Officials of the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism (NCPBM) have for two days exchanged ideas with stakeholders of the Centre Region on how to curb and eventually eliminate hate speech and xenophobia in the region.
The consultation sessions falls within the new communication campaign launch by the commission. It focused on finding the root causes of hate speech and xenophobia which has been on the rise as well as propose solutions on how to handle the ills which is threatening Cameroon’s social cohesion, peace and living together.
The consultations at the Yaounde City Council which spanned Thursday 8 to Friday 9 July 2021. The NCPBM delegation was led by Professor Jean-Marie Bodo. He was accompanied by Pierre Vincent Ngambo Fondjo, Ama Tutu Muna and Ngwane Georges Esambe.
The session brought together representatives of administrative, religious, traditional, judicial, municipal and regional authorities, regional delegates of ministries, representatives of political parties, the civil society, youth groups and other key actors versed with on-the-ground realities so as to enable them make substantial contributions to the ongoing fight.
Launching the campaign in the Centre region, Prof Bodo said Cameroon’s ethnic diversity ought to be an asset and not a curse to the nation. He said it was the first time the commission was visiting the Centre since its creation and with a clear objective to “have an idea of the manifestations, expressions, attitudes and behaviors that characterize hate speech and xenophobia”.
“Our objective is very simple. We are trying to raise awareness, sensitize but most importantly we are trying to find out from our various stakeholders that we have invited what their opinions are, with regards to causes, the manifestations, consequences and the recommendations that they can make with regards to hate speech and xenophobia,” George Ngwane said, noting that it has been noticed but online, on traditional media and in inter-personal relations that there is an upsurge of hate.
“So we are trying to see how the public can contribute in curbing, mitigating, preventing and if possible in eliminating hate speech. Our focus is one of bringing everyone on board. We know that hate speech cannot be totally eliminated but we need to know the causes first and after that we will be able to treat the consequences and impact on our nation,” Ngwane added.
The Centre region is the eighth region to host the Commission after Adamaoua, East, Littoral, West, North West, South West and South regions. It is part of the new communication campaign against hate speech and xenophobia launched 5 March 2021 on the instructions of the President of the Republic, Paul Biya.
Before descending to the regions, the commission had series of consultations with owners of media organs, telecommunications companies, civil society, youth and student associations, those in the academic milieu among others. The sole aim was to have an overview and avalanche of opinions on the two ills eating deep into the Cameroonian society.
By Doh Bertrand Nua
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