Pindelwa Mwa Visits Cameroon

By Helen Ayamba, camlinknews Ms. Pinddelwa Mwa, Nestlé Business Head in South Africa ended a three-day work visit to Cameroon on the 28th August 2015 after holding working sessions with four top level directors at the ministry of public health and stake holders of maternal and infant feeding in Yaoundé. She was accompanied by four country collaborators in Ghana and Cameroon. The visit was aimed at highlighting the vision of Nestlé in Africa. Ms. Pindelwa told Cameroon authorities that, decision makers are stretching infant feeding issues too long instead of looking at the real problems facing mothers. She recommended meaningful dialogue through listening to understand the various problems facing mothers before taking well informed decisions. She emphasized the fact that stakeholders do not look at the issue of malnutrition of mothers enough. She invited them to be passionate and look at issues directly. According to her, Nestlé approves of the fact that exclusive breastmilk is the best for babies in the first six months, though it is known that not all mothers can breastfeed in situations of emergency. Mothers need to be educated on their health and how to feed their babies adequately. Breastmilk develops the brain for recognition. The challenges of breastfeeding are high, but the flag must be kept flying in all regions of the world and especially Africa. Ms Pindelwa, who is South African has worked with Nestle for 21 years and does not talk politics because this may infringe on the rights of the mother and child. She does not want children’s rights to be violated by political actions as she sechoed that, Nestlé is not in competition with breastmilk as she told the story of Henri Nestle who founded the companyas a social utility. The work of the company is to enhance breastfeeding and their role is to compliment breastfeeding where there are challenges in feeding the baby adequately through the breast. She explained that working mothers should be educated on how to express their baby’s milk and a carer can serve the breast milk to the baby when she is at work and not at home. Breastfeeding rooms are encouraged at work place. She recommended that national languages be used for educating mothers on planning breastfeeding action. Social media technology is already available at very low cost and this can be exploited for reaching mothers where they live. As Africans, she strongly believes that we have to protect our mothers and support them in various ways during breastfeeding periods. Youths should also be educated because they are leaders to be in the future. She observed that, Youths of today have wonderful initiatives and involving them will assist in bringing change in our communities. We should involve farmers also as beneficiaries of our work and get them to discuss breastfeeding in their local group meetings, where local languages are used extensively. This will encourage them to understand that producing and transfusion of their crops locally gives room for better wellbeing and improvement of the health of families. At the ministry of public health, the top level authorities pledged to continue to work with company staff on social mobilisation for better understanding of the products they buy. This is important because information sharing is vital and important. It is clear that government cannot work and bring change alone and that is why civil society organisations are involved through collaboration. The CSOs can operate mobile clinics as an initiative for reaching mothers in the market place where they spend most of their time. Ms. Pinddelwa Mwa ended her three-day dialogue and visit to Cameroon on the 28th August 2015 after holding working sessions with key stake holders of maternal and infant feeding in Cameroon. Hestle approves of the fact that exclusive breastmilk is the best for babies in the first six months. Mothers need to be educated on how to feed their babies adequately. Breastmilk develops the brain for quick recognition of their parents. The challenges are many but the flag needs to be kept flying high in all regions of the world. Ms Pindelwa has worked with Nestle for 21 years anad avoids politics and does not want children’s right to be violated by political actions. She said, Nestle is not in competition with breastmilk as she told the story of Henri Nestle who founded the company. The work of the company is to enhance breastfeeding and staff role is to compliment breastfeeding where there are challenges in feeding the baby adequately.

She explained that working mothers should be educated on how to express their baby’s milk and the baby carer can give the breastmilk left behind by the mother when she is at work. Breastfeeding rooms are encouraged at work places. .She recommended that local languages be used for educating mothers as well as social media technology opportunities already available at very low cost. As Africans, we have to protect and support our mothers in various ways. Youths should be trained because they are going to be leaders of tomorrow. Youths of today have wonderful creative initiatives and involving them will assist in bringing change in their communities. We should involve farmers as target beneficiaries of our work and get them to discuss breastfeeding issues in their local traditional meetings, where local languages are used extensively.

