Walter Wilson Nana
Buea, Cameroon

The various ministries in charge of education in Cameroon, assessment bodies like the Cameroon GCE Board and the National Anti-Corruption Commission, NACC, are making efforts to give credibility to examinations organised across the country and give examination certificates the worth they deserve. Though challenges of fraud and cheating may surface along the line, the Cameroon Country Director of Exam Ethics Marshalls International, Terry Foundjing thinks that the promotion of best practices in education must be sustained and given all the necessary support. Hence, her organisation has come to be part of the chain to maintain and reinforce credibility in Cameroon’s examinations sector and promote the spirit of hard work in schools. In this exclusive interview, Foundjing explains the mission of her organisation and how they intend to make their contributions felt.

Excerpts:

What is Exam Ethics Marshalls International all about?

Mrs Terry Foundjing, Country Director, Exam Ethics Marshalls International, Cameroon

We are a non-profit organisation, created in Nigeria in 1996. It was introduced in Cameroon in December 2013. We have as mission to restore the dignity of examinations. When children are well educated, they adequately go through the education process, they write their exams well, then they will have a certificate and be proud of it. When you have citizens with certificates they honestly worked for it, we can start talking of a good society, a society built on a solid foundation. We are not only looking at exams but the effects of examinations.

On the ground, what do you do?

In Cameroon, we work with education stakeholders; parents, teachers and the government. We are working with professional schools, the media, the military and all other structures involved in education. Examinations are not limited to the end of a course; we are talking of all examinations that give you a certificate. We are out to ensure that those certificates are genuine and can lead one to a job, where your performance will be tested and proven.

How related are you to the various ministries in charge of education in Cameroon and assessment bodies like the Cameroon GCE Board?

We are working on an MOU with the Ministry of Youth and Civic Education. That is underway with the Director of Cooperation in the aforementioned ministry. Same developments are been worked out with the Ministry of Basic Education, Ministry of Secondary Education, the Cameroon GCE Board and the Baccalaureate Board. We are working with National Anti-Corruption Commission, NACC. They cannot be everywhere, so we are complementing their operations.

Your motto is Promoting Best Practices In Education, how much influence can you make in a society where fraud, dishonesty are rife?

We are working as an organisation and we will go across the ten regions of the country, get to the divisions and to the municipalities. It is an individual and collective moral rearmament. We train Marshalls, who go beyond being a teacher. We will train all the stakeholders at the regional level, who are the regional coordinators and they will in turn train divisional coordinators and the training chain moves to the towns and smaller communities. We will move to schools to implant the ethical values and create clubs. The professional schools are not left out. We must build a deep sense of patriotism amongst Cameroonians and engage in a rigorous fight against corruption. After operating for a year in Cameroon, many people are coming on board to join the initiative. We must do something to better the situation. The discussions we are having on the media is educating a lot of people and encouraging them to know what is happening.

Examinations are ongoing across Cameroon now. How involved is Exam Ethics Marshalls International?

We are joining the Cameroon GCE Board to address examination stakeholders across the nation as they are doing now. Where ever they are, our representatives are with them and chipping in a word when necessary. Until now, the children have been taught, the teachers did their work diligently, some even played the role of a parent, therefore, we have to encourage the children to move on, shun fear and be their own person. The children should go into the examination hall with a lot of confidence as has been the case since the beginning of the school year and they will make it.

Knowing how delicate managing examination is, do you have a peer review mechanism within your set up?

When you come into exam ethics, you take a pledge of self regulation, to be disciplined and accept to be trained. We are our own monitors. If you deviate from what exam ethics stand for, you are pushed out from the organisation. We do not compromise our values. We are not part of anything or will engage into that will soil our reputation. We cannot stay behind and say something cannot be done, no, something can be done for us to move forward. There was a Mandela in South Africa who did not compromise. He stood for something and changed the face of South Africa. We can do the same in Cameroon. People do not want to rock the boat. We are too comfortable in Cameroon. People want to live in affluence and not from the fruits of their labour. People want to cheat and steal. However, there are some good people and what they need is encouragement and they will do better.

Has Exam Ethics come to stay in Cameroon?

Definitely! Parents are the first examiners in the house. They will assess the children in the house.  A leader in an office will assess the workers. We are not limited to formal examinations or education. We are into informal education too.

Are you working with the bi-cultural nature of Cameroon in mind – English and French subsystems of education?

Certainly! If not, then we have no place here. Cameroon is for all of us, English or French speaking. We are working for the betterment of both subsystems of education in the country.

Your message to Cameroonians…

This is a crusade. We should bond as one and push out bad practices in our examination sector. We must embrace best practices with all our might. We have a beautiful country and it is our responsibility to make it better.

Interviewed by Walter Wilson Nana

Walter Wilson Nana
Buea, Cameroon

Generally, in the African continent, the processes involved in land acquisition are fuzzy.  For the women in particular, to acquire and subsequently own land is an uphill task. This is the background in which the International Development Research Centre, IDRC, the University of Buea, UB, the Centre for Basic Research, CBR, Kampala, Uganda and the University of Ghana, UG, launched a consortium on Large Scale Land Acquisition Project for the African continent.

UB VC, Dr Nalova Lyonga - Women must have a say in land acquisition

At the launching ceremony in the UB campus, Dr. Nalova Lyonga, UB Vice Chancellor, questioned why land, which is a big resource is not equitably shared. She will enjoin the members of the consortium to look at the gaps, find out what is happening and boost the morale of people, especially those who think that nothing is happening to redress the situation. “A lot of things are not being implemented but people have to continue with studies and findings on the problems and eventually a solution will be found,” she noted.

Dr. Josephine Ahikire of CBR, Kampala, Uganda - Weak legislation is at the heart of land crises in Sub-Saharan Africa

According to the UB VC, the implementation chain starts from the individual to the public discussion table. “We are talking about the individual to the government. If the individual, the community, the entire village say this is what we want, I do not think that the government will have any way out that it should not be done. The private is political. Anything that we do privately, has political consequence,” she mentioned.

Nalova Lyonga decried the notion of individualism in today’s world, saying

Hon Mary Meboka(1st from right) Member of Parliament, Ndian Division, Southwest Region follows discussions at the launch of the consortium in UB

researchers must be supported to get action now. She will ask where the African communal spirit has gone to, adding; “We have a lot of work to do and changes to make in our communities. Women should be supported and given the leeway in land acquisition.”

Principal Investigator and Project Coordinator of the Consortium, Dr. Lotsmart Fonjong of UB said the outcome of their research will help government on what to consider when giving out land to people. Fonjong expressed surprise why in the municipality of Buea, banana is

IDRC's Ramata Thioune - We're funding research for development

being watered while the population have not got enough water to use, indicating that when large portions of land are given out to institutions, they control the water delivery and the land. “Therefore, the surrounding communities will suffer from water, land and food crises,” he said.

According to Fonjong, future land deals must factor in buffer zones, while the community interest is taken into consideration.

Dr Lotsmart Fonjong of UB, head of the Pan African Consortium

Fonjong explained that land is never idle. “Some people are always working on it. Companies cannot come and think that people have not been working on the land. Women in particular use the land to plant non-timber forest products, do farming activities and the financial resources they get from the sales is what they use in sending their children to school and do more.” He will add that women are not consulted in land acquisition, following the patriarchal system in most part of Africa, Cameroon not left out, noting that their research findings is also aimed at creating a policy framework to indicate that land is never idle.

Executive Director of CBR and Associate Professor at Makerere University, Uganda, Dr Josephine Ahikire blamed the worrying land issues across the African continent on loose legislation, weak land governance and incoherence in the law. “There are always conflicting claims on land, in the cases we see in Uganda. With these conflicting claims, the people who suffer most are the women. Their rights are not documented and their rights belong to how the land is governed.”

The CBR Executive said 80 percent of the land in Uganda is not titled, saying it is customary land. “This atmosphere has given the elites the opportunity to quickly rush and title some lands because they have the wherewithal to manipulate the situation, especially in communities that do not have an interest to register their land.”

Ahikire said their consortium will put the situation on paper, say what it is and show the incoherence embedded in the legal system, which constitute potential risk for Ugandan citizens. “When you have a weak system and a new phenomenon of Large Scale Land Acquisition, it means that the weaker section of the society will suffer and in the end the economy in general will suffer, putting a strain on people.”

She said the whistle-blowing they have engaged into is not only for the mighty but for everybody. “It is said that the master’s tools cannot destroy the master’s house. If people have the knowledge, then they should move the mighty to demand for accountability. We are looking at knowledge to serve and inform the communities so that the mighty should be accountable.”

IDRC Regional Officer in Nairobi, Ramata Thiuone, whose institution is financing the consortium, enjoined the key stakeholders to change their behaviour on managing land issues. “We are funding this research for development and we think that knowledge can be catalyst for development and positive change in terms of policy, practice and behaviour. We are interested in solving development problems,” she said.

Les noms de deux joueurs locaux figurent dans la liste publiée lundi par Volker Finke, l’entraineur des Lions Indomptables, l’équipe nationale de football du Cameroun.  

Anne Mireille Nzouankeu
Yaoundé, Cameroun

C’est par un communiqué de presse que Volker Finke, l’entraineur des Lions Indomptables, l’équipe nationale de football du Cameroun, a rendue publique la liste des 23 joueurs sélectionnés pour la coupe du monde de football qui commence dans quelques jours au Brésil.  Deux joueurs locaux figurent dans cette liste à savoir le gardien de but Loïc Feudjou de Coton Sports de Garoua et le défenseur Cédric Djeugou, lui aussi titulaire de Coton Sport.

Pour le reste, le sélectionneur allemand a choisi de continuer avec des joueurs qu’il connait déjà, puisque ce sont les mêmes qui ont qualifié l’équipe pour la coupe du monde. A l’attaque, on retrouve des joueurs bien connus tel que Samuel Eto’o du FC Chelsea, Eric Choupo Moting du Mainz 05 ou encore Vincent Aboubakar du FC Lorient.  Loïc Feudjou de Coton Sport, Charles Itandje du Khonyaspor et Sammy Ndjock sont dans les goals.  En défense, on retrouve Cédric Djeugou de Coton Sport de Garoua qui a eu une belle prestation lors des matchs de préparation des Lions Indomptables. Enoh Eyong d’Antalyaspor, Alexandre Song du FC Barcelone et Edgar Salli du FC Lens sont quelques jours sélectionnés pour le milieu de terrain.

