The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication (JMC) in the University of Buea, has produced Cameroon’s first Doctoral dissertation in journalism 'west of the Mungo'. This was during a PhD thesis defense which took place on Friday, December 28, 2012 at the Conference Hall of the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences in the University of Buea. The dissertation titled “Redefining Journalism Roles in Democracy: In Search of Evidence from Elections Coverage Using Mobile Phones and Internet in Cameroon,” the candidate, Mr Kingsley Lyonga la Ngange, argued that ICTs, especially the internet and mobile phones have great potential to faciltate democratic growth and development of Cameroon, and also to move society forward if properly used, though they have unintended consequences if used in a way which is not proper.
The inspiration for the ...name came from the Duala language in the Wouri estuary of Cameroon…..Wasamundi basically means ‘find the world’… In the technology age, this translates to "search for help”.... “In less than two years, we have been able to build a series of products that the world has recognized and is using”…“Our enterprise is currently modestly valued at 250 million FCFA (US$ 500,000), and when we finish our expansion plans into the sub-region of Central Africa it will be valued at 2.5 billion FCFA (US$ 1 million),’’ says Laurence the smiley CEO.
By Stephen Njumbe Sako
Urban planners in Africa are in the mothers-of-all-battles to catch up with the evolution of digital technology. In Cameroon, town planners are breathless catching pace with urban settlers. It is more of an awesome task for technology providers, whether cable television or internet service providers, to circumvent tortuous paths to neighborhoods to reach millions of consumers. Even locating enterprises is an uphill task for consumers wanting particular services. Arriving at hotels, restaurants and homes of friends relies on mundane mouth-to-mouth roadside inquiry. In fact, it was easier for the biblical three wise men to rely on the stars to find the baby Jesus born to the house of David in a manger in Bethlehem. In Cameroon, there is no known directory to get information on the geographical coordinates and location of enterprises in towns and cities.
Only superlatives seem appropriate to describe the mobile phone 'revolution' – its impact and its potential – in Africa. Mobile phones are almost always the cheapest and quickest way to communicate, particularly when fixed-line phones and broadband internet are underdeveloped and dependent upon expensive infrastructure. The continent is home to 350 million mobile phone subscribers, and their numbers are growing faster than anywhere else in the world. The ubiquity of mobiles is matched only by the ingenuity of their users. From shantytowns to remote villages, mobile phones are being used to transfer money, monitor elections, and deliver public health messages. A large informal economy has also emerged to support the mobile sector, with people selling airtime, charging and fixing mobiles, and renting them out. Africa is truly a crucible for mobile phone innovation and entrepreneurship. Unsurprisingly, the rapid adoption of mobile phone technology by Africans and its dramatic benefits have frequently been described in unrestrained terms as ‘staggering’, a ‘remarkable phenomenon’, and a ‘revolution’. This transformation is all the more exceptional because it was largely unanticipated by the business or research communities.
The Economist magazine has termed Kenya’s mobile phone industry as a world leader in innovation. In a cover article published mid April, The Economist placed Kenya’s pioneering mobile phone money transfer service among the cream of innovations from emerging economies that are signifying an unfolding shift in global economic power. Kenya’s mobile phone industry is not only turning into a trailblazer in innovating new products, but is also very competitive and market driven. Having spent the last six weeks in “the capital of the free market” as the US is often reffered to, I realise that Kenyans may have grossly under-appreciated the relatively low price that they have to pay for connection to what I can now confidently describe as world-class mobile phone network service.
With more than 400 million active visitors, Facebook is arguably the most popular social networking site out there. And while the site is known for the casual social aspect, many users also use it as a professional networking tool. With that kind of reach, Facebook can be a valuable tool for connecting to former and current colleagues, clients and potential employers. In fact, surveys suggest that approximately 30% of employers are using Facebook to screen potential employees — even more than those who check LinkedIn, a strictly professional social networking site. Don't make these Facebook faux-pas — they might cost you a great opportunity.
1. Inappropriate Pictures
It may go without saying, but prospective employers or clients don't want to see pictures of you chugging a bottle of wine or dressed up for a night at the bar. Beyond the pictures you wouldn't want your grandparents to see, seemingly innocent pictures of your personal life will likely not help to support the persona you want to present in your professional life....More
An online forum for the exchange of progressive views, opinions and civil commentary on the workings of the Cameroon state, and strategies for improving the welfare and prosperity of its citizens has been launched. The Forum was launched by the Executive Coordinator of The Cameroon National Patriotic Youth Front (CNPYF), Dr Ernest L. Molua. Headquartered in Buea, the CNPYF is a community of young Cameroonians committed to standing together, shoulder to shoulder, to protect the Republic of Cameroon and its institutions. According to the Coordinator, the mission of the CNPYF includes educating citizens on the critical issues driving governmental policy; promoting the virtues of good governance; and empowering grassroots leaders and activists in taking local and national action to promote economic development. Dr Molua who is also the Executive Director for the Centre for Independent Development Research [CIDR], a Buea based think-tank, revealed that CNPYF will collaborate with the CIDR in its community programmes.
Nancy, a second-year student at a local university, blames Facebook for her recent romantic breakup. She created an account on facebook.com last year after learning of the social networking site’s popularity from her friends.What she found on the site was the stuff bad experiences are made of: Her boyfriend, whom she met through the site, kept posting salacious comments on other women’s photographs, and he claimed he was in “an open relationship”. Armed with printouts of his photo comments, she confronted her boyfriend of 7 months. He confessed. They broke up. Winnie, 25, has also experienced Facebook’s power to sour relationships. “The site can be misused and abused. It’s an easy way for guys to try and not get caught. Girls, too. It gives one a motive to snoop. It’s awful and hard to quit,” she says...More
Towards the end of last week, a local bank launched an electronic commerce platform that will enable consumers to make online payments after making purchases from merchants with online shops. The authentication of the transactions will be conducted locally and as a result, consumers will not lose money as a result of foreign currency conversations facilitated by card transactions processed abroad. This bank made a bold step into the future and must be applauded for the strategic investment that they have made. With the introduction of affordable broadband internet in the country due to the landing and connection of undersea cables to the national terrestrial fibre network, some businesses like this bank are moving swiftly to capitalise on emerging opportunities and launching innovative products and services...More
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