This will encourage them to understand that producing and transfusion of foods from their farms locally improve their wellbeing and health of families. At the ministry of public health, the top level authorities pledged to continue to work with Nestle to bring change. This is important because information sharing is vital and important for development of communities. It is clear that governments cannot work and bring change alone. For this reason civil society organisations are involved through collaboration agrements. The CSOs can operate mobile clinics as a means of reaching mothers in the market where most of them spend their time doing petit trading. Pindelwa visited Cameroon at the time Nestlé Administration General, Bruno Olierhoek was transferred to Pakistan, after his three –year stay in the country.

Experts of Nutrition Institute of Africa Visit Cameroon Link

By Helen Ayamba, camlinknews

Experts of Nutrition Institute of Africa held a working session with Cameroon Link o 1st June 2015. The leader of the institute’s delegation was Mrs. Armelle Bakoga. She was accompanied by a consultant of the institute based in Accra, Ghana who came tp Cameroon to collect information on how Cameroon Link operates and cooperate with partners. During the introduction of discussions, James Achanyi Fontem, the executive director of Cameroon Link explained how the civil society organisation operates. Mrs Armelle Bakoga was accompanied by Mr. ETIENNE kABORE, A COMPLIANCE CONSULTANT OF NUTRITION INSTITUTE of Africa in Accra, Ghana. Mr. Achanyi Fontem told the guests that apart from coordination of the infant and young child nutrition group in Cameroon made of some 6 civil society organisations in Cameroon, it collaborates with three key international networks: World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), International Baby Food Action Network ( IBFAN Africa), and Farm Radio International (FRI) Canada. It was explained that James Achanyi Fontem is the focal point and coordinator of WABA Men’s Working Group (MWG) and leads IBFAN Cameroon Farm Radio International activities. Js the liaison person of the Commonwealth of Leaning (COL) that capacitated staff in some twelve community radio stations in Cameroon. FECABPA, the Cameroon nutrition networking group meets every three months to evaluate the its field work and exchange information.The target audience reached by Cameroon Link are mothers fathers and youths considered to be leaders of tomorrow. Cameroon :ink carries out research, training and social mobilisation. It is assisted by some 46 community based organisations (cBO) implanted in the different regions of Cameroon.. Cameroon Link has had the opportunity of participation in several international conferences and having discussions with the technical adviser of the public health ministry in the presence of the retired IBFAN Africa coordinator, Mrs. Joyce Chanetsa in Mbabane, Swaziland. Mrs. Bakoga lauded the strategy and work of Cameroon Link. She said, her organisation is happy to have Cameroon Link as a partner. She explained that it could be necessary to highlight some of the problems facing Cameroon Link and FECABA, because it is only through identification of issues rhat solutions can be found. The work of Cameroon Link is based on meaningful dialogue with partners. UNICEF Cameroon and the nutrition institute of Africa, WABA and IBFAN Africa support the work of Cameroon Link in various ways. Top level authorities of the ministry of health and some international organisations play the role of advisors. These are mothers and fathers whose children were protected by breast milk. Apart from logistic problems and financial difficulties, Cameroon Link has advocated that the law on marketing infant formulae should have punitive articles included for making the regulatory tool stronger. So far, Nestle Cameroon conforms to the Cameroon government directive, but some companies importing products from the Asia region do not. They import infant formulae that do not meet the national requirements. Experts of Nutrition Institute of Africa report areas of violation to us for follow up.. We have advocated for means of displacement to reach target groups within our jurisdiction. organisation. Cameroon Link has organised a workshop on communication for development (C4D) involving some 12 community radio stations in on how to produce health programmes for their local audiences in local languages. COL supported a three –year initiative of Cameroon Link which was lauded by the Commonwealth of Learning Agency in Vancouver, Canada. Cameroon has over 250 local languages and the use of these languages for sharing information has been positive. The consultant from Accra, Ghana Nutrition Institute of Africa lauded the performance of Cameroon Link and wished that God should give it the needed energy to continue with the good work. The institute supplied some 4.000 flyers during the World Breastfeeding Week 2015, and ion. WABA sent to Cameroon some 400 folders and a large banner for social mobilisation of local communities. Cameroon Link shared highlights of 2015 World Breastfeeding Week strategy, which focused on local communities in six regions of Cameroom.ndt the frontier regions. Cameroon is surrounded by Gabon, Central Africa Republic, Nigeria Equatorial Guinea and Chad, which share common local languages and boundaries. Cameroon Link has attended all international and regional conferences on infant and younh child feeding since 2005 and it receives updates from WABA and IBFAN. Africa shared with members of Cameroon Link Group. For more information, visit the Cameroon Link you tube and online radio.Mr. ETIENNE kABORE, the COMPLIANCE CONSULTANT OF NUTRITION INSTITUTE of Africa in Accra, Ghana was apprendly happy with the work of Cameroon Link on the field..