Avec l’Algérie, la Côte d’Ivoire, le Ghana et le Nigéria, le Cameroun fait partie des cinq équipes africaines qualifiées pour la coupe du monde Brésil 2014. Le Cameroun se retrouve dans la poule A avec la Croatie, le Mexique et le Brésil.

Liste des 23 joueurs sélectionnés

GARDIENS/GOALKEEPERS

ITANDJE, Charles (Kkonyaspor)
N(D)JOCK, Sammy (Fethiyesposss)
FEDJOU, Loic (Cotonsports de Garoua)

DÉFENSEURS/DEFENDERS

NYOM, Allan (Granada CF)
DJEUGOU, Cedric (Cotonsports de Garoua)
NOUNKEU, Dany (Besiktas)
CHEDJOU, Aurélien (Galatasaray)
NKOULOU, Nicolas (O. Marseille)
BEDIMO, Henri (O. Lyon)
ASSOU EKOTTO, Benoit (Queens Park Rangers)

MILIEUX DE TERRAIN/MIDFIELDERS

EYONG, Enoh (Antalyaspor)
MAKOUN, Jean II ( Stade Rennes)
MATIP, Joël (Shalke 04)
MBIA, Stéphane, (FC Sevilla)
N’GUEMO, Landry ( Bordeaux)
SONG, Alexandre (CF Barcelona)
SALLI, Edgar (FC Lens)

ATTAQUANTS/STRIKERS

ETO’O FILS, Samuel (FC Chelsea)
CHOUPO MOTING, Eric (Mainz 05)
MOUKANDJO, Benjamin (AS Nancy-Lorraine )
ABOUBAKAR, Vincent (FC Lorient)
WEBO, Pierre Achille (Fenerbahce)
OLINGA, Fabrice (SV Zulte-Waregem)

Walter Wilson Nana
Buea, Cameroon

After a highly charged game against the German Manschafft over the weekend in Mochengladbach, Germany, in which the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon pulled an exciting 2 all draw with their German counterparts, head coach of the Lions has made public his 23-man squad for Brazil 2014. Absent from the initial roll call of 28 are; Guy-Roland Ndy Assembé, Gaëtan Bong, Raoul Cédric Loé, Jean-Armel Kana-Biyik and Idrissou Mohamadou. Observers have been quick to say that some of the aforementioned players did not perform well during the 3-week training sojourn in Kufstein, Austria while a player like Jean-Armel Kana-Biyik was rocked with injuries.

Indomitable Lions of Cameroon - Set for Brazil 2014 campaign

In Volker Finke’s list of 23, there are two home-based players; Loic Fedjou, a keeper and Cedric Djeugou, a defender, all from Cotonsport of Garoua. The rest of the players are regulars in the team, who participated in most of the qualifiers and successfully picked a world cup 2014 ticket for Cameroon. The Samuel Fils Eto’o captained team include;

GOALKEEPERS

1. ITANDJE Charles (Konyaspor)
2. N’DJOCK Sammy (Fethiyespor)
3. FEDJOU Loïc (Coton sport de Garoua)

DEFENDERS

1. NYOM Allan (Granada CF)
2. DJEUGOU Cédric (Coton sport de Garoua)
3. NOUNKEU Dany (Besiktas)
4. CHEDJOU Aurélien (Galatasaray)
5. NKOULOU Nicolas (O. Marseille)
6. BEDIMO Henri (O. Lyon)
7. ASSOU EKOTTO Benoit (Queens Park Rangers)

MIDFIELDERS

1. EYONG Enoh (Antalyaspor)
2. MAKOUN Jean II (Stade Rennes)
3. MATIP Joël (Shalke 04)
4. MBIA Stéphane, (FC Sevilla)
5. N’GUEMO Landry (Bordeaux)
6. SONG Alexandre (CF Barcelona)
7. SALLI Edgar (FC Lens)

STRIKERS

1. ETO’O FILS Samuel (FC Chelsea)
2. CHOUPO MOTING Eric (Mainz 05)
3. MOUKANDJO Benjamin (AS Nancy-Lorraine)
4. ABOUBAKAR Vincent (FC Lorient)
5. WEBO Pierre Achille (Fenerbahce)
6. OLINGA Fabrice (SV Zulte-Waregem)

Not Selected

1. Guy-Roland Ndy Assembé
2. Gaetan Bong
3. Raoul Cédric Loé
4. Jean-Armel Kana-Biyik
5. Idrissou Mohamadou

In continuation of their warm up matches as they look forward to jet into Brazil, after Portugal, Macedonia, Paraguay and Germany, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon will take on Moldovia come Saturday, June 7 2014 at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde. The international friendly in Yaounde is also an opportunity for the Lions to receive blessings from their home fans and bid them farewell on their journey to Brazil.

Walter Wilson Nana
Buea, Cameroon

The Bishop of Kribi in the South Region, Chairman of the National Communication Council, NCC, is dead. He died in a hospital in Pretoria, South Africa at 8:40am on Wednesday, June 4 after a protracted illness. The Bishop’s death hit Yaounde with unprecedented surprise.

A gloomy atmosphere could be discerned on the faces of the personnel of the NCC when these reporters visited the premises at the Bastos neighbourhood in Yaounde, as the sad news was announced. Grief and consternation had taken over every face. Wailings of disapproval rented the air as workers at the council learnt of the death with disbelief.

Late Mgr Joseph Befe Ateba during a trip to Radio Buea

Shock and melancholy equally gripped Christians of Kribi Diocese when the news fell there like a bombshell. According to the Vicar General of the diocese, Mgr. Jean Medounga, the Bishop’s demise raged through the town like a disaster.

Biodata

Mgr. Befe Ateba was born on April 25, 1962 in Nkoebe village in Mbalmayo, Centre Region. After his primary and secondary education, the young Ateba received Priestly Formation at the Saint Therese Minor Seminary, Mvolye and the Immaculate Conception Major Seminary in Nkolbisson. He was ordained Priest on July 20, 1987 for the Yaounde Archdiocese.

Befe Ateba did University Studies at the Media Service Centre in Kaduna, Nigeria and the Advanced School of Mass Communication, ASMAC, in Yaounde. He holds a Baccalaureate in Theology and a Diploma in Communication Sciences.

He became the Vicar General for the Archdiocese of Yaounde in 1987. In 1989, he was appointed Parish Priest of Kondengui and head of social Communication in Yaounde Archdiocese. He will become the Regional Secretary of the Commission in charge of Social Communication within the Association of Episcopal Conference of the Central African Region in 1995.

In 1998, he was a member of the Committee of Social Communication in the Episcopal Conference of Cameroon, and press attaché of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar.

He became the Parish Priest of St Joseph Anglophone Parish in Mvoga-Ada, Yaounde in 2004.

From there, he was appointed the pioneer Bishop of the Diocese of Kribi in 2008. July 7 2011, President Paul Biya appointed Mgr Befe Ateba the Chairman of the National Communication Council.

With his demise, Mgr Befe Ateba has left the NCC without a head and the Catholic Church mourning the loss of one of its Apostles. The Bishop was also known for his intellectual prowess and eloquence.  Many observers have described the late Bishop of Kribi and NCC Chair as a skilful yet humble person.

He spoke seven languages, including; French, English, Latin and Ewondo fluently.

Dans cette habitation située au quartier Nkololoun, la rampe des escaliers, des pans du mur sont inexistants par endroits.

Josiane Kouagheu
Douala-Cameroun

L’immeuble se dresse en plein cœur du quartier Nkololoun à Douala. Un pan du mur s’est écroulé. L’espace vide laisse entrevoir des rideaux. En s’avançant vers l’habitation, l’on aperçoit une jeune fille, la vingtaine, qui monte les marches de l’escalier. Sa progression est lente. Elle semble contrôler ses pas. « Si elle fait une erreur, elle peut perdre sa vie. L’immeuble est usé. Dans la nuit du 21 au 22 mai, tout un pan du mur s’est écroulé. Il n’y a plus rien en bon état », lâche une vendeuse d’oranges, installée à quelques pas.  Dans une chambre au rez-de-chaussée de cet immeuble R+4, un homme balaie des débris de papiers qui jonchent le sol humide. Il s’agit en fait d’un locataire, apprend-on. Des gouttes d’eau qui passent à travers la dalle tombent sur le sol. Il ne pleut pourtant pas à l’extérieur.

Une vue de l'immeuble qui menace de s'éffondrer

Pour parvenir à l’étage, il faut passer par les escaliers. Leurs rampes sont inexistantes. On y grimpe sans support. Au balcon, les balustrades en fer menacent de s’effondrer. « Il ne faut pas s’y adosser », avertit un membre de la famille. Des fissures sont visibles sur les murs sans peinture. Bernadette Moumeni, est l’une des propriétaires de l’immeuble. « Je dors avec la peur au ventre. Je ne suis pas sûre de voir le jour. Je sais que mes frères, sœurs et moi sommes en danger », reconnaît-t-elle, la mine triste. Elle avoue que l’immeuble menace de s’effondrer depuis trois ans. « Nous voulons détruire mais, la 2ème femme qui a son immeuble près du nôtre refuse. Certains locataires sont partis. Nous ne savons plus quoi faire. Les voisins souffrent à cause de cette situation», regrette-t-elle.

« Dans la nuit, je ne peux pas dormir sans avoir peur. Mon fils a failli mourir l’année dernière parce qu’un pan de mur de l’immeuble s’est brisé. Tout a failli se renverser sur lui. Je ne dors plus dans ma chambre. Les murs de l’immeuble qui s’effondrent chaque fois détruisent nos tôles. Il y a deux mois, ma mère a failli mourir quand le mur de l’immeuble s’est cassé et est tombé sur son lit», raconte Blanche Solange Paho, une voisine dont l’immeuble jouxte leur maison. Après avoir organisé en vain des réunions avec les propriétaires pour la destruction de l’immeuble, Engelbert Ewolo, chef du quartier Nkololoun dernier poteau, a écrit une lettre au sous-préfet de Douala 2ème  pour lui « faire part de cette situation préoccupante ».

