Introduction
On April 24 and 25, forty journalists and climate ambassadors convened at ACSEA’s head office in Yaoundé for a hybrid workshop organized by The Rainforest Centre, the Cameroon Climate Change Working Group (3CWG) and the African Coalition for Sustainable Energy and Access (ACSEA). From the outset, Dr. Augustine B. Njamnshi Executive Director of ACSEA and Chair of Political and Technical Affairs at PACJA urged participants to bridge the gap between science and society:
“When scientific data stays locked in labs, farmers lose their harvests. We must deliver information that farmers, policymakers and communities can trust and use. Loans cannot carry the burden of adaptation finance alone justice demands grants, equity and shared responsibility.”
Day 1: Building Foundations in Climate Reporting
Session 1: Overview of Meteorological Services in Cameroon
Mr. Ambesi Hansi Ndonwi led the opening session on Cameroon’s meteorological services, illustrating how data flows from rural weather stations and satellites into forecasts broadcast via radio, mobile apps and SMS. He noted that these forecasts guide planting calendars, transport schedules and disasterprevention plans, and he called for wider access to ensure no community is left uninformed.
Session 2: Climate Information Services for Adaptation
Dr. Kimeng of the National Observatory on Climate Change (ONACC) described the country’s suite of Climate Information Services, from 10day “Décade” bulletins to seasonal agroclimatic calendars tailored to each ecological zone. His message was clear: accurate data alone cannot drive adaptation messages must resonate culturally, earning trust so that early warnings lead to action.
Session 3: Weather Information and Services for Adaptation
Dr. Keeving examined how weather information translates into practical services. He defined extreme weather events by their unusual frequency, timing or intensity, and showed how these forecasts support three layers of response: early warning, risk reduction planning and long term disaster preparedness. Case studies ranged from adjusting sorghum planting in drought prone regions to equipping hospitals for heat related emergencies, and from water harvesting infrastructure in flood vulnerable areas to ensuring major investments like hydropower dams reflect future rainfall projections. Throughout, journalists were reminded of their role in turning technical jargon into clear guidance, depoliticizing forecasts and spotlighting governance failures that turn hazards into human disasters.
Effective Communication of Climate Information with Sir Eugene Nforngwa
Mr. Eugene Nforngwa concluded Day 1 with strategies for effective Communication of Climate Information. He demonstrated how to recast “monomodal rainfall distribution” into memorable explanations and led smallgroup exercises mapping media entry points SMS alerts, communityradio segments and socialmedia graphics while identifying barriers such as technical jargon and low digital literacy.
Day 2: Risk Communication, Ethics, and Dissemination Tools
Session 1: Climate and Disaster Risk Management & Communication
Prof. Njilah Issac opened with a vivid metaphor: “Our planet has a fever,ice is melting at the poles, sea levels are rising, storms intensify.” He paired global trends with local crises: mangroves washed away in Bakasi, roads swallowed in Kribi, mudslides near Bamoso and Douala’s 2015 floods that reached rooftop level. Defining risk communication as “an open, interactive exchange among stakeholders,” he outlined five core principles: establish trust early, share preliminary findings transparently, tailor messages for each phase of a crisis, plan collaboratively, and ensure fast yet accurate delivery. Journalists were encouraged to join emergency response commissions as active partners, coordinating relief, dispelling rumors and safeguarding scarce resources.
Session 2: Ethics and Responsibility in Climate Communication
Returning to the ethics of climate reporting, Sir Eugene Nforngwa stressed the human cost of misinformation and the need to verify sources before publication, elevate marginalized voices, and disclose any conflicts of interest. Through case studies, participants saw how prompt corrections and clear explanations of data uncertainties can reinforce public confidence even under pressure.
Session 3: Tools for Disseminating Climate Information
Dr. Kimeng offered a toolkit for multiplatform dissemination. He advised selecting channels to match audiences SMS for remote farmers, Twitter for NGOs and showcased localization plugins, infographic templates and two way feedback loops via mobile apps. Practical guidance covered message length, timing and metrics tracking, so that each forecast or bulletin not only reaches its intended recipients but also prompts timely action.
Workshop: Developing a Cooperative Framework
Afanyu Yembe, Head of Communication at ACSEA and Coordinator of Youth for Adaptation Finance Africa (YAF Africa) led the final exercise. Participants collaborated to design a cooperative framework that strengthens journalists’ role in delivering climate information, identifying partnership models, resource sharing mechanisms and feedback channels between media outlets and climate service providers.
Closing Remarks
Dr. Augustine B. Njamnshi during the workshop’s conclusion, commending the journalists and ambassadors for their engagement and reaffirming the importance of sustained collaboration between media and climate agencies. He reminded everyone that clear, equitable communication remains essential to achieve climate justice and resilience across Cameroon.
