Nestle Organises Meeting on Creating Shared Values

By James Achanyi-Fontem, camlinknews

Herve Barrere, the Administrator General of Nestle Central Africa Region used a one-day workshop to create shared values with nutrition stakeholders in Douala, Cameroon on the 17th November. 2015. Inviting some 34 authorities from the ministry of public health, academia and civil society, exchanges started with the pass word being safety first for the promotion of wellbeing. The environment and security manager was invited to address participants on what to do in case of any incident, because security is primordial at any industrial setting for wellbeing. It should be noted that Nestle has spent 5000 days without an accident. The industrial environment is clean and perfect with fire extinguishers at every corner of the company. Tracks are marked to separate movement of staff and heavy duty automobile tools within the factory and a medical doctor is readily available to handle unforeseen situations.. The workshop on creating shared values for the amelioration of the wellbeing of the Cameroon population was piloted by Dr. Etoundi Mballa, the director for the fight against diseases at the Cameroon ministry of opening address said public health. Herve Barrere in his opening address said discussions are consultative on the concept of creating shared values and that it is a win-win action. He added that the outcome of exchanges would lead to finding solutions to current challenges on how to improve on the wellbeing of the populations in the Cwntral African Region.

Nestle has employed some 600 permanent workers and over 20.000 indirect workers in the region.involved in various activities. Before coming to Cameroon, Herve Barrere was covering the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Nestle is involved in the transformation of coffee in Cote d’Ivoire and Cameroon, the promotion of nutrition, health and community development in Africa. Other speakers were. Djoulde Maima, head of cooperation at the Cameroon ministry of public health, Richard Dongue, director of communication and public relations at Nestle Central Africa Region, Dr. Edith Fombang, lecturer at the National Higher School of food and and nutrition in the University of Ngaoundere and Paul Charles Ndjepel Ngan, agro-engineer at the department of studies,programmes and copperation at the ministry of agriculture and rural development.

After listening to the presentations, participants were split into three work hroups to discuss action plans focused on approaches for affronting nutrition challenges, mother and child nutrition and valourisation of local agriculture products and the amelioration of the wellbeing of rural populations.Senior authorities of Nestle Gabon were also in Douala, Cameroon for the meeting These groups were facilitated by Samuel Fotso, Pierre FernandTchokoteu and Morgan Bignoumba.

BCH Africa Trains on Tuberculosis Prevention

By James Achanyi-Fontrm, camlinknews

BCH Africa organised a three-day workshop on tuberculosis prevention for community health workers in Nkongsamba from the 1st to 3rd October, 2015 in collaboration with the ministry of Public Health and the World Bank. Some 26 persons were invited to the training session. Participants at the workshop came from the health districts of Bonassama, Bonamoussadi,Yabassi, Edea, Manoka and Pouma. The facilitators ere Dr. Elisabeth Fon who coordinayes TBc programme in the littoral region, Dominique Kondji Kongji, the executive director of BCH Africa, Zouboudem Zouboudem and Bikot Samuel, trainers at BCH Africa and Nantchouang Alain of the GTC- PNLT. Dr. Elisabeth Fon presented the situation of tuberculosis in the littoral region, including the method of the spread of the disease and strategies of prevention during an interactive session with the 20 participants put together from the health districts, and the municipal councils, representatives of NGos and community based organisation. Dominique Kondji Kondji emphasized on the rights and responsibilities of TBc patients, made an analysis of the techniques of communication and advocacy, the forces, weaknesses and opportunities to be put into consideration during prevention of tuberculosis in Cameroon.

Speaking on communication for behaviour change, he called on the participants to emphasize on advocacy at the level of local authorities by involving them in the prevention action, so that they may support the programme materially and financially. Zouboudem Zouboudem said, the Nkongsamba workshop was the third phase and that another was planned in Buea for the south west region. BCH Africa is covering the Littoral and south west regions according to the World Bank subvention. Dr. Fon said tuberculosis is contagious and that if any person has cough which persists for two weeks and above, it is necessary for he or she to go to the closest treatment centre for a diagnosis and reception of free treatment. All a person needs to spend is CFA 1.000. The treatment received for nine months is free of any charge. There are over 200 treatment centre created by the ministry of public health in Cameroon. The TBc worksho trianer regretted that patients are stigmatized and this discourages some patients from continuing the treatment to the end. He told the trainees to spread the information that tuberculosis is curable. Persons with Hiv need to be very careful because the disease spreads more easily in their case and can lead to death.

Advocacy and social mobilisation is done through community radio stations in the various health districts hosting treatment centres. At the end of the workshop, the participants grouped themselves per district and designed a reinforcement of capacity action plan which included advocacy and social mobilisation and advocacy for community health workers.Cameroon link was selected as one of the community outreach organisation for Bonassama Health Distri

ct in the Littoral region.

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.