Francis Wache: The man, the journalist and politician

The media family in Cameroon is still in a state of shock following news of the demise of the publisher and Executive Editor of The Post newspaper.
The passing on to eternity of Kongnyuy Francis Wache Friday December 20th 2019 has been described as “a great loss” to the media landscape in Cameroon.

The man that will be remembered as a pillar of print journalism in Cameroon formally began practicing when he joined the young team of Cameroon Life Magazine journalists in 1990.

Francis Wache’s ‘strong Pen’, professionalism and mastery of the Queen’s language alll contributed to his promotion as the editor-in chief of the magazine in 1991.

Francis Wache and a group of other young journalists founded The Post; an Independent English language newspaper in Cameroon.

According Joe Pefok Dinga; Journalist and Douala bureau chief of The Post Newspaper, “France Wache was fondly called ‘Fon’ by staff of The Post Newspaper that portrayed a cordial relationship between the publisher and workers of the newspaper”.

“He was optimistic about the journalism. Even the days he spent with us the young reporters, he was interested in passing the knowledge to us. He encouraged me in particular to read and write a lot, citing Stephen King” Njodzeka Danhatu another reporter of The Post added.

“Francis Wache is a standard journalist that has stood the test of time” Fon Rene, a journalist in Douala recalls how the fallen publisher imbedded a touch of integrity and objectivity in reporting in him while practicing as an intern in The Post Newspaper in Buea.

On May 3rd 2006, Francis Wache was elected national president of Cameroon Association of English Speaking Journalists-CAMASEJ.

Francis Wache as a politician was elected mayor of Nkor Noni Council, Bui division in the North West region of Cameroon on the 16th of October 2013 under the Social Democratic Front party.

As a local administrator, he blended his enlightenment as a fine journalist and as a politician to carry out developmental projects to alleviate poverty in his Nkor Noni community.

To Kejang Henry Atembe, Journalist and deputy national communication secretary of the Social Democratic Front party, “Pa Wache is one of those that positively propelled the name of the SDF party. His works as mayor of Noni council and other salient ideas he offered during National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings cannot be undermined”.

Francis Wache died at the Buea General hospital in the South West region of Cameroon.