The new National Assembly’s Director of Communication and Public Relations says the media platforms will serve as essential tools in bringing the work of legislative house closer to the people by notably broadcasting debates, showcasing committee works, covering legislative developments and raising public awareness about national policies and laws.
The first ever Anglophone Director of Communication and Public Relations at the National Assembly, Ekema Emmanuel Likine, has revealed plans to create a dedicated radio and television stations for the country’s legislative body. The announcement was made shortly after Likine’s installation on Friday, June 20, during a formal ceremony held at the Paul Biya Glass House in Yaounde. The event was presided over by El Hadj Boukar Abdourahim, Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the National Assembly, and attended by lawmakers, senior staff, and a cross-section of institutional personnel.
In his first public reaction following his appointment, Likine declared that launching in-house radio and TV platforms will be one of his top priorities. “We have been practicing all other aspects of communication except radio and TV,” he said. “This is a mandate that has been given to me. And I cannot realize it alone.” According to him, these new media outlets will serve as essential tools to bring the work of parliament closer to the people by broadcasting debates, showcasing committee work, covering legislative developments, and raising public awareness about national policies and laws. “It’s about transparency, visibility, and civic engagement,” he added. “The Cameroonian public deserves to know what their representatives are doing, and the best way to achieve that in today’s world is through direct and consistent communication.” Likine, a seasoned media and communication professional, is no stranger to the institution. Over the past four years, he led the Assembly’s communications unit and helped build its credibility and operational strength.
His promotion to the helm of a fully recognized Directorate marks a milestone not just for him personally, but for the evolution of the Assembly’s approach to public relations. “We functioned as a cell before,” he explained. “But the work we did proved that communication needed a stronger institutional voice. This new direction is proof of that.” Likine also expressed deep appreciation to the Right Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly, Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, for placing confidence in him. “This appointment came as a result of hard work,” he noted. “It confirms that the Speaker compensates efforts and believes in the youth. I am proud to say I am currently the youngest director at the National Assembly.” In order to realize this ambitious vision, he will work closely with two newly appointed Technical Advisers, Djampou Serges and Issa Abba, as well as his full communications team.
The Chief of Staff, El Hadj Boukar Abdourahim, reminded all newly appointed officials of the guiding values expected in their functions: discipline, professionalism, discretion, loyalty, and efficiency. He emphasized the strategic role of communication in aligning with the vision of the Speaker and promoting the leadership of President Paul Biya. Also installed alongside Likine were Agbor Dorothy, appointed as Research Officer, and the two advisers, whose collective tasks will involve building the operational, editorial, and technical foundation necessary to run full-scale broadcast operations. With Likine at the helm, the Communication and Public Relations Directorate is not only expected to manage institutional image but also to transform Parliament into an accessible platform for democratic engagement, through the airwaves and beyond.
