Bamenda: Conceived by Ndefru Melanie, a journalist residing in Bamenda, North-West Region, the Abakwa ‘pipo’ Meet and Greet initiative is emerging as a significant social platform aimed at promoting peace and social cohesion amidst the ongoing nine-year conflict in the region. This initiative is gaining momentum and living up to its intended purpose, steering individuals away from the negative energy associated with the conflict.
According to Cameroon News Agency, Ndefru Melanie was motivated to create this platform as a means to provide people with updates about Bamenda and the seven divisions of the North-West Region. Additionally, the platform exposes members to various genuine opportunities that could potentially enhance their income sources. It serves as a unifying space for people from the North-West Region, including those who have traveled, migrated, or are internally displaced due to the ongoing crisis or natural disasters.
Many participants have expressed their appreciation for the platform, highlighting its well-coordinated nature and the guiding rules that allow members to promote each other’s businesses. It also serves as a forum for discussing societal issues, which are often educational and enlightening. Ndefru Melanie emphasizes the importance of community development strategies and encourages members, despite seeking greener pastures elsewhere, to remain connected to their roots and contribute to the development of their home communities.
Recently, members of the platform gathered to celebrate their unity in peace, love, and harmony, further solidifying the bonds created through this initiative. Ndefru Melanie’s efforts are rooted in her personal experiences as both a victim and a witness of the ongoing Anglophone crisis, which she reports on. Her initiative not only aims to bring people together but also to ensure that the crisis does not overpower those remaining in the villages or towns.