Walter Wilson Nana
Buea, Cameroon

President Paul Biya Wednesday, June 4th 2014 appointed new governors in the Boko Haram afflicted North and Far North Regions of Cameroon.

Biya also changed several low level administrators within days after or

Moved - Governors Awah Fonka(L) and Wilson Joseph Otto were transferred to the South of the country

dering a troop surge along the northwestern border with Nigeria.

Cameroon has pledged to wage a war against the Nigerian Islamist group, which has repeatedly extended their brutal campaign into its territory.

Far North, rendered the most insecure part of the country by Boko Haram, will now be headed by a northerner Midjiyawa

Governor Midjiyawa Bakari, moving from West Region to Far North Region

Bakari, formerly Governor of the West Region

Bakari swapped regions with Augustine Fonka Awah, who been redeployed to the West Region as governor.

A former Senior Divisional Officer, SDO, Jean Edi Abate was promoted to the position of Governor of the North Region where he replaced Wilson Joseph Otto.

Otto also moved to the south of the

Prof. Joyce Bayande Endeley, Deputy Vice Chancellor TIC, UB, now pioneer Director, HTTC Kumba

country to become the new Governor of the Center Region, where the national capital, Yaounde is located.

Roger Moise Eyene Lom, who was Governor of the Center until Wednesday, June 4 2014 afternoon has gone on retirement, indicated the presidential decree read on state media, CRTV.

The new appointments appeared strategic, touching only a few regions and clearly intended to send new men to the troubled north.

They came as Cameroon government officials announced that at least 60 suspected militia of the group, Boko Haram had been killed in the Far North Region.

There has now been a huge mobilisation to encourage citizens to help security forces track members of the group.

Boko Haram is believed to be holding at least 10 Chinese road construction workers snatched from a camp in Maroua recently.

In the June 4 Presidential Decrees, the following persons were also appointed to various positions of responsibilities; the Secretary General in the Far North Governor’s office, Louis Florent Ribuem Amungam, formerly DO of Belabo, SDO for Mbam & Enoubou Division, Centre Region, Maurice Tchoffo Sa’ah, SDO for Mayo-Sava Division, Far North Region, Babila Akawo, SDO for Mayo-Tsanaga, Far North Region, Raymond Rokbwo, SDO for Sanaga Maritime Division, Littoral Region, Frizt, Dikosso Seme, SDO for Ndian Division, Southwest Region,  Chamberlain Ndong.

In the Ministry of Higher Education, Marcel Laurent Njoda Fouda was appointed Inspector General.

Other officials were appointed in state universities across the country, with Prof. Joyce Endeley, formerly Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Teaching, Development of Information and Communication Technology and Professionalisation, University of Buea, UB now pioneer Director of Higher Teachers Training College, HTTC Kumba, a new institution under UB.

Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Research, Cooperations and Relations with the Business World, University of Bamenda, Bathelemy Nyafe.

In UB, Dr Blaise Moukoko was appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Teaching, Development of Information and Communication Technology and Professionalisation, formerly Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Control and Internal Evaluation.

Dr Charles Epah Fonkeng was maintained as Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Research, Cooperations and Relations with the Business World.

Prof. Theresia Nkwo Akenji was appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Control and Internal Evaluation, formerly Dean, Faculty of Science.

In the Department of Administrative & Financial Affairs, University of Bamenda, Emmanuel Mbanga Kollo was appointed Director.

In the Higher Institute of Transport and Logistics, Alexis Tegia was appointed Director.

Still in UB, Prof. Samuel Ndongwi Ayonghe was appointed Dean, Faculty of Science, formerly Vice Dean, Faculty of Science.

In the University Institute of Technology, University of Douala, Jacques Etame was appointed Director.

Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, Dean, Emmanuel Ngameni, Faculty  of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences,   Dean, Antoine David Mvondo Ze, Faculty of Fine Arts in Foumban, Dean, Richard Tamo Ghoghomu.

University of Maroua, Department of Administrative & Financial Affairs, Director, Motapon Usmanou.

University of Yaounde I, Department of Infrastructure, Planification & Development, Director, Thomas, Tatsieseh, Tamo.

Department of Social Affairs, Director, Josiane Beling. University Institute of Technology, Director, Robert Medjo Eko’o.

Walter Wilson Nana
Buea, Cameroon

After the Presidential Decree No. 2014/090 of March 7 2014 creating the Higher Technical Teachers Training College, HTTTC in the University of Buea, UB, with location in Kumba, Meme Division, Southwest Region, things are moving fast for that institution as they prepare take off for the 2014/2015 academic year.

Shortly after a Ministerial Order No. 1400006 of May 14 2014, signed Jacques Fame Ndongo, Minister of Higher Education appointing the pioneer administrative and academic officials of the HTTTC, Kumba, a Presidential Decree No. 2014/189 of Wednesday, June 4 2014 appointing some officials in State universities across Cameroon included the pioneer Director of HTTTC, Kumba. She is Prof. Joyce Bayande Endeley, formerly serving as Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Teaching, Professionalisation and Development of Information and Communication Technologies, UB.

Prof. Joyce Bayande Endeley, pioneer Director, HTTC, Kumba.

Prof. Endeley will be cumulating her position of Director with that of Head of Department, Agronomy in HTTTC, Kumba. The latter is part of the aforementioned Ministerial Order.

The scholar on Agronomy and Gender issues expressed delight with her newfound responsibilities, while accepting that as pioneers it will be a daunting task for them. However, she was upbeat that with her academic and administrative baggage, gathered over the years and

Dr. Micheal Agbor Ntui, Assistant Director, HTTTC, Kumba

with the team put in place by the government of Cameroon, they will take the challenge and move forward. “We must start from somewhere and we will go on. The challenges, concerns raised in the Growth and Economic Strategic Paper of Cameroon are the issues we shall be tackling,” she noted.

According to HTTTC Director, there are a series of proposals on where the college should be located in Kumba, “But, we will not rush for now. A lot of suggestions have

Dr. Jane Francis Akoachere(in blue), smiling into her new office as Vice Dean, Faculty of Science, UB

been trickling in. The government has to look into them closely. The government will not get land just anywhere for the institution. They have to look into issues of indemnities and other damages to be incurred. Accessibility to students must be a priority. So, for now, we will have temporary accommodation at the Government Technical High School in Kumba and progressively move on,” she mentioned.

On how students will be recruited into HTTTC, Kumba, the Director indicated that more developments are awaited from the Ministry of Higher Education on whether applications will be studied or an entrance examination will be conducted. “Now, we have to begin the administration on the ground, hold a series of meetings with my collaborators and the UB administration, set our priorities, the road map and a budget for the school,” she said.

According to Prof. Endeley, HTTTC, Kumba has come to give a new lease to the municipality of Kumba, especially in the agricultural and mechanical sectors. “Kumba is an agrarian and commercial town, with big farmers like the Muketes and the Njikams. These are amongst some of the big plantations that our students will go for their internships. We will be able to prepare our students and change the mindsets in Kumba from production to distribution, marketing.”

Asked how she should be remembered after her stay in HTTTC, Kumba, Prof. Endeley replied; “As a Director who made her students useful to the community, the nation and the world. They should come out as solutions to the problems in our country and not those who complain. We are talking about a technical institution that has the mandate to transform the mindset and ways of doing things of Cameroonians.”

She will not give in to political readings that her appointment is linked to the ‘daughter-of-the-soil’ philosophy, saying she has her professional, academic and administrative package to show. “The President of the Republic and his collaborators know better why they chose me,” Prof. Endeley noted.

Before the Presidential Decree appointing Prof. Joyce Endeley was made public, the 23 officials of HTTTC, Kumba, who were appointed in the aforementioned Ministerial Order, were commissioned to their respective post of responsibilities by the Vice Chancellor of UB, Dr. Nalova Lyonga, Wednesday, June 4 2014. On behalf of UB management, the Registrar, Prof. Roland Ndip enjoined the appointed officials to do their work with a lot of love and commitment. He will remind them that being pioneer staff, the take off will be arduous yet, it is no reason to give up, inviting them to bring in all their goodness, tact and skills into the responsibility entrusted to them by the state.

According to the Ministerial Order, the Assistant Director of HTTTC Kumba is Dr. Michael Agbor Ntui, Associate Professor, formerly serving at the Faculty of Education, UB. The Secretary General is Daniel Lissouck, cumulatively with his function as Head of Department for Renewable Energy.  Kenneth Lukong Mengjo is the Director of Studies, cumulatively with his position as Head of Department, Administrative Techniques. Heading the Division of Administrative and Financial Affairs is Emmanuel McEttabawume. Micheal Ekonde Sone is the Head of Division, Industrial Techniques. The Division of Tertiary Science is headed by Boniface Epo Ngah, cumulatively as Head of Department of Management Sciences. Emmanuel Ekome Kang is the Head of Division, Training and Orientation. The Division of Business, Cooperation and Innovation is headed by Bernard Essimbi Zobo, cumulatively as Head of the Department of Electrical and Power Engineering. Joseph Nzalie Ebi heads the Division of Practicals, while the Chief Librarian is Linus Sama Samje.

In the Service of Financial Affairs, Kenneth Pasiah Bobgal is the Head of Service and John Mosembe Etomale is the Head of Service for Personnel. The Sports and Cultural Service is headed by Mrs Martine Ngo Simb. The Orientation Service is headed by Evelyn Tengomoh Ngwaelung, cumulatively as Acting Head of Department for Tourism and Hospitality Management. Mrs Martina Njungwa Kwebonti Zinkeng is heading the Service of Practicals and Continues Training, while Student Records Service is headed by Cyrille Sigue.

