Communication Minister told pressmen in Yaounde yesterday that the corps can ably engender growth by adequately handling legal notices.

Some pressmen from the public and private media have received training in Yaounde on the possibility of contributing to economic growth through the efficient handling of legal and judicial notices. The training came on the wake of government’s commitment to improve the business climate through the effective implementation of recommendations of the Cameroon Business Forum, the sixth edition of which held in Douala on March 9, 2015 with Prime Minister Philemon Yang chairing.

The Minister of Communication, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, in his opening address told journalists yesterday, June 24, 2015 that legal and judicial notices are springboards for information dissemination with focus on development-oriented spheres. The urge to upgrade the skills of media practitioners was based on the bid to improve access to information, ensure better business climate and thus the country’s economic drive. The training was within the European Union sponsored Support Programme to improve the Competitiveness of the Economy of Cameroon, PACOM.

A March 24, 2015 joint order of the Minister of State, Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals and that of Communication authorises 42 newspapers and dailies to receive legal and judicial notices. The order fixes the rates of the said notices at a maximum amount of FCFA 100 a line. However, journalists at yesterday’s get-together argue that the price tag is too minimal and has to be reviewed. They recommend an increase of the rates, the creation of a consultative body charged with the control and follow-up of legal and judicial notices, as well as the publication of contract bids in all the newspapers due the publication of legal notices in English and in French.