Hilltopvoices.com marked a double triumph at the North West Media Forum awards ceremony in Bamenda, with Bakah Derick taking home two accolades for outstanding reporting in education and economic affairs.
Bakah Derick won first prize in the Monica Chunji Prize for Education Reporting, sponsored by the Minister Delegate at the Ministry of External Relations, Felix Mbayu, and dedicated to his late mother. The award recognised his article, “The Presidential Questions: Can Cameroon give every child a real chance to be educated?”, part of a ten-article series produced as Hilltopvoices’ coverage of the 2025 presidential election.
By combining national education data with incisive civic questioning, the piece examined whether political promises translate into real educational opportunities for all children. Bakah said the story aims to hold leaders accountable, reframe education as a national emergency, and empower citizens to demand measurable commitments. He dedicated the award to his colleagues and all the news sources that contribute to Hilltopvoices.com.
In addition, Hilltopvoices secured third place in the Afuma Group Prize for Economic Reporting for Bakah’s article, “China-based entrepreneur backs Bamenda III football tournament again, strengthens Africa–China trade links through WATSA Group.” The piece highlights the role of young Cameroonian entrepreneur Watsa Stephane in bridging African businesses with Chinese markets, while delivering tangible local impact.
From donating trophies to Bamenda III athletes and facilitating the purchase of goods from China to addressing global trade risks like counterfeit goods and logistical bottlenecks, Watsa’s work exemplifies how diaspora entrepreneurship can drive both economic development and community pride.
The twin awards recognises Hilltopvoices’ commitment to public-interest journalism, combining rigorous reporting, local relevance, and global perspective to inform, empower, and inspire Cameroonian audiences.
Hilltopvoices also go special mentions in two other awards.
By Hilltopvoices news desk
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