The Department of Civil Engineering and Forestry Techniques is headed by Eric Ntabe Ngbanye. Benjamin Bahel is Acting Head of Department for Topography and Real Estate Management. The Department of Computer Science has Bertrand Moffo Lonla as the Acting Head of Department. Wilson Tamfu Yombo Nyako heads the Department of Law, while the Department of Science of Education has as Acting Head of Department, Agnes Ngemunang Ngale Lyonga. The Department of Social Economy and Family Management will be headed by Athanasius Amungwa. Emmanuel Yenshu Vubo, cumulatively with his duties as Vice Dean in charge of Research and Cooperation at the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, UB is the Head of Department, Guidance Counselling, while Bienvenu Kenmeugne heads the Department of Management Sciences.

In the aforementioned Ministerial Order, Dr. Jane Francis Akoachere, Lecturer, Faculty of Science was appointed Vice Dean in charge of programmes and Academic Affairs in the Faculty of Science, UB. She replaces Prof. Samuel Ndonwi Ayonghe appointed Dean, Faculty of Science. In the Faculty of Education, UB, Dr. Peter Agborbechem Tambi was appointed Head of Department, Curriculum Studies and Teaching.

Walter Wilson Nana
Buea, Cameroon

A Diocesan Decision by the Bishop of Buea Diocese makes public appointments and transfers across some parishes and colleges in the Diocese of Buea. The Saturday, June 7 2014 Decision is signed Mgr. Immanuel Banlanjo Bushu.

According to the Diocesan Decision, the Chancellor of Buea Diocese, Rev.Fr Bernard Asek Tambe is now the Parish Priest of St. Charles Lwanga Parish, Molyko, Buea. He also doubles as new Vicar General of Buea Diocese, taking over from Rev. Fr Edward Ngalame.

Done with studies at St. Anne Seton University in New Jersey, USA, Rev.Fr John Asua comes in as the Chancellor, Buea Diocese. From St. Paul Parish, Kwakwa, Meme Division, as Parish Priest, Fr. John Tchamnda moves to St. Joseph Parish, Tiko in same capacity. The latter is replaced by Fr. Aloysius Boh, who moves to Kwakwa in same capacity.

Mgr. Immanuel Banlanjo Bushu, Bishop of Buea Diocese

The Holy Trinity Parish, Bota, Limbe welcomes a new Parish Priest, Fr. Patrick Malange, formerly serving as the Principal of St. John Bosco Teacher Training College, Buea. Fr. Malange is replaced at the college by Fr. Vincent Mesue, who was the Parish Priest of St. Charles Lwanga Parish, Molyko, Buea. Fr. Denis Ndang who was in Bota as Parish Priest is redeployed to St. Thomas the Apostle, Ntam 3 Corners-Fiango Parish, Kumba. Formerly Parish Priest at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Fr. Leonard Ekwelle is

Rev.Fr Bernard Asek Tambe, new Parish Priest, St. Charles Lwanga Parish, Molyko, Buea and Vicar General, Buea Diocese

now the Interim Director of Institutional Advancement and Development at the Catholic University Institute of Buea, CUIB. Cumulatively, he serves as Rector of the Priests’ residence at the Sts. Peter and Paul University Parish, Molyko, Buea.

Formerly Parish Priest of Sacred Heart Parish, Bomaka, Buea, Fr. Evaristus Nkede takes over same responsibilities at St. John the Evangelist in Kumba Town. Fr. Willibroad Sakwe who was in Kumba Town moves house to next door, St. Peter Parish, New Town Barombi as Parish Priest.

From Sts. Peter and Paul University Parish where he was Parish Priest, Fr. Celestine Diang assumes same duties at Our Lady of Good Council Parish, Tombel. The latter will be replaced at the University Parish by Fr. Thomas Moogamakkal of the Missionary of St. Francis De Sales, India Province. Before this Decision, he was at All Saints Parish, Mutengene. From St. Martin De Porres Parish, Likomba, Fr. Lawrence Ofon takes over as Parish Priest at St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Kumba Mbeng. He replaces Fr. Polycarp Fonjock, who goes over to neighbouring Sacred Heart Parish, Fiango, Kumba as Parish Priest.

Newly created Great Soppo, Parish, Buea has as pioneer Parish Priest, Fr. Dominic Ukagba Chidebere, coming from St. Peter Parish, New Town, Barombi.

Former Vicar General of Buea Diocese and Parish Priest of Sacred Heart Parish, Fiango, Kumba, Fr. Edward Ngalame is now Parish Priest of St. Martin De Porres Parish, Likomba. Director of John Paul II Institute of Theology, JOPASIT, Fr. Engelbert Ofon changes duties to Parish Priest, Sacred Heart Parish, Bomaka, Buea.

From Catholic University of Central Africa, Yaounde, Fr. Linus Patem gets into a new assignment as Parish Priest, Barombi Kang, while Fr. Peter Elvis Akanang from St. Ann’s College, Limbe goes to St. Michael’s Parish as Curate. Another Curate is Fr. Michael Ewang at St. Martin De Porres Parish, Likomba. Initially, he was at Regina Angelorum Parish and at the Chaplaincy of St.Paul’s College, Bonjongo. Ave Maria Parish, Bangem gets a Curate in Fr. Blessed Ambang, formerly Chaplain at Mount Carmel College, Muea, Buea. From the Chaplaincy of St. Joseph College, Sasse, Buea, Fr. Emmanuel Ndode goes to St. John Paull II Parish, Ekona as Curate, while Fr. Richard Tah is also the Curate of St. Michael’s Parish, Isangele. He was in Paul VI Major Seminary in Douala.

Just ordained from St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary, STAMS, Bambui, Fr. Killian Agbor begins his Priestly vocation at St. Paul’s Parish, Mundemba.  From STAMS, the following Rev.Frs moves on as Chaplains; John Rauch Baba to St. Joseph College, Sasse, Buea, Ernest Mungu Epan to Christ the King College, Tiko, Michael Kengnjo to St. Ann’s College, Limbe, while these two Kevin Sakwe and Joseph Epie Ngome go to St. John Paul II Major Seminary, Bachuo Ntai. Still from STAMS, Rev.Frs Herbert Niba Cheo moves to JOPASIT as Director and Marcel Ekang goes to St.Paul’s Parish, Kwakwa as Curate.

While Fr. Stephen Nnorom moves upward from Curate in Ekona to Parish Priest, still in Ekona, Fr. George Ngomba from Tombel Parish gets to JOPASIT as a staff.

At the Diocesan Catholic Communication Service, the Director is Brother Singfrid M’sene, graduate from Catholic Institute of West Africa, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. He takes over from Fr. Wilson Ngema.

Formerly Director of Institutional Advancement and Development, CUIB, Fr. Cajetan Ejolle moves on as Director of Campus Ministry, CUIB, Molyko and will be assisted by Fr. Elias Menjo at the CUIB’s Campus II in Wokaka.

After studies at Catholic University of Central Africa, Yaounde, Fr. Aloysius Fondong gets a new assignment at STAMS, Bambui.

The following Priests, who were recently ordained, get into the Chaplaincy of some schools across the Diocese; Fr. Raymond Esuka from Isangele goes to Mt. Carmel College, Muea, Buea,  Fr. Franҫois Xavier from Our Lady of Good Council Parish, Tombel goes to Regina Coeli College, Tombel, Fr. Jude Veghose from Paul VI Seminary in Douala is redeployed to St. Paul College, Bonjongo and Fr. Ernest Nebangonjoh from Christ The King College, Tiko takes up duties at Our Lady of Grace College, Muyuka.

Fr. Emile Tangka, who had been in Bangem goes to Bishop Rogan Minor Seminary, Small Soppo, Buea as Chaplain.

Walter Wilson Nana
Buea, Cameroon

The engaging and conscientious life that Barrister Innocent Abongmechi Mochugong Bonu lived was replicated at his funeral and burial programmes. In Buea like in Limbe, Mutengene, Bamenda and Bambui, huge crowd of sympathisers, mourners, friends, colleagues and family members turned out to bid farewell to a legal icon in the Cameroon judiciary system.

Bonu, who died Thursday, April 17 2014 at the National Social Insurance Fund Hospital in Yaounde after he suffered a stroke was buried Tuesday, June 10 2014 in his village, Bambui, Mezam Division, Northwest Region.

Barrister Bonu - walking out of the court room to return no more

In one of the requiem masses for the repose of his soul at the Holy Family Parish in New Town, Limbe, the chief celebrant, Mgr. Immanuel Bushu, Bishop of Buea Diocese in his sermon invited Christians to thank God for all His gifts and what we have.

The Prelate said Christians and family members should thank God for Bonu and for giving him to mankind. Mgr. Bushu will describe the deceased as a learned, hard working and good Christian. “He lived and died a smiling man.”

Mgr. Bushu saw in Bonu an undaunted lawyer, always at the service of others. “He must have offended some people in the course of his practice, but we thank God for everything,” he added.

The Shepherd of Buea Diocese entreated the congregation to follow the ways of Jesus Christ to be happy and experience God’s love and favour.

Mgr. Bushu noted that Bonu has gone home to be with Jesus, while highlighting that death is inevitable. “We must be ready for it, for it will come like the thief. Death is not a bad thing, it is the way to God, though we feel the pinch when somebody dies,” he said.

According to Bishop Bushu Christians must live a life dependent on God, saying all have to be meek with God in order to be successful.

Barrister Francis Sama Asanga, President, Cameroon Bar Association and other speakers found in Bonu a valiant Barrister-at-Law, promoting the good image of the Cameroon Bar and being part of some of the positive and ongoing projects embarked by the Cameroon Bar Association.

Colleagues of late Bonu, amongst them, Ntumfor Barrister Nico Halle (L) lead the casket of Bonu out of Holy Family Church, Limbe

Sama stated that Bonu was the darling of all young lawyers, “for his 25 years of service as a lawyer, he has trained many young ones, encouraged many to become lawyers and was in the heart of the successes being recorded by the Cameroon Bar Council.

He recalled that Bonu died in Yaounde where he was working at the Secretariat of the Cameroon Bar Association, while helping in the correction of the scripts of some 3,500 candidates  who sad for the Bar Part II exams in February 2014.

