their peers and for the development the country is looking for. He added: “I’m very positive because as ambassadors, they will be living with the attitude and determination they have for the well-being of their country.” It should be recalled that, the children’s parliament holds each year as part of activities marking tha African Child day. The 32nd edition of the African Child day celebrated on June 16, 2022 had as theme: ” Eliminating Harmful Practices affecting children: progress on policy and practice since 2015.” Elise Kenimbeni

Le ministère des affaires sociales et l’association dénommée : Kalkaba Development Initiative ont signé le vendredi, 17 juin 2022 à Yaoundé un mémorandum d’entente. Dans le but d’accompagner le gouvernement dans ses actions de promotion et de protection des personnes socialement vulnérables,le ministère des affaires sociales et l’association dénommée : « Kalkaba Development Initiative », KDI ont signé le vendredi, 17 juin 2022 à Yaoundé un mémorandum d’entente(MoU). Ce nouveau document paraphe et signe par les deux parties, tel qu’indique, vise à améliorer la qualité de vie des populations en général et celles des populations vivants en milieu rural en particulier. Il est question à travers ce MoU, d’impacter sur les vies des personnes ciblées dans les domaines du réarmement moral, de l’éducation, de la sante, de l’habitat, de la salubrité, de la promotion économique et de tout autre domaine intéressant dans le but d’améliorer l’environnement socio-économique des populations. Cette collaboration qui a été officiellement signée est le fruit d’une série d’échanges et de rencontres techniques préparatoires. Les deux parties ont pu s’accorder sur une synergie d’actions à mettre en œuvre ensemble.  Elles se sont engagées à travailler ensemble à l’effet de promouvoir l’insertion socio-économique des personnes socialement vulnérables, d’où les propos du Président de la KDI sur son enfance qui n’a pas été les plus reluisante. Le Colonel Kalkaba Malboum, President de l’association KDI a indiqué le fait que l’initiative mise sur pieds veut donner de l’espoir aux populations qui souffrent dans les différentes localités du Cameroun. Il a pris exemple sur son enfance passée dans son village situé non loin de la localité de Kousseri, dans la région de l’Extrême-Nord ou beaucoup de personnes n’ont pas la chance de partir à l’école ou encore avoir accès aux soins de santé lorsqu’elles sont malades. Le Colonel Kalkaba a souligné le fait que l’association dont il est à la tête est une œuvre de charité d’où le cœur en rouge sur le logo, signifiant la générosité. Selon le Colonel, l’association KDI grâce à la volonté de certains donateurs externes, va apporter son soutien aux nombreuses activités qui visent à accompagner ce type de personnes. Pauline Irène Nguene, Ministre des affaires sociales à son tour a salué ce nouveau partenariat qui va appuyer les nombreux efforts du gouvernement. Elle a adressé sa gratitude au President de la KDI, Kalkaba Malboum pour l’intérêt qu’il accorde à travers son association, aux questions touchant le bien-être et l’intégration sociale des personnes socialement vulnérables en général et de la petite enfance en particulier. « La signature de ce Mémorandum d’Entente s’inscrit en droite ligne avec les nouveaux objectifs de développement du Cameroun contenu dans la Stratégie Nationale de Développement 2020-2030 qui met un accent sur le capital humain afin de veiller à ce que les personnes en situation de vulnérabilité aient des possibilités, des connaissances et des compétences nécessaires pour mener une vie saine, épanouie et productive… » a indiqué la Ministre, Pauline Irène Nguene. Elle a également souligné le fait que la formalisation de ce MoU vient confirmer la politique volontariste du gouvernement en matière de protection des droits des enfants en vue de l’autonomisation des personnes socialement vulnérables et du développement serein des enfants dans un monde de plus en plus risqué pour leur épanouissement personnel. Elise Kenimbeni

