Ndefru Melanie, a journalist based in Bamenda, has spent years telling stories that matter. From her early days with Radio Hot Cocoa Bamenda to stints with The Sun newspaper and The Guardian Post, Melanie’s commitment to reporting with integrity and compassion has been uncommon.
Now the founder of her own online platform, CivicLens, she continues her mission of amplifying community voices, particularly those impacted by conflict and marginalisation. Hailing from the royal lineage of Mankon in the North West Region’s Mezam Division, Melanie’s work in peace journalism goes deeply with her heritage and community.
Melanie was one of five laureates honoured at the Inclusive Peacebuilding Reporting Award ceremony, sponsored by Rosaline Obah, a Rotary Peace Fellow at the Makerere Rotary Peace Centre, in collaboration with the Cameroon Journalists' Trade Union (CJTU) North West Chapter.
Held on Wednesday, 30 October 2024, during a symposium on media safety, this event commemorated the 10th International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists. With a timely theme, "The Safety of Journalists in Crises and Emergencies," the symposium underscored the need for protection and resilience among journalists, particularly those working in conflict-affected regions like the North West.
Obah, whose efforts to peace journalism is widely recognised from her days with the Communications service of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC) leading several initiatives in Cameroon Community Media Network (CCMN), shared her motivation for sponsoring the award.
“What inspired me to champion this award was my deep-seated belief that inclusive journalism can be a powerful catalyst for peace, understanding, and social transformation. As a Rotary Peace Fellow, I have seen how sharing authentic stories from those affected by conflict and marginalisation can pave the way for more compassionate, united communities.” she explained to Hilltopvoices Newspaper
This award, a part of Obah’s Social Change Initiative (SCI) titled Amplifying Voices for Positive Peace and Inclusive Peacebuilding Using the Peace Journalism Lens, seeks to uplift journalists committed to peacebuilding through inclusive storytelling.
“By equipping media producers to tell these critical stories thoughtfully and inclusively, we contribute to building a society where all voices, especially those often silenced, are heard and valued in the peacebuilding process,” Obah added.
The five recipients of this year’s award were selected by a jury led by Ngong Song Jean Marie, a distinguished journalist and PhD fellow at the University of Bamenda. Entries were evaluated on originality, accuracy, balance, humanitarian focus, and journalistic insight. Melanie’s feature story, Rebuilding from Ashes: Grassroots Efforts Towards Reconciliation in the NW, earned her a place among the laureates, highlighting her commitment to promoting peace and inclusive development within her community.
"The Cameroon Journalists' Trade Union extends appreciation to Rosaline Obah for championing this award and promoting a spirit of inclusive journalism. Congratulations to all our deserving laureates. Your dedication to peacebuilding through storytelling sets a powerful example for our profession and our nation." Nji Ignatius told the Hilltopvoices Newspaper
Topping the list of winners was Bakah Derick, who scored an impressive 17 out of 20 for his feature, Food Crisis in Conflict: CDENO Lifeline Donations to PWDs, the Elderly and the Vulnerable. Derick’s piece illustrated the humanitarian response to food insecurity in the region, focusing on the crucial role of the North West Livestock Development Fund (CDENO) in supporting the elderly, and vulnerable groups amid the ongoing crisis.
Second-place laureate Tasi Peter scored 14 out of 20 with his story, Empowered Women, Empowered Communities, which explored the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) efforts to bolster food security by training women in pastry production. This was followed by Randy Mekemdy’s poem, Since 1972, a reflective piece that scored 13 points for its lyrical portrayal of Cameroon’s journey since independence.
Reflecting on the achievements of the winners, Obah expressed her pride and optimism for the future of peace journalism in Cameroon.
“To our laureates, congratulations! Your work reflects the highest ideals of peace journalism and is a testament to the power of storytelling to inspire change.... I am incredibly proud of your achievements and look forward to seeing the continued impact of your voices and stories on our collective journey toward a more peaceful, inclusive world.” she said
Beyond the award, Obah’s broader SCI initiative supports peace journalism through various projects, including transformative training in nonviolent communication and servant leadership. Partnering with Global Peace Let’s Talk (GPLT), Obah has extended the reach of her initiative globally, with over 700 participants benefiting from these programmes.
“Through these training initiatives, we aim to instil skills that foster respectful dialogue, empathy, and collaborative leadership.... Our goal is to create a worldwide network of peacebuilders ready to lead with compassion and respect.” Obah emphasised
As Melanie herself has often expressed, journalism is a powerful tool for social change, and initiatives like these ensure that the stories of peace and resilience continue to be told.
By Burinyuy AB
Email: hilltopvoicesnewspaper@gmail.com
Tel: 6 94 71 85 77