Auteur/autrice : TimesNews2

  Yaounde-Cameroon, on September 3, 2021 took place the official launch of the Edu-cash 6 initiative. The ceremony chaired by social affairs’ Secretary General paved the way to the presentation of the project expected to relieve over 800 families in some targeted regions of Cameroon. Close to 380 boys and 380 girls from vulnerable households including 100 additional children with disabilities are concerned.     The educational cash assistance and social protection mechanisms for vulnerable households in 6 councils of Cameroon dubbed Edu-cash 6 initiative, is a project implemented by the community Humanitarian Emergency Board (COHEB) and Rhema care Cameroon in partnership with the ministry of social affairs, UNICEF and Global affairs Canada as main sponsors.   About 112 Million FCFA is said to be available for the initiative that will be carried-out mainly through cash transfer.   The community inclined project which takes place in the locality of Babadjou, West region, in Melong, Littoral region, Mayo-Moskota, Makary, Mora and Kolofata all found in the Far-North region of the country has as main objective, to support school-age children affected by the humanitarian crisis.   According to Reverend Shu Eric, Director of the said project and CEO of Rhema care, the Edu-cash 6 initiative is an effective response in strengthening social protection and by the way tackling social inequalities in some vulnerable host communities.   He said: “Selection of the beneficiaries was done through the communities. The communities themselves identified children who were most vulnerable, children who were internally displaced and households with disabilities. And the date for these households were collected and then we used a software called open IMIS which now scored the vulnerability indices of these households and then households with the highest vulnerability scores were selected based on the resources available.”     Added to the aforementioned, Reverend Shu Eric outlined in his presentation the fact that a child protection network has been created in the targeted regions. From indication, the network will serve as a support enforcing body for the regions of concerns including consolidating mechanisms for social and community protection of children’s right to ensure inclusive education and improved socialization.   The project which appears as a great stride in the improvement of the well-being and education of socially vulnerable communities has been appreciated by various stakeholders engaged with government in the process.   Secretary General of social affairs, Beryl Itoh Panje said: “Young girls, children with disabilities, internally displaced children, HIV orphans, indigenous children tend to live this moment in fear and stress. When it is not their own parents or in the broadest sense their families who do not find a valid reason or resources to send them to school, it is the beliefs, practices and other social norms inherited from tradition or of religion which constitute barriers that have become insurmountable for their education. Hence the urgent need for inclusive education, that is, education that is suitable for all children and to which all children can have access.”       The need to promote education of all children in Cameroon without living no one aside or behind was equally underscored by the Secretary General in the ministry of social affairs.     “As for the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities or the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, they stresses the need to promote education adapted to the needs of the individual, which takes into account their environment and contributes to their full integration. Education must now take into account the diverse needs of all learners through increased participation in learning, cultural life and community life, and by reducing the number of those excluded from education or excluded within education itself.” She added.     As part of activities of the Edu-cash 6 initiative, the school-based management programme was introduced in order to access and determine the needs of some schools and assist with necessary finance to meet pressing and basic needs of the schools scrutinized in these regions and which are greatly affected by ongoing humanitarian crises.           Elise Kenimbeni