Minister Pauline Irene Nguene was speaking in Yaounde, Cameroon in line with the commemoration of the 32nd edition of the African Child’s day on June 16, 2022. As of tradition, Cameroon joined the international community to observe the African child day which takes place every 16th of June of the year. The African child day which appears to be a day of reflection on the progress made towards children’s rights, as well as barriers they keep facing, is of great importance to Cameroon. The ministry of social affairs as usual launches series of activities which culminate with a colourful celebration or a public declaration highlighting key advocacy messages. On the occasion of the celebration of the African child day this year, 32nd edition of its kind, Social affairs’ Minister, Pauline Irene Nguene made a declaration to the press. The declaration which underscored several pertinent issues laid emphasis on the theme of the 2022 edition being: “Elimination of harmful practices affecting children: Progress on policy and practices since 2013”. Pauline Irene Nguene said despite the fact thatthe world is recalling the massacre of hundreds of children by the Apartheid Regime in force in Soweto, South Africa on June 16, as these children were claiming for one of their simple but capital rights; the right to quality education! According to the Boss of the ministry of social affairs, the commemoration of this day is of prime importance for advocacy actions. It is a crucial moment to underscore government’s actions and that of civil society organizations is pushing the fight for the rights of children, both girls and boys. In her declaration, she pointed-out some malicious practices that affect the well-being of children and notably the girlchild who is exposed to some socio-cultural beliefs. The Minister of social affairs outlined the harmful impact of some practices with socio-cultural connotation can have on the development and well-being of any child “No matter the point of view, some socio-cultural practices stand as danger for the harmonious development and fulfilment of the Child. For illustration:  Early and premature marriages: The fragile body is submitted to the harsh reality of the life of housewife, the exigency of maternity and the pressure of community life. All these can affect the person physically, physiologically or psychologically; – Child labour: Also included are the worst forms of child labour. – Violences: These come in various shades: physical, psychological or moral scars…” Minister Nguene indicated. The occasion as usual was also well seized to coin-out the responsibilities of children themselves. She castigated several ills and called on children to say No to some issues that could affect and destabilize their lives. She said: “At this moment where you are being celebrated everywhere in the continent, your responsibility remains not to expose yourselves or to endeavour to escape from the different forms of harmful practices that may affect all your existence. It is in this light that I ask you to learn to say NO! NO to be lured to easy success; NO to the appeals of social networks with unknown contents; NO to keep bad companies; NO to use violence as the only solution to handle problems; NO to blind embrace of imported and imposed models from abroad.” Minister Nguene insisted on the fact that: “The promotion and protection of the rights of the Child remain as such a long term manoeuvre, that involves the entire social welfare corps and that does not allow us to rest on our laurels, however bright they maybe.” “Loyal to the inclusion and social justice policy so dear to the President of the Republic, His Excellency Paul BIYA, Cameroon has always placed the social protection of the Child as a major priority of its social policy by ratifying the quasi-totality of legal instruments related to it and also by putting in place an appreciable legal, institutional and strategic framework.” She added. Elise Kenimbeni

Les nombreux Experts et participants venus prendre part au forum international de Yaoundé sur la désinformation du 13 au 14 juin 2022 ont planche sur des stratégies à mettre en œuvre afin de tordre le cou à la prolifération des fausses nouvelles. Du 13 au 14 juin 2022, Yaoundé capitale camerounaise a abrité le tout premier forum international sur la désinformation. L’initiative de l’ONG Adisi Cameroun dont le siège est basé dans la ville économique de Douala avait pour objectif principal : construire une synergie nationale et internationale autour de la lutte contre la prolifération des fausses nouvelles au Cameroun. Cette rencontre qu’a abrité l’institut français de Yaoundé, a accueilli durant deux jours des participants des pays d’Afrique tels que : le Sénégal, le Benin, le Mali, le Burkina Faso, la Côte d’Ivoire, la République Centrafricaine (RCA) ainsi que des experts venus de la France. Diplomates, Autorités administratives, Experts en factchecking, Journalistes, Bloggeurs, étudiants en communication et journalisme et d’autres acteurs clés ont pu pencher de fond en comble sur le phénomène des fakes news qui déstabilise la vie socio-économique et politique des populations et des gouvernements. Selon le Président Directeur Général de CFI, Thierry Vallat, le forum international de Yaoundé sur la désinformation vient à point nommé. Il est question de trouver des stratégies concrètes qui peuvent guérir ce mal du 21eme siècle. Des personnalités invitées à l’instar de Isabelle Vackat, Vice-Présidente du Haut-conseil de la communication de Centrafrique ont salué l’initiative qui permet aux pays comme la RCA de bénéficier de la matière grise, étant donne le taux de prolifération des fausses nouvelles qui impacte de plus en plus dans les domaines politiques, sociaux et économiques. Isabelle Vackat dit que la RCA fait partie du berceau des fake news en Afrique Centrale et il est de plus en plus difficile de contrôler d’où proviennent la désinformation. Paul-Joel Kamtchang, Secrétaire Exécutif d’Adisi Cameroun a indiqué lors de son propos liminaire, l’importance de mettre en place une loi cadre sur l’accès a l’information et qui par ailleurs ferait une part belle à « l’open data » et mettrait face à leurs responsabilités, producteurs et consommateurs de l’information. Il a souligné le fait que les fausses nouvelles ne cessent de s’amplifier face à l’accès à internet et l’utilisation abusive des réseaux sociaux. Afin de lutter contre les fausses nouvelles et la désinformation, certains experts et journalistes convies à ce grand rendez-vous ont évoqué durant les tables rondes, les différentes stratégies et des actions concrètes à mettre sur pieds. Selon Assane Diagne, Journaliste sénégalais l’un des moyens les plus efficaces pour lutter contre la désinformation est le factchecking, qui est une réponse journalistique à ce phénomène. Cependant, il indique que cette réponse journalistique à elle seule ne saurait suffire car il faut ratisser beaucoup plus large.  Le Journaliste Sénégalais spécialisé en factchecking depuis plus d’une décennie, indique qu’il serait nécessaire dans un premier temps de nouer des partenariats entre différentes rédactions qui s’intéressent aux questions de factchecking, pour un impact considérable tout comme nouer des partenariats avec des plateformes de relais d’informations sur la toile. « Tenez par exemple, on peut nouer des partenariats avec Google, Facebook et bien d’autres pour qu’ils essayent non seulement de bloquer ces fake news la dans les algorithmes mais aussi de donner la priorité aux articles de factchecking… » Dit-il. Comme deuxième stratégie proposée par Assane Diagne, il est question de travailler en étroite collaboration avec les autorités pour la régulation et la mise en exergue des avis des experts du factchecking sur les contenus des programmes d’éducation aux médias qui est aussi un levier qui faudrait appuyer pour contrer la désinformation sur le continent. Au-delà des nombreux échanges et partages d’expériences qui ont été mis en vitrine, des spécialistes du factchecking comme Valdez Onanina, Journaliste d’origine camerounaise et formateur à Africa Check à Dakar au Sénégal, apprécient la qualité de l’organisation de ce forum qui a totalise une quinzaine de tables rondes, ateliers et master class. « Personnellement je rentre au Sénégal avec de grands enseignements et j’espère pouvoir être à la hauteur car à Dakar nous souhaitons organiser d’ici la fin d’année un forum de la même ampleur. » Valdez Onanina s’est également appesanti sur le fait que l’une des stratégies clé à mettre en exergue est celle du factchecking dans les rédactions. « Je pense qu’il faut à tout prix que nous journalistes ayons l’humilité de retourner au factchecking, qui en soi n’est pas quelque chose d’extraordinaire ou de nouveau mais qui est vraiment consubstantiel même dans la fonction journalistique. Il faudrait qu’on retourne à ça, il faudrait qu’on l’intègre dans les process éditoriaux et que l’on accepte de s’y mettre et que l’on ne regarde plus le factchecking de loin. » D’après Dania Ebongue, président de l’association des bloggeurs du Cameroun, le monde est au cœur de la désinformation