IHRAM’s Ambassador to Cameroon, Dr Geraldine Sinyuy Interviews Derrick A. Assam, a Teacher and Writer

Geraldine Sinyuy: Hello Derrick, thank you for accepting to be interviewed. In your opinion, what makes a good story?
Derrick A. Assam:  It is the Conflict which highlights suspense needs to be solved.

Geraldine Sinyuy: What is your favourite genre to write in and why?
Derrick A. Assam:  I love poetry. This is because of the language and imagery used to communicate emotions and feelings in few words.

Geraldine Sinyuy: Who is your favourite author, and what is it that actually touches you about their work?
Derrick A. Assam:  My favourite author is William Blake.

Geraldine Sinyuy: Have you ever experienced what is called a writer’s block? If yes, how did you get out of it?
Derrick A. Assam:  Yes. I have. I gave myself sometime to relax and do something out of the scope of writing. This relaxed my brain and I was able to bounce back.

Geraldine Sinyuy: What themes do you write about?
Derrick A. Assam:   Praise singing, love and nature.

Geraldine Sinyuy: Do you in any way write about human rights? If yes, what aspects of human rights?
Derrick A. Assam:  I do. I write on hardship.

Geraldine Sinyuy: Can you share an instance where you drew from real-life events to write your story?
Derrick A. Assam:  Yes of course. The 2023 price hikes in prices of goods in Cameroon inspired me to write ‘They Used to say Now is Said’ in January 2023 to decry the hardship.

Geraldine Sinyuy: Have you published any books? How have they been received in the society?
Derrick A. Assam:  Together with the Association of the Cameroon and Nigerian Writers’ League we have been able to publish a number of poetry collections and anthologies. This has prompted some upcoming writers to also feel they can also express themselves in the public space through writing.

Geraldine Sinyuy: What is the most inspiring feedback you've ever received from a reader?
Derrick A. Assam: “I felt like you were actually talking to me personally. I will take you to my pastor so your work can be added in our library.” This was the respond I got from an evangelist after reading through ‘My African Woman’ and my other collection of poems in the year 2022.

Geraldine Sinyuy: How has your writing evolved from when you started writing till now?
Derrick A. Assam:  Over the years I have been able to build my confidence in writing following recommendations from senior writers and associates. I can now deliver a piece of writing within a limited period of time.

Geraldine Sinyuy: What are some of the challenges that you face as a writer?
Derrick A. Assam:  The lack of a stable market where I can expose and sell out my work to the wold.

Geraldine Sinyuy: What advice will you give to young aspiring people who want to become writers?
Derrick A. Assam:  The profit of a writer is neither the material nor the money you make out of your writing, but the impact you create and the souls you win.

Geraldine Sinyuy: What writing project are you currently working on now?
Derrick A. Assam:   I am working on creating a social channel where I can engage in journalistic writing and articles.

Derrick A. Assam is a secondary school teacher born on November 10, 1993, and grew up at the village of Kajifu, Manyu Division, South West Region of Cameroon. He attended GHS Kajifu and GHS Mamfe for his secondary and high school education and later enrolled at the university Yaoundé1 where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts in English Language in the year 2018. In 2019, he was admitted at the Higher Teachers’ Training College of the University of Maroua as a student teacher. He graduated in June 2021 as a high school teacher. He is the author of “The Eyes that See”, “Western Hypothesis”, “The Cross” and “My African Woman” (2021) and “The Candlelight” and “To Elumelu” (2022), “A State Man’s Journey” (2025) and many others.