Day: March 22, 2024

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Hate speech: CAMP intends to amplify grassroots voice-President


The Cameroon Association of Media Professionals, CAMP, is set to put into effect a project that will help in alleviating hate speech across the country.

It is the first project CAMP will be implementing this year 2024 thanks to a fruitful collaboration between the association and the Swiss Embassy in Cameroon. It is known ‘Bridging Respect Through Inclusive Digital Engagement – BRIDGE,’ CNA learned.

The project will address the growing phenomenon of hate speech in Cameroon by promoting a concerted approach of hate speech in the media and on social media platforms.

The main activities will feature among others; workshops, online campaigns, support to content creation, community radio and TV debates on hate speech.

It shall target journalists, bloggers, influencers, community leaders, and other stakeholders.

‘We shall also have awareness meetings with different stakeholders especially traditional rulers to amplify voices at grassroot levels against hate speech,’ ex-railed Solomon Agborem, the national pre
sident.

‘The fight against hate speech is a collective action if we really want to deal away with the prey’. However, ‘the BRIDGE project is expected to kick off any time soon in April with a press conference and later a training workshop for journalists,’ he added.

CAMP is a nonprofit organization specialized in the effective use of the media, mass communication and information technology for education, global information dissemination and access for development, promoting democracy and good governance, national capacity building, promoting community health, cultural preservation, fight against social injustice and poverty alleviation. The association was foudned by Tabe Taryhang who is the Executive Director.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

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As misattributed paternity becomes viral in Cameroon: This is what needs to be done


The recent high-profile case involving former football icon Njitap Fotso Geremie Sorele and his wife Toukam Fotso Laure has brought the issue of misattributed paternity to the forefront in Cameroon, capturing the attention of the nation.

The shocking allegations of deceit regarding the parentage of their twin children have ignited public discourse and raised urgent questions about how to address this pervasive issue.

One crucial step in addressing misattributed paternity is to raise awareness and educate the public about the prevalence and consequences of this phenomenon.

By promoting discussions in schools, communities, and through media channels, can help individuals recognize the signs of potential paternity discrepancies and understand the importance of seeking clarification through DNA testing.

Another key aspect is ensuring access to reliable and affordable DNA testing services. By making these services more accessible, individuals who have doubts about their children’s parentage can obtain conclus
ive answers, thereby reducing the emotional turmoil and legal uncertainties associated with misattributed paternity cases.

In addition to awareness and access to DNA testing, there is a pressing need for legal reforms and support systems to assist individuals in navigating the aftermath of misattributed paternity revelations.

This includes ensuring that legal processes for establishing paternity are clear, fair, and expedient, as well as providing counseling and support services to help families cope with the emotional fallout.

Furthermore, it is essential to address the ethical considerations surrounding assisted reproduction and the responsibilities of healthcare providers and fertility clinics in ensuring accurate parentage information.

Clear guidelines and accountability mechanisms can help prevent instances of intentional deceit or negligence that may lead to misattributed paternity.

The government is supposed to make it compulsory for all hospitals to carry out paternity checks before attributing s
urnames to the babies.

Lastly, fostering open dialogue and creating support networks within communities can play a crucial role in addressing the stigma and shame often associated with misattributed paternity.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

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GHS Djunang: Father vows to prosecute fake news propagators


The father of Junior Kamdem, a form 3 student at Government High School, GHS Djunang, in the Bafoussam III subdivision of the West Region, whose picture was circulated, alleging that he impregnated two of his mates, has threatened to file a complaint against the school authorities for defamation.

A picture of the 14-year-old and two female students of the same school has for some days now, been making rounds on social media handles, insinuating that the male student had impregnated the two other female students.

The information, according to the boy’s father, Talla Gabriel is fake; he threatened to drag the matter to court.

‘The child was asked to kneel before the disciplinary council because he had 26 hours of unjustified absences. I reached there and found two other children who were there for theft. One of the officials present at the spot took a picture and published it.’

According to him, his son was summoned to appear before the disciplinary council for cummulated absences’. Said Talla Gabriel on B
alafon Radio

‘ I will not let the name of my son be tarnished. It can go a long way to psychologically harm him’ He added.

As for the two Form 2 female students in the same picture, Talla Gabriel said they were also summoned before the disciplinary council but for a matter of theft.

As a result of the fake news propagated, Junior’s hypertensive mother reportedly went unconscious and was taken to a health facility for treatment.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

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PM Abiy Holds Discussion with Loyal High Taxpayers


Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed engaged in discussions today with these loyal high taxpayers and businesses to address issues crucial to them as stakeholders.’

The private sector, particularly loyal high taxpayers, plays a vital role in our nation’s economy, the premier shared on X page.

‘This morning, I engaged in discussions with these loyal high taxpayers and businesses to address issues crucial to them as stakeholders,’ Prime Minister Abiy stated.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

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Ministry of Finance Consults with Chinese Delegation on New Economic Cooperation


The Ministry of Finance consulted with a Chinese high-level delegation on the new economic cooperation between the two countries, especially on Belt and Road Initiative key projects.

The head of the Chinese delegation team Xu Jianping, Director General of the National Development and Reform Commission stated on the Ethio-China economic cooperation which has been given special attention by the Chinese Government.