et le forum international de Yaoundé sur la désinformation est un outil d’expression qui permet de redresser ce phénomène. Pour Dania, l’une des stratégies premières est de se faire écouter. Il faut sensibiliser les communautés, travailler sur les mentalités de nos populations qui attachent du prix à la propagande de fausses nouvelles qu’à la bonne information. Il a pris l’exemple d’un monsieur qui, a cause des fake news, est réfractaire à tous les vaccins contre la COVID-19. Il dit : « Il ya certains qui n’appartiennent à aucune communauté mais qui ont leur mindset de leur côté, qui pensent autrement. J’ai été témoins de quelqu’un qui ne va pas aller au pèlerinage du Hadj à la Mecque parce qu’il a un problème avec la vaccination. Ce dernier va perdre son visa tout simplement parce qu’il est réfractaire a la vaccination or, vous ne pouvez aller dans aucun pays actuellement si vous n’êtes pas vaccinés contre le COVID-19. Lui il a cru au discours qui disait que le vaccin veut tuer les gens. Il y a cru pourtant ceci part d’un fake news mais ça été vraiment bien huile qu’il y a des gens qui y croient dur comme fer… » Le Journaliste bloggeur camerounais a toutefois

La cérémonie de signature du protocole d’accord a eu lieu ce 15 Juin 2022 dans la salle de conférence numéro un du ministère des affaires sociales à Yaoundé.  Les deux parties ont été représentées au plus haut niveau par Pauline Irène NGUENE, Ministre des affaires sociales du Cameroun et Marguerite BELOBO représentante pays de la fondation Fairmed. Les deux personnalités ont paraphé l’accord cadre qui structure le nouveau partenariat qui va s’étaler sur les cinq prochaines années. Le premier accord ayant récemment expiré.  Le nouveau protocole est organisé en un préambule, 6 chapitres, 13 articles élaborés en 5 points essentiels qui vont de l’objet à la cible en passant par le domaine de compétence et les engagements. Le centre d’intérêt majeur de cet accord cadre est l’amélioration des conditions de vie des personnes handicapées et des peuples autochtones vulnérables du Cameroun. Le domaine de coopération énonce la promotion et la protection des droits, le renforcement des capacités, le développement inclusif à base Communautaire, l’accès aux services de santé, l’accès à la citoyenneté et le partage d’informations non confidentielles. Au niveau des engagements, le ministère des affaires sociales met à la disposition de la fondation Fairmed les données et informations non confidentielles. Le Minas va contribuer à la visibilité des activités réalisées par la Fondation Fairmed. Le Minas va aussi apporter une contrepartie technique dans la réalisation des activités des projets, faciliter la participation de Fairmed aux plateformes nationales et enfin œuvrer pour la finalisation et la mise en œuvre de la stratégie nationale de DIBC. La Fondation Fairmed devra apporter un appui financier en accompagnant l’élaboration et la mise en œuvre de la stratégie nationale du DIBC, accompagner le Minas au niveau local à travers le développement des partenariats et la recherche des financements et également faciliter le suivi et l’évaluation en faisant tenir de façon périodique des rapports d’activités au Minas. Les deux parties se sont tour à tour félicitées, à travers les discours de circonstance, de la qualité des termes de ce partenariat qui est aussi tributaire d’une coopération qui débute en 1959 avec l’arrivée au Cameroun de la Fondation de droit Suisse Fairmed, à l’époque connue sous l’appellation « Aide aux Lépreux Emmaüs Suisse ». La Fondation affirme que :   « Depuis des années au Cameroun Fairmed développe des projets avec les communautés en partenariat avec les autorités et organisations locales actives dans les domaines relevant de son mandat. Fairmed vole au secours des personnes défavorisées. Elle leur donne les moyens de revendiquer le droit fondamental à la santé indépendamment de toute considération religieuse, de genre, sociale ou politique. » Ses axes d’intervention sont entre autres, les maladies tropicales négligées à manifestation cutanée à l’exemple de la lèpre, la promotion de la santé, l’accès aux soins de santé, la prévention de la maladie, l’accès à la citoyenneté des personnes vivant avec un handicap, la promotion et la protection des droits des personnes handicapées (PVH) et peuples autochtones… Pour le Cameroun, le contexte est favorable à cet accord. Le 28 Décembre 