  L’université camerounaise des technologies de l’information et de la communication (TIC) connue sous l’appellation d’ICT University fait encore parler d’elle.  Cette université d’été dont la renommée n’est contestable, a une nouvelle cuvée des génies en TIC.     Des étudiants formés durant quatre semaines au campus de Messassi à Yaoundé, capitale camerounaise dans le cadre du programme Boot camp mis sur pieds par l’administration. Le programme Boot camp qui est à sa phase expérimentale accueille des étudiants fraichement sortis des établissements scolaires et qui ont intégrés cette prestigieuse université pour une formation de courte durée qui porte ses fruits selon des étudiants certifiés.    Ces étudiants formés en robotique, intelligence artificielle, la cyber sécurité et le développement web ont mis en exergue leurs prouesses de fin de formation en dévoilant au public leurs réalisations entre autres sur : le système de signalisation pour la sécurité routière à travers une petite voiture robotisée, le système d’irrigation numérisée, une poubelle intelligente pour la gestion des ordures ménagères.   Le génie développé par les apprenants en un lapse de temps selon Emmanuel Fru, coordinateur du système boot camp à l’ICT University s’explique par le type de pédagogie mise à la disposition des étudiants.   « Nous avons utilisé une procédure pédagogique que nous appliquons ici à l’université pour les initier à ces technologies… »   Le savoir-faire des jeunes passionnés en technologies d’information et de communication se résume dans la qualité des formations qui leurs sont offertes.    « Il faudrait que nous puissions avoir des jeunes d’aujourd’hui qui se préparent pour être des utilisateurs des technologies de l’information et de la communication dans tous les secteurs de la vie… »  Dixit Pr. Pierre Fonkoua, vice-recteur chargé de la section francophone à l’ICT university.   Avec une formation complète et professionnelle, l’université des TIC qui est bilingue est appréciée.   Pour la jeune Xaviera Kowo Kamille, étudiante en licence ingénierie informatique ICT university est la destination idoine.   Elle dit : « Personnellement je n’avais aucun plan de venir ici. ICT university c’était la meilleure option pour moi parce que j’ai cette ouverture-là, d’avoir des études comme les enfants à l’étranger mais dans mon pays et a un prix abordable. »   Yvan Simo, étudiant et vice-président du gouvernement des étudiants se dit prêt à affronter le marché de l’emploi au vu de qualité des enseignements.   Abdoul Azis, étudiant de 2é année en génie logiciels/software engineering s’y plait au vu du cadre somptueux mis sur pieds par l’administration.   « Les salles de classes sont structurées de telle sorte qu’en travaillant avec ta machine tu es dans un confort total… »   L’université du futur comme l’attestent des cadres et membres du gouvernement continue d’être ses programmes pour le bonheur d’une jeunesse camerounaise prête à réaliser ses rêves en TIC.     Il faut souligner que l’université des TIC créé en 2010 grâce à la dynamique du Pr. Victor Mbarika, suit un programme purement américain et ceci avec pour objectif de fournir des TIC de qualité et un développement des capacités humaines de gestion spécialement ciblée pour les pays d’Afrique, d’Amérique Latine, des Caraïbes et l’Asie. L’ICT university qui se positionne comme l’école carrefour des technologies offre non seulement des bourses a des étudiants de premières années mais aussi plusieurs autres facilités durant leur cursus scolaire. Pour plus d’informations, il suffit de suivre simplement le lien : https://ictuniversity.org/application-form ou plus d’informations se rendre sur le site web : www.ictuniversity.edu.cm  +(237) 695 811 111 / 682 388 572 admissions@ictuniversity.edu.cm           Elise Kenimbeni

  Consistent packages made up of books, textbooks, school bags, uniforms, a pair of shoe and other didactic materials were handed-over to 31 pupils and students of primary and secondary schools respectively.     The beneficiaries who are in majority from the Essos neighbourhood in Yaounde, Cameroon have been granted these sets of didactic materials ahead of the kick-off of the 2021-2022 academic year. The school materials granted are estimated between 30.000 to 70.000 Francs CFA for each child compensated.     Little Dieumeni Tchinwou Eunice, awarded the prize of Excellence as best primary school pupil of the 5th edition of the Realengo Prize said she is happy of all her gifts and especially of her shoes.      In a meantime, best secondary schools’ students who have distinguished themselves in the neighbourhood by succeeding in their “Baccalaureat” Exams were granted registration fees worth 50.000Francs CFA.   One of the “Baccalaureat” beneficiary, Jordan Tchoualeu said the 50.000 Francs CFA received in an envelope is not different from a scholarship gained. Jordan intends to use the money to pay his registration fees in the university. The young student praised the initiative and has thanked the promoter, Leopold Fanguem, pledging him to keep encouraging young people devoted in school.     The award ceremony that took place on Sunday, August 29, 2021 is an initiative of local based association known as S.E.K.T.E.U.R.A which has launched the project dubbed: “Realengo Prize award”.   The Realengo Prize award project set up by Cameroonian born Leopold Fanguem seeks as of tradition to support needy children of the Essos neighbourhood where he has lived for several years in hard conditions.   