AGP Executive Report

Women’s Safety: Protests are growing after teacher Geraldine Achiah died barely two months into her marriage. Her husband, charged with murder, denies killing her. The government estimates nearly 70 women have been killed in gender-related violence this year and plans to propose a separate femicide offence in November. Faith & Culture: A Pan-African Catholic Mass in Atlanta celebrated African heritage with music, dance and prayers in seven languages. Travel: Cameroonians can now apply online for Malaysia’s social-visit eVisa for tourism and short trips. Peace & Faith: Bamenda Archbishop Andrew Nkea has shaped Pope Leo XIV’s Cameroon peace messages into a 100-question guide for families, schools and parishes.

Women’s Safety: Nearly 70 women have been killed in gender-related violence in Cameroon this year, according to the Women’s Affairs Ministry. The rising toll has sparked protests and calls for stronger laws and justice for victims. LGBTQ+ Rights: A roundup of September events reports that raids in Douala led to dozens of arrests; rights advocates say police acted without warrants and detainees faced intimidation. Faith and Peace: Bamenda Archbishop Andrew Nkea has published a 100-question guide drawing on Pope Leo XIV’s Cameroon visit, addressing dialogue, forgiveness and care for displaced people. Community Culture: Nigerians in Douala marked their independence with a cultural display, bringing music and traditions to the city.

Faith & Diaspora: A Cameroon-born bishop celebrated African heritage and Catholic faith at a Philadelphia Mass, where choirs sang in 13 languages and Cameroon was among the communities represented. Rights: A new roundup revisits anti-gay raids in Douala that detained at least 68 people; six men were returned to prison awaiting trial, while an activist said police acted without warrants. Innovation: Cameroonian student Ulrich Mefenya Tanetsing has developed a sound-based mosquito repeller inspired by his childhood experience of malaria. Performance: Choreographer Dickson Mbi’s upcoming dance work TELLUS draws on his Cameroonian heritage, African folklore and the Mami Wata myth to explore climate change and humanity’s relationship with nature.

Language and Literature: The Hausa International Books and Arts Festival is bringing northern Nigerian writing to London for the first time. Hausa is also widely spoken in Cameroon, making the event a celebration of a shared regional language and culture. Cameroonian Innovation: Southampton student Ulrich Mefenya Tanetsing, who grew up in Cameroon, has developed an AI-powered device that uses sound to detect and repel malaria-carrying mosquitoes. Faith and Dialogue: A Yaoundé conference has proposed a national religious council to strengthen interfaith dialogue and prevent conflict, while calling for clearer representation of revivalist churches. Women’s Voices: A new bilingual book gathers personal lessons from 17 African women leaders, aiming to expand young women’s ambitions. Culture in Douala: Nigerians in the city marked their country’s independence with a cultural display, while soukous icon Kanda Bongoman’s story highlights the music and dance that carried his sound across Africa. Refugee Returns: Nigeria says 14,000 refugees in Cameroon have registered interest in returning home, raising the prospect of a major shift for families and host communities.

Community and Faith: A Yaoundé conference on religion, peace and social cohesion proposed a national religious council to strengthen interfaith dialogue and prevent conflict. Participants also called for clearer representation of revivalist churches. Displacement: Nigeria says 14,000 refugees in Cameroon have registered their intention to return home, as it thanked Cameroon for sheltering people displaced by insecurity. Education and Connectivity: Camtel and the secondary education ministry agreed to connect schools and help teachers and administrators share information and learning resources. Roads and Local Services: Cameroon and the Islamic Development Bank signed a €212.35 million deal to rehabilitate the Douala–Bafoussam corridor, with improvements planned for classrooms, health centres, markets and water facilities. Cultural Exchange: Nigerians in Douala marked their country’s independence with a cultural display.

