The Book, INK IN MY BLOOD, Written By Veteran Journalist, Charlie NDI CHIA, Will Be Launched On Saturday, May 17, 2025

 The book which is, A Journalist’s Fight for Freedom in Cameroon, will be launched at the Catholic University Institute of Buea, at 2pm prompt

 “More than just a personal memoir, this book is a call to action for the next generation of journalists, a reminder that the fight for press freedom is a never –ending battle, but one worth fighting”, an excerpt from the Editor’s Note

  Two other veteran journalists, ENOW Chris OBEN and Victor EPIE NGOME, to do the book reviews, at the book launch.

Read the views of George Ngwane, Prof Francis B. NYAMNJOH, MBOM Lambert, on the book

The campus of the University Institute of Buea in Fako Division, Southwest Region of Cameroon, will on Saturday, May 17, 2025, play host to the launching of the book, INK IN MY BLOOD (A Journalist’s Fight for Freedom),  by the Buea based veteran journalist, Charlie NDI CHIA, fondly known as Uncle Charlie.

Highlights of the book launch scheduled to start at 2 pm prompt on that blessed day, will include a Word from the Chairperson, Presentation of the Author, Reviews, Unveiling the Book / Launching, Comments and Questions, and a Word of Appreciation. And of course with the last item on the agenda being the traditional way of ending event s in this country of ours, Cameroon. Worthy of note that the book reviews will be done by two other veteran journalists, ENOW Chris OBEN and Victor EPIE NGOME.

BELOW IS THE LIST OF CONTACT PERSONS (RSVP) IN CASE OF NEED:

                                      RSVP

Mr NJOMO Kevin                                    –     (+237) 651 27 78 19

Ms FORLEMU Sendy N.                         –     (+237) 681 43 21 31

Mr NSOSEKA Andrew                             –      (+237) 678 41 55 84

Mr Francis AJUMANE                              –      (+ 237) 620 29 56 99

Ms Emmanuella SIY                                  –     (+237) 676 15 41 27

YERIMA KINI NSOM                                  –      (+ 237) 677 19 99 69

Mr Franklin SONE BAYEN                          –     (+237) 656 96 90 90

What The BOOK, INK IN MY BLOOD, IS ALL ABOUT

The new publication in town,  INK IN MY BLOOD (A Journalist’s Fight for Freedom), is a memoir written by the media guru, Charlie Ndi Chia, and  the Editor’s Note on the book,  gives one  a good idea of the  content of the book. See the said Editor’s Note below:

“From dodging flames as a child to dodging the secret police as a journalist, this is the story of a life spent leaving no stone unturned in the pursuit of truth.  Charlie Ndi Chia’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, the importance of speaking truth to power, and the enduring spirit of journalism in Cameroon.

Through arrest, detentions and exile, he has fought timelessly to expose corruption, hold those in power accountable, and give a voice to the voiceless. This memoir is a gripping account of one man’s unwavering commitment to journalistic integrity in the face of adversity. It is a story of courage, determination, and the unshakable belief in the power of the media to shape a better future for Cameroon. More than just a personal memoir, this book is a call to action for the next generation of journalists, a reminder that the fight for press freedom is a never –ending battle, but one worth fighting.”

                                     SOME VIEWS ON THE BOOK

Below are some views or opinions on the book, INK IN MY BLOOD, written by Charlie Ndi Chia:

“And finally the genie has been let out of the bottle. The much awaited literary travelogue of Uncle Charlie beginning from his childhood curiosity, through his juvenile mischief to his adult epiphany is now in the hands of the reader. Filled with wry humour, graphic details and frank talk, this epistolary autobiography amplifies the voices of journalists especially those who fearlessly spill the ink at the expense of their blood.

GEORGE NGWANE

                                             Writer and Policy Advocate

“While the youth are undoubtedly the leaders of tomorrow, the timeline for their rise remains uncertain. This is the enduring message of optimism woven through Charlie Ndi Chia’s captivating life story, recounted with inquisitive nature of his grandchild.  Ndi Chia, a journalist who left no stone unturned in the pursuit for truth, proves that even a rolling stone can gather moss, leaving a lasting legacy for generations”.

                                                     FRANCIS B. NYAMNJOH

Professor of Social Anthropology, University of Cape Town                                                     

“Ink in my blood” is the riveting account of the storied and checkered history of journalism and its evolution in Cameroon through the “blood-stained” eyes of veteran journalist, Charlie Ndi Chia. The recently published memoir paints a picture through personal stories capturing the trajectory of what could be summed as the dark 80s, the renascent 90s and the promising but decadent 2000s of the fourth estate. Yet, the endearing and enduring message is that of grit, resilience and hope. It would seem that the theme of this piece is that any journalist worth the salt in Cameroon is one who risks their freedom reporting and writing on the truth and who invariably ends up “broke.” And in the famous words of Uganda’s former President, Idi Amin: I can guarantee freedom of expression but I cannot guarantee what happens after that. Charlie can borrow from Li

St Paul in his letter to the Romans and state: We boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance character, and character produced hope,” (Rom 5:3-4)

From an era when government administrators served as censors approving or disapproving articles to be published, punctuated with not infrequent meetings with secret Police agents enforcing the unspoken rule: shut up or be shot out, to a period of liberalization which has been held captive by money, call it gumbo, journalism is not spared the cancers that have infected the fabric of the Cameroonian society.

