Ngwa Jolenta Rose Afanwi, a journalist with Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV), is a passionate advocate for disability inclusion. Living with a mobility impairment since birth, she has dedicated her career and personal efforts to pushing for greater accessibility and opportunities for persons with disabilities (PWDs). Speaking to KIKI News & Disability Forum, Jolenta shared her insights into the challenges faced by PWDs in the North West Region and offered an inspiring message to others in the community.
Jolenta expressed dissatisfaction with how local councils and institutions approach inclusion. She highlighted the lack of proper needs assessments before assistance is offered and criticised the inaccessibility of information on notice boards.
“How does someone with visual impairment access information displayed on these boards?” she asked.
She further pointed out the inadequacy of infrastructure, noting that many council buildings lack proper provisions for persons with mobility impairments to access upper floors.
Jolenta described the socio-economic conditions of PWDs in the region as substandard and called for immediate action to improve inclusion in both public and private sectors.
Jolenta’s advocacy stems from her own lived experiences.
“I’ve had to advocate first for myself and then for others,” she said.
Through her 12-year journalism career: five years with Abakwa FM Radio and seven years with CRTV North West, she has consistently worked to amplify the voices of PWDs. Her message to others is simple yet powerful:
“No one will fight for you. You must push yourself through, from education to finding a job and becoming the person you want to be. Persons with disabilities have a double challenge to overcome, so they must work even harder to seize opportunities.”
As a wife, mother of two, and professional journalist, she embodies the ethos of “disability is not inability.” Her journey continues to inspire others while calling on institutions to prioritise inclusion and accessibility for all.
Report by Bakah Derick from interview by Jeff Ngawe Yufenyu| Published by KIKI News & Disability Forum on Facebook