The Guardian Post At 25: Ngah Christian Recounts Struggles, Triumphs, Unveils Silver Jubilee Plans

The Guardian Post Publisher At The Press Conference 

By Raymond Dingana

Cameroon’s first English-language daily newspaper, The Guardian Post, has unveiled a weeklong programme to celebrate its 25th anniversary, with activities scheduled for November 9 to 14, 2026.

The programme was announced by the newspaper’s Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, Ngah Christian, during a press conference at the media organisation’s headquarters in Efoulan Lac, Yaounde, on Friday, October 16.

Although the newspaper marked its 25th anniversary on August 30, 2026, the planned Silver Jubilee celebrations will feature professional development activities, community engagement, a sports walk and a grand anniversary event.

Ngah said the celebrations would reflect the newspaper’s commitment to press freedom, accountability and democratic development in Cameroon.

“As we celebrate 25 years of serving as the voice of the voiceless, holding authority to account, and advancing Cameroon’s democracy, we are launching a weeklong Silver Jubilee programme, running from November 9 to November 14, 2026,” 

he said.

According to the publisher, the activities will include thematic workshops and masterclasses for young print journalists, aimed at nurturing the next generation of reporters.

An Open Door and Community Outreach Day will also provide an opportunity for the newspaper to engage directly with readers, civil society organisations and local communities.

The programme will further feature a sports walk to promote wellness and fraternity among media professionals, culminating in a grand Silver Jubilee celebration on November 14 at the Concord International Hotel in Yaounde.

From A One-Man Operation To A Media Institution

Reflecting on the newspaper’s 25-year journey, Ngah described its growth from a modest operation into a media organisation employing more than 50 professionals within and outside Cameroon.

He said the newspaper had maintained an unbroken record of paying staff salaries on or before the 25th of every month throughout its existence.

Ngah traced the newspaper’s birth to August 30, 2001, when he launched it with FCFA 150,000 following what he described as a painful experience that frustrated his ambition to join the state-owned bilingual daily, Cameroon Tribune.

According to him, his recruitment was blocked in favour of another candidate because of the influence of a powerful figure in government circles. He also recounted a near-fatal encounter with a speeding brewery truck, which he said contributed to his decision to establish his own newspaper.

“That is how I gathered the little resources I had to launch The Guardian Post, on August 30, 2001, which also happened to be my birthday,”

 he recalled.

Despite the difficult beginnings and predictions that the newspaper would not survive in Cameroon’s challenging print media environment, Ngah said hard work, sacrifice, unyielding faith in God and a commitment to journalistic integrity had sustained the publication.

Sanctions, Financial Pressure And Other Challenges

The publisher said the newspaper’s journey had been marked by financial difficulties, sabotage, online phishing, fabricated front pages and threats from individuals opposed to its editorial stance.

He particularly recalled two suspensions imposed by the National Communication Council (NCC) in 2013.

According to Ngah, the newspaper was first suspended for two months and subsequently handed a three-month suspension shortly after returning to circulation.

He argued that the sanctions were unjust because, in both cases, the newspaper was not summoned for a hearing before the decisions were taken.

The second suspension, he explained, followed a complaint by a group of English-speaking journalists based in Yaounde. They reportedly took issue with comments attributed to Ngah in an interview following the first suspension, which they considered injurious to two English-speaking members of the NCC.

Ngah maintained that the sanctions threatened the livelihoods of employees and their families. However, he said the newspaper continued to pay its staff in full throughout the difficult period.

Expansion And Return To Daily Publication

Despite the setbacks, The Guardian Post expanded its publication schedule over the years, moving from an irregular weekly newspaper to a bi-weekly, tri-weekly and eventually a five-day daily publication in 2016.

In 2022, it launched The Guardian Post Sunday, extending its publication to six days a week. Ngah said the newspaper now publishes seven days a week, supported by The Guardian Post Sports and The Guardian Post Magazine.

The publisher also highlighted the organisation’s infrastructural development, including the acquisition of land and construction of its headquarters in Efoulan Lac, where it has operated since 2019.

The newspaper has invested in modern printing equipment, operates a round-the-clock printing press, and has transitioned from black-and-white production to full-colour front and back pages. It also operates a functional website through which electronic editions are sold.

Ngah said the publication had never been taken to court for libel or defamation during its 25 years of operation. He attributed its readership to what he described as a longstanding record of credibility and responsible journalism.

He said the newspaper has more than 10,000 subscribers to its electronic editions, while approximately 80 per cent of its 3,000 printed copies are purchased by institutional and individual subscribers.

Pledges Continued Commitment To Independent Journalism

Looking ahead, Ngah said the newspaper would continue expanding its digital presence across social media platforms while maintaining its editorial policy.

“As captured by our motto: Cherished by many, haunted by some, read by them all, we remain committed to our middle-of-the-road editorial policy, fair, balanced, and fearless reporting,”

 he said.

He added that the publication would remain a marketplace of ideas for Cameroonians, irrespective of their political affiliations or social standing.

The publisher further described the newspaper as a contributor to national integration and bilingualism, noting that French-speaking readers use its English-language publications to improve their proficiency in English.

As preparations gather momentum for the November celebrations, the newspaper is expected to use the Silver Jubilee to reflect on its history, recognise its achievements and reaffirm its role in Cameroon’s media landscape.