Cameroon C4D Group meets in Douala

By camlinknews,

Mike Achanyi presented a back ground of Communication for Development, C4D,s to registered members during a workshop at Cameroon Link conference hall 9n Grand Hangar-Bonaberi on the 6th July 2015. In an opening address, the executive director of Cameroon Link, James Achanyi-Fontem, informed participants of the benefits of the network, emphasizing that it is for exchange of information. The C4D networkers came from Yaoundé, Bamenda, Buea and Douala. Mike during presentation of C4D Background, focused on its mission, vision and aims before elaborating on how people can join the C4D network, why people should join and its benefits. He spoke of the different membership categories and benefits. Worksh0p participants were told that C4D network is a community of professionals working in communication for development. They are engaged in different ways in the use of communication and media for international development and human rights promotion. There are over 1730 registered members in 136 countries. The networks focuses on key areas of C4D practice and operate in various actions’ to broaden knowledge about good practice in these areas and raise awareness about the theoritical foundation for the choice of appropriate approaches and methods. Mike went on to talk about an existing online community of over 1600 members – from academia, media, donors, NGOs, UN, private sector and independents groups. He told members that there is sharingof information daily on topical issues and discussions hold on development and communication themes, resources, job announcements, opportunities and news is circulated.

He observed that events in the United Kingdom where coordination takes place is around the world getting involve in network meet-ups, Expert Talks and Panel Discussions, Documentary Screenings, and virtual ‘Meetings and greetings with fellow C4D practitioners. Learning and sharing opportunities exist, including webinars in English, Spanish and French on C4D basics, Social Media, Monitoring and Evaluation On recruitment, it was made known that highly current jobs and consultancy announcements are online C4D Rosters of consultants and trainers, varied and matching recruitment services It shpuld be noted that The Network is membership-based, and it operates both online - through a thrieving social network platform - and offline - through regional and national meet-ups and groups initiated by members. Members of the C4D network are located all over the world, and include communication experts within non-governmental organisations, UN agencies, national governments and donors; academics and communication trainers; media producers. Media strategists focus on development, communication; and many different types of C4D consultants. The C4D network includes a growing range of national and regional groups as well. An evolving number of casual ‘meet ups’ of members in cities around the world. There are also a growing range of C4D thematic, regional and national groups. The mission of the network is to support people working in the field of ‘communication for development’ (C4D) by facilitating ‘meeting and talking’ opportunities, both online and offline. its vision is a thriving and well- understood ‘Communication for Development (C4D)’ sector, respected within development practice and moving forward in It aims therefore are to support the development of the C4D sector through the nurturing of a strongly connected and informed C4D peer networks, engaged in sustainable development. Cameroon C4D aims to develop: •A strongly connected Network •A well informed Network of experts •A vibrant Network of positive thinkers and •A sustainable member-driven network C4D network is a membership network, so joining as a Subscribed Member is the way to gain the full benefits of what the network has to offer. As a first step, individuals can register with the national network as a networker. To do this you need to apply by clicking 'signup' (top right of web site) and after review based on criteria you will be approved or direct to the 'Friends of C4D Network' list. Criteria for inclusion is primarily based on your professional engagement with C4D - either as an academic, development worker, media practitioner, consultant or trainer. 'Friends of the C4D Network' are people who are interested in C4D but not so fully engaged that they wish to be part of the online community, preferring to receive communication quarterly, via our e-newsletter. Organisations and other groups can also join as Associate Organisations of the Network, taking packages of 3, 5 or more memberships for staff and associates. Registered members can have a profile page and link with other members (on the site and via meet-ups); Subscribed members can do the same plus they can access all content on the Network and attend all events and benefit from the full C4D recruit services of job ads, matching services and roster.

