KRIBI, 23rd September/ Greenpeace Africa, in partnership with Transparency International Cameroon, has launched a capacity-building training to equip investigative journalists with the tools and techniques needed to uncover environmental issues with a focus on  illegal logging practices and promote transparency in the timber trade across the Congo Basin.

Illegal logging and unsustainable timber trade remain among the biggest drivers of deforestation and forest degradation in the Congo Basin, threatening biodiversity, climate resilience, and the livelihoods of millions of people. Weak governance, corruption, and gaps in supply chain transparency have allowed environmental crimes to flourish, despite existing national and international regulations. Between  2001 and 2023, Cameroon has lost more than 2 millions hectares of tree cover due to illegal logging. 

Recognizing the critical role of journalists in exposing such crimes, Greenpeace Africa, through its Forest Campaign, is hosting a specialized training in response to a direct request from the Network of Journalists for the Implementation of the Maputo Action Plan. The initiative aims to strengthen public awareness, media engagement, and civil society monitoring around timber legality and forest governance.

“Journalists are on the frontline of truth. By empowering them with investigative tools, we are reinforcing accountability, exposing corruption, and ensuring that the voices of forest-dependent communities are heard,” said Marlvin Tankoh, Country Coordinator of Greenpeace Africa in Cameroon.

During the training, selected journalists from across the country have:

  • Explored the concept of climate justice in the context of forest governance.
  • Learned to track and analyze timber supply chains, permits, and export data.
  • Gained methodologies for field investigations and cross-sector collaboration.
  • Received support to develop two in-depth investigative stories on environmental crimes, which will be directly published.

This initiative aligns with the Transparency International’s Climate Governance Integrity Programme (CGIP) implemented by over 20 of her chapters of which Transparency International Cameroon is amongst, and reinforces Greenpeace Africa’s commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and sustainable forest management in the Congo Basin.

“Illegal logging is not only an environmental crime,it is an injustice to communities, to governance, and to our shared climate. Supporting investigative journalism is a step towards climate justice,” added Claude Hyepdo, Country Representative for Transparency International Cameroon.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Luchelle Feukeng Tabo, Communication and Storytelling manager, Greenpeace Africa[email protected], +237 656463545