As underscored by the promoter, the move is to empower needy children to pursue their studies and believe in their dreams knowing well the critical and difficult financial situations in which some of these families are entangled.     The goodwill ambassador of children of the Essos neighbourhood in a video projected during the ceremony has seized the occasion to encourage them to double efforts and work harder to merit other prizes in upcoming days.   Children and parents who attended the ceremony were equally entertained by Clovis Kamto, one of the senior staff of the association SEKTEURA. On his part, he counseled pupils and students on the need to develop their skills on reading, researches in order to be well informed and to build awareness on issues related to their future jobs. Clovis Kamto equally stressed on the fact that parents have a crucial role in the education of their children and should be conscious of their responsibilities.   Speaking on behalf of the founding and lead chair of SEKTEURA, staff teacher of the project, Brice Njongoue said there are several incentives which were launched and undertaken years ago.     He said: “SEKTEURA works closely with all parents whose children are officially recognized within the association and by the way holds meetings to sensitize and inform them of the benefits freely granted to children thanks to Leopold Fanguem. We reward best students every year, even those with fairly good results. We organize refresher courses for the needy pupils and students who cannot afford to have private teachers. I’m one of the teachers. We equally provide breakfast every day to primary school children. There is a given amount of money set aside for each child to obtain his breakfast in the nearby stores. Added to these, we organize health awareness campaigns and open discussions with parents.”     The ceremony was also spiced by an educative talk on drug consumption. The session was led by Dr Fernand Ombolo, president of SOS Medecins Cameroun, key partner of SEKTEURA through its 12 month renewable health package dubbed “SOS Modulo”.     “One of our main supports within the framework of this partnership with SEKTEURA is the organization of educative talks on some public health issues. These educative talks are conducted in a simple and accessible language in abid to help children grab more information and important messages on topics chosen. As we all know, children are the most vulnerable in our society and they are greatly exposed to some ills, therefore need to be sensitized.” Said Dr Ombolo Fernand.     Apart from the Realengo prize award, renovation of classrooms of some primary schools in the surroundings, the free of charge donation of breakfast to children during school periods and refresher courses offered to pupils and students enrolled in the association SEKTEURA many initiatives are to be put in place according to the  lead chair.     Leopold Fanguem believes many fruitful initiatives are underway as long as he can provide with the little means at his disposal the wellbeing of these underprivileged children.   SEKTEURA is a non-profit organization created on December 2018 in Germany by Leopold Fanguem with the objective to give a push to all needy children. The organization entails with time to extend its activities nationwide.           Elise Kenimbeni

A quelques jours de la grande soirée de remises des prix, qui se tient le 04 septembre 2021, une conférence de presse pour dévoiler les contours de cet évènement s’est tenue ce 30 Aout à Yaoundé.       Le ton de la deuxième édition du Grand Prix Francophilie des médias a été donné ce 30 août 2021 par la présidente du Réseau des journalistes culturels du Cameroun (RJ2C), Laurentine Assiga.    C’était au cours d’une conférence de presse qui a vu la présence de l’Ambassadeur de la France au Cameroun, S.E Christophe Guilhou et le représentant du Ministre des Arts et de la Culture, Armand Abanda.     Placé sous le thème « Je m’intègre » et ouvert  depuis le 5 juin 2021, ils sont au total 12 nominés à cette deuxième édition du Grand Prix Francophilie des médias. Leurs différents articles devront ressortir l’impact de la langue française dans les échanges entre les locaux et les étrangers en visite ou résidant dans un pays de leur choix. Il sera question de mettre en amont l’évolution du français comme moyen de communication entre les communautés.     Ainsi, la deuxième édition est aussi un boulevard pour valoriser les journalistes culturels, qui sont parfois stigmatisés dans certaines rédactions.   « L’être humain par essence est culturel et pour les professionnels de cette spécialisation qui subissent beaucoup de frustration, nous avons trouvé l’organisation d’un événement pareil comme un élément de motivation pour eux. » a réagi, Laurentine Assiga.   Le 4 septembre prochain, l’on devra connaître le ou la remplaçante de la journaliste en service dans le quotidien « Le Jour » Elsa Kane, au palais des Congrès de Yaoundé lors d’une cérémonie, qui s’annonce d’ores et déjà grandiose.     La liste des nominés de la 2e édition du Grand Prix Francophilie des médias . Nominés Radio Code 3: Diana Eyango (chronique) Journal l’étudiant Code 7 : Galilée Innocent, reportage (freelance) Code 14 : Charles Abossolo (reportage Crtv Sud)     Nominés Presse écrite Code 2: Irène Fernande Ekouta (chronique) Code 4: Diddi Aïssatou (reportage aux marchés de Ngaoundéré) Code 5 : Dewa Aboubakar (reportage à Amchidé) Code 16 : Carine Essosso, portrait (Sopecam)   Nominés presse digitale Code 9: Streve Dinguemtog (chronique) Journal Température Code 11: King Pierre Junior (interview) kpjevent&com Code 17 Talla Alain, (portrait) Camerounetculture.info Nominés TV Code 12: Murielle Amie Nanga Reportage, Free Lance Code 13 Marie Gabrielle Mfegue, Reportage (CRTV Littoral)               Par Ayouba Nsangou

  Aimed at improving on the protection of rights and actions promoting the rehabilitation and socio-economic reintegration of persons living with disabilities in Cameroon, the 2021 session of the national committee for the rehabilitation and socio-economic reintegration of persons with disabilities took place on Thursday August 12, 2021 in Yaounde.       The two day meeting organized by the ministry of social affairs was placed under the theme: « Strengthening the legal basis for the protection and promotion of persons with disabilities, a multi sector based challenge for a more inclusive Cameroon in the context of coronavirus pandemic. »     Social affairs’ ministry, key partner of many organizations fighting for the rights of people living with disabilities (PLWD) has seized the occasion of this cometogether to further advocate for concrete actions that will help this category of persons.     Speaking to all participants present at the session of CONRHA, Secretary General in the ministry of social affairs has pointed-out the numerous projects which have been undertaken so far by government for disabled persons.       Mrs. Panje Itoh Beryl said amongst the multiple initiatives launched for the well-being of PLWD, Cameroon has ratified the Marrakech treaty which will facilitate access to documents for disabled persons.   The meeting that gathered several actors engaged in the protection and promotion of rights of PLWD was hosted by the Cameroon Baptist convention health services.   As key implementer of services for persons with disabilities since the 1952, the CBC health services started providing care to physically challenged persons by setting up the leprosy hospital in Mbingo, North-West region of the country. This was highlighted by Zacchs Yongwa, administrator of CBC Etoug-Ebe who spoke on behalf of Prof. Tih Pius Muffih, the General Director of the CBC Health services.     In his key note address he said: “The CBCHS currently supports the education, healthcare, social and livelihood opportunities for children, youths and adults with disabilities in 9 out of the 10 regions of Cameroon. In 2014, the CBCHS became the strategic partner organization of the Liliane Foundation which is enabling her to support over 3000 Children with disabilities to access education in 110 schools all over Cameroon, in primary and secondary schools, as well as university and vocational training centers. We have partnered with schools across all levels to facilitate inclusive education through the training of teachers, inspectors, setting up of a community of practice for IE implementers, supporting the GCE board with equipment to facilitate inclusion in the conduct of examination; construction and equipping of resource centers in government schools, amongst other.”     According to decree n°2018/6234/PM July 26, 2018 reorganizing the national committee for the rehabilitation and socio-economic integration of persons with disabilities (CONRHA), this inter sector based consultative body is responsible for facilitating, coordinating efforts deployed by public authorities, civil society organizations and other private persons in favour of persons with disabilities, and with their participation.     The decree signed by Prime Minister, Head of government has as main duties: the development of the Referential of the Evaluation of Deficiencies and Incapacities of persons with disabilities in Cameroon in 2010, consolidated and revised during the 2020 session of CONRHA ; the taking into consideration of the disability approach by all the sectors in the area of social life as well as sustainable development programmes and projects; the intensification of information and sensibilisation on the concept of the disability approach and inclusive  education; the promotion of inclusive and integrative education with the putting in place of inclusive Schools throughout the national territory and equipment in adapted didactic material in schools and universities, in order to facilitate the education of students with deficiencies ; the collaboration with MINESEC and MINEDUB for the designation of a representative of CONRHA in the committee of books, school books and didactic material ; one of the recommendations of the 2019 session ; the continuation of the development by specialized commissions, of regulatory specific texts and advocacy for the ratification of the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of persons with Disabilities was the strong resolution of the last 2020 session of CONRHA.                 Elise Kenimbeni

  Pauline Irène Nguene, Minister of social affairs in Cameroon was speaking on Monday, August 9, 2021, in Yaounde during the official ceremony to mark the 27th edition of the international day of indigenous people under the theme: “Leave no one behind: Indigenous Peoples and the call for a new social contract”.       The official celebration was coupled to a national campaign aimed at advocating for the consolidation of peace and the promotion of living together and inter-community dialogue. The caravan is led by the young mbororos and Baka people in the campaign which is one of this year’s innovative aspect put in place by the ministry of social affairs.     The event held in the conference hall of hotel GFAC in the Ngoa-Ekele neighbourhood of Yaounde was another opportunity granted to leaders of associations and organizations of the Mbororos, Baka, Bagyeli and Bakola communities.     National President of the association Mboscuda, Adamou Amadou says they have for the past years suffered from stigmatization and discrimination because of their lifestyle.     He said: “We have farmer Grazers’ conflicts but we have also climate change which reduces a lot of our pastoral areas, added to that there is insecurity in the bushes. Many industries are destroying the forests and destroying the lifestyle of indigenous people.”   As indicated by the Minister of social affairs, the theme chosen at the global level is out to remind us about the commitment of states, including Cameroon, to implement the 2030 Agenda on sustainable development, which focuses on 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with the ambition of eradicating poverty, fostering peaceful societies and preserving the planet for future generations.   In her key address, the Minister said the various leaders chosen to lead the advocacy campaign are up to task and many are expected from them in terms of positive results.       “Dear young mbororos, bakas, bakolas and bagyelis. We have chosen you because you are already leading with great satisfaction campaigns to promote the rights of the child or to prevent Covid-19 in your respective municipalities. We are convinced that with the technical tools you will receive during this workshop, you will be able to meet the challenge of inter-community mobilization around the ideals of peace, harmony and national unity. I therefore invite you to show seriousness, dynamism, civility and patriotic commitment for the success of the said campaign.” She said.     Indigenous people need consideration and respect and their voices should be fully heard as underscored by Social affairs’ Boss and other key actors who took part in the activities. Pauline Irène Nguene stressed on the fact that her message was addressed to all Cameroonians and not only to a category of persons.   She said: “This message is also addressed to ordinary Cameroonians, whom we invite to change their outlook and attitude towards indigenous groups who deserve more consideration and respect.   To you indigenous peoples, be assured of the commitment of the government in all its sectors under the very high impetus of the Head of State to guarantee the exercise and enjoyment of your human rights. I encourage you to continue to mobilize and organize yourself to take charge of your own destiny.”   Besides the numerous initiatives already undertaken by the government to protect and promote the rights of indigenous people, there is a vital advocacy instrument put in place, which is the National Indigenous Peoples’ Development Plan.   The vision of the said plan according to social affairs’ ministry is to see, by 2025, Indigenous Peoples enjoy their fundamental rights, have access to basic social services and actively participate in the development of Cameroon through the pooling of resources from the State and technical partners and financial institutions in an environment of peace and social cohesion. In essence, the Indigenous Peoples Development Plan appears to be the instrument par excellence for ensuring that these populations are taken into account at all levels of development in our country.   In Cameroon, activities marking the day which is in its 13th year of celebration took place nationwide after weeklong activities launched on the 3rd of August 2021.             Elise Kenimbeni