Colleagues line-up at the aisle of the Holy Family Church to pay their last respect to a fallen Barrister-at-Law, Innocent Bonu

On behalf of the family, late Bonu’s son, Amungwa Neba Bonu Mochugong, thanked the Bishop, mourners and all for having joined their family to pray for their father as he journeyed to his final resting place.“I thank dad’s friends, his colleagues and all. I want to thank, especially, Barrister Benjamin Enow, for all that he has done to assist us and all during this trying times,” Amungwa noted. He will add; “My dad was a man of faith; he believed in God. He was a brother to hundreds, a father to thousands and a friend to millions.”

Innocent Abongmechi Mochugong Bonu was born on December 7 1956 at Shisong Hospital in Bui Division, Northwest Region to Pa Banabas Bonu and Ma Janet Bonu. In the mid 60s, he pursued his primary education St. Pius School, Akum, Mezam Division and at St. Mary’s School, Nchang in Manyu Division, where his father was at the time a teacher at Catholic Teacher Training College, Nchang. Done with the First School Leaving Certificate and Common Entrance Examination, the young Bonu will proceed to the Bishop Rogan Minor Seminary in Small Soppo, Buea for his secondary and high school education. After a successful Ordinary and Advanced Levels Examination at the General Certificate of Education, GCE, he moved on in 1979 to the then University of Yaoundé, where he read and bagged an under graduate degree in English Private Law.

Upon graduation from the University of Yaoundé, he managed the famous Cameroon Times Newspaper, published by his uncle, Vincent Nchami. He will leave the newspaper management to Kumba, where he did his pupillage at Tamba Chambers, owned by Barrister Paddy Tamba. Finished with his pupillage, Bonu was sworn in as an Advocate of the Cameroon Bar Association in 1989 in the Supreme Court of Cameroon in Yaoundé. This paved the way for the young Barrister to officially begin practice and open his own chamber christened; Liberty Law Firm in Mutengene. Until his death, the Liberty Law Firm is still operational with resident Barristers like; Benjamin Enow Agbor and Ebini Ako.

In his 25 years of practice at the Cameroon Bar Association, Barrister Bonu served as the Representative of the President of the Cameroon Bar Association when Barrister Charles Tchoungang was at the helm of the Association. Before the Tchoungang era at the Cameroon Bar Association, Bonu was a Councillor in the executive of Barrister Akere Muna, when the latter was the chair of the Cameroon Bar Association.

When Barrister Eta Besong defeated Barrister Tchougang and took over the leadership of the Cameroon Bar Association, Barrister Bonu was dropped as the Representative of the Bar President in the Southwest Region. However, he will resurface as the representative of the President of the Cameroon Bar Association for the Southwest Region for the second time when Barrister Francis Sama Asanga beat Eta Besong to grab the Presidency of the Cameroon Bar Association.

Bonu will also be remembered for his outstanding contributions in the areas of sports and business.

Barrister Bonu was married to Dr. Comfort Lem Azinwui, with whom they are blessed with four children; three boys and a girl. But in 2011 Barrister Bonu lost his eldest son he had before marriage to Comfort, Barrister Kingsley Bonu Mochugong Achere Bate in a car crash along the Ombe – Limbe road.

Walter Wilson Nana
Buea, Cameroon

Before the 20^th edition of the FIFA World Cup kicked off in Brazil, the flag of Cameroon began flying high. At the 9^th edition of the Africa Brazil Movie Awards, Cameroonian film maker and performer, Tommy Germain Adiang distinguished himself, winning the Best Actor Award in Brazil, alongside popular Brazilian performer, Ailton Graça. The latter features in the novella, Avenida Brazil, which is broadcast on GloboTV, the biggest TV station in Brazil.

Tommy Germain Adiang, brandishes his award

The Statue of the Africa-Brazil Awards

Organised by the Governor of the State of Sao Paulo in collaboration with the African Cultural Centre in Brazil, the Africa Brazil Movie Awards recognises the efforts put in by Africans and Brazilians in building a positive image and a better future for the society.

According to award-winner, Adiang, there is a new twist to his career now.”This award adds many things to my career as an artist in Brazil and across the world. Besides raising my value, giving me a new status, it brings a plus to my finances too,” he noted.

Adiang said he is now a reference of African actors in Brazil and in the international scene, with the potentials of a first choice performer in the eyes of movie producers. “I’m a front-pager in newspapers and

magazines across Brazil. It is not an everyday fit in the competitive world of the silver screen and in a country like Brazil and in Latin America,” the Cameroonian mentioned.
He will place his success on the endless quest for perfection, studying the techniques of the trade and exploiting learning opportunities in Brazil and the USA. “If you want to be a successful artist, you must be ready to learn, go for the best and be focused in your goal,” he added.

The Cameroonian-born performer saw his future wherever excellence is celebrated; “whether it is in the African continent or in Hollywood, I want to get there thanks to hard work,” he said.

On what his best moment has been so far in the business of the silver screen, Adiang noted; “Interpreting a character, no matter how meaningless the viewer thinks the character is. I have to do my best for this character to look like the main character in the trauma by playing him or her as best as I can. Of course the standing ovation and applause from the crowd are priceless; hence, I am more than motivated to keep going for the best.”

While Adiang continues to look forward to greater things in his career, he has this message to aspiring and existing Cameroonian actors; “Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s definition of your life. Define yourself. Until you are ready to look foolish, you’ll never have the opportunity of being great. And no matter where you come from, your dream is real…..”

Though the Africa Brazil Awards have been ongoing since 2006, the Cameroonian is the first African to break the Brazilian hegemony, threading the path where many Brazilians have been to.

Tommy Adiang(R) and popular Brazilian Actor on GloboTV, Ailton Graça, who features in the novella, Avenida Brazil

The Tommy Germain Adiang family shares light moments after the awards ceremony

Models, producers and some fans who voted for Tommy Adiang

Some models and contestants pose for a family pic after the Africa Brazil Movie awards ceremony

Dans des quartiers de la capitale économique du Cameroun, des habitants n’ont pas accès à l’eau potable. Ils parcourent des kilomètres pour s’approvisionner. Certains sont exposés aux maladies telles le Choléra. D’autres en meurent.

Josiane Kouagheu
Douala-Cameroun

« Ça fait plus de 5 ans que l’eau ne coule plus dans nos robinets. On se débrouille pour boire le précieux liquide». Robert Takam, habitant du quartier Cité de Billes à Douala, capitale économique du Cameroun, dit pourtant payer ses factures à la Camerounaise des eaux (Cde), chaque mois. Mais, rien n’y fait. Ses robinets demeurent toujours secs. Ce père de six enfants parcourt des kilomètres pour s’approvisionner en eau potable. « Je prends mon véhicule et je m’en vais au quartier Ndokoti m’approvisionner dans les différents forages (sortes de château d’eau, aménagé par des privés, ndlr) de cette zone. Si les forages sont secs à ce niveau, je m’en vais ailleurs et ainsi de suite», explique-t-il. Comme lui, de nombreux habitants de Douala, ont été obligés, au fil des années, de trouver des méthodes pour s’approvisionner en eau potable.

Des populations du quartier Cité de Billes à Douala puisent de l'eau dans un puits

L’eau aux odeurs

Martine Koum habite le quartier Ndogpassi III, dans l’arrondissement de douala 3ème depuis 1987. La sexagénaire explique qu’elle n’a jamais entendu parler de la Camwater. Avant cette société, il y a pourtant eu la Société Camerounaise des eaux du Cameroun (Snec). Martine jure qu’elle n’a jamais entendu parler de la Snec non plus. Dans les années 1990, Martine puisait de l’eau dans les puits. « Je désinfectais ensuite avec l’eau de javel, se souvient-elle. Maintenant, je m’approvisionne dans les forages ». Martine Koum reconnaît que cette eau n’est pas toujours de bonne qualité. « Elle est souvent salée. Elle a parfois des odeurs. Mais, on n’a pas de choix. Il n’y a plus de solutions », dit-elle en haussant les épaules, l’air résignée.

A quelques kilomètres de là au quartier Brazzaville, Gilbert, un mécanicien installé dans le quartier depuis 14 ans a trouvé une astuce pour ne pas manquer de l’eau, cette « denrée rare ». Il a acheté des récipients de 50 et 100 mètres. « J’en ai trois. Chaque vendredi soir, je paie des conducteurs de porte-tout (communément appelés pousse-pousse, ndlr) qui vont me chercher de l’eau. Ainsi, ma femme et mes deux enfants ne souffrent pas durant la semaine. C’est beaucoup de dépenses et jusque là, nous ne sommes pas toujours surs de la qualité de cette eau », avoue-t-il, un brin lassé. Même son de cloche chez Mireille Soukeng, habitante du même quartier. La jeune femme âgée de 32 ans explique qu’elle paie de l’eau minérale quand elle le peut. « Aucune des eaux que nous vendons n’est de bonne qualité. Je préfère payer de l’eau minérale pour boire. C’est cher, mais au moins, je suis sur d’être à l’abri des maladies comme le choléra », assure-t-elle.

Choléra et microbes

Certains n’ont pas à la chance de Mireille Soukeng. Ils sont exposés à de nombreuses maladies. « Mes enfants souffrent chaque fois de mal de ventre. Au mois de février 2014, un médecin a diagnostiqué la présence d’amibes dans leur organisme. Il m’a dit que c’était dû à la mauvaise eau que nos consommons et m’a conseillé l’eau minérale. Mais, je n’ai pas assez d’argent pour acheter cette eau, se désole un vendeur. Ma femme utilise juste des désinfectants comme l’eau de javel ». Dans la famille Mahop au quartier Nyalla, le Choléra a tué deux enfants en 2011. A l’époque, les membres de la maison s’approvisionnaient dans un puits situé non loin de leur maison. « Aujourd’hui, nous nous alimentons dans les forages. Ce qui n’empêche que nous soyons toujours victimes des maux de ventre », avoue impuissant, Pierre, chef de famille.

« L’eau c’est la vie. Pourtant nous n’y avons pas accès. Nous achetons l’eau dont on n’est même pas sure de sa qualité et de sa provenance. Je pense que les pouvoirs publics doivent prendre ce problème à cœur. Le gouvernement doit s’inquiéter du fait que l’eau manque dans nos foyers alors que nous avons une société publique de distribution d’eau », pense Jacques Njanda, président du conseil de la chefferie de Ndogpassi III. Pour résoudre ce problème, le ministre de l’Energie et de l’eau, Basile Atangana Kouna, a lancé en 2010, des travaux de réhabilitation et de renforcement des systèmes d’adduction d’eau potable dans plus de 50 centres au Cameroun. Trois années plus tard, la population attend toujours les résultats de ces travaux dans leurs robinets.