Subscription as a member of the Communication for Development network on an individual basis costs. UK Membership: Annual: £50.00, Monthly: £6.00 Developed World Membership: Annual: £30.00, Monthly: £5.00 Developing World Membership: Annual: £10.00, Monthly: £1.50 Recent Graduate / Emerging Talent Membership: Annual: £10.00, Monthly: £1.50 There is no joining fee to become a Registered Member, and there is a modest scaled subscription fee (annual or monthly) to become a Subscribed Member. Subscription to the Communication for Development Network as an Associate Organisation Associate Organisation - Package 1 (up to 2 individual memberships + corporate benefits): £100.00 Associate Organisation - Package 2 (up to 5 individual memberships + corporate benefits): £250.00 Associate Organisation - Package 3 (up to 10 individual memberships + corporate benefits): £400.00 Unlimited packing on the following links>ages are also available for small, medium and large sized organisations (scaled price upon application). You can find more information by clicking on the following links. www.c4d.org www.twitter.com/c4d www.facebook.com/c4d

Cameroon Infant and Young Child Feeding Strategy Validated (2014 - 2020)

By James Achanyi-Fontem, camlinknews Email: camlink99@gmail.com

A workshop to launch the multi-sectored platform for validation of the road map for reduction of chronic malnutrition in Cameroon was organised from the 18th – 20th August 2014 in Douala. Supported financially by UNICEF, it brought together actors from the ministry of social affairs, public healh, trade, women and family promotion, animal breeding and fisheries, higher education, territorial administration, plan and regional development, HKI, OFSAD, Plan, ACMS, UNICEF, WFP, WHO, UNHCR. UNFPA and FAO. The deliberations were coordinated by the Director for Health Promotion, Dr. Cheumaga Bernard who was assisted by Okala Georges, Sud Director for food and nutrition. Within four days, the participants in four groups discussed the national strategic plan for Infant and Young Child Feeding covering the period 2014 – 2020. Issued treated were related to feeding of the young girl, pregnant woman and lactating mother, early initiation of breastfeeding from the first hour after birth for the first six months with the necessity to give colostrum to the baby and optimal breastfeeding up to 24 months and beyond. Complimentary feeding and the fortification of foods took greater space as a means to reduce malnutrition as well as breastfeeding In difficult and exceptional situations of emergency, poverty, malnutrition, HIV and child illnesses. On communication, it was emphasized that there has to be a lot of advocacy for social change and social mobilisation of communities for behaviour change communication. The Innocenti Declaration and BABY Friendy Hospital Initiative associated to Community Baby Friendly Initiative were used as tools to illustrate operational objectives. As far as the application of priority measures was concerned, it turned out that five reports had to be established covering protection of breastfeeding, encouragement, support to health systems and within the communities without forgetting one on infant and yound child feeding support in difficult and exceptional situations. The different partners had to establish their contributions and obligations for the achievement of the planned goals with the involvement of government, interested parties, professional health associations, non-governmental organisations, enterprises, social partners and international organisations. It was observed that infant mortality of children below 5 has not evolved in Cameroon since 1991. The studies carried out show that bad feeding practices of infants are at the origin of 29% of deaths of children below 5 years, while chronic malnutrition is very high. The number of malnourished children is on the increase during to babies born by seropositive mothers. This reduces the intellectual output and productive performance of the population affected. For this reason, the formulation of a pertinent strategy for infant and young child feeding would necessary to reverse the situation in Cameroon, especially in a situation confronted by recurring diarrhoea diseases, yellow fever, malaria, respiratory channel infections covering 20 to 70 % of the cases notified and attributed to malnutrition. This worsens the already discouraging poverty margin of the population. The current infant and young child feeding strategy has been put in place within the following guidelines; • Identification of pertinent and realistic interventions which have worked well elsehere. • Insistence on mother and family support to permit them play a crucial role in the good development of their children. • It defines the obligations and responsibilities of the government, national and international organisations and other parties. • Identification of priority axes at the different levels of intervention. • Identification of key actors • Definition of strategies to be put in place to achieve the objectives of infant anf young child feeding.