Interfaith Dialogue: A Yaoundé conference has proposed a national religious council to strengthen dialogue and prevent conflict, alongside better coordination with revivalist churches. Digital Education: Camtel and the secondary education ministry have agreed to connect schools and help teachers and administrators share information and learning resources. African Film: Cameroon-linked REFFA drew 314 submissions from 36 countries for its December awards, while the REEL BALANCE initiative is urging more than 50 African festivals to improve women’s representation. Community Culture: Nigerians in Douala marked their independence with a cultural display, bringing traditions from across the border into the city.

African Cinema: REFFA 2026 drew 314 film submissions from 36 countries, building an international platform for African storytelling ahead of its December awards. Digital Education: Camtel and the secondary education ministry signed an agreement to connect schools and help teachers share learning resources. Culture in Douala: Nigerians and Cameroonian guests marked Nigeria’s independence with traditional music, dance and a unity football match, celebrating cultural exchange between the neighbours. African Music: Soukous star Kanda Bongoman’s energetic performances and cross-language appeal helped take Congolese music to audiences across the continent.

Community Peace: South West stakeholders are being urged to pursue local, grassroots dialogue after a decade of conflict. Senator Nfon Mukete IV Ekoko warned that some benefit from keeping the crisis alive, while the region’s “red zone” image harms investment. Higher Education: The University of Bamenda praised Yaounde International Business School students’ master’s research as practical and relevant to the workplace. Music: Congolese soukous star Kanda Bongoman’s energetic performances and appeal across English- and French-speaking Africa offer a reminder of music’s power to cross borders. Education Access: Nigerian-born Cameroonian cybersecurity graduate Selaboy Ebenezer says funding hurdles forced him to give up offers from four US universities. Culture in Douala: Nigerians marked their independence anniversary with music, dance and a unity football match, bringing Cameroonian officials and community members together.

Community Dialogue: South West stakeholders have been urged to build peace from the grassroots. Traditional ruler Senator Nfon Mukete IV said local dialogue is vital after a decade of conflict, warning that some profit from its continuation. Music & Dance: Congolese soukous star Kanda Bongoman’s colourful style and energetic performances have helped his music win fans across Anglophone and Francophone Africa. Community Giving: Cameroon-born philanthropist Dr David Makongo received CENPA’s Nation-Builder Champion Award for support to displaced families and other vulnerable communities. Diaspora Culture: Nigerians in Douala marked their independence anniversary with traditional music, dance and a unity football match, celebrating cultural ties with Cameroon. Language & Learning: Chinese teachers are bringing language and culture into classrooms across Cameroon.

Tourism & Heritage: Cameroon National Tourism Week opened with diplomats saluting the country’s attractions, as tourism is promoted as a source of jobs and development. Diaspora Culture: Nigerians in Douala marked their independence anniversary with traditional music, dance and a unity football match, celebrating cultural ties and calling for closer Cameroon-Nigeria cooperation. Music & Forests: A visit to a Cameroonian ebony sawmill sent Taylor Guitars founder Bob Taylor on a sustainability drive, including broader use of variegated ebony in guitars. Language & Learning: Chinese teachers are bringing language and culture into classrooms across Cameroon, while the education ministry’s live online lessons have reached 28,470 secondary students, many in the conflict-affected North-West and South-West.

Cultural Exchange: Nigerians in Douala marked their country’s independence with music, dance and a unity football match, bringing Cameroonians and Nigerian residents together to celebrate shared community ties. Culture in Classrooms: Chinese teachers are bringing language and cultural learning to classrooms across Cameroon through Confucius Institutes. Education Access: Cameroon’s online secondary lessons have reached 28,470 learners, offering classes to students whose schooling has been disrupted by insecurity. Tourism and Heritage: During Cameroon’s first National Tourism Week, diplomats visited Mefou Park and displays of Made in Cameroon products, spotlighting wildlife and local creativity.