Walter Wilson Nana
Buea, Cameroon

After the recent appointments in the University of Buea, UB, the new men and women given positions of responsibilities have also been commissioned and told to give a new breathe in their duties.

In the Wednesday, June 4 2014 Presidential Decree, Dr Blaise Moukoko was appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Teaching, Development of Information and Communication Technology and Professionalisation, formerly Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Internal Control and Evaluation.

UB VC, Dr Nalova Lyonga(R) commissions pioneer Director of HTTTC, Kumba, Prof. Endeley

Dr Charles Epah Fonkeng was maintained as Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Research, Cooperations and Relations with the Business World.

Prof. Theresia Nkwo Akenji was appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Internal Control and Evaluation, formerly Dean, Faculty of Science.

Prof. Joyce Bayande Endeley, formerly Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Teaching, Development of Information

Dr. Blaise Moukoko, DVC, TIC, UB

and Communication Technology and Professionalisation, University of Buea, UB was appointed pioneer Director of Higher Technical Teachers Training College, HTTTC Kumba, a new institution under UB.

Prof. Samuel Ndongwi Ayonghe was appointed Dean, Faculty of Science, formerly Vice Dean, Faculty of Science.

UB Vice Chancellor, Dr. Nalova Lyonga at the installation ceremony enjoined her

Prof. Therese Nkwo Akenji(2nd from right) being congratulated by fellow members of Catholic Women Association

collaborators and members of the university community to take actions that will make them grow and UB in general. “Let us talk to each other and not walk out. Let us keep going in UB like a river and be of good to our community. We welcome comments, comments that will make us grow,” she said.

Nalova mentioned that UB is growing and building other universities, hence there is need for mentorship. “We have to build others for us to stay afloat. This is an opportunity for us to build others so that they can take the places of those who have left.”

The UB VC stated that HTTTC Kumba will kick-off in September 2014 as the programmes are being worked on by the UB administration and the newly appointed Head of Departments.

She indicated that classes will begin at the premises of the Government Teacher Training College, GTTC, Kumba. “The administration out there has been nice to us and has made available some space already. We will make good of the space given to us. It is not enough and it can never be enough. You can never start with everything you need. We will take off progressively. The Ministry of Higher Education has made available some money for this interim period. We will use this time to give in the best we can,” Nalova added.

From the scientific desk to internal control and evaluation, Prof. Akenji said she was comfortable with her newfound responsibilities. “I will put in my best and abide by the terms and reference of the position I have been given,” she noted.

According to Prof. Akenji it is not about clamming down on people but working in tandem. “Together, we have to evaluate properly. It is not about breathing down on people. It is collaboration and pointing out in a collegiate manner what is not being done well and moving on as one.”

Prof. Endeley, the pioneer Director HTTTC, Kumba expressed enthusiasm, corroborating the VC that take off is been prepared not only at the level of UB but the administration of the Southwest Region and that of Meme Division in particular. “The Government Delegate of the Kumba City Council is making available some space for us at the council for the principal officers so that we can start. We are putting our syllabuses together, working on the budgeting and finalising on the details for us to have space at GTTC Kumba and Government Technical High School, GTHS, Kumba.”

An upbeat Prof. Endeley said it will not be long; the government via the Ministry of Higher Education will be calling for a competitive entrance examination into HTTTC, Kumba. “It is then that we will know the number of students to admit, the programmes that will run, what it takes to do the exams and move on with a huge sensitisation and media campaigns,” she noted.

Wilfred Agbor
Mamfe, Cameroon

An atmosphere of sadness surrounds the residents of HRH Chief Ayamba Ette-Ottun, Chairman of the Southern Cameroon National Council (SCNC). He died on the 18^th of June 2014 at the Full Gospel Hospital Mbakang Annex-Mamfe at  1:00 PM.

According to Mr Ebenezer Akum, Vice National Secretary of the Southern Cameroon National Council, the late Chief Ette-Otun Ayamba developed cold at 10 am and was rushed to the hospital for necessary medical attention where he was received by the cold hands of death.

Chief Ayamba Ette-Ottun, Chairman of the Southern Cameroon National Council (SCNC)

Chief Ayamba was born around 1927 at Ekonemana Awa in the Eyumojock Sub Division of the South West Region. He became the vice chairman of the SCNC in 2004 until his death

He attended Government School Mamfe Town, left to Abeakuta in Western Nigeria, where he took a professional course in store keeping.  After the completion of his course he was employed as a store keeper with Public Works Department (PWD) in the then west Cameroon. He was later on blessed with the position of the first Workers Trade Unionist still in the then west Cameroon where he led a delegation to Lagos.

The urge to defend the plight of the common man pushed him into becoming a Human Rights Activist where he later joined the SCNC in 2004 and took over from the late Martin Ngeka Luma as the chairman of the SCNC.

HRH Chief Ayamba lives behind a wife, many children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and the SCNC comrades to mourn him.

Celine Ayamba, daughter to Chief Ayamba in black mourning in the company of sympathizers

Chief Ayamba and an Unrepresented Nations People Organization UNPO) Member at The Hague

Walter Wilson Nana
Buea, Cameroon

The Cameroon General Certificate of Education Board, GCE Board is receiving rave reviews from the public eye. In recent years, the shelves in the office of the Board’s Registrar is been adorned with various awards, expressing the goodness of that institution to Cameroonians and other nationals making use of their services. The new award that the Board is expected to receive is the Camer Foundation Awards.

This information is contained in a memo, dated April 30 2014, addressed to the Registrar, GCE Board, Southwest Region and signed Dr. Roger Ngatcho, General Coordinator.

Camer Foundation Awards crowning of the First Lady, Mrs Chantal Biya

The correspondence partly reads; “We write to inform you that the jury of Camer Foundation Awards chaired by Prof. Ebenezer Njoh Mouelle, has chosen the GCE Board as the “State Institution of the year 2013.” For 20 years, the GCE Board has distinguished itself as an institution with a vision and under your stewardship,

Humphrey Ekema Monono Registrar Cameroon GCE to receive Camer Foundation award

the Board has built an imposing headquarters, which was inaugurated by the Minister of Secondary. The Board has demonstrated unparallel maturity.”

According to the organisers of the awards ceremony, this year’s edition, the 10^th, has been slated for Saturday, June 28 2014 at the Hilton Hotel in Yaounde. “The high point of the awards night will be the crowning of the First Lady, Mrs Chantal Biya, founding President of CERAC, with an award for a decade of humanitarian services,” the memo indicated.

After ten years of the Camer Foundation Awards, some of the previous winners include; President Paul Biya, who won the Oscar Prize for Politics, from 1990 to 2000, Hon. Franҫoise Foning, who won the award for the most active woman in politics for the decade – 2000 to 2010, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, won the 2005 Minister of the year award, Edgard Alain Mebe Ngo’o did same in 2006. Issa Tchiroma Bakary did same in 2009 while Laurent Serge Etoundi Ngoa will follow suit in the years 2011 to 2012.

At the diplomatic level, Ambassador Niels Marquadt of the US Embassy in Cameroon won the award for the Best Ambassador for 2006, while his Chinese counterpart in Yaounde, Cameroon won the award in 2007.

Former Prime Minister and now Senator, Peter Mafany Musongue won the National Honours Awards 2012, while Mrs Rose Ngassa, Mayor of Tombel won the Mayor of the Year Award for 2007.

Guillaume Sarra, Deputy General Manager of Les Brasseries Du Cameroun won the prize for Excellence in Management 2011 and the award for the Best General Manager in 2005 went to David Nkotto Emane of Camtel.

For the prizes of excellence to communities across Cameroon, the people of Bamboutos in Lekie Division, Centre Region, Haoussa community in Yaounde, the Bawock Village in the Northwest Region all won for the year 2010. In 2011 it was the Bangoulap community in Yaounde and for 2012, it was the Bansoa community in Mvog-Fouda, Yaounde.

Walter Wilson Nana
Buea, Cameroon

The dismal and disgraceful performance of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in the ongoing 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil is aching not only to the people and government of Cameroon. Citizen-oriented and leading brewery company, Les Brasseries Du Cameroun, BRASSCAM, which is also a promoter of sports and football in particular, has begun engaging discussions on the betterment of Cameroon football.

At a Friday, June 20 2014 meeting in the premises of Les Brasseries Du Cameroun Regional Office in Ombe, Southwest Region, officials of the company, led by the Regional

Michel Mvondo (2nd from right) BRASSCAM Southwest Regional Manager, follow with deep interest the discourse on the betterment of Cameroon football

boss, Michel Mvondo, the press, some coaches and local officials in the divisional delegation of sports and physical education did not only share ideas on the way forward but gave insights on how the 2014 TOP CUP Competition organised by the aforementioned company will unfold.

Mvondo said BRASSCAM over the years, via the TOP CUP Competitions recruits players, trains them and give them to the government, who run and manage football and other sporting disciplines in the country. “The government is in charge of managing football, we as a company joins

BRASSCAM Southwest Regional Manager for Publicity, Andre Nkem explains to journalists and other officials how TOP CUP 2014 will unfold

them to develop the sector. We cannot take many actions. We come in to support government policy and we are ready to furnish government with bright ideas,” he noted.

According to Mvondo, it is same spirit they apply in the National Song Competitions and the award of prizes to best students across the country organised by BRASSCAM.

He will be corroborated by the BRASSCAM Southwest Regional Manager

Some of the local coaches present at the meeting in BRASSCAM Regional Centre in Ombe

for Sales, Gustave Zoa, who indicated that they are principally a brewery company but being a citizen-focussed institution, they move out to support the efforts of government. “At the regional level, BRASSCAM makes available FCFA 150 Million for the organisation of the TOP CUP Competition. For the ten regions, it is a huge sum of money we pump into the growth of Cameroon football. That is what we do. We are looking out for ideas to make the TOP CUP Competitive and help government make Cameroon football

Gilbert Fuh (L) of BRASSCAM, Ombe and Mrs Mbua, Fako Divisional Delegate of Sports & Physical Education discuss the success of TOP CUP 2014

better,” Zoa explained.

From the background of the shameful acts exhibited by Cameroonian players at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the press men and women, the coaches and other related officials invited, mentioned that there is need to revamp football at all levels in Cameroon and the putting in place of suitable infrastructure to accompany the talents embedded in the players. “We must have a well organised professional football league, whereby the actors; players, coaches and others involved in the chain make a living out of their talents,” a journalist noted.

One of the coaches mentioned that the development of sports and football in particular should go with human resource development, saying that players must be given the opportunity to go along with their education, especially civic education, while those interested in football management should be trained as football educators.

On how the TOP CUP 2014 is going to unfold, BRASSCAM Southwest Regional Publicity Manager, Andre Nkem said the competition, which is the oldest youth football jamboree, organised in Cameroon, is one of the major activities of BRASSCAM that helps to detect and prepare the future of Cameroon football.

Nkem explained that the TOP CUP is a non-lucrative and non-profitable action by BRASSCAM, with the intention to keep the youths busy during the long holidays in the country, while opening the gateway to the BRASSCAM Football School for the most talented young footballers.

The BRASSCAM official recalled that the likes of; Rigobert Song Bahanack, Geremi Soreille Njitap, Pierre Nlend Wome, Salomon Olembe, Samuel Fils Eto’o, who constitute the cream of Cameroonian footballers,  have passed through the tournament, which takes place in all the ten regional capitals of the country and in some divisional headquarters. “We have had more 4,000 players, each year, taking part with a budget of more than FCFA 115 Million that BRASSCAM disburses for each region every year,” he said.

The TOP CUP 2014 edition will run from June 30 to July 26 in the following towns in Cameroon; Doula(hosting four sites), Edea, Kribi, Nkongsamba, Mbanga, Yaounde(hosting four sites too), Ebolowa, Eseka, Bertoua, Akonolinga, Bafoussam, Bangangte, Dschang, Bamenda, Buea, Tiko, Limbe, Kumba, Guider, Garoua, Maroua and Ngaoundere.

A release from BRASSCAM also indicates that the registration for TOP CUP 2014, which opened Monday, June 2 will end on Tuesday, June 25 in all BRASSCAM distribution centres nationwide. Participants are expected amongst other requirements to be of age, 13, be of male gender, must have a birth certificate, be in possession of the 2013/2014 academic report card, present a medical certificate of fitness and an authorisation from the parent to take part in the competition.

Nkem said the organising committee of TOP CUP 2014 has as main objective to make the tournament a football festival, adding that 88 children will be preselected from the expected 4,000, who would have taken part in the competition. “The 88 preselected will be invited to the BRASSCAM Football School in Douala on Wednesday, July 30 for the final selection of 18 that will be granted admission into first year in the BRASSCAM Football School. A list of the 88 preselected players will be made public on Saturday, July 26 2014.”

En trois années d’existence, la Cameroon Airlines Corporation a connu quatre directeurs. Le ministre des Transports, Robert  Nkili, recommande à Jean-Paul Nana Sandjon, de tout mettre en œuvre pour faire marcher la compagnie aérienne du Cameroun.

Josiane Kouagheu,
Douala-Cameroun

Près de quatre années après sa mise sur pied, la compagnie aérienne camerounaise, Cameroon Airlines Corporation (Camir-Co), peine à décoller. En l’espace de trois ans, quatre directeurs se sont succédés à sa tête. Juste neuf mois après sa nomination, Frédéric

Camair-Co: Jean-Paul Nana Sandjon, installé le 25 juin à Douala

Mbotto Edimo, a été limogé de son poste le 20 juin dernier, lors d’une session extraordinaire du conseil d’administration. Il a été remplacé par Jean-Paul Nana Sandjon, installé le 25 juin à Douala. « Il faut arrêter les dépenses de prestige et fidéliser les Camerounais avec leur compagnie nationale,  en soumettant un plan d’action à la discrétion du conseil d’administration », a expliqué Robert Nkili, ministre des Transports, au nouveau directeur, lors de son installation.

Pour le ministre des Transports, Jean-Paul Nana doit éviter de commettre les mêmes erreurs que son prédécesseur, qui n’aura passé que neuf mois à la tête de la compagnie aérienne (11 septembre 2013-20 juin 2014). Notamment, l’insoumission de Frédéric Mbotto Edimo à sa hiérarchie. Robert Nkili a conseillé au nouveau directeur de privilégier des relations avec ses collaborateurs, de réduire les coûts de prestations de service et de réviser les contrats signés par les anciens directeurs entre autres. Pour le ministre des Transports, le respect de cette feuille de route pourra contribuer au redressement de Camir-Co.

Né le 7 octobre 1957 au quartier New-Bell à Douala, Jean-Paul Nana Sandjon a fait ses études primaires et secondaires respectivement à l’école publique de Deido, au lycée Joss et au lycée technique de Douala-Koumassi. Après l’obtention de son baccalauréat, il s’envole pour les Etats Unis d’Amérique où il suit des études de mécanique d’avion. De retour au Cameroun, il créé une société de génie civil au quartier Bali à Douala avant de s’investir dans la création d’une autre société de prestation de services dans le secteur de l’aviation. Marié à la chanteuse camerounaise Grace Decca,  Jean-Paul Nana Sandjon est maire de Bazou, dans la région de l’Ouest, depuis 2007.

Walter Wilson Nana
Buea, Cameroon

Cameroon’s biodiversity is rich, fresh and alluring. Determined to make it sustainable, the government of Cameroon and her partners are working hand-in-glove. This is the background that motivated some members of the German Parliament, led by the Vice President, Johannes Singhammer to come visiting and learning how Cameroon via the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife is pursuing conservation activities in the country.

Vice President of the German Parliament, Johannes Singhammer and his delegation being welcomed in Ekonjo village

At a stopover in Ekonjo, a village in Fako Division, Southwest Region, which constitutes part of the Mount Cameroon National Park, MCNP, the German parliamentarians were educated on what the MCNP is all about and the conservation activities going on.

Conservator of MCNP, Simon Besong Bessem said the huge support received from the governments of Cameroon and Germany have enabled them since December 18 2009, when the MCNP came to fruition, stay intact. “We are

Simon Besong, Conservator, MCNP(R) introduces the VeePee of the German Parliament, Singhammer, to the people of Ekonjo village

talking about park management and economic development. We are ensuring that the integrity of the 58,170 hectares is respected and managed. So far, illegal activities have been put at the minimum. For a big park like ours to have activities just for about 50 hectares of active farms is a big plus for our conservation efforts,” he explained.

According to the Southwest Regional Delegate of Forest and Wildlife, Samuel Eben Ebai, the animal population is increasing thanks to the conservation

R-L Mrs Singhammer, Mr Singhammer & Southwest Regional Delegate of Forestry & Wildlife, Samuel Eben Ebai

efforts being championed by the Programme for the Sustainable Management of Natural Resources, PSMNR, lodged in the regional delegation but co-financed by the Federal Republic of Germany through the German Development Bank, KWF, in collaboration with the German International Cooperation, GIZ. “Even encroachment into the national park is reducing, participation from the population on the management of park has increased and lots of developmental activities in the MCNP are ongoing. A lot of inputs are

Samuel Eben Ebai, Southwest Regional Delegate of Forest & Wildlife talks to the people of Ekonjo & the German delegation on what government is doing on conservation

coming in from the PSMNR to better the livelihoods of the people living in and around the park area,” Eben Ebai noted.

On the component of Collaborative Management in the MCNP, Hans Eta Agbor of the Southwest Regional Delegation of Forestry and Wildlife said it is a partnership for the benefit of all. “It is an economic and feasible partnership for the local community and the park services. It is an opportunity for rules and responsibilities to be respected by both parties. The government has brought in the local population so as to better manage the national parks,” Agbor mentioned.

Agbor explained that the Collaborative Management has helped the community on how to raise money and it has been negotiated in 23 communities in the MCNP.

Evelyne Monjowa of the Village Forest Management Committee, VFMC, covering 13 villages that make up a cluster, indicated that it is a local parliament at the cluster area, with the intention to better manage the park by linking the community to the parks. She will give details of their assignments, especially in village development measures, bringing in contractors and service providers for development purposes.

The President of the VFMC, Njimba said the MCNP is a torchlight to the Ekonjo population and their conservation efforts are geared towards local and national development. “We will support the park management in whatever they do,” he added.

Reacting to the aforementioned discussions, the Vice President of the German Parliament, Singhammer said the MCNP is a link between Germany and Cameroon, adding that the German Parliament will join in supporting the MCNP for the betterment of nature. “This is a project that brings together economy and nature. It is a great success and we must bring people together in Cameroon.” The MP will add; “Cameroon has a great landscape, which is a huge tourism potential. Cameroon and Germany will work together in the area of eco-tourism.”

In the sidelines of the visit to Ekonjo village, the German delegation also visited other structures of German interest in Cameroon. The case of the Queen of the Angels Catholic Church in Bonjongo, Southwest Region, built by the German Palotine Missionaries in 1896

Queen of the Angels Catholic Church, built by the Germans in 1896 in Bonjongo, Southwest Region, Cameroon

Singhammer(L) listens to the Rev.Fr Emmanuel Epie(R) Parish Priest of the oldest Catholic Church in English speaking Cameroon(in the background) built by the German Palotine Missionaries in 1896

For a long time, the disgraceful outing of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil will ache the hearts and spirit of many football lovers in and of Cameroon. As the diagnosis is ongoing, one time President of FECAFOOT in the Southwest Region and President of Botafogo FC Buea, Colonel Louis Pangop thinks Cameroon is reaping the bad fruits she sowed over the years in the football sector. In this exclusive interview, the Inspector of Army in the Ministry of Defense brings to fore the bane of Cameroon football and his vision if he gets to the helm of Cameroon Football Federation, FECAFOOT.

Read On!

So far, what is your assessment of the 2014 World Cup?