Fight Against Malnutrition Intensifies in East & Northern Cameroon

By James Achanyi-Fontem, camlinknews Email: camlink99@gmail.com

The Cameroon government has recognised that malnutrition in the east and northern regions of the country is a public health issue. This is justified by the creation of an intermisiterial committee to fight malnutrition by the Prime Minister, Philemon Yang on the 20th August 2014. The order no. 076/CAM/PM acknowledges the adhesion of the government to the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) movement. The interministerial committee is an organisation for consultation, coordination, and orientation of strategies for the fight against malnultrition in the north regions and the east. It will identify and conceive actions to be realised within the context of the programme. It will guarantee the development of the multi-sectored programme for the fight against malnutrition by involving different actors from the state, local collectivities, private sector , United Nation Agencies and non governmental organisations. The interministerial committee will mobilise resources internally nd externally in favour of reduction of malnutrition in the different sectors. The ministries involved are agriculture, animal breeding and fisheries, financs, economy, women’s promotion, water and energy, social affairs and trade. The president of the committee can call and invite persons with special competence to assist in the execution of projects. The committee meets once every six months to evaluate its activities.

2nd SUFI Regional Coordination Meeting Holds in Douala

By James Achanyi-Fontem, camlinknews Email:camlink99@gmail.com

The Littoral Regional Delegate for Public Health in the Littoral, Dr. Yamba Martin Beyas, presided over the 2nd coordination meeting of SUFI District Civil Society Organisation, CSO, on September 4, 2014 in the presence of IRESCO Project Coordinator, Mrs. Ahouma Etamba Valerie, the Littoral Regional Field Supervisor, Tchana Eric and the head of the Malaria prevention unit, Dr. Nwali. The deliberations of the principal actors in the execution of Scaling Up Malaria prevention for Impact as an opportunity to evaluate the level of progress made since the first meeting took place on the 10th April, 2014. Difficulties encountered were exposed and recommendation made to close the gaps and outcome weaknesses. Presenting the objectives and awaited results, Mrs. Ahouma Etamba, emphasized on the contractual obligations of the SUFI civil society organisations, quality of supervision reports received, promptitude of the quarterly reports, quality of home visits and validation of work done by the community health workers. The head of malaria prevention unit in the regional delegation, Dr. Nwali explained the activities carried out by the principal recipient no.1 including the recent training of community health workers on the use of malaria kits and prescription of treatment for simple malaria within their communities. Discussing recommendations, the Field Supervisor, Tchana Eric, presented the 8th semester action plan for the littoral and coached the CSOs on how to build their respective terms of reference s. He also addressed issues related to difficulties encountered on the field, challenges and solutions. Financial management problems were treated by Mrs. Ebenye Nathalie, the project account assistant, who spoke about the incoherence in reporting and the quality of financial data presented for justification of SUFI expenditure. The regional delegate for health, Dr. Yamba Beyas acknowledged that the presence of all the District CSOs at the meeting was proof of the determination and engagement to support activities public health in general and malaria in particular. He added that the daily activities of CSOs contribute to the development of the different communities in general and to the promotion of public health in particular. With this, Dr. Yamba prescribed franl collaboration at all levels for the smooth progress of activities. Partnership of activities at the level s of the community, district and region remain a powerful engagement that accelerates progress. There are 227 community health workers engaged in the SUFI project in the Littoral and south west regions. 4354 community health workers are covering all the regions. 130 CSOs are engaged throughout Cameroon for the second phase of SUFI ending in December 2015.

Rev. Father Michael Achanyi offers Thanks Giving Mass in Mamfe Cathedral Parish

by camlinknews, Email: camlink99@gmail.com

Rev. Father Michael Achanyi ordained as Catholic Priest on Saturday, May 24, 2014 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, USA by His Eminence Timothy Michael CARDINAL Dolan, the Arch Bishop of New York has offered a Thanks Giving Mass in Mamfe Town, in the south west region of Cameroon, where he was born. The Thanks Giving mass was offered in the Catholic Cathedral Parish on the 20th July, 2014 in presence of Bishop Francis Lysinge and several reverend priests of the diocese. St. John Paul II was quoted as saying Priesthood is forever. “We do not return the gift once given. It cannot be that who gave the impulse to say “Yes” would say later “No”.

