For years, Dr Ngala has distinguished himself as an astute figure that is striving for the overall growth of Cameroon
Cameroon has for decades, been celebrated globally for its prestigious riches as one of the most diverse nations in the world. The nation has among others, not only been hailed for its linguistic diversity as one of only two countries that have the widely-spoken English and French language as its official languages. It has equally distinguished itself for its cultural uniqueness.
But the diversity and pluralism have not only earned the country accolades, praises and opportunities at the global stages. It has in recent years also regrettably dragged the nation into chaos and crises. Notable among the difficulties has been the ongoing socio-political crisis that has been unfolding in the North West and South West regions for the past more than seven years and the jihadist-perpetrated Boko Haram challenge that has affected the northern part of the country for the past over eight years.
The multiple challenges have led to the government, private institutions and international partners uniting forces to bring long-lasting solutions to the table in bids to address the multilayered issues from the root. One of the key figures who has played a frontline role in the unified national and international fights is dynamic civil society leader and changemaker, Dr Ngala Desmond.
Dr Ngala is a pacesetter in the fight against hate speech, a phenomenon which experts say has been one of the major causes of the current crises in the country. The native of Binka in Nkambe Central Subdivision in the Donga Mantung Division of the North West Region is the Founder of Civic Watch, a youth-led community-based organization which focuses on empowering communities with tools to comeback hate speech online and offline.
The pioneering civil society actor is also the Cameroon Country Project Manager for #defyhatenow, an international initiative that is striving in promoting community peace building, training, conflict mitigation and reconciliation projects. He implements #defyhatenow projects in Cameroon through the Civic Watch organization, an area whose strides has earned him accolades as a celebrated and an exemplary leader in the fight against hate speech and other activities geared towards promoting national unity and growth.
Landmark achievements
Dr Ngala has successfully carried out awareness raising campaigns in several towns and cities notably combating propaganda in media reports on the crises affecting the country especially those in the North West and South West regions and the Boko Haram hitches in the Far North Region and its environs. He has collaborated with local and state institutions with a zeal to provide long-lasting solutions targeting the root causes of the multiple challenges of hate speech and difficulties faced at the level of communities most of which has earned him recognition from national and international bodies.
He has over the years, also brought on board flourishing result-oriented initiatives like Trust Building in Faith Based and Tribal-Based Communities project which among others brought together youth and community leaders such as traditional and religious leaders including Lamidos, Chiefs, Imams, Ardos and Sultans. The key gathering dueled on the importance of intercultural dialogues between communities.
Dr Ngala and his team in the course of the program, strived in enhancing dialogue between subgroups in societies dominated by ethnic and religious orientations and believes. The highly-appreciated project contributed in promoting the spirit of pluralism among the communities with emphasis on prioritizing a spirit of understanding, communication and other strategic solutions that enables the inhabitants of the localities to look beyond faith and cultural values and differences.
Besides the landmark achievements in the area of awareness raising, Dr Ngala and his team at Civic Watch and #defyhatenow have engaged with government and private stakeholders in a bid to ensure laws are introduced to tackle hate speech both online and offline. Dr Ngala has worked as a political analyst and a data analyst and describes himself as a dedicated figure that is passionate about community development that empowers local stakeholders to become champions in their localities.
A scintillating academic background
Dr Ngala has Bachelor of Political Science and a Masters in Political Sciences-International Relations both obtained from the University of Yaounde II SOA. In December last year, he obtained a Doctorate degree in Conflict Resolution in the University of Buea where his thesis focused on the spread of hate speech using social media with Cameroon as a case study. Dr Ngala participated in the United State Departmen’s International Visitors’ Leadership Program-IVLP under the project A Global Moment in Time: Peace and Justice. As part of moves to give back to society, Dr Ngala featured as a 2022 Three Dot Dash Mentor, a volunteer mentorship programmed anchored by the United Kingdom-based We Are Family Foundation is designed to connect aspiring young peacebuilders with global leaders.
Hard work recognized globally
Dr Ngala’s works over the years have not gone unnoticed. He has in recent years, received plaudits from both Cameroon and beyond the country, for his strides in combating hate speech and promoting development at the level of communities. In November 2022, renown Cameroonian newspaper, NewsWatch named him among its six under 40s Cameroonians making a mark in different fields both in Cameroon and in the diaspora.
He shared the prestigious podium with the likes of Amahadu Adamou, the Chief Executive Officer of Bridge Corporation, a German-based company breaking grounds in specialized biometrics and advanced technology. In December last year, record-setting Cameroonian English language daily newspaper, The Guardian Post singled out Dr Ngala as one of the Anglophone civil society leaders who are excellently changing lives. He made the star-studded list alongside the iconic civil society driver, Commy Musa, the Founder of Sisterspeak237, a group that promotes women’s rights and other activities.
