WhatsApp, the new communication tool for Cameroonian institutions 📢

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In recent years, the use of WhatsApp as a communication tool has exploded in Cameroon. This application, once reserved for personal exchanges, is now adopted by public and private institutions as a communication channel. From channels to communities and groups, it has become the means to be closer to the population. While this initiative aims to strengthen proximity with citizens, it is not without drawbacks, particularly the anarchic proliferation of created channels.

A simple and accessible solution 🛠️

WhatsApp is favored for its ease of use. In just a few seconds, institutions can disseminate information to a large number of people. This reduces communication costs and transmission times.

« These groups and channels allow us to receive important information directly. This saves us from having to check websites or listen to announcements on the radio, » says Nathalie, a student in Yaoundé.

Furthermore, with minimal internet access, it is possible to create a group in just a few clicks and quickly share information with a wide audience. Institutions see it as a way to reach citizens directly without going through traditional media. However, this simplicity leads to an excessive multiplication of channels. In some cases, several groups are created for a single institution, generating duplicates and redundant messages.

A direct link with users 🤝

Moreover, these WhatsApp channels facilitate more interactive communication. For example, in groups, citizens can ask questions, give opinions, or report issues directly to the authorities. Some municipalities use these groups to inform residents about local activities or collect grievances.

« I was able to report a streetlight outage in my neighborhood thanks to a WhatsApp group from the city hall, » says Roger, a merchant.

The drawback of WhatsApp channels is that it is impossible to create discussions within them. However, users can directly react with emojis of their choice, depending on their satisfaction.

« These things just annoy us. Camwater creates a channel to tell us nonsense. We haven’t had water for weeks, and they say in their channel that new installations are underway. The worst part is that I can’t reply, » complains Isidore, a plumber.

Misuses to regulate 🚦

However, the proliferation of groups raises issues. First, some groups become spaces for off-topic discussions, where unnecessary messages clutter users’ feeds. Second, the security of data and the accuracy of shared information are not always guaranteed.

« Administrators should be stricter. Sometimes, we receive information that has nothing to do with the institution’s activities, » criticizes Vanessa, a civil servant.

To prevent these misuses, it is urgent to regulate the use of WhatsApp by Cameroonian institutions. According to users, this could include:

• Centralizing communication in a single group per institution;
• Strict moderation of messages to avoid abuse;
• Training administrators in group management and digital security.

These adjustments would help optimize this now-essential tool in the Cameroonian landscape. As Armand, an IT student, points out: « With a bit of organization, these groups can really make life easier for us. But for now, it’s a bit chaotic. Sometimes, older people end up insulting each other and exchanging nonsense. »

WhatsApp offers enormous potential for institutions, but its disorganized use limits its effectiveness. With better management, these channels and groups could become a real asset in strengthening institutional communication in Cameroon.

Your opinion !!! 

Do you think WhatsApp channels and groups from Cameroonian institutions genuinely improve communication, or do they create more confusion? Tell us in the comments 😌