The success of this work ensues from the fact that upon breezing through, it gave me a panoramic view of what Charlie’s resume looks like and I crafted one which I am sure can pass the test if measured in reality. Charlie Ndi Chia’s four decades in journalism told in 130 pages is quite a monumental feat without the fluff and flair. Written in typical journalistic fashion, call it conversational, within the intimate setting of a grandchild interviewing his grandfather, it carries the true value of a memoir – drawing from the past to inform the present and plan for the future. It is a gift from Charlie and a piece of memorabilia worth having. As I perused the text one question kept recurring: What is my favorite Charlie Ndi Chia’s moment?

Few people can boast of the journalistic pedigree of Charlie who has had the distinguished privilege of running through the entire gamut of journalism so to speak. Having debuted as a writer where he broke through in print journalism rising to be an editor then transitioning to the civil service by way of TV leaving his footprint with hard-hitting pieces on “Minute by Minute” – investigative series which led to his being banished to some sort of journalistic “Siberia” to run a children’s program “Kiddies Corner” and eventually moving to Radio Bertoua, the land of the rising sun, he had come full circle. After the brief stint at government run Cameroon Radio and Television, he returned to the private sector bringing his talent back to print journalism first with Cameroon Post and then the Post. Tired of working for others, he dared the business of journalism itself and became the publisher of the Rambler. The nimble but caustic “barrel” of his pen which shone through incisive columns, the first of which became the title of this memoir, his daredevil spirit that brought him fame but left him in prison dungeons, his avid curiosity that like the inquisitive monkey earned him “bullets of imprisonment” born from the innate commitment to the truth and nothing but the truth and his metallic voice over radio and TV combine to define the legacy of a man who has earned his stripes and deserve a seat in Cameroon’s hall of fame in journalism. For a man who has gone to and through hell so to speak, his claim that like “Don Quixote,” he “changed the face of journalism practice and dredge Mr. Biya’s Augean Stables”(p 83). Read Ink In My Blood as a Profile In Courage.

The real title for this book, in my estimation, is the title of the last chapter of the book namely: “Leaving No Stone Unturned.” While “Ink in my blood” is reminiscent of Charlie’s first columns, it is in competition with many others with similar experience. A simple Google search will prove the point. Or else, it could have been entitled, The rolling stone that gathers moss which is what I remember being the signature words with which ace journalist, Charlie Ndi Chia signed off his regular slot on Luncheon date broadcast from Cameroon’s national Radio in Yaounde to which he reported from Radio Bertoua in the 90s. This bears resemblance to the Sisyphusian myth. The peculiarity of leaving no stone unturned points unmistakably to the man and his witty and trite style: And once again, the book could aptly be described as stones that mark the twists and turns of a career in journalism of one who has plumbed the breadth and depth.. It is a biblical parallel of the stone rejected by the builders that became the corner stone trusting that if the Lord does not build a house in vain do its builders labor.

The one question that gnaws at my heart is the unpublished chapter, the one unturned stone of when the haunted Charlie became the hunter as a Presidential decree catapulted him to the famous or infamous national Communication Council – regulatory body of communications in Cameroon. He might have intentionally left this out for the regulated to tell the stories of the regulator. One cannot but wonder how he lasted 17 years within that body and how he survived the palace intrigues which he could not stand at CRTV.

In my estimation, this memoir is the opening chapter in what should follow now: an autobiography. For example, the black and white pictures mostly of his family that litter the book tell a parallel story foundational to the person, Charlie. After ravishing this story, I felt I needed more. It feels like a teaser.

Reading this exceedingly brilliant work from my own prison cell thanks to the generosity of Innocent Chia, left me empathetic and proud of Charlie’s story but comforted by his reflection call it lesson the grandchild needs to take home namely:

I want you to know that no matter what life throws your way, no matter how difficult things may seem, you have the power within you to overcome adversity, to learn from your experience and to emerge stronger and more determined than ever.

Remember my dear that life is a journey not a destination. There will be bumps along the road, there will be detours and roadblocks. But with resilience, with perseverance and with support of those who love you, you can navigate any challenge, achieve your dreams and make a positive impact on the world.

                                        MBOM LAMBERT

GRAB A Copy On AMAZON

https://www.amazon.com/Ink-My-Blood-Journalists-Cameroon/dp/9956554944#