  Presidents of regional councils from all ten regions of Cameroon met with the Minister of Social affairs on Friday, August 6, 2021 in Yaounde. The one day meeting as indicated during the ceremony, enters within the framework of weeklong activities marking the 27th edition of the international day of indigenous people to be observed on August 9.       And in accordance with this year’s theme being: “Leaving No one Behind: Indigenous People and the call for a new social contract, the ministry of social affairs has included in its roadmap carrying this celebration, different actors who are important in changing the living conditions of indigenous in Cameroon.   In his address, Jean Claude Sanama Nkono, vice-president of the regional council for the center region of Cameroon has praised the initiative of the ministry of social affairs who thought it wise to implicate regional councillors in this important activity.   While officially opening the exchange meeting with regional councils’ heads, the Minister of social affairs, Pauline Irène Nguene stressed on the fact that no one should be left behind at this moment where the train of emergence takes-off in all regions.   “Do not leave anyone behind especially the most vulnerable groups and communities who need our support and actions in order to protect and promote their rights. Leave no one behind especially the Baka, the Bakola, the Bagyeli, the bedzan and mbororos, all indigenous people of Cameroon and whom in terms of international Rights, their specific needs are not always taken into account in  many developmental initiatives undertaken at the national level…” She said.   Highly expected contribution of the regional councils in this process has been pointed-out as significant by social affairs’ patroness, Pauline Irène Nguene.       During the debates that followed up, the various organizations and administrations concerned agreed on a series of recommendations. The ministries of regional planning, finance and that of decentralization and local development were tasked in the first place, to express an urgent opinion on the nature of the benchmarks that will have to be considered in the planning, programming and budgeting process of strategic and operational orientation documents at the regional level while considering the obsolete nature of the statistical data contained in some of the said benchmarks existing in this area which were mentioned in the presentation by the Head of the division in charge of Planning and local development in the ministry of decentralization.   The decentralization and local development was equally recommended to envisage the holding nationwide of capacity building workshops on the methodological guide for the preparation of Regional Development Plans and on other important related aspects.     As concerns the host ministry, it was agreed that officials will clarify or at least define precisely the objectives and expectations of the ministry of social affairs, with regard to the strategic orientations that the regional development plans will have to take for the effective consideration of the specific needs of socially vulnerable groups in general and indigenous people specifically. The ministry of social affairs was equally recommended to mobilize both heads of central and decentralized services of its department, in order to support regional councils in the preparation of their regional development plans.   Added to the aforementioned recommendations, participants notably the regional councillors were called on to take into account the disparity of the Regions, in particular with regard to its potentialities and constraints, in the formulation by the ministry of social affairs of the expectations and objectives assigned to the regional councils with a view to the effective integration of the specific needs of socially vulnerable groups and indigenous people in particular.   Worthy to note, the theme chosen at the global level by the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues is “Leaving No One Behind: Indigenous Peoples and the Call for a New Social Contract”. Through the choice of this theme, experts of the United Nations permanent forum on indigenous issues wish to reiterate the appeal launched to the States Parties for the international consensus of the leaders of one hundred and ninety-three (193) countries including Cameroon, who subscribed in September 2015 to the adoption of the 2030 agenda for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) intended to leave no one behind by eradicating poverty, protecting the planet, promoting peace, social cohesion and living together.     Ahead of the celebration of the international day of indigenous people, it should be recalled that, in thirteen years of celebrating the said commemorative day, Cameroon has made its voice heard through a set of activities developed around the themes proposed by the permanent forum on indigenous issues of the United Nations Economic and Social Council.           Elise Kenimbeni