MDDT, CSOs, journalists brainstorm on ways of ending anglophone crisis

By Promise Mboh

The Movement for Democracy, Development and Transparency, MDDT, has engaged some journalists, civil society actors and other stakeholders on how to think of a way forward to put an end to the Anglophone crisis which has left the North West and South West regions in poor shape for over 5 years.

This was during a round table conference discussion which took place on Friday January 27, 2023 in Bamenda.

Supervised by the National Coordinator of MDDT, Clifford Niba Akunteh, the event brought together school Principals, Mayors, Divisional Delegates, civil society organizations and some media personalities of the region.

It was aimed at sharing best practices in their various domains of work and how they think these can be used to end the socio-political crisis, so that possible peace tactics can be drafted and these recommendations be sent to the government.

“We are going to design our recommendations and send them to parliaments, ministries and diplomatic missions who are concerned with this crisis. It is a good thing to know how the grassroots are thinking about the way forward and also what citizens and stakeholders expect as resolutions for peace,” Clifford Niba Akunteh said.

During the come together, the Bureau Chief of The Post newspaper in Bamenda suggested that journalists in the crisis regions be given access to information so that they can report accurately. He added that media persons working in such areas should also practice how to use coded language and attribute their writings to appropriate sources in a clear manner and always stay neutral in order to be safe from the warring factions.

In the domain of education, some school Principals advanced that parents should be sensitized on the disadvantages of not sending their children to school during the crisis period.

Others suggested that in times of such a crisis, children should focus more on technical education, which deals more with practicals so that they can easily be employed or create jobs for themselves after school instead of relying on the government.

Local councils, human rights activists, civil society actors and stakeholders were called upon to interact and work mostly with the communities.

For the past four years, the Movement for Democracy, Development and Transparency has been working tirelessly in Cameroon to promote democracy, human rights, and sustainable development.

Read also: Cameroon gov’t dribbles Canada, Amba leaders over dialogue