The director general recommended the establishment of the two countries’ working group mechanism so that the team can play an important role to improve the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative key projects.

The State Ministry of Finance, Semereta Sewasew said on her part that the cooperation of the two countries has reached its highest level ‘All-Weather Strategic Partnership.’

The state minister noted that both sides should explore and fully utilize their comparative strengths to promote and further improve this mutually beneficial cooperation.

Finally, an agreement has been reached b
y both sides to work together to promote the key projects, in the areas of road, railway, agriculture, and other development areas to be considered in the coming Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) meeting and an agreement to be reached for signature.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

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Ethiopia Reiterates Commitment to Ensuring Equitable Use of Water Resources


Ethiopia will continue exerting efforts to ensure equitable use of water both at national and continental levels, according to Ministry of Water and Energy.

Addressing the annual World Water Day today, Mamusha Hailu, a representative of Ministry of Water and Energy said the theme of World Water Day 2024 is “Water for Peace.”

Water is very important for keeping peace in the world, he noted, adding that conflicts between groups or countries could arise when people don’t have enough water.

Therefore, the representative said that using water equally and fairly for energy, transportation and other purposes is of paramount importance.

According to him, Ethiopia is working to ensure sustainable and equitable use of water resources at continental and national levels.

He pointed out that the country has played a significant role in using water resources on equality and equity at continental level, including in the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

‘If we work together on water issues, we can help keep peace. So,
World Water Day-2024 wants everyone to know that working together on water issues is a big step towards peace keeping and rebuilding,’ Mamusha said.

At national level, the ministry is establishing a National Integrated Water Resources Management Program (IWRM) that takes the lead in coordinating integrated water resources management activities.

The representative stressed that there is a clear relationship between Integrated Water Resources Management and peace.

By supporting the relevant stakeholders to jointly develop IWRM for their areas, conflicts related to water and water infrastructure could be minimized and resilience to climate change enhanced.

Presenting a paper on “water for peace and prosperity,” Integrated Water Resources Management Team Coordinator Bizuneh Asfaw highlighted causes of water related conflicts.

He said water related conflicts have increased by threefold in Asia, Africa and Latin America over the past two decades.

The team leader underscored that integrated water resources ma
nagement is cornerstone for water governance and ensuring peace and security.

‘Integrated Water Resources Management plays a pivotal role in securing peace and brings prosperity for our planet in general. It promotes integration that we lack, alignment we lack, harmonization and coordination among different sectors and actors,’ Bizuneh elaborated.

Ethiopia is a country endowed with substantial resources, providing huge opportunity for development.

More than 75 percent of the country’s water resources, with the exception of Awash, Omo, Gibe and the Rift Valley Lakes Basin, flow across the borders and are shared with neighboring countries.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

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Addis Ababa University Scholars Hold Workshop on “Leveraging Water for Peace”


The Africa Center for Excellence for Water Management and the College of Natural and Computational Science at Addis Ababa University held a workshop today in connection with the World Water Day 2024 observed under the theme “Leveraging Water for Peace”.

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Addis Ababa University Research Office Director Professor Tadesse Fetahi said that more than 3 billion people worldwide depend on water that crosses national borders.

Yet out of the 153 countries sharing trans-boundary rivers, lakes, and groundwater reserves with their neighboring countries, only 24 have operational cooperation arrangements, he added.

‘Cross border cooperation on water is essential, particularly in Africa where 90 percent of water falls with catchment areas which cross national borders and could become sources of conflict if not settled,’ the director elaborated.

There is immense value to manage water effectively across borders, the professor said, adding that this requires measurement, information
sharing, and trust in using shared resources.

According to him, peaceful cooperation around water can flow to all sectors by working together to balance everyone’s human rights needs and water can be a stabilizing force and catalyst for sustainable development.

Professor Tadesse further stated that tackling the specific water challenges faced by African countries requires not only increased investment in infrastructure facilities but also strong capacity in proper water development and management.

For his part, Associate Professor of political science and international relations Yacob Arsano underlined the need to properly handle water not only at personal and local levels but at political level and pay attention to cooperation.

In that sense, we can have national water governance, regional water governance, transboundary water governance as well as global water governance regimes, he added.

‘Because of this water is mismanaged in countries, while water is protected in other countries. That does not work
. It has to be protected and managed in a system of arrangement throughout the basins.’

As an instance, he cited the current challenges faced in the Nile Basin.

‘If we want to keep peace, we have to have really proper and fair, well managed and governed water. If we want prosperity, then we have to deal with water and engage ourselves to mitigate scarcity,’ the associate professor underlined.

Natural and Computational Science College Dean Professor Tileye Feyissa said on his part that it is imperative to solve problems with water aspects in a way that benefits all parties and enables access to it.

Globally, more than 2 billion people do not have access to safe water, which is the worst in Africa.

Therefore, ‘we have to work in collaboration to overcome such challenges to ensure access to water and sanitation to benefit communities. In addition, we have to work together to devise a system to use shared resources in win-win approach.’

Resources are limited, but the human population, particularly in Africa
, is growing at a fast rate, the professor noted, adding that it is important to manage resources that meet the demands of ever growing populations.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency