By Tazoacha Asonganyi in Yaounde.
The talk in town now is about the noises coming out of the rubber-stamp parliament that as usual has completed its job of letting garbage in and letting it out virtually dressed in the same robes.
With the deafening empty talk from the glass house, let us not forget the convention between journalists, their employers and the government. We should not forget it because, whereas the other “estates” are gagged by one man, at least this one can still bark, even if the caravan still passes with mocking pride!
There is no doubt that most journalists in Cameroon have a deplorable financial and social situation. Indeed, if we judge them with the standards of the public servants who go to their offices daily to paint their nails, shave their beards or lay ambush for those who come to seek public service, the verdict would be unequivocal: journalists earn too little for the much work they do in the interest of all of us.
But there is much doubt as to whether the solution to this can come from collective conventions to guarantee better salaries, especially through government subventions to the press. Judging from the performance of public media like CRTV and Cameroon Tribune that receive huge government subventions, it is clear that such subventions only open a trunk road towards further gagging of this other estate.
The commodities usually sold by the media are news and good ideas. Then there is the advert to fund the activities, including salaries for the journalists. The rule is simple: adverts are there if the public and private sectors are vibrant, and if there is democratic governance. We shall use advertising in some randomly selected Nigerian and Cameroonian newspapers to illustrate this.
The Saturday Punch (Nigeria) of 18 October 2008 had 64 pages, sold for N100 (400 FCFA) and carried 17 full pages, 10 half pages, 5 quarter pages and 1 eighth page of mainly coloured adverts. The Vanguard (Nigeria) of 14 November 2008 had 56 pages, sold for N100 (400 FRS) and carried 24 full pages, 1 half page, 1 quarter page and 6 eighth pages of mainly coloured adverts.
The Post (Cameroon) of 5 December 2008 had 12 pages, sold for 400 FRS, and carried 2 full pages, 1 half page, 1 quarter page, 1 sixth page, 1 eighth page and 1 twenty fourth page of adverts. The Eden (Cameroon) of 1 October 2008 had 12 pages, sold for 400 FRS and carried 2 full pages of advertorials and 1 page of advert.
The Herald (Cameroon) of 27 November 2008 had 12 pages, sold for 400 FRS and carried no adverts. “Le Jour du Samedi” (Cameroon) of 6 December 2008 had 16 pages, sold for 400 FRS and carried 3 full pages and 3 eighth pages of adverts. Mutations (Cameroon) of 17 November 2008 had 12 pages, sold for 400 FRS and carried 2 full pages and 5 quarter pages of adverts. “Le Messager" (Cameroon) of 5 December 2008 had 12 pages, sold at 400 FRS and carried 3 full pages, 1 half page, 2 quarter pages and 2 eighth pages of adverts. Cameroon Tribune (Government sponsored) of 18 August 2008 had 32 pages, sold for 400 FRS and carried 7 full pages, 5 half pages, 2 quarter pages and 3 eighth pages of adverts.
There is a marked difference between the Nigerian and Cameroonian sources of adverts in that there is great diversity in the sources in Nigeria. This is due mainly to the vibrant private sector in Nigeria and the far-reaching decentralisation programme with 36 states headed by elected governors, plus Abuja the federal capital territory; the further division of states into 774 Local Government Areas each headed by an elected “Chairman”; and simmering economic and political activities in each state and Local Government Area.
Indeed, in Nigeria, there is not only inter-state competition, but there is also intra-state competition between politicians and the various suppliers of goods and services. This is a goldmine for adverts and advertorial reporting which flood the news media in Nigeria. Compare this to Cameroon where there is just one miserable centre of power in Yaounde!
Without wishing to be the pessimist, I think the media can only give what they have, except perhaps to declare bankruptcy as some are already doing in advert-rich milieus. Like the “performance contracts” that attracted a lot of energy and noise from New Deal outfits before, the collective contract will come to naught because it is not based on any solid foundation. The private sector will remain moribund because of high taxes, stinking corruption and the one-party mentality imposed on our society by outdated and visionless leadership.
The people have always been the only significant long-term threat to the hegemony of all dictatorships.
Therefore dictatorial governments always consider citizens who are able to think for themselves as subverts, preferring a flock of timid citizens for whom the governments provides enlightened leadership.
This is why the press whose mission is to educate citizens is never in the good books of dictatorial governments. Therefore we are not likely to see a media-friendly tax system; and there is not likely to be any government subvention to the media without strings. Further, even subventions with strings may turn out to be like the government subventions to private education that is on paper but nearly never in reality!
With no vibrant private sector, with the exclusion of free, democratic competition and with the cosmetic decentralisation that leaves only one centre of power, journalists will continue to live in hardship in 2009, and beyond. But like Cameroon that has lived under sustained hardship and plundering for decades without dying, the media can never be out under hardship.Indeed, their present performance is commendable.
Under the present hardship, the journalists should spend New Year 2009 pondering this saying of Mao Tse-tung: “So many deeds cry out to be done, and always urgently. The world rolls on. Time passes. Ten thousand years are too long. Seize the day; seize the hour”.
To seize the day and the hour, we need vigorous, new leadership in politics as in industry, in science as in protest, and more importantly, in the media, to run our society according to the people’s will, not power’s whim. We too need an open, democratic, decentralised and vibrant society so that journalists and the rest of us can work as proud, healthy, dignified and prosperous citizens!
Friday, December 12, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Cameroon: Human Rights Promoter to Run for 2011 Presidential Election
By Christopher Ambe Shu Christopher Tambe Tiku(pictured), South West Regional Secretary of the National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms (NCHRF) of Cameroon, yesterday, December 10 in the town of Buea, used the 60th anniversary celebration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to announce his decision to run for Cameroon’s next presidential election, billed for 2011.
This year’s anniversary was celebrated under the theme "Dignity and Justice for all"
It was unclear why Mr. Tambe Tiku chose but the Human Rights anniversary to make public his political and presidential ambition. It was not also known under which political party he would be running and the reason for his very early announcement, which took many people by surprise.
Mr. Tambe Tiku, an outspoken lawyer and pioneer Secretary of NCHFR in the South West Region, announced his candidature in his formal opening address at a conference marking the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in his office.
" I have decided to run for the 2011 presidential elections in this country in a bid to exercise my rights guaranteed by the Cameroon Constitution", he said in his speech, drawing applause from the assembly.
Journalists, lawyers, Human Rights advocates, magistrates, University Students,security operatives and a cross section of the local population attended the conference.
Also in attendance was Njonjo John Njie, Deputy State Counsel (deputy prosecutor) for Buea, who expressed satisfaction at the inquisitiveness of the audience on Human Rights concerns
Also in attendance was Njonjo John Njie, Deputy State Counsel (deputy prosecutor) for Buea, who expressed satisfaction at the inquisitiveness of the audience on Human Rights concerns
In presenting his two-year report of activities as NCHRF pioneer Southwest Regional Secretary Mr.Tambe Tiku said his regional office experienced a steady increase in the number of complaints about Human Rights abuses filed in.
"For example in 2006 the office recorded 45 complaints. The number of complaints increased to 96 in 2007 and in 2008 there are already 120 complaints. Altogether, the regional office has received a total of 261 complaints since its inception," he disclosed
He added that about 80% of the complaints were disposed of by mediation, a mode of conflict resolution deemed "faster, informal, non-confrontational, relatively cheaper and more suitable for the majority of clients who fall within the lower income bracket and are among the most vulnerable groups in our society"
Mr. Tambe Tiku justified that his office played a pivotal role in the crusade against corruption in the Southwest region, investigating numerous complaints of corruption, abuse of office and conflict of interest
"My office…insisted on the dismissal of a certain police officer at the Judicial Police for extortion. This officer was suspended for six months and subsequently transferred," he disclosed
The Regional Secretary noted that their determination to do more in human rights promotion was handicapped by the paucity of funds. "Lack of adequate financial resources limited the office’s ability to organize more training workshops and seminars," he noted.
The Regional Secretary noted that their determination to do more in human rights promotion was handicapped by the paucity of funds. "Lack of adequate financial resources limited the office’s ability to organize more training workshops and seminars," he noted.
But Mr Tambe Tiku faulted the Commission’s Permanent Secretariat in Yaounde for not doing much to help his regional office.
"We are highly disappointed by the fact that the Permanent Secretariat in Yaounde concentrated its promotional activities in Yaounde and Bamenda", he fumed, suggesting that more sensitization activities be focused in the regions and peripheries where people are still ignorant of their basic rights.
A question -and -answer session as well as a donation and an exhibition of human rights books to participants characterized the conference
The National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms (NCHRF) of Cameroon was set up in 2004,charged with the promotion and protection of Human Rights. But its Southwest Regional Office was established October 2006.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Cameroon Parliament: CPDM MP Resigns as Chair of Foreign Affairs Committee
By Christopher Ambe Shu
Honorable Ayah Paul Abine(pictured), CPDM MP for Akwaya and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Cameroon’s National Assembly has, fearlessly, tendered his letter of resignation as chairman of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee.
But his resignation will only take effect as from the next session of the National Assembly in March 2009, during which period a new bureau of the House including committee chairpersons are elected.
Hon Ayah, by the time of posting this report, could not be reached even by telephone confirmation
But several reliable sources close to this out spoken MP who confirmed they saw the letter, told this reporter that, Hon Ayah Paul submitted his letter of resignation, last November 30, to the National Chairman of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), Paul Biya (who is also Cameroonian head of State), via the president of the CPDM parliamentary Group leader.
The CPDM hierarchy is yet to react to Hon Ayah’s letter of resignation
The sources added that Hon Ayah chose the March 2009 session for his resignation to take effect because if he resigned now- during this on-going session, it could impede the smooth functioning of the House
What motivated Hon Ayah’s letter of resignation? Our sources disclosed that the out- spoken MP who is a career magistrate of exceptional class ,had repeatedly complained to his party hierarchy that, he was not treated well by the Bureau of the House because of his critical stance on issues of national interest. He said Hon. Ayah considered his mistreatment by the Bureau of the House as a betrayal of the confidence the party bestowed on him and so judged it wise to give up his functions as chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee. But he remains an MP
Even as chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, it was observed that Hon Ayah was hardly on trips abroad not of his liking but as kind of a punishment for being too overtly critical of the ruling party’s anti –people policies and decisions.
It would be recalled that, on Hon Ayah was the only CPDM MP who was against the recent amendment of the Cameroon’s constitution scraping off presidential term limit
The CPDM has a crushing majority in the Cameroon National Assembly, which is currently in session to examine and adopt among other things, the country’s 2009 national budget.
Honorable Ayah Paul Abine(pictured), CPDM MP for Akwaya and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Cameroon’s National Assembly has, fearlessly, tendered his letter of resignation as chairman of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee.
But his resignation will only take effect as from the next session of the National Assembly in March 2009, during which period a new bureau of the House including committee chairpersons are elected.
Hon Ayah, by the time of posting this report, could not be reached even by telephone confirmation
But several reliable sources close to this out spoken MP who confirmed they saw the letter, told this reporter that, Hon Ayah Paul submitted his letter of resignation, last November 30, to the National Chairman of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), Paul Biya (who is also Cameroonian head of State), via the president of the CPDM parliamentary Group leader.
The CPDM hierarchy is yet to react to Hon Ayah’s letter of resignation
The sources added that Hon Ayah chose the March 2009 session for his resignation to take effect because if he resigned now- during this on-going session, it could impede the smooth functioning of the House
What motivated Hon Ayah’s letter of resignation? Our sources disclosed that the out- spoken MP who is a career magistrate of exceptional class ,had repeatedly complained to his party hierarchy that, he was not treated well by the Bureau of the House because of his critical stance on issues of national interest. He said Hon. Ayah considered his mistreatment by the Bureau of the House as a betrayal of the confidence the party bestowed on him and so judged it wise to give up his functions as chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee. But he remains an MP
Even as chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, it was observed that Hon Ayah was hardly on trips abroad not of his liking but as kind of a punishment for being too overtly critical of the ruling party’s anti –people policies and decisions.
It would be recalled that, on Hon Ayah was the only CPDM MP who was against the recent amendment of the Cameroon’s constitution scraping off presidential term limit
The CPDM has a crushing majority in the Cameroon National Assembly, which is currently in session to examine and adopt among other things, the country’s 2009 national budget.
Friday, November 28, 2008
REFLECTING ON UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS.
*By Chief A .S Ngwana
On the 10th of December 2008, we shall celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted and proclaimed by the UN General Assembly resolution 217 A (111) of 10 December 1948.
It is pertinent that we should examine how the human race has fared during these sixty years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Bearing in mind that the Declaration was prompted by the desire to uphold the right of all men to live, to own what is necessary to lead a dignified existence, to work and to rest, to choose a particular state in life, to form a home, to bring children into the world within marriage and to be allowed to educate them, to pass peacefully through times of sickness and old age, to have access to culture, to join with other citizens to achieve legitimate ends, and , above all, the right to know and love God in perfect liberty, for conscience, for true conscience, will discover the imprint of the Creator in all things. At the same time bearing in mind that Human rights, dignity, freedom, equality, solidarity and justice constitute the spiritual and moral patrimony on which the union of Nations is based.
Before the Declaration of these rights, the dignity of the human person had been abused and had reached an epoch in which liberty and justice were denied and the dignity of man was trampled upon in many ways.
SLAVE TRADE
The slave trade had been practiced from time immemorial. Africans know too well what the atrocities of the slave trade did to their fore fathers.
More than fifteen million Africans were sold to Europe and America where many died under the whip and hard labor. Slavery in the United States was especially brutal and demeaning. A slave had no rights. He or she was totally under the power of the slave owner. As a result, slave society was a violent society. Slavery demanded coercion and total control.
There was the constant fear of revolt or escape. With the division between the slave States and the free States, war was seemingly inevitable. The slave population was an ever-increasing threat. It was imperative that slave population be maintained in ignorance and under control.
All books and periodicals were to be censored. Any information regarding ideas and information touching on slavery or freedom, and changing attitudes and political discussion both in the States and in Europe was carefully kept away from slaves. As a result any notion of freedom or emancipation was to be absolutely concealed.
Every effort was made to control and obliterate any communication or literary source outside of the South.
In the antebellum South, reading was made an act of subversion; learning was an act of revolt. Sooner or later all of the southern states made teaching of a slave a penal offense, subject to prison.
For the slave who learned to read or write, amputation of fingers and whipping with cow hide lashes was the standard penalty. Excessive whipping was fatal.
GENOCIDE and UNJUST WARS.
Genocide is the killing or destroying of a group of people because of their religious, national, racial or ethnic identity.
In 1948 after the Second World War, the UN passed the Genocide Convention, an Act on the prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide.
The Act provided a legal definition of genocide and established genocide as crime in International law.
According to the Genocide Convention, any of the following actions when committed with intent to eliminate a particular national, ethnic, racial, or religious group constitutes genocide.
For example killing members of a group, causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group, deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to kill, imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group, or forcibly transferring children of the group. The gassing to death of about six million Jews, and the killing of half a million Gypsies and millions of other people considered not desirable, by Hitler, is a clear case of genocide.
THE TREATMENT OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN.
Women and children had no rights. They could not own property, they could not vote or be voted, women could not be raped by their husbands, men could marry many wives ( as in the case of King Solomon who had 700 wives and 300 concubines), but a woman could not marry more than one husband at a time, girls were given to marriage at tender ages and in many cases without their consent, girls generally were excluded from education and could not go to school, and domestic violence against women and children was tolerated.
The UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS is a common standard of achievement for all peoples and Nations, bearing in mind that human rights, dignity, freedom equality, solidarity and justice constitute the spiritual and moral patrimony on which the union of peoples and Nations is based.
Let us look at whether proper consideration has been given to
(ARTICLE 3) “Everyone has the right to LIFE, LIBERTY, AND SECURITY of person”
The first and the most important fundamental human right, the basis of all human rights, is the RIGHT TO LIFE. Without human beings we can not talk of human rights. How has the Right to Life been implemented during these sixty years?
Every human being has a right to live, from conception to natural death. Each child has the right to be conceived, born and educated within the family, based on marriage between a man and a woman, the family being the natural and fundamental group unit of society.
ABORTION.
Abortion is the deliberate killing of a human being after conception and before birth. Miscarriage ( or spontaneous abortion) is the accidental death of a human being after conception and before birth.
Science and religion agree that human life begins at conception, when the ovum (egg) is fertilized by the sperm. After conception, the human being is complete, and only grows. From conception the human being is only called different names as he or she develops.
He develops or grows from an embryo, fetus, baby, toddler, infant, boy or girl, man or woman and finally ends up as an old man or an old woman.
In abortion, a human being is deliberately deprived of his/her life. And that is nothing, but murder. There is no choice to murder. Abortion is an attack on life itself.
The 1959 Declaration of the Rights of the Child by the United Nations states that the child “needs special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection, before as well as after birth.” A principle, which is in keeping with a previous declaration by the World Medical Association to “maintain the utmost respect for human life, from the time of its conception.”
The 1966 International Convention on Civil and Political Rights states that “sentence of death shall not be carried out on pregnant women, and that the express intention of this Article is inspired by consideration of the interest of the unborn child.”
Abortion is a crime against natural law, abortion is a contravention of the UN Charter on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights , abortion is a terrible abuse of the Rights of the Child, an abuse of the Fundamental Right of every human being to live. Abortion is a crime against humanity and cannot be justified.
Last year alone millions of children were killed by abortion, more than all the people killed during the two world wars, more than the Afghanistan and Iraq wars put together.
More people die by abortion every year than they died during the slave trade. More people die by abortion every year than they have ever died through genocide.
More people are killed every day by abortion than by terrorism.
More people die from abortion than they die from AIDS or malaria.
The Declaration of human Rights paved the way for the emancipation of women, but radical feminism, in pursuit of freedom, has sought license and unfettered autonomy, in pursuit of sexual pleasure, and equality with men.
Women have surrendered the dignity of womanhood and rejected the value of motherhood. What the sexual revolution and radical feminism erroneously promise is that the pursuit of freedom, sexual equality, sexual pleasure and rejection of traditional morality will bring individual happiness and build a more truly human society.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was a mile stone in the maturing of humanity, of a moral awareness in accord with the dignity of the person, but sixty years after this declaration, the dignity of the human person has suffered immensely through abortion.
Now more than ninety Governments in the world, and even some UN agencies, have approved and legalized abortion.
Abortion kills not only unborn children; it destroys constitutional order and the common good, which is assured only when the life of every human being is legally protected.
Abortion is the most despicable, callous, heinous and inhuman method of killing. The child is killed by the very persons who are supposed to protect the innocent, harmless child, their parents and doctors. Think of the barbaric and brutal method called “partial-birth abortion”, usually performed in an advance state of pregnancy. It allows a partial delivery before the baby is killed, in some cases using a small hammer or cudgel to crush the skull of the baby while still crying.
Yes this is inhumanity of man to man. An abuse of the Fundamental Right to Live, approved and legalized by governments of the “civilized world”, signatories to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
When the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF} presented its “State of the World’s Children 2007” report in India, UNICEF officials said that 7,000 girls are aborted in India each day.
Globally, millions of boys and girls are aborted each year.
ABORTIONS have reached unprecedented, unimaginable numbers in the world, a world which has returned to a barbarism unknown in history.
UN treaty bodies are being used to promote the legalization of abortion without the awareness or consensus of member states.
UN human rights treaty bodies are groups of unelected, unaccountable bureaucratic officials before whom UN member states must appear every few years and report on how they are implementing the various UN human rights treaties. They have no enforcement mechanism, and the members act in their personal capacity with no oversight or accountability to a single member state.
Half of the treaty body that monitors the 1979 Women’s Convention, is made up of nongovernmental representatives, mostly advocating abortion rights. Even though not a single UN human rights treaty mentions abortion, the treaty bodies have pressured 93 Nation 122 times to legalize abortion in the last decade. In 2006, Colombia legalized abortion, citing statements by UN, human rights treaty bodies in support of its decision.
Any person who supports abortion, encourages abortion or who commits abortion, or any government which legalizes abortion, is worse than people who commit terrorism, unjust wars or are guilty of genocide.
Abortion is “genocide” to unborn children. People who support or encourage abortion, have no moral right to condemn crimes against human rights.
Developing countries need their expanding populations to develop quickly. Simplistic as it is, development is by people for people. Where there are no people there is no development. Development is for people. Abortion is the greatest enemy to development.
All African countries (except South Africa) and some countries of the world still treat abortion as a criminal offence.
It is therefore urgent that Cameroon and all countries which uphold the dignity of human life, all countries which see abortion as a greater evil than war, than genocide, or even than slave trade or terrorism, unite to fight this abomination.
A joint and concerted campaign or lobby should be staged at the United Nations, for the UN to enact an “ABORTION CONVENTION”, an Act on the prevention and punishment of the crime of abortion.
An Act which will provide a legal definition of abortion and establish abortion as a crime in international law, a Crime against Humanity.
Think of it, if President Barack Obama’s Mother, had aborted him, what a great loss it would have been to America in fact to the whole world, we would have been deprived of the opportunity of seeing a BLACK man in the WHITE house. Thank God Obama’s mother did not abort him.
* Chief A.S. Ngwana is Chairman of
Cardinal Democratic Party (CDP) in Cameroon
Email: ngwanasamba@yahoo.com
BP 2401 Bonanjo, Douala.
Tel. (237) 7775 7173
On the 10th of December 2008, we shall celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted and proclaimed by the UN General Assembly resolution 217 A (111) of 10 December 1948.
It is pertinent that we should examine how the human race has fared during these sixty years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Bearing in mind that the Declaration was prompted by the desire to uphold the right of all men to live, to own what is necessary to lead a dignified existence, to work and to rest, to choose a particular state in life, to form a home, to bring children into the world within marriage and to be allowed to educate them, to pass peacefully through times of sickness and old age, to have access to culture, to join with other citizens to achieve legitimate ends, and , above all, the right to know and love God in perfect liberty, for conscience, for true conscience, will discover the imprint of the Creator in all things. At the same time bearing in mind that Human rights, dignity, freedom, equality, solidarity and justice constitute the spiritual and moral patrimony on which the union of Nations is based.
Before the Declaration of these rights, the dignity of the human person had been abused and had reached an epoch in which liberty and justice were denied and the dignity of man was trampled upon in many ways.
SLAVE TRADE
The slave trade had been practiced from time immemorial. Africans know too well what the atrocities of the slave trade did to their fore fathers.
More than fifteen million Africans were sold to Europe and America where many died under the whip and hard labor. Slavery in the United States was especially brutal and demeaning. A slave had no rights. He or she was totally under the power of the slave owner. As a result, slave society was a violent society. Slavery demanded coercion and total control.
There was the constant fear of revolt or escape. With the division between the slave States and the free States, war was seemingly inevitable. The slave population was an ever-increasing threat. It was imperative that slave population be maintained in ignorance and under control.
All books and periodicals were to be censored. Any information regarding ideas and information touching on slavery or freedom, and changing attitudes and political discussion both in the States and in Europe was carefully kept away from slaves. As a result any notion of freedom or emancipation was to be absolutely concealed.
Every effort was made to control and obliterate any communication or literary source outside of the South.
In the antebellum South, reading was made an act of subversion; learning was an act of revolt. Sooner or later all of the southern states made teaching of a slave a penal offense, subject to prison.
For the slave who learned to read or write, amputation of fingers and whipping with cow hide lashes was the standard penalty. Excessive whipping was fatal.
GENOCIDE and UNJUST WARS.
Genocide is the killing or destroying of a group of people because of their religious, national, racial or ethnic identity.
In 1948 after the Second World War, the UN passed the Genocide Convention, an Act on the prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide.
The Act provided a legal definition of genocide and established genocide as crime in International law.
According to the Genocide Convention, any of the following actions when committed with intent to eliminate a particular national, ethnic, racial, or religious group constitutes genocide.
For example killing members of a group, causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group, deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to kill, imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group, or forcibly transferring children of the group. The gassing to death of about six million Jews, and the killing of half a million Gypsies and millions of other people considered not desirable, by Hitler, is a clear case of genocide.
THE TREATMENT OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN.
Women and children had no rights. They could not own property, they could not vote or be voted, women could not be raped by their husbands, men could marry many wives ( as in the case of King Solomon who had 700 wives and 300 concubines), but a woman could not marry more than one husband at a time, girls were given to marriage at tender ages and in many cases without their consent, girls generally were excluded from education and could not go to school, and domestic violence against women and children was tolerated.
The UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS is a common standard of achievement for all peoples and Nations, bearing in mind that human rights, dignity, freedom equality, solidarity and justice constitute the spiritual and moral patrimony on which the union of peoples and Nations is based.
Let us look at whether proper consideration has been given to
(ARTICLE 3) “Everyone has the right to LIFE, LIBERTY, AND SECURITY of person”
The first and the most important fundamental human right, the basis of all human rights, is the RIGHT TO LIFE. Without human beings we can not talk of human rights. How has the Right to Life been implemented during these sixty years?
Every human being has a right to live, from conception to natural death. Each child has the right to be conceived, born and educated within the family, based on marriage between a man and a woman, the family being the natural and fundamental group unit of society.
ABORTION.
Abortion is the deliberate killing of a human being after conception and before birth. Miscarriage ( or spontaneous abortion) is the accidental death of a human being after conception and before birth.
Science and religion agree that human life begins at conception, when the ovum (egg) is fertilized by the sperm. After conception, the human being is complete, and only grows. From conception the human being is only called different names as he or she develops.
He develops or grows from an embryo, fetus, baby, toddler, infant, boy or girl, man or woman and finally ends up as an old man or an old woman.
In abortion, a human being is deliberately deprived of his/her life. And that is nothing, but murder. There is no choice to murder. Abortion is an attack on life itself.
The 1959 Declaration of the Rights of the Child by the United Nations states that the child “needs special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection, before as well as after birth.” A principle, which is in keeping with a previous declaration by the World Medical Association to “maintain the utmost respect for human life, from the time of its conception.”
The 1966 International Convention on Civil and Political Rights states that “sentence of death shall not be carried out on pregnant women, and that the express intention of this Article is inspired by consideration of the interest of the unborn child.”
Abortion is a crime against natural law, abortion is a contravention of the UN Charter on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights , abortion is a terrible abuse of the Rights of the Child, an abuse of the Fundamental Right of every human being to live. Abortion is a crime against humanity and cannot be justified.
Last year alone millions of children were killed by abortion, more than all the people killed during the two world wars, more than the Afghanistan and Iraq wars put together.
More people die by abortion every year than they died during the slave trade. More people die by abortion every year than they have ever died through genocide.
More people are killed every day by abortion than by terrorism.
More people die from abortion than they die from AIDS or malaria.
The Declaration of human Rights paved the way for the emancipation of women, but radical feminism, in pursuit of freedom, has sought license and unfettered autonomy, in pursuit of sexual pleasure, and equality with men.
Women have surrendered the dignity of womanhood and rejected the value of motherhood. What the sexual revolution and radical feminism erroneously promise is that the pursuit of freedom, sexual equality, sexual pleasure and rejection of traditional morality will bring individual happiness and build a more truly human society.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was a mile stone in the maturing of humanity, of a moral awareness in accord with the dignity of the person, but sixty years after this declaration, the dignity of the human person has suffered immensely through abortion.
Now more than ninety Governments in the world, and even some UN agencies, have approved and legalized abortion.
Abortion kills not only unborn children; it destroys constitutional order and the common good, which is assured only when the life of every human being is legally protected.
Abortion is the most despicable, callous, heinous and inhuman method of killing. The child is killed by the very persons who are supposed to protect the innocent, harmless child, their parents and doctors. Think of the barbaric and brutal method called “partial-birth abortion”, usually performed in an advance state of pregnancy. It allows a partial delivery before the baby is killed, in some cases using a small hammer or cudgel to crush the skull of the baby while still crying.
Yes this is inhumanity of man to man. An abuse of the Fundamental Right to Live, approved and legalized by governments of the “civilized world”, signatories to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
When the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF} presented its “State of the World’s Children 2007” report in India, UNICEF officials said that 7,000 girls are aborted in India each day.
Globally, millions of boys and girls are aborted each year.
ABORTIONS have reached unprecedented, unimaginable numbers in the world, a world which has returned to a barbarism unknown in history.
UN treaty bodies are being used to promote the legalization of abortion without the awareness or consensus of member states.
UN human rights treaty bodies are groups of unelected, unaccountable bureaucratic officials before whom UN member states must appear every few years and report on how they are implementing the various UN human rights treaties. They have no enforcement mechanism, and the members act in their personal capacity with no oversight or accountability to a single member state.
Half of the treaty body that monitors the 1979 Women’s Convention, is made up of nongovernmental representatives, mostly advocating abortion rights. Even though not a single UN human rights treaty mentions abortion, the treaty bodies have pressured 93 Nation 122 times to legalize abortion in the last decade. In 2006, Colombia legalized abortion, citing statements by UN, human rights treaty bodies in support of its decision.
Any person who supports abortion, encourages abortion or who commits abortion, or any government which legalizes abortion, is worse than people who commit terrorism, unjust wars or are guilty of genocide.
Abortion is “genocide” to unborn children. People who support or encourage abortion, have no moral right to condemn crimes against human rights.
Developing countries need their expanding populations to develop quickly. Simplistic as it is, development is by people for people. Where there are no people there is no development. Development is for people. Abortion is the greatest enemy to development.
All African countries (except South Africa) and some countries of the world still treat abortion as a criminal offence.
It is therefore urgent that Cameroon and all countries which uphold the dignity of human life, all countries which see abortion as a greater evil than war, than genocide, or even than slave trade or terrorism, unite to fight this abomination.
A joint and concerted campaign or lobby should be staged at the United Nations, for the UN to enact an “ABORTION CONVENTION”, an Act on the prevention and punishment of the crime of abortion.
An Act which will provide a legal definition of abortion and establish abortion as a crime in international law, a Crime against Humanity.
Think of it, if President Barack Obama’s Mother, had aborted him, what a great loss it would have been to America in fact to the whole world, we would have been deprived of the opportunity of seeing a BLACK man in the WHITE house. Thank God Obama’s mother did not abort him.
* Chief A.S. Ngwana is Chairman of
Cardinal Democratic Party (CDP) in Cameroon
Email: ngwanasamba@yahoo.com
BP 2401 Bonanjo, Douala.
Tel. (237) 7775 7173
Monday, November 24, 2008
The 44th President of the USA!
ByTazoacha Asonganyi in Yaounde.
There has been euphoria all over the world following the landslide victory of Barack Obama to become the 44th President of the USA.
Africans across the board have been urging their sit-tight leaders to take note of the free and transparent electoral process that brought about such heart-warming renewal in the USA, and especially the frequency of change at the presidency.
From another perspective, some people see the victory as a sort of cleansing of the scars of slavery and colonialism that helped to build the West, but stand starkly as the main accused for the backwardness of Africa.
Indeed, many major sins were committed by the West on their road to development, including Slavery, Colonialism and the Holocaust.
The feelings of the Jews have since been assuaged by retribution and the founding of the state of Israel. So far Africa has had only empty apologies for the sin committed against it, until now that Obama has emerged to be totted like the ultimate reason why we should forgive and forget slavery and colonialism, since with the scars, an African or Africa can still be the best if the required effort is made.
Whether this is true or false, we cannot resist the lead Obama provided by his loaded campaign slogan: Yes, we can! Before reaching that conclusion, he first reached a similar conclusion about himself: Yes, I can!
He reached this conclusion after finding answers to some questions that kept haunting him like: What is our community and how might that be truly reconciled with our freedom? How far do our obligations to the community reach? Who really am I?
To the questions about the community, he immersed himself in community work in Chicago. As for the questions about himself, apart from the knowledge he gained in the black community in Chicago during the community work, he went to Kenya to dig into his roots.
In Kenya, his grandmother told him that Obama "sired" Hussein Oyango, Oyango sired Barack and Barack sired him, Barack Hussein Obama.
She told him about the confusion and blurring of vision of his father and grandfather following their various encounters with the colonialists.
He was also told that when his father got interested in the struggle for independence, his grandfather used to tell his father that an African cannot defeat the white man when he cannot even make his own bicycle; that the African only wanted to work with his family or his clan while all white men work to increase their power; that the white man alone is like an ant that can easily be crushed, but they work together like ants; that the white man considers his nation and his business more important to him than himself...
After gathering all the information he concluded that his father may have had vision but lacked realism and flexibility; that his dreams seemed to have been choked by fear and lack of imagination; that he seemed to have preferred dreams to reality; impotence to compromise.
Humbled by the weight of his heritage, he went to the graves of his father and his grandfather which are side by side and holding both, he addressed his father, weeping:"There was no shame in your confusion, just as there had been no shame in your father’s before you. No shame in your fear or in the fear of your father before you. There was only shame in the silence fear had produced. It was the silence that betrayed us.
If it weren’t for that silence, your grandfather might have told your father that he could never escape himself, or recreate himself alone. Your father might have taught those same lessons to you.
And you the son might have taught your father that this world that was beckoning all of you involved more than just railroads, and indoor toilets and irrigation ditches and gramophones, all lifeless instruments that could be absorbed into the old ways ... For all your gifts – the quick mind, the power of concentration, the charm – you could never forge yourself into a whole man by leaving those things (the best of your culture and traditions) behind..."
He left Kenya with the comfort and the firmness of identity that a name provides. He reminded his kith and kin that on this earth, one place is not too different from the other – and each single moment carries within it all that has gone before.
He had the strong conviction that respect does not come from what your parents are but from what you do. He believed in himself, in his ability to bring change to the USA, in his ability to revive "the American dream".
Indeed, he believes that hardship always gives birth to what he calls a new faith – a faith in other people. It is this faith that transformed his "I can" to "we can"; and then to his war cry: Yes, We Can!
His victory leaves us with no doubt that believing in oneself is a major precondition for any victory or success.
Yes, the lifeless things that surround us today can be absorbed into our "old ways" like the Japanese, the Chinese, the Indians and other peoples have proved. Yes, a major precondition of all success is self confidence; believing in ourselves.
This is why Barack Obama set out his identity, thoughts and believes in his two books: "Dreams from my Father" and "The Audacity of Hope", which acted as strong vaccines against all types of blackmail during the campaign.
Today, it is sure that Barack Obama will be the 44th President of the USA because he believed in himself!
There is no reason why his victory should not change the image Africa has of itself and of its situation in the world.
There has been euphoria all over the world following the landslide victory of Barack Obama to become the 44th President of the USA.
Africans across the board have been urging their sit-tight leaders to take note of the free and transparent electoral process that brought about such heart-warming renewal in the USA, and especially the frequency of change at the presidency.
From another perspective, some people see the victory as a sort of cleansing of the scars of slavery and colonialism that helped to build the West, but stand starkly as the main accused for the backwardness of Africa.
Indeed, many major sins were committed by the West on their road to development, including Slavery, Colonialism and the Holocaust.
The feelings of the Jews have since been assuaged by retribution and the founding of the state of Israel. So far Africa has had only empty apologies for the sin committed against it, until now that Obama has emerged to be totted like the ultimate reason why we should forgive and forget slavery and colonialism, since with the scars, an African or Africa can still be the best if the required effort is made.
Whether this is true or false, we cannot resist the lead Obama provided by his loaded campaign slogan: Yes, we can! Before reaching that conclusion, he first reached a similar conclusion about himself: Yes, I can!
He reached this conclusion after finding answers to some questions that kept haunting him like: What is our community and how might that be truly reconciled with our freedom? How far do our obligations to the community reach? Who really am I?
To the questions about the community, he immersed himself in community work in Chicago. As for the questions about himself, apart from the knowledge he gained in the black community in Chicago during the community work, he went to Kenya to dig into his roots.
In Kenya, his grandmother told him that Obama "sired" Hussein Oyango, Oyango sired Barack and Barack sired him, Barack Hussein Obama.
She told him about the confusion and blurring of vision of his father and grandfather following their various encounters with the colonialists.
He was also told that when his father got interested in the struggle for independence, his grandfather used to tell his father that an African cannot defeat the white man when he cannot even make his own bicycle; that the African only wanted to work with his family or his clan while all white men work to increase their power; that the white man alone is like an ant that can easily be crushed, but they work together like ants; that the white man considers his nation and his business more important to him than himself...
After gathering all the information he concluded that his father may have had vision but lacked realism and flexibility; that his dreams seemed to have been choked by fear and lack of imagination; that he seemed to have preferred dreams to reality; impotence to compromise.
Humbled by the weight of his heritage, he went to the graves of his father and his grandfather which are side by side and holding both, he addressed his father, weeping:"There was no shame in your confusion, just as there had been no shame in your father’s before you. No shame in your fear or in the fear of your father before you. There was only shame in the silence fear had produced. It was the silence that betrayed us.
If it weren’t for that silence, your grandfather might have told your father that he could never escape himself, or recreate himself alone. Your father might have taught those same lessons to you.
And you the son might have taught your father that this world that was beckoning all of you involved more than just railroads, and indoor toilets and irrigation ditches and gramophones, all lifeless instruments that could be absorbed into the old ways ... For all your gifts – the quick mind, the power of concentration, the charm – you could never forge yourself into a whole man by leaving those things (the best of your culture and traditions) behind..."
He left Kenya with the comfort and the firmness of identity that a name provides. He reminded his kith and kin that on this earth, one place is not too different from the other – and each single moment carries within it all that has gone before.
He had the strong conviction that respect does not come from what your parents are but from what you do. He believed in himself, in his ability to bring change to the USA, in his ability to revive "the American dream".
Indeed, he believes that hardship always gives birth to what he calls a new faith – a faith in other people. It is this faith that transformed his "I can" to "we can"; and then to his war cry: Yes, We Can!
His victory leaves us with no doubt that believing in oneself is a major precondition for any victory or success.
Yes, the lifeless things that surround us today can be absorbed into our "old ways" like the Japanese, the Chinese, the Indians and other peoples have proved. Yes, a major precondition of all success is self confidence; believing in ourselves.
This is why Barack Obama set out his identity, thoughts and believes in his two books: "Dreams from my Father" and "The Audacity of Hope", which acted as strong vaccines against all types of blackmail during the campaign.
Today, it is sure that Barack Obama will be the 44th President of the USA because he believed in himself!
There is no reason why his victory should not change the image Africa has of itself and of its situation in the world.
Cameroon: UB Prepares Students for Success in Job Market
By Christopher Ambe Shu
Thousands of varsity students and hundreds of non-students alike from within Cameroon’s national territory took advantage of a widely publicized two-day Business and Employment Forum, oraginsied by the country’s lone Anglo-Saxon University of Buea(UB), to learn how to quickly secure a place in Cameroon’s rather difficult job market.
Picture:Cross section of Participants at UB Business and Employment forum
Unemployment rate in Cameroon, which is classified as a heavily indebted poor country, is high
“Upon graduation I think those of us who attended this forum will easily know how to go about looking for or creating jobs,” one UB student who sat through out the forum told this reporter as the forum wrapped up. “It has been an eye-opener event for us”
Claris Mbinkar, a graduate from UB who holds a Bachelor ‘s degree in curriculum studies but is yet to land a job added, “The forum was a learning opportunity. I will not waste any time to put into practice what I have learnt about getting employment”
The forum, organized under the patronage of Cameroon’s Minister of Higher education, Prof.Jacques Fame Ndongo, ran from 20-21 November. The forum, the first of its kind, was motivated by the new Bachelor’s-Master’s -PhD (BMP) system introduced in the 2007 academic year.
“ The BMP system takes its root from the Anglo-American System, which UB has been practicing since inception in 1993.It comes with the promise of increased relevance, professionalism and production-oriented training”, remarked Prof Vincent Titanji,UB Vice-Chancellor at the forum’s opening ceremony. “More than everything else, this forum is an occasion to create effective alliances to enable us tackle the problems that face us as a community, namely, ignorance, disease, hunger and poverty. This is how we can each of us contribute to this forward movement towards attainment of the MDG’s”
The forum brought together managers of companies, job promoters, students and varsity graduates who were either job seekers or would like to create jobs.
Experts made presentations on themes such as: Graduates/Youth and the Labor Market in Cameroon, How to Explore the Labor Market, Growing Businesses and Creating Jobs, Youth Engagement Support Programs and Opportunities, Securing Markets, Leadership and Motivational Tips for Youth Success; Management, Financing, Legal Issues and Insurance Policy
Other highlights of the two-day forum included: University of Buea signing partnership agreements with companies, a cultural night on November 20,musical concerts and a mini trade fair that enabled businesses to exhibit their products and sell their ideas to the public.
The Vice- Chancellor of University of Buea, Professor Vincent Titanji, particularly praised Prof Victor Julius Ngoh, UB Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Research, Cooperation and Relations with the Business World for working extra hard to make the forum a huge success
Several participants who spoke to this reporter admitted having learned much from the forum, wishing that it should henceforth become a regular event of the university
University of Buea as at now has a student population of 12000 and is rated Cameroon’s best-managed state university. It started in 1993
Thousands of varsity students and hundreds of non-students alike from within Cameroon’s national territory took advantage of a widely publicized two-day Business and Employment Forum, oraginsied by the country’s lone Anglo-Saxon University of Buea(UB), to learn how to quickly secure a place in Cameroon’s rather difficult job market.
Picture:Cross section of Participants at UB Business and Employment forum
Unemployment rate in Cameroon, which is classified as a heavily indebted poor country, is high
“Upon graduation I think those of us who attended this forum will easily know how to go about looking for or creating jobs,” one UB student who sat through out the forum told this reporter as the forum wrapped up. “It has been an eye-opener event for us”
Claris Mbinkar, a graduate from UB who holds a Bachelor ‘s degree in curriculum studies but is yet to land a job added, “The forum was a learning opportunity. I will not waste any time to put into practice what I have learnt about getting employment”
The forum, organized under the patronage of Cameroon’s Minister of Higher education, Prof.Jacques Fame Ndongo, ran from 20-21 November. The forum, the first of its kind, was motivated by the new Bachelor’s-Master’s -PhD (BMP) system introduced in the 2007 academic year.
“ The BMP system takes its root from the Anglo-American System, which UB has been practicing since inception in 1993.It comes with the promise of increased relevance, professionalism and production-oriented training”, remarked Prof Vincent Titanji,UB Vice-Chancellor at the forum’s opening ceremony. “More than everything else, this forum is an occasion to create effective alliances to enable us tackle the problems that face us as a community, namely, ignorance, disease, hunger and poverty. This is how we can each of us contribute to this forward movement towards attainment of the MDG’s”
The forum brought together managers of companies, job promoters, students and varsity graduates who were either job seekers or would like to create jobs.
Experts made presentations on themes such as: Graduates/Youth and the Labor Market in Cameroon, How to Explore the Labor Market, Growing Businesses and Creating Jobs, Youth Engagement Support Programs and Opportunities, Securing Markets, Leadership and Motivational Tips for Youth Success; Management, Financing, Legal Issues and Insurance Policy
Other highlights of the two-day forum included: University of Buea signing partnership agreements with companies, a cultural night on November 20,musical concerts and a mini trade fair that enabled businesses to exhibit their products and sell their ideas to the public.
The Vice- Chancellor of University of Buea, Professor Vincent Titanji, particularly praised Prof Victor Julius Ngoh, UB Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Research, Cooperation and Relations with the Business World for working extra hard to make the forum a huge success
Several participants who spoke to this reporter admitted having learned much from the forum, wishing that it should henceforth become a regular event of the university
University of Buea as at now has a student population of 12000 and is rated Cameroon’s best-managed state university. It started in 1993
Cameroon: UB Prepares Students For Success In Job Market
By Christopher Ambe Shu
Thousands of varsity students and hundreds of non-students alike from within Cameroon’s national territory took advantage of a widely publicized two-day Business and Employment Forum, oraginsied by the country’s lone Anglo-Saxon University of Buea(UB), to learn how to quickly secure a place in Cameroon’s rather difficult job market.
Unemployment rate in Cameroon, which is classified as a heavily indebted poor country, is high
“Upon graduation I think those of us who attended this forum will easily know how to go about looking for or creating jobs,” one UB student who sat through out the forum told this reporter as the forum wrapped up. “It has been an eye-opener event for us”
Claris Mbinkar, a graduate from UB who holds a Bachelor ‘s degree in curriculum studies but is yet to land a job added, “The forum was a learning opportunity. I will not waste any time to put into practice what I have learnt about getting employment”
The forum, organized under the patronage of Cameroon’s Minister of Higher education, Prof.Jacques Fame Ndongo, ran from 20-21 November. The forum, the first of its kind, was motivated by the new Bachelor’s-Master’s -PhD (BMP) system introduced in the 2007 academic year.
“ The BMP system takes its root from the Anglo-American System, which UB has been practicing since inception in 1993.It comes with the promise of increased relevance, professionalism and production-oriented training”, remarked Prof Vincent Titanji,UB Vice-Chancellor at the forum’s opening ceremony. “More than everything else, this forum is an occasion to create effective alliances to enable us tackle the problems that face us as a community, namely, ignorance, disease, hunger and poverty. This is how we can each of us contribute to this forward movement towards attainment of the MDG’s”
The forum brought together managers of companies, job promoters, students and varsity graduates who were either job seekers or would like to create jobs.
Experts made presentations on themes such as: Graduates/Youth and the Labor Market in Cameroon, How to Explore the Labor Market, Growing Businesses and Creating Jobs, Youth Engagement Support Programs and Opportunities, Securing Markets, Leadership and Motivational Tips for Youth Success; Management, Financing, Legal Issues and Insurance Policy
Other highlights of the two-day forum included: University of Buea signing partnership agreements with companies, a cultural night on November 20,musical concerts and a mini trade fair that enabled businesses to exhibit their products and sell their ideas to the public.
The Vice- Chancellor of University of Buea, Professor Vincent Titanji, particularly praised Prof Victor Julius Ngoh, UB Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Research, Cooperation and Relations with the Business World for working extra hard to make the forum a huge success
Several participants who spoke to this reporter admitted having learned much from the forum, wishing that it should henceforth become a regular event of the university
University of Buea as at now has a student population of 12000 and is rated Cameroon’s best-managed state university. It started in 1993
Thousands of varsity students and hundreds of non-students alike from within Cameroon’s national territory took advantage of a widely publicized two-day Business and Employment Forum, oraginsied by the country’s lone Anglo-Saxon University of Buea(UB), to learn how to quickly secure a place in Cameroon’s rather difficult job market.
Unemployment rate in Cameroon, which is classified as a heavily indebted poor country, is high
“Upon graduation I think those of us who attended this forum will easily know how to go about looking for or creating jobs,” one UB student who sat through out the forum told this reporter as the forum wrapped up. “It has been an eye-opener event for us”
Claris Mbinkar, a graduate from UB who holds a Bachelor ‘s degree in curriculum studies but is yet to land a job added, “The forum was a learning opportunity. I will not waste any time to put into practice what I have learnt about getting employment”
The forum, organized under the patronage of Cameroon’s Minister of Higher education, Prof.Jacques Fame Ndongo, ran from 20-21 November. The forum, the first of its kind, was motivated by the new Bachelor’s-Master’s -PhD (BMP) system introduced in the 2007 academic year.
“ The BMP system takes its root from the Anglo-American System, which UB has been practicing since inception in 1993.It comes with the promise of increased relevance, professionalism and production-oriented training”, remarked Prof Vincent Titanji,UB Vice-Chancellor at the forum’s opening ceremony. “More than everything else, this forum is an occasion to create effective alliances to enable us tackle the problems that face us as a community, namely, ignorance, disease, hunger and poverty. This is how we can each of us contribute to this forward movement towards attainment of the MDG’s”
The forum brought together managers of companies, job promoters, students and varsity graduates who were either job seekers or would like to create jobs.
Experts made presentations on themes such as: Graduates/Youth and the Labor Market in Cameroon, How to Explore the Labor Market, Growing Businesses and Creating Jobs, Youth Engagement Support Programs and Opportunities, Securing Markets, Leadership and Motivational Tips for Youth Success; Management, Financing, Legal Issues and Insurance Policy
Other highlights of the two-day forum included: University of Buea signing partnership agreements with companies, a cultural night on November 20,musical concerts and a mini trade fair that enabled businesses to exhibit their products and sell their ideas to the public.
The Vice- Chancellor of University of Buea, Professor Vincent Titanji, particularly praised Prof Victor Julius Ngoh, UB Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Research, Cooperation and Relations with the Business World for working extra hard to make the forum a huge success
Several participants who spoke to this reporter admitted having learned much from the forum, wishing that it should henceforth become a regular event of the university
University of Buea as at now has a student population of 12000 and is rated Cameroon’s best-managed state university. It started in 1993
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Cameroon:RUMPI Budgets FCFA 8.5 Billion For 2009
Now Targets Core Projects for Realization
By Christopher Ambe Shu
( Picture Above: Ogork Ntui Besong,RUMPI Coordinator
He urged Rumpi administrators and its executing agencies to show total duty-consciousness and commitment, adding that the Cameroon Government attaches much importance to the project, with regards to its fight for poverty-alleviation.
The Rumpi Project, which has a six-year life span, was launched in 2004.It is intended to reduce poverty in rural areas of the Southwest province by increasing their incomes in a sustainable manner, through improving agricultural output as well as their socio-economic environment
The FCFA 17 billion Rumpi Project is co- funded by African Development Bank (ADB75%), Technical Assistance Fund (TAF 8 %), Government of Cameroon (GOC15%) and the beneficiaries (2%), according to the project’s documents.
“The 2009 budget is big but achievable. We are ready for serious work. With the African Development Bank (ADB) before you spend one Franc they must approve it. If they don’t, you can’t spend it”, Ogork Ntui Besong, coordinator of Rumpi told reporters, hoping that all work analyses already submitted to the ADB would be quickly endorsed.
The Project Coordinator said they are focusing on infrastructure development.
“We are presently building twenty (20) rural markets through out the province… We have awarded contracts for the construction of Twenty-two (22) village banks; we have also awarded contracts for the supply of Fifty-Five (55) saves, to arrive early January next year to enable us start rural banking,” noted Ogork Ntui
He said a partial beak-down of the budget of 8.5 billion for 2009 indicates that, FCFA 3.03 billion will go for road construction; FCFA 980 million for 34 water schemes and FCFA 422 million to complete payment for rural markets. He disclosed that RUMPI intends to improve upon 237 km of roads in the Southwest Province beginning next January.
In the past, the project had done quite a lot in terms of supporting agricultural activities and farmers in the province
The Project Coordinator said if by the end of 2009 RUMPI realized all earmarked projects it would have achieved about 80% of its goals.
.
By Christopher Ambe Shu
With just two years left for the FCFA 17 billion Rumpi Project -placed under the Southwest Development Authority, SOWEDA-Buea to phase out, only about 40% of its global work plan has so far been achieved, it emerged at the project’s 7th Steering Committee meeting that held last November 12,in Trinity Hotel, Limbe.
( Picture Above: Ogork Ntui Besong,RUMPI CoordinatorPicture Below: Steering Committee at 7 th Session)
But with FCFA 8.5 billion voted at the 7th Steering Committee as RUMPI’s 2009 budget core projects such as rural roads, markets, water schemes and rural banks have now been earmarked for realization beginning next year.
Biloa Gatien, inspector-general in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MINADER) who sat in for his minister, chaired the Steering Committee meeting, which was principally to examine and adopt the 2009 budget as well as its work plan.
Biloa Gatien, inspector-general in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MINADER) who sat in for his minister, chaired the Steering Committee meeting, which was principally to examine and adopt the 2009 budget as well as its work plan.
He urged Rumpi administrators and its executing agencies to show total duty-consciousness and commitment, adding that the Cameroon Government attaches much importance to the project, with regards to its fight for poverty-alleviation.
The Rumpi Project, which has a six-year life span, was launched in 2004.It is intended to reduce poverty in rural areas of the Southwest province by increasing their incomes in a sustainable manner, through improving agricultural output as well as their socio-economic environment
The FCFA 17 billion Rumpi Project is co- funded by African Development Bank (ADB75%), Technical Assistance Fund (TAF 8 %), Government of Cameroon (GOC15%) and the beneficiaries (2%), according to the project’s documents.
“The 2009 budget is big but achievable. We are ready for serious work. With the African Development Bank (ADB) before you spend one Franc they must approve it. If they don’t, you can’t spend it”, Ogork Ntui Besong, coordinator of Rumpi told reporters, hoping that all work analyses already submitted to the ADB would be quickly endorsed.
The Project Coordinator said they are focusing on infrastructure development.
“We are presently building twenty (20) rural markets through out the province… We have awarded contracts for the construction of Twenty-two (22) village banks; we have also awarded contracts for the supply of Fifty-Five (55) saves, to arrive early January next year to enable us start rural banking,” noted Ogork Ntui
He said a partial beak-down of the budget of 8.5 billion for 2009 indicates that, FCFA 3.03 billion will go for road construction; FCFA 980 million for 34 water schemes and FCFA 422 million to complete payment for rural markets. He disclosed that RUMPI intends to improve upon 237 km of roads in the Southwest Province beginning next January.
In the past, the project had done quite a lot in terms of supporting agricultural activities and farmers in the province
The Project Coordinator said if by the end of 2009 RUMPI realized all earmarked projects it would have achieved about 80% of its goals.
.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Cameroonians Share Obama’s Election Euphoria
By Christopher Ambe Shu 
Top picture : Mola Njoh leading Bishop Bushu to ceremonial ground
Below picture: Bishop Bushu greeting invitees at the election party
Some Cameroonians especially the working class converged Wednesday on the Buea residence of Mola Njoh Litumbe, doyen of chartered accountants in Cameroon and leader of the country’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to celebrate the election of 47- year -old Barrack Obama as the 44th president of the US and first black US president.
Also present at the victory party was the Catholic Bishop of Buea Diocese, Immanuel Bushu, who said a prayer urging the Almighty God to protect and direct Barack Obama.
“Lord, give Barack Obama the grace to be humble, thinking only of you. Give him the wisdom of Solomon…so that he should usher in a new era in the
US and the world”, Bishop Bushu said in his humble prayer.
Mola Njoh Litumbe, a senior Cameroonian citizen in his mid 70’s, who organized the sumptuous cocktail party, said Obama’s election to the highest office of the world was a great honor done particularly to the black community and the world in general.
He expressed regrets that in the past the Blackman had been treated like slaves and considered as inferior to the White man. Mola Njoh said Obama’s election, as president of the most powerful nation in the world was really an eye-opener to the world.
“I hope Cameroon would learn from Obama ‘s vision. Cameroon government and Cameroonians should learn, finance the education of our children, provide adequate health care and other amenities .I think if all these amenities are provided here people will not be going abroad to seek greener pastures”, said an elated Mola Njoh, who himself was the glad party’s master of ceremony.
Commenting further on the Obama election euphoria, Bishop Bushu went down memory lane, noting that Blacks were far advanced hundreds of years before the Whiteman.He cited Egypt as an example of Black civilization
“ The IQ is the same for all human beings. We have the same physical pwer. All we should be asking for is God’s blessing in whatever we do and with it, we will make a difference”, the Bishop said. “The Time has come. God has chosen Barack Obama.He will deliver the goods. The joy is global. We are sharing the joy of Mankind toady”
Other speakers at the party ,which was characterized by music,champaigne-popping and jokes-cracking, were all full of praise for Obama, hoping that his victory will inspire other blacks.
“ Obama’s election is a miracle .We are blessed”, said Toni Monangai, a noted Buea based businessman, who was all smiles.
Many other social parties were organised in the various towns of Cameroon
Top picture : Mola Njoh leading Bishop Bushu to ceremonial ground
Below picture: Bishop Bushu greeting invitees at the election party
Some Cameroonians especially the working class converged Wednesday on the Buea residence of Mola Njoh Litumbe, doyen of chartered accountants in Cameroon and leader of the country’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to celebrate the election of 47- year -old Barrack Obama as the 44th president of the US and first black US president.
Also present at the victory party was the Catholic Bishop of Buea Diocese, Immanuel Bushu, who said a prayer urging the Almighty God to protect and direct Barack Obama.
“Lord, give Barack Obama the grace to be humble, thinking only of you. Give him the wisdom of Solomon…so that he should usher in a new era in the
US and the world”, Bishop Bushu said in his humble prayer.Mola Njoh Litumbe, a senior Cameroonian citizen in his mid 70’s, who organized the sumptuous cocktail party, said Obama’s election to the highest office of the world was a great honor done particularly to the black community and the world in general.
He expressed regrets that in the past the Blackman had been treated like slaves and considered as inferior to the White man. Mola Njoh said Obama’s election, as president of the most powerful nation in the world was really an eye-opener to the world.
“I hope Cameroon would learn from Obama ‘s vision. Cameroon government and Cameroonians should learn, finance the education of our children, provide adequate health care and other amenities .I think if all these amenities are provided here people will not be going abroad to seek greener pastures”, said an elated Mola Njoh, who himself was the glad party’s master of ceremony.
Commenting further on the Obama election euphoria, Bishop Bushu went down memory lane, noting that Blacks were far advanced hundreds of years before the Whiteman.He cited Egypt as an example of Black civilization
“ The IQ is the same for all human beings. We have the same physical pwer. All we should be asking for is God’s blessing in whatever we do and with it, we will make a difference”, the Bishop said. “The Time has come. God has chosen Barack Obama.He will deliver the goods. The joy is global. We are sharing the joy of Mankind toady”
Other speakers at the party ,which was characterized by music,champaigne-popping and jokes-cracking, were all full of praise for Obama, hoping that his victory will inspire other blacks.
“ Obama’s election is a miracle .We are blessed”, said Toni Monangai, a noted Buea based businessman, who was all smiles.
Many other social parties were organised in the various towns of Cameroon
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Barack Obama: White House’s First Black Boss
By Christopher Ambe ShuThe mistaken belief or myth held by so many, for many years, that the White House, official residence and principal workplace of the President of the United States of America in Washington DC, is kind of reserved only for whites has been demystified
.
Tuesday ,November 4, saw the overwhelming election of 47-year-old Barack Obama(Pictured), son of a father from Kenya and a white mother from Kansas, as the 44th president of the US.
Obama, because of his intelligence, eloquence and well- articulated plans to improve the lot of American people as a whole, made millions upon millions of people, even enemies of the US, during his presidential campaigns to prefer him to his rival, John Mac Cain in the White House.
The US with a population of some 300 million people and 51 states, is the world’s most powerful and prominent nation. Its president is arguably the commander- chief the whole world.
Joel Hilliker,a columnist with theTrumpet.com in the introduction of his article before the US presidential election, titled “If the World Could Vote for America’s President,” said this about the global love for Barack Obama: “The whole world doesn’t agree on much, but it seems pretty united on one thing: that the next American president should be Barack Obama”.
Of course, the columnist cited reasons for the global Obama-love.
And at last, Obama has emerged victorious at the 2008 US presidential election, securing 364 electoral votes while rival John McCain got 163.Ties, 11.There are a total of 538 electoral votes and to be elected president, one must have at least 270 electoral votes
Obama, a first term senator from Illinois and Democratic Presidential Candidate by far beat his Republican rival, 72-year-old John McCain to get the country’s highest office.
John McCain quickly conceded defeat and telephoned Obama to congratulate him .He also urged Americans to unite and support the new president
In his victory speech, an elated but determined Obama told Americans: Change has come.
Mark Z. Barabak, writing in Los Angeles Times on November 5, said Obama’s “victory was a leap in the march toward equality: When Obama was born, people with his skin color could not even vote in parts of America, and many were killed for trying.”
So Obama is seen as having courageously broken racial barriers that have existed for donkey years to become the first African-American President, something many thought was imposibilty.
Black Obama’s occupancy of the White House stresses the fact that in God’s world everything happens when it is supposed to- no matter what. The Bible book of Ecclesiastes (chapter three) tells us that, “There is time for everything”
That also reminds us of the saying that change is the only thing on earth that is constant. Simply put, no condition is permanent. Obama was conscious of all these, and fought relentlessly despite the high odds to land the highest office in the US
White House, Black Obama.What a good color blend!
Watching Obama on BBC (television) make his victory speech, I saw tears rolling down the cheeks of Jessie Jackson, one of America’s Black Civil Rights leaders. Many others were in tears .Certainly, they were tears of joy, or tears of a dream come true.
Perserverance, handwork and prayers have in the past guided determined Africans, if you care Black men considered by many whites as inferior race, to win historic elections where many did not dream could happen
Consider 1994.In this year, Nelson Mandela who had been in prison for over 26 years because of his fight for Human Rights Promtion, became South Africa's first black president after more than three centuries of white rule.
“Never, never again will this beautiful land experience the oppression of one by another”, Mandela had vowed in his speech
Also think of Kofi Annan, of Ghana, who became the first black UN secretary-general, serving from 1997 to 2006
Indeed,the leadership ability of the Blackman is being gradually,but globally recognized
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Cameroon:More Facilities Needed as UB Admits 5000 freshmen
By Christopher Ambe Shu
The University of Buea (UB), Cameroon’s most prestigious state varsity has admitted over 5000 freshmen for its undergraduate programs for the 2008/2009 academic year, which started last October 10.
UB is one of the six state universities of Cameroon, and is fondly called “The Place to be”. It has passed out thousands of graduates with marketable skills, some of whom are furthering their studies in foreign varsities and others shining both at national and international jobs
But the Vice- chancellor,Prof Vincent Titanji(pictured), while presiding at the freshmen’s, matriculation last November1 on campus said, the addition of that huge number of students calls for improved social amenities in the varsity’s neighborhood of Molyko,Buea .
“We have added nearly 5000 more people to the Molyko neighborhood whom we must care for. It calls for redoubled efforts in the provision of security, health care and sanitation, electricity, accommodation …at affordable rates,”Prof Titanji said.
“Here at the University, we need more infrastructure and therefore rely, as usual, on all our stakeholders for their continuous goodwill donations”
The insufficiency of social amenities with a rapidly growing Molyko population in the past several years pushed students to embark on strike action and street demonstrations in a bid to press for improved living conditions.
He told the freshmen that programs at UB “ have been structured deliberately to cover the foundation of your respective disciplines, practical job skills and create opportunities to cultivate in you the positive attributes of responsible citizenship.”
The Vice-Chancellor challenged the student s to put every effort to ensure that they graduate from the varsity not only on record time but also with flying colors.
He warned students against vices such as fraud, sexual harassment, corruption and theft, adding that the punishment for impersonation is outright dismissal not from the University of Buea alone but all state universities in the country.
“Temptations abound in Molyko neigborhood. Be careful. Don’t compromise your success, safety and health by yielding to temptations that could lead you to juvenile delinquency, to contract diseases such as HIV/AIDS, and other STIs”, he further warned the new students.
Professor Anders Liljas, member of the Swedish Academy of Science presented a discourse on
then the Meaning of University, during the matriculation. He said a university is a place for universal curiosity, a place to search for the truth. Professor Lilyas emphasized that the well being of any country depends on industrial development, promoted by university research. He noted that high quality higher education plus research is an added advantage to a country.
Other highlights of the ceremony ,which took place at the Open Amphitheatre of UB, included an ecumenical service during which Catholic, Baptist, Presbyterian and Islamic chaplains called on the Almighty God to guide the students and the administration in their efforts to achieve success and excellence
The University of Buea (UB), Cameroon’s most prestigious state varsity has admitted over 5000 freshmen for its undergraduate programs for the 2008/2009 academic year, which started last October 10.
UB is one of the six state universities of Cameroon, and is fondly called “The Place to be”. It has passed out thousands of graduates with marketable skills, some of whom are furthering their studies in foreign varsities and others shining both at national and international jobs
But the Vice- chancellor,Prof Vincent Titanji(pictured), while presiding at the freshmen’s, matriculation last November1 on campus said, the addition of that huge number of students calls for improved social amenities in the varsity’s neighborhood of Molyko,Buea .
“We have added nearly 5000 more people to the Molyko neighborhood whom we must care for. It calls for redoubled efforts in the provision of security, health care and sanitation, electricity, accommodation …at affordable rates,”Prof Titanji said.
“Here at the University, we need more infrastructure and therefore rely, as usual, on all our stakeholders for their continuous goodwill donations”
The insufficiency of social amenities with a rapidly growing Molyko population in the past several years pushed students to embark on strike action and street demonstrations in a bid to press for improved living conditions.
He told the freshmen that programs at UB “ have been structured deliberately to cover the foundation of your respective disciplines, practical job skills and create opportunities to cultivate in you the positive attributes of responsible citizenship.”
The Vice-Chancellor challenged the student s to put every effort to ensure that they graduate from the varsity not only on record time but also with flying colors.
He warned students against vices such as fraud, sexual harassment, corruption and theft, adding that the punishment for impersonation is outright dismissal not from the University of Buea alone but all state universities in the country.
“Temptations abound in Molyko neigborhood. Be careful. Don’t compromise your success, safety and health by yielding to temptations that could lead you to juvenile delinquency, to contract diseases such as HIV/AIDS, and other STIs”, he further warned the new students.
Professor Anders Liljas, member of the Swedish Academy of Science presented a discourse on
then the Meaning of University, during the matriculation. He said a university is a place for universal curiosity, a place to search for the truth. Professor Lilyas emphasized that the well being of any country depends on industrial development, promoted by university research. He noted that high quality higher education plus research is an added advantage to a country.
Other highlights of the ceremony ,which took place at the Open Amphitheatre of UB, included an ecumenical service during which Catholic, Baptist, Presbyterian and Islamic chaplains called on the Almighty God to guide the students and the administration in their efforts to achieve success and excellence
Friday, October 31, 2008
If the World Could Vote for America’s President
How this election will hurt the U.S.’s global standing.
*By Joel Hilliker(Pictured ),Columnist
The whole world doesn’t agree on much, but it seems pretty united on one thing: that the next American president should be Barack Obama.
Set aside your own persuasion on who should win the November 4 election for a moment. Look at the situation from higher up. This global Obama-love is significant for a couple of reasons.
The Economist online has set up what it calls a “Global Electoral College”—a chance for its readers worldwide to vote using a globalized version of America’s electoral college system. There the McCain-Palin ticket actually has received 270 electoral votes—the number required to win in America. Trouble is, it has been absolutely crushed by Obama-Biden’s 9,120 electoral votes.
A Washington Post reporter took an informal survey around the halls of the United Nations: Obama or McCain? The overwhelming favorite: Obama, Obama, Obama. “I have not heard a single person who will support McCain,” said an African UN official. “If they do, they are in hiding.” The reporter, Colum Lynch, concluded, “[I]t might be difficult to find a sliver of territory in the United States more enthusiastic over the prospect of the Illinois senator winning” than in the global microcosm of the UN.
Amir Taheri wrote in yesterday’s New York Post of seeing “Obama! Inshallah!”—or Obama! Allah willing!—written on walls in the Gaza Strip. “While Obama has tried to push his origins into the background, his ‘Islamic roots’ have won him a place in many Arabs’ hearts,” he wrote.
Congo’s UN ambassador, Atoki Ileka, says the same about the candidate’s African roots, since Obama’s father is from Kenya: “We do not consider him an African American. We consider him an African.” Makadem, the Kenyan reggae singer who wrote the messianic anthem “Obama Be Thy Name,” evidently feels the same.
Some of the candidate’s worldwide supporters are doing more than just hoping for him to win—they’re actively funding his campaign (which is, of course, illegal). As Ron Fraser recently wrote, the Federal Election Commission has reported 11,500 foreign contributions to the Obama campaign totaling $33.8 million.
Why such overwhelming worldwide support for Obama? A common cheer among his supporters is that he represents a friendlier face to the world than both his predecessor and his opponent, and will restore America’s reputation and status as a beloved global power. By this logic, all these nations are excited about an Obama presidency because of their eagerness to restore the friendships with America that have been so ravaged by the Bush administration.
Before we accept that view, it is worth noting that among the nations most enthusiastic in their support for Obama are some of America’s worst enemies.
Take, as an example, some of his enthusiasts in the Arab world. “Obama especially appeals to pan-Arab nationalists angry at the United States for having ousted Saddam Hussein,” Amir Taheri explains. “Obama’s promise to leave Iraq gives pan-Arabs their only chance (albeit slim) to destroy the new Iraqi democracy.” Incidentally, among the millions in donations to Obama’s campaign were monies originating from Fallujah in Iraq.
Iran was also the source of some of Obama’s campaign money. It’s not difficult to see how the Iranian mullahs would prefer a U.S. president who calls himself the only major candidate who “supports tough, direct, presidential diplomacy with Iran without preconditions.” And not because of their sincere desire to make peace with America.
“Also enthusiastic for Obama is the Lebanese Hezbollah,” Taheri continued. “The party’s No. 2, Sheik Naim al-Kassim, went as far as inviting Americans to vote Obama as a step toward peace with Islam.” What sort of “peace with Islam” do you suppose Kassim is interested in? He belongs to an organization that, according to its founding document, “regard[s] all negotiators as enemies.”