Col. Louis Pangop - The must be a defined policy of football in Cameroon

Just before the games kicked off, I had some misconceptions on how the tournament will unfold. However, when the games started and on a pleasant note, the matches have been going on well. On the general organisation, no comment now but the referees have some question marks.

How do you react to Cameroon’s performance at the ongoing World Cup?

It was predictable that Cameroon was not going to perform. In the past, it has always been improvisation and if by chance, we do well, some people think Cameroon’s football is on the move. I say no! It cannot be like that all the time. Football has evolved and you must prepare for top competitions. Our pre-world cup preparation was nothing to write home about.

At the 7^th participation in a World Cup tourney, why will Cameroon go so low?

Did we need to go so low? I will say no! Could we have done better? I will say no! Our preparations could not have made us go anywhere, even if we had participated 100 hundred times. We have been improvising. Take the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, how chaotic it was for Cameroon. Unfortunately, we never learn our lessons. We are reaping from what we sowed.

As lover and football manager, was Volker Finke the right man to do the coaching job for Cameroon?

Trying to put blames in compartments is not what I like to do. The whole set up is bad. It is difficult to say it is because of A or B that the Lions flopped. If you single out Volker Finke, what about the players? Did they exhibit aspects of their talent? What about the administration and management of the team and football in Cameroon? Generally, everything was bad about Cameroon in Brazil 2014.

Why will Samuel Fils Eto’o, Jean II Makoun go to the World Cup and they will not play?

I have been in the business of football for long. And the intrigues in football in Cameroon cannot be explained in this few minutes of interview. Before these guys got into the final squad, the responsibility was beyond that of the coach. Why where they taken to the World Cup if they were not fit? With the intrigues, we cannot have the explanations now.

The qualifiers for the African Cup of Nations, AFCON 2015 take off in the next two months. Can a shattered team like the one we saw in Brazil rise up to the occasion?

Col Pangop - Football is a corporate body, with set goals and strategies

Yes and No! There must be a defined policy of football in Cameroon. After this fiasco in Brazil, we should search our soul and reorganise football in this country. We cannot continue with this current management and think that we will achieve results. We have to review everything, when the mandate of the Normalisation Committee comes to an end.

Do you share the view that the current team be disbanded and we start from scratch?

When you say the current team should be disbanded, it means that judgment is been passed without looking at the individual cases. With my background in Magistracy, that is not how judgment is passed. Each individual should be responsible for what he or she has done. It is important that we see where the problems are coming from before we move on with sanctions.

Can we successfully build Cameroon football with same people running the show in FECAFOOT, same people running the show in the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education?

When the Normalisation Committee will be done with their assignment and new statutes put in place, we will forge ahead in a new dispensation. Those who were there before and other new faces will come in.

After November 30 2014, the mandate of the Normalisation Committee ends. What happens after that?

So many things will have to happen. We have to see what they have come out with in terms of statutes. We cannot judge something that is still in gestation. When we shall see their findings, we will know how far they have gone on how to solve the problems plaguing Cameroon football. If they do anything without talking about the 1972 Text that is fuzzy on who runs football in Cameroon that talks about the relationship between FECAFOOT and the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education, the statutes of the National Team, then we still have a lot to do.

From your own reading, what is the devastating conflict between FECAFOOT and the Ministry of Sports?

The case in Cameroon is one of the rare instances in the world, where the management of football in a country is not defined. With the 1972 text, there are responsibilities given to FECAFOOT and others given to the Ministry of Sports.  Respective Ministers of Sports in Cameroon have been interpreting the text to suit their parochial interest and that of their entourage and not for the good of the country. It is the 1972 text that is at the centre of all the problems in Cameroon, creating two bodies to do same job. So, it is difficult to handle the situation.

What should be done with the current confusion created by the 1972 text?

Let’s wait for the outcome of the Normalisation Committee. If they are serious and the President of the Normalisation Committee being a former Minister of Sports, will know that the text is the problem. If they go on, without ensuring that the 1972 text is not amended, then I will start asking many questions.

What has gone wrong with Cameroon football? Since 2002, Cameroon has won only one match at the FIFA World Cup, against Saudi Arabia?

The institutional environment is not the best. The 1972 text is creating confusion. We cannot manage football with protocol agreements; FECAFOOT will do this and the Ministry of Sports will do that. We need a legal environment that will permit good organisation of football. Football is no longer any type of organisation. It is a corporate body, with corporate organisation, with set goals and strategies. If we do not go by these lines, then there is not much we can do but get mediocre results. Anybody who wants to get into football in Cameroon must have a deep knowledge on management. It should be somebody who has a vision and a mission statement for Cameroon football. He or she should have the strategy to carry on with the mission.

Is there a place for professional players in Cameroon National Team?

The professional players do have a place. The issue is proper planning and organisation. It is not the professional players who will come and manage football in Cameroon. They should be part of the success story and not part of the problems as it has been in my opinion in the past years.

How do we bring back local players into the Cameroon national team?

That is part of my 2018 vision of FECAFOOT. It is not a one day issue. It is a process that must be put in place. It is a matter of a well defined organisational structure.

After all these mess, what are you proposing, following your background as a former President of FECAFOOT in the Southwest Region?

We should wait and see what the Normalisation Committee is up to. If I were to add something, in the sidelines of the Normalisation Committee, I will say that whoever is to head the football governing body in Cameroon, it should be somebody with a vision, a vision that is ready to be applied. I have a vision for football in Cameroon, which I think at the right moment, I will make it public. As President of FECAFOOT in the Southwest Region, I brought three teams to Division 1 and won the Cup of Cameroon, which was not the case before. So, if we can achieve these at the regional level, what stops us from making it at the national level. We have the knowhow and we are ready to salvage Cameroon football. I have had a hidden life and this is the time to come out for the betterment of Cameroon football. We have a lot of talent in this country that must be harnessed.

Give us an idea of your vision for the betterment of Cameroon football…

I am looking at football as a corporate body. Many things have gone wrong before. So, we must make a diagnosis before we proceed. We have to look at the 3 Rs; Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rebuilding. In these, we must have football/sports educators. That is we must implant the culture of football in Cameroon. So far, we have been thriving on improvisation. If we do not have a football culture, we will not succeed. As President of FECAFOOT, Southwest Region, part of our successes was that we took football to the remote areas of the region. We were developing the culture of football in the Southwest Region and in the process, we obtained great results. This is what should obtain at the national level. We must unearth the hidden talent across the country. And this can be achieved with sports educators. Not the school of sports training educators but FECAFOOT grooming its own sports educators. The CAF Centre in Mbankomo can be a good training ground for FECAFOOT football educators. That can be done with an agreement with CAF and subsequently we redeploy the educators in the remote areas of the country. And with patience exercised, we will get results in years to come. Cameroonians always want quick results. It is not possible. It is also about reconciling the players, the management and the public on Cameroon football. We must be able to be in unison despite our diversity in ideas. We have to reconstruct the FECAFOOT structures in the regions and make them lively.

Interviewed by Walter Wilson Nana

Walter Wilson Nana
Buea, Cameroon

The University of Buea, UB is out to fulfil one of its most important missions; the provision of outreach services to the communities. This is the motivation of a two-day forum between the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, UB and the Mayors of the Southwest Region that took place in the campus of UB from June 26-27 2014.

Placed on the theme; Developing the renewable energy map of the Southwest Region, UB Vice Chancellor, Dr. Nalova Lyonga, told the Mayors that it is time to plan for the energy sector, put the training of Council officials in the renewable energy sector at the fore and make it sustainable.

Mayors from Southwest Region of Cameroon

According to Nalova Lyonga, Cameroon should emulate the Rwandan success story and even move forward in the area of solar energy, with UB coming in with the scientific and technical knowhow. “We have water everywhere and no drop to drink. It cannot be like that all the time,” the UB VC noted.

Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Prof. Emmanuel Tanyi indicated that their objective is to help the Mayors of the Southwest Region initiate

Prof Tanyi - our faculty is ready to take renewable energy closer to the local communities

rural electrification projects in their respective Council areas via the construction of autonomous renewable energy stations and micro-grids in various communities. “We must take electricity to our villages for every Cameroonian to benefit from this technology,” he said.

Prof. Tanyi was convinced that the message from UB to the Mayors in the Southwest Region is understood, saying they are making the explanations in the most simplest language and avoiding

UB VC, Dr Nalova Lyonga - we've the knowhow to make available renewable energy to the rural communities

unnecessary technicalities. “The discussions were in plain language, in developmental language, which can be understood by everybody. We have identified over 50 waterfalls in the Southwest Region, the residue from palm oil production as a major biomass resource and the problems of deploying solar energy in community scale. The Mayors have understood these problems and they are ready to bring the technology closer to their people,” the Dean explained.

He will add that no matter the technological handicap in Cameroon, the projects proposed by UB to the communities are feasible; “We articulated some of the problems and came out with a proper understanding from the part of the Mayors.”

Prof. Tanyi said UB and the Mayors of the Southwest Region now have a way forward to embark on developing renewable energy sources in their communities.

The Mayor of Tinto Council in Manyu Division, Robert Bate Epey expressed delight with UB’s proposals saying the forum has opened the way for his municipality to harness the potential renewable energy sources. “From here, we will move on with the Faculty of Engineering and Technology so that we exploit their technological savvy,” Bate Epey said.

Earlier, the Mayor of Buea Municipality, Patrick Esunge Ekema said renewable energy and energy efficient technologies are key to creating a future with clean energy, not only for the Southwest Region but Cameroon in general.

He lauded UB’s Faculty of Engineering and Technology for launching a renewable energy map for the Southwest Region, while inviting the stakeholders to ensure that the trickle down effects are felt in the local communities.

The Regional Controller of Councils in the Southwest Governor’s office, Fabian Nkengfack mentioned the timeliness of the meeting. “It comes at a time Cameroon is grappling with energy problems,” he said.

He will invite the Mayors to be committed in the energy sector since it is part of government’s drive for emergence. “Energy must be available in large quantity for the development of the Southwest Region, for us to address the challenges of rural electricity and related issues.”

The Mayors from Southwest Region of Cameroon and UB officials in a family picture after the opening ceremony