Cultural Exchange: Nigerians in Douala marked their country’s 66th independence anniversary with music, dance and a unity football match, bringing Nigerian and Cameroonian communities together. Tourism & Heritage: During Cameroon’s National Tourism Week, diplomats visited Mefou Park and viewed Made in Cameroon products, spotlighting wildlife and local creativity as tourism draws attention. Traditional Knowledge: A Yaoundé symposium brought researchers, healers and health professionals together to discuss how to promote Cameroonian traditional medicine while applying scientific and ethical standards. Music & Sustainability: A visit to a Cameroon ebony sawmill prompted Taylor Guitars founder Bob Taylor to rethink how precious wood is used, helping drive a more sustainable approach to guitar-making.

Diaspora Links: The Africa-Canada Immigration and Investment Fair opened in Yaoundé, with participants urging diaspora networks to turn cultural and business ties into lasting partnerships. Education: Cameroon’s online secondary lessons have reached 28,470 learners, many in conflict-hit regions where insecurity disrupts classroom access. Heritage & Health: A national symposium is exploring how to develop traditional medicine while applying scientific standards for safety and quality. Tourism & Nature: During National Tourism Week, diplomats visited Mefou Park and a showcase of Made in Cameroon products. Culture & Sustainability: A feature on Taylor Guitars traces how a visit to Cameroon’s ebony trade prompted more sustainable use of the prized wood. Community Impact: CENPA honoured philanthropist David Makongo for support to vulnerable families, displaced people and communities in the North-West and South-West.

Peace & Community: Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute urged South-West stakeholders to pursue dialogue and persuade armed groups to lay down their weapons, saying peace is essential for development. Education: CAMTEL and the secondary education ministry plan to connect 130 schools in northern regions to digital learning; ministry-run online lessons have already reached 28,470 students, many in conflict-affected areas. Tourism: Diplomats visiting Mefou Park and Made in Cameroon stands praised the country’s wildlife and cultural attractions during National Tourism Week. Traditional Knowledge: A Yaoundé symposium called for scientific standards to help develop Cameroon’s traditional pharmacopoeia. Cultural Heritage: Nine Swiss museums will investigate the provenance of thousands of objects from Cameroon, including more than 6,300 items held in Swiss collections. Rights: Human Rights Watch says people deported by the US to third countries, including Cameroon, have faced detention and possible return to places where they risk persecution.

Tourism & Heritage: Diplomats touring Mefou Park and Made-in-Cameroon exhibits praised the country’s natural attractions as Cameroon launched its first National Tourism Week. Digital Education: CAMTEL and the secondary education ministry agreed to connect 130 schools in Adamawa, North and Far North; meanwhile, online lessons have reached 28,470 students, including learners whose schooling is disrupted by insecurity. Traditional Knowledge: A national symposium called for scientific testing, clear dosage standards and safety checks to help develop Cameroon’s traditional medicines. Anglophone Crisis: Rights groups marked a decade of conflict with a partial list of 4,000 reported deaths, renewing attention to the human toll. University Dispute: A lecturers’ strike continues to delay thesis defenses as unions seek payment of long-standing academic arrears.

Digital Education: CAMTEL and MINESEC have signed a deal to connect 130 schools in Adamawa, North and Far North regions, bringing students and teachers better access to online learning and distance education. Cameroonian Cinema: Director Auguste Bernard Kouemo Yanghu’s House of the Wind is among the films representing sub-Saharan Africa in Doha Film Festival’s international competition. Cultural Heritage: Nine Swiss museums will investigate the provenance of more than 6,300 objects from Cameroon, a step toward clarifying how the works entered their collections. Anglophone Crisis: Rights groups have published a partial list of 4,037 reported deaths over the conflict’s first decade; about half of the victims are identified by name. Language and Learning: Chinese teachers are bringing language and culture into classrooms across Cameroon. Travel: Cameroon is among 46 African countries whose citizens can visit the Philippines visa-free for up to 30 days, subject to passport and onward-ticket requirements.