The Achanyi-Fontem Family through the head expressed thanks and gratitude to the Catholic Church Hierarchy for having chosen their son to join in the mission that Jesus Christ started more than 2000 years ago. He described the choice of Michael Achanyi as a blessing to Lebialem, Manyu and Cameroon as a whole. James Achanyi-Fontem said where there is life, there is God and where there is God, and there is Hope, when calling on the thousands who turned out for the thanks giving mass to put Rev. Father Michael Achanyi in their prayers, so that he may be inspired and granted the Holy Spirit to carry out his mission successfully. The Chair person of the Cathedral Parish Pastoral Council, Eyong Peter, rendered immense thanks and praise to God for the great gift of a priest in their midst, adding that once again God has smiled on them and made it possible that on the 24 May 2014, their brother, son, friend, and relation, Micheal Achanyi Ache was raised to the dignity of the sacred priesthood in the Holy Roman Catholic Church at the St. Patrick Catholic Cathedral for the Arch Diocese of New York, USA.

The event, Eyong Peter went on, is so very historic because finally something good has come out of Bessongabang given that Rev.Fr. Micheal Achanyi is the first catholic priest from Bessongabang, Manyu Division. Rev. Micheal Achanyi Ache hails from two strong christain families, the Takor's of Besongabang and the Achanyi's in the Lebang Fondom of Lebialem Division. It is worth nothing that the Takor's are notoriously Presbyterian and the Achany's are diehard and avowed Catholics. What was experienced with Michael Achanyi’s ordination was an expression of the Ecumenical Dimension of the Christian Faith, the fervent prayer of Jesus, that they may all be one. Rev. Father Michael Achanyi is serving as a priest in the USA, which is not his country. He has lived in New York for four years and is well aware of the challenges ahead of him. The chairperson advised him to Keep alive the values which he imbibed from his upbringing, by always listening attentively to the prompting of the Holy Spirit in the daily discharge of his priestly ministry.

BIOGRAPHY OF REV. FR. MICHAEL ACHANYI ACHE Michael Achanyi Folefac was born in Mamfe and attended St. Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Mamfe Town. Upon completion of his primary education, he was among the first batch of students to be admitted into Government Bilingual Secondary School at the time. After spending two years there, Michael moved to St. Paul's Technical and Commercial College in Bonjongo and later was moved to National Comprehensive High School in Limbe for high school studies. At the request of the then Bishop of the Diocese of Mamfe. in 2001/2002, Michael began a year of pastoral experience as a prospective candidate for the diocese of Mamte at Okoyong village. Upon completion of that year, he proceeded to St. John Mary Vianney Spiritual Formation Centre Bafut prior to his entrance into St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminar Bambui to begin Philosophy. Michael began studies in philosophy from 2003-2006. Under the guidance and great direction of Fr. Kisito Thompson, O.C.S.O., now of blessed memory, Michael applied and accepted to study in the archdiocese of New York in October 2008 and in March of 2009, he would travel to the United States to continue formation for the priesthood. Once in the U.S.A, Michael spent a year at St. John Neumann house of formation while taking some courses in St. John's University. Queens, NY. In 2010, Michael was admitted into St. Joseph's seminary, Yonkers, New York where he began his studies in theology. He was ordained a deacon on the 2nd September 2013 and was ordained a priest on Saturday the 24th May 2014 at St. Patrick's Cathedral. New York. The Achanyi-Fontem family is thankful to all individuals and organisations that contributed to the success of the historic event in in Mamfe ; July 20, 2014. He was accompanied by his priesthood friend from the Arch Diocese of New York, Rev. Father Lorenzo. He blessed the marriage of a couple that travelled from New York, USA to Mamfe,Cameroon to receive the blessing of Rev. Father Michael Achanyi. Donations for the event came from all over including the chairperson of Fine Forest Foundation, HRE/Dr. Asaah Nkohkwo (Fuaseh Fontem)based in London, UK.