The Cameroon Association of English-Speaking Journalists (CAMASEJ) has welcomed the launch of the Peter Essoka Prize for Excellence in Journalism, a new national award aimed at recognizing outstanding achievement in English-language broadcasting.
The Minister Delegate to the Minister of External Relations in charge of the Commonwealth, who is also Patron of CAMASEJ, Felix Mbayu announced the launch of the award in a press release on Friday, February 20 as part of activities to mark the forthcoming 2026 Commonwealth Day.
Cameroon will join 55 other Commonwealth member countries from Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe, and the Pacific to commemorate this year’s Commonwealth Day on Monday, March 9, 2026, under the theme “Unlocking Opportunities Together for a Prosperous Commonwealth.”
Minister Felix Mbayu said the award, which honors veteran journalist Peter Essoka, has been established to celebrate the dedication, integrity, and service of professional journalists who demonstrate exceptional standards in their craft.
in charge of the Commonwealth, and CAMASEJ Patron
The award will recognize four recipients annually: the best male and female newscasters and the best male and female program animators on radio and television in the English language. Selection will focus on diction, articulation, delivery, accuracy, professionalism, and commitment to informing the public.
The nomination process will involve public participation through radio phone-ins and messages during the annual Commonwealth Radio Quiz National Radio and television and a jury chaired by the ace journalist Peter Essoka himself will subsequently select the winners.
Each category winner will receive a cash prize of FCFA 500k generously funded by the Ministry of External Relations in partnership with Merdolf Sarl, a private business company committed to supporting journalism and media development.
The announcement by Felix Mbayu comes 20 days after the Commonwealth minister was inducted as Patron of CAMASEJ. This was during the annual General Assembly of the umbrella association of Cameroon’s English speaking journalists in Limbe on January 31, 2026.
CAMASEJ has praised the Peter Essoka Prize for Excellence in Journalism initiative as Felix Mbayu’s “strong and inspiring” commitment to the promotion of quality journalism in Cameroon.
“By honouring a trail-blazing veteran, Peter Essoka, the initiative celebrates the values of professionalism, courage and service that define our association and our profession,” CAMASEJ said in a statement signed by its National President, Jude Viban.
The involvement of a private enterprise, CAMASEJ said, gives the initiative an added and meaningful dimension – demonstrating how the business community can stand side by side with the media to promote excellence and reward merit.
The association notes that it is not the first time its newly inducted Patron has demonstrated such support, evoking Felix Mbayu’s sponsorship of the Monica Chunji Mbayu Prize, created in honour of his late mother, during the North West Media Forum organised by the Bamenda Chapter of CAMASEJ.
“These actions speak to a personal belief in the power of journalism to shape society,” CAMASEJ stated, calling on its members nationwide to participate fully in the maiden Peter Essoka Prize for Excellence in Journalism.
“By doing so, we honour our heroes, strengthen our profession and inspire the next generation of journalists,” the umbrella association of English speaking journalists in Cameroon said.
