Journalists Trained to Champion Marine Debris, Plastic Pollution Awareness Campaign

By Honorine Cheng Abuck*

Marine debris and plastic pollution are issues often under reported in the Cameroonian media landscape, yet crucial to the 21st century ecosystem.  It is in recognition of this that the Association of Community Awareness (ASCOA) trained some  20 journalists from diverse media organs in Cameroon  to project this environmental hazard plaguing the West Coast Lines were trained in Buea.  

The 3-day capacity training workshop captured the essence of climate action (SGD 13) and the impact of activities with respect to life below water (SDG 14) to that of life on land (SDG 15). The platform streamlined stake holders in the environment work space as well as researchers and experts as they sought to build a network that would prioritise issues on the eradication of marine debris and plastic pollution.

The workshop took place  under the theme: “Media Advocacy for Sustainable Ocean and Coastline”, a   campaign that seeks to ensure thrash free coastlines through aggressive and consistent media reporting via micro-programs, documentaries and features.

Dr. Ebot Manga enjoined participants to preach the gospel of living “blue” for it is what it takes for the world to go “green” with respect to mitigating and regulating nature and the climate. The Chief Executive Officer of the Environment and Rural Development Foundation, Mr Louis Nkembi, sheded more light on the state of plastic pollution and a sustainable global perspective on the need for dirt or debris free coast lines.

Mme. Ruth Enjema  underscored the need for journalists to embrace  Data driven Journalism,  that is a journalism practice which is backed by facts not rumours. “The presentation of these facts is what will in a long run influence Policy change,” the South West Regional Delegate of Environment Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development , Mr. Sed Ekwadi added.

The Chief Executive Officer  of ASCOA, Mr. Linus Ayangwoh Embe, reiterated the need for a collective frontline fight  with all stakeholders against marine debris and plastic pollution. The journalists and students who participated in a beach cleaning exercise that followed the workshop, were  awarded certificates of participation.  Meanwhile, plans are underway by ASCOA to offer grants and opportunities for journalists in Cameroon  to sustain the campaign, as well as groom future eco-friendly leaders and environmental activists in schools.

Content Creator/Data Journalist*