2021, le Président de la République Paul BIYA avait ratifié la convention des Nations Unies sur les droits des personnes handicapées, adoptée le 13 décembre 2006. Une volonté qui se répercute selon la Ministre des Affaires Sociales, Pauline Irène NGUENE. « Dans la mise en place d’un socle de protection sociale à travers les stratégies sectorielles et séquentielles que sont la Politique Nationale de Protection Sociale (PNPS) et la Stratégie Nationale de Développement 2020-2030 (SND30) qui font de l’encadrement et de l’accompagnement des personnes socialement vulnérables en général et celles des personnes handicapées de manière spécifique, une priorité nationale. »  Jean Patient Tsala

Cameroon played host to the first ever held Yaounde International forum on disinformation. The two-day event took place from June 13 to 14, 2022 at institut français du Cameroun. Administrative authorities, Diplomats, Experts in Factchecking, Journalists, bloggers, students and other key actors engaged in combatting fake news gathered in Yaounde, Cameroon from June 13 to 14, 2022 as part of a two-day event organized by local based NGO known as Adisi Cameroon in partnership with CFI medias. The event which was a grand premiere in the Central African sub-region was dubbed the Yaounde International Forum on Disinformation. Speaking at the opening session of the Yaounde International forum on disinformation, Paul-Joel Kamtchang, Executive Secretary of Adisi Cameroon said the proliferation of fake news has increased with time due to access to internet and abusive usage of social networks by people. A phenomenon which to him has to be strangled by all means as it hampers the well-being of several families and governments. According to Paul- Joel, this encounter is a key indicator of how dangerous fake news, disinformation, misinformation and poor information could impact and break our lives. And this calls for immediate actions that can counteract this scourge. He underscored the need for concerted efforts in order to tackle disinformation which in turn paves the way to hate speech. He made the call to all key actors notably journalists, bloggers and government officials who are at the heart of daily activities in the country. As a renown investigative journalist, data and digital rights’ activist, Paul-Joel Kamtchang has expressed the will for governments to put in place a framework law on access to information that will help boost open data. In his address, Paul-Joel Kamtchang equally paid last tributes to Journalist and crusader against disinformation, Jean Saint-Clair Maka Gbossokotto from the Central African Republic, who died in February 2022. French Ambassador to Cameroon, Christophe Guilhou praised the initiative and mostly the support of CFI Medias in organizing such an event on a problematic issue that affects the world, yet very crucial in Cameroon and the Central African Republic. Ambassador Christophe Guilhou who is active on social networks has faced several threats and has been a subject of fake news with regards to his diplomatic mission in Cameroon, said this cometogether will help move forward collective responsibility and initiatives to fight against disinformation. He said Adisi Cameroon alongside CFI medias and other partners have paced-up on a scourge which fragilizes our societies. On his part, Thierry Vallat, Chief Executive Manager of CFI said the forum comes at a right moment and its organization in Yaounde is well-chosen as Cameroon is a hub in the CEMAC sub-region. Mr. Thierry Vallat outlined the fact that the Yaounde international forum on disinformation acts as a contributive piece in highlighting the spirits of populations and besides, it is a healing process undertaken in order to squizz out disinformation which is a 21st century ill. “The fight against disinformation is our first priority at CFI because if we don’t have or do good information, we don’t have good journalists…” He added. With the major objective to construct a national and international synergy on counteracting the proliferation of fake news in Cameroon, the Yaounde international forum on disinformation has indepthly explored means that will help in advancing the fight. Experts from countries such as Senegal, Benin, Cote d’ivoire, Mali, the Central African Republic, Cameroon and France just to name these few, have mooted strategies at all levels. Elise Kenimbeni