By Dewah Fabrice Teh
Celebrated Desk Editor of The Guardian Post, Mua Patrick, has been distinguished with the Cultural Leadership and Media Award prize.
The recognition is from the Cameroon Diaspora Youth Global Awards in the United States of America, USA. Officials noted the award is for his outstanding and impactful reporting.
The award ceremony took place in Maryland, USA on Saturday, August 15. The initiative was supported by the Ministry of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts; the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Civic Education; the Ministry of External Relations; the Cameroonian Embassy in Washington DC and the Customs Department.
Mua was honoured alongside several other outstanding Cameroonian media professionals.
The award organisers said the respected journalist was singled out in recognition of his work in “strengthening the relationship between the diaspora and communities in Cameroon while encouraging greater collaboration in national development”.
The United Council for Youth Empowerment, UCYE, said Mua has, in the course of nearly two decades of journalism practice, demonstrated an outstanding professionalism in print journalism.
Organisers praised him as an exceptional talent in news writing and investigative reporting. They also praised his dedication in highlighting issues that contribute to the growth, unity, and development of Cameroon.
“The Organising Committee further recognizes your commitment to amplifying the voices of young leaders, entrepreneurs, community organizations, and members of the Cameroonian diaspora whose work often goes unnoticed,” UCYE said in a letter addressed to Mua.
Mua’s coverage of diaspora activities and development initiatives, the organisation stated, “have helped increase public awareness of the valuable contributions that Cameroonians abroad continue to make toward the social, economic, educational, and humanitarian advancement of their homeland”.
The organisers also hailed the media professional for his remarkable role in promoting constructive dialogue, celebrating achievement, and fostering a greater appreciation of the global impact of Cameroonians.
Competence in Handling Complex Issues
It said the multiple-award-winning The Guardian Post Desk Editor has demonstrated commitment and dedication through his far-reaching journalism practice, which cuts across thoughtful reporting and analytical writing.
The organisers said Mua’s strides and ability to notably transform complex issues into balanced, engaging, and informative stories has earned him respect across the board.
“…As a journalist, your passion for reporting stories that inspire hope, innovation, and civic engagement serves as an example to aspiring media professionals and reinforces the role of journalism as a catalyst for positive change,” the organisers said.
More Than an Award
In a statement issued after the award ceremony over the weekend, Mua said the distinction is “more than an award but an encouragement to work even harder.”
He expressed gratitude to the management of The Guardian Post for providing him the platform to excel and the organizers of the award for singling him out for the distinction.
“I want to thank the management of The Guardian Post for giving me the platform to excel. Same gratitude goes to organisers of the Cameroon Diaspora Award for finding me worthy of this distinction,” the laureate stated.
“I dedicate this award to God and my wife. I wouldn’t relent in my quest to contributing to the growth of professional journalism in Cameroon and beyond,” he added.
Mua in a Nutshell
Born on January 30, 1991, Mua Patrick began his journalism career in 2011 at Limbe-based weekly tabloid, The Star, where he worked as a reporter and Buea Bureau Chief for more than two years before switching to The Guardian Post in 2013.
He served as South West/Littoral Bureau Chief of The Guardian Post for three years before his transfer to the institution’s head office in Yaounde in January 2016.
In Yaounde, he briefly served as a city reporter before being promoted to rank of desk editor in 2017. Before opening the chapter with The Guardian Post, the versatile media professional had earlier, in his steadily-thriving journalism career, worked for several other media organs, mostly holding leadership positions.
He had stints with The Times Journal, Vanguard Newspaper and Cameroon Daily Journal. His exploits and unquestionable commitment to the profession have not only earned him multiple awards over the years but also propelled him to securing leadership positions within journalism groupings.
Mua, who coordinates The Guardian Post’s specialized weekly sports edition, The Guardian Post Sports, was in 2015, elected Assistant Secretary General of the South West chapter of the Cameroon Association of Sports Journalists.
He had earlier been elected pioneer Secretary General of the Association of Combined Action to Protect and Empower Journalists, ACAPEJ, a year earlier.
He is a frontline member of the Cameroon Association of English-speaking Journalists, CAMASEJ and the Menchum Journalists Union, MeJU, where he currently serves as Secretary General.
In July 2019, Mua was among six journalists selected by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs for a media trip to the Western European country.
In 2021, Mua won NewsWatch Newspaper award as Best Print Media Journalist in Cameroon. Later in 2022, Mua was declared winner of the Elah Geoffrey Prize for Best Print Journalist at the 5th edition of the Victoria International Media Merit Award, VIIMMA.
He also has several recognitions and distinctions to his credit due to his work as a print media journalist.
About Organizers
The United Council for Youth Empowerment, UCYE, which jointly fronts the award scheme, is reputed for its commitment to youth empowerment, leadership development, education, entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and international collaboration.
The Cameroon Diaspora Youth Network, CDYN-USA, is known for its contributions to strengthening connections among young Cameroonians and the broader Cameroonian diaspora while promoting leadership, community engagement, cultural identity, and constructive participation in national and international development.
[This report was originally published by The Guardian Post]