Obama has received notable if unwanted endorsements from North Korea’s Kim Jong Il, Cuba’s Fidel Castro, and Hamas adviser Ahmed Yousef. Libyan leader Muammar Ghadafi has told Obama “to be proud of himself as a black and feel that all Africa is behind him.”
Why would such demagogues and terrorists support Obama? You can be sure they’re not interested in a stronger America.
The undeniable truth is, fervent anti-Americanism infects much of the planet, and a great many people support this man because they view his policies as being favorable toward America’s enemies. The large part of the world that wants to level the global playing field by knocking America down a peg appears to see an opportunity in an Obama presidency. And as Ryan Mauro recently detailed in Global Politician, this man’s ideas on foreign policy provide those enemies plenty of cause to justify their enthusiasm.
That reality alone undermines the hope held by so many for a more peaceful world because of the political ascension of a multiracial man in the world’s most prominent nation. As his own running mate famously said recently, someone, somewhere, is bound to ignite an international crisis in order to test Barack Obama’s mettle. Things could get ugly very quickly.
But there is also a more immediate problem in the fact that global opinion, like the American media, has virtually crowned Obama with a victory already. Given the near-universal desire to see this man take up residency in the White House, we have to ask: What would it do to America’s reputation abroad should the McCain-Palin ticket manage to win?
Four years ago, the world was rooting for John Kerry. When George W. Bush won, France’s Le Monde wrote an editorial titled, “Why?” The UK’s Daily Mirror headline was, “How can 59,054,087 people be so dumb?” “This once-great country has pulled up its drawbridge for another four years and … has shown itself to be a fearful, backward-looking and very small nation,” it wrote.
That was after a John Kerry loss.
One American UN official, who says “I keep my mouth shut” about his support for McCain, said this: “It will be devastating if Obama loses. There has been such an amount of faith placed on the outcome.”
What kind of global backlash will we see if McCain pulls this election off? Within the U.S. itself, the narrative being incessantly hammered is that the only obstacle in the way of an Obama landslide is America’s racism. In the event of an Obama loss, it is not difficult to imagine a worldwide surge not only in disappointment but also in already high levels of bitterness, hostility and anger toward America.
Not exactly what you need when you’re vulnerable economically and trillions of dollars in debt to other nations.
The Trumpet does not take sides in political elections. We believe the biblical truth that “the powers that be are ordained of God,” and that “the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men” (Romans 13:1; Daniel 4:17). We are far less interested in who, specifically, wins elections than in how current events fulfill biblical prophecy. And one of the most important prophecies we are watching unfold is the rapid decline of America’s global power—exactly as Scripture said would happen. You can read all about this in Herbert W. Armstrong’s book The United States and Britain in Prophecy, the first version of which he wrote, astonishingly, over 70 years ago.
Whoever wins next week, the American era is ending. Whether there is a short-lived warming toward the U.S. or not, nations around the world will continue to scramble to gain power at America’s expense. The identity of the next American president may cause them to change their tactics, but not their goal.
Courtesy :www.theTrumpet.com ( published :October 29, 2008 )
*By Joel Hilliker(Pictured ),Columnist
The whole world doesn’t agree on much, but it seems pretty united on one thing: that the next American president should be Barack Obama.
Set aside your own persuasion on who should win the November 4 election for a moment. Look at the situation from higher up. This global Obama-love is significant for a couple of reasons.
The Economist online has set up what it calls a “Global Electoral College”—a chance for its readers worldwide to vote using a globalized version of America’s electoral college system. There the McCain-Palin ticket actually has received 270 electoral votes—the number required to win in America. Trouble is, it has been absolutely crushed by Obama-Biden’s 9,120 electoral votes.
A Washington Post reporter took an informal survey around the halls of the United Nations: Obama or McCain? The overwhelming favorite: Obama, Obama, Obama. “I have not heard a single person who will support McCain,” said an African UN official. “If they do, they are in hiding.” The reporter, Colum Lynch, concluded, “[I]t might be difficult to find a sliver of territory in the United States more enthusiastic over the prospect of the Illinois senator winning” than in the global microcosm of the UN.
Amir Taheri wrote in yesterday’s New York Post of seeing “Obama! Inshallah!”—or Obama! Allah willing!—written on walls in the Gaza Strip. “While Obama has tried to push his origins into the background, his ‘Islamic roots’ have won him a place in many Arabs’ hearts,” he wrote.
Congo’s UN ambassador, Atoki Ileka, says the same about the candidate’s African roots, since Obama’s father is from Kenya: “We do not consider him an African American. We consider him an African.” Makadem, the Kenyan reggae singer who wrote the messianic anthem “Obama Be Thy Name,” evidently feels the same.
Some of the candidate’s worldwide supporters are doing more than just hoping for him to win—they’re actively funding his campaign (which is, of course, illegal). As Ron Fraser recently wrote, the Federal Election Commission has reported 11,500 foreign contributions to the Obama campaign totaling $33.8 million.
Why such overwhelming worldwide support for Obama? A common cheer among his supporters is that he represents a friendlier face to the world than both his predecessor and his opponent, and will restore America’s reputation and status as a beloved global power. By this logic, all these nations are excited about an Obama presidency because of their eagerness to restore the friendships with America that have been so ravaged by the Bush administration.
Before we accept that view, it is worth noting that among the nations most enthusiastic in their support for Obama are some of America’s worst enemies.
Take, as an example, some of his enthusiasts in the Arab world. “Obama especially appeals to pan-Arab nationalists angry at the United States for having ousted Saddam Hussein,” Amir Taheri explains. “Obama’s promise to leave Iraq gives pan-Arabs their only chance (albeit slim) to destroy the new Iraqi democracy.” Incidentally, among the millions in donations to Obama’s campaign were monies originating from Fallujah in Iraq.
Iran was also the source of some of Obama’s campaign money. It’s not difficult to see how the Iranian mullahs would prefer a U.S. president who calls himself the only major candidate who “supports tough, direct, presidential diplomacy with Iran without preconditions.” And not because of their sincere desire to make peace with America.
“Also enthusiastic for Obama is the Lebanese Hezbollah,” Taheri continued. “The party’s No. 2, Sheik Naim al-Kassim, went as far as inviting Americans to vote Obama as a step toward peace with Islam.” What sort of “peace with Islam” do you suppose Kassim is interested in? He belongs to an organization that, according to its founding document, “regard[s] all negotiators as enemies.”
Obama has received notable if unwanted endorsements from North Korea’s Kim Jong Il, Cuba’s Fidel Castro, and Hamas adviser Ahmed Yousef. Libyan leader Muammar Ghadafi has told Obama “to be proud of himself as a black and feel that all Africa is behind him.”
Why would such demagogues and terrorists support Obama? You can be sure they’re not interested in a stronger America.
The undeniable truth is, fervent anti-Americanism infects much of the planet, and a great many people support this man because they view his policies as being favorable toward America’s enemies. The large part of the world that wants to level the global playing field by knocking America down a peg appears to see an opportunity in an Obama presidency. And as Ryan Mauro recently detailed in Global Politician, this man’s ideas on foreign policy provide those enemies plenty of cause to justify their enthusiasm.
That reality alone undermines the hope held by so many for a more peaceful world because of the political ascension of a multiracial man in the world’s most prominent nation. As his own running mate famously said recently, someone, somewhere, is bound to ignite an international crisis in order to test Barack Obama’s mettle. Things could get ugly very quickly.
But there is also a more immediate problem in the fact that global opinion, like the American media, has virtually crowned Obama with a victory already. Given the near-universal desire to see this man take up residency in the White House, we have to ask: What would it do to America’s reputation abroad should the McCain-Palin ticket manage to win?
Four years ago, the world was rooting for John Kerry. When George W. Bush won, France’s Le Monde wrote an editorial titled, “Why?” The UK’s Daily Mirror headline was, “How can 59,054,087 people be so dumb?” “This once-great country has pulled up its drawbridge for another four years and … has shown itself to be a fearful, backward-looking and very small nation,” it wrote.
That was after a John Kerry loss.
One American UN official, who says “I keep my mouth shut” about his support for McCain, said this: “It will be devastating if Obama loses. There has been such an amount of faith placed on the outcome.”
What kind of global backlash will we see if McCain pulls this election off? Within the U.S. itself, the narrative being incessantly hammered is that the only obstacle in the way of an Obama landslide is America’s racism. In the event of an Obama loss, it is not difficult to imagine a worldwide surge not only in disappointment but also in already high levels of bitterness, hostility and anger toward America.
Not exactly what you need when you’re vulnerable economically and trillions of dollars in debt to other nations.
The Trumpet does not take sides in political elections. We believe the biblical truth that “the powers that be are ordained of God,” and that “the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men” (Romans 13:1; Daniel 4:17). We are far less interested in who, specifically, wins elections than in how current events fulfill biblical prophecy. And one of the most important prophecies we are watching unfold is the rapid decline of America’s global power—exactly as Scripture said would happen. You can read all about this in Herbert W. Armstrong’s book The United States and Britain in Prophecy, the first version of which he wrote, astonishingly, over 70 years ago.
Whoever wins next week, the American era is ending. Whether there is a short-lived warming toward the U.S. or not, nations around the world will continue to scramble to gain power at America’s expense. The identity of the next American president may cause them to change their tactics, but not their goal.
Courtesy :www.theTrumpet.com ( published :October 29, 2008 )
Africa Stands Alone!
By Tazoacha Asonganyi in Yaounde.
When the Berlin wall came down in 1989, neo-liberals robbed their hands in glee, professing the triumph of capitalism over communism and other versions of left-wing politics. It was affirmed that the collapse was proof that at best, states should leave the market place alone, since the market regulates itself.
The dazed left responded that the ruthlessness of capitalism requires that to best serve all humans, the answer was not free wheeling capitalism but a marriage - a Third Way - that shunned the classical, outdated political positions of the left and the right and sought a convergence towards using both capitalism and social welfare politics to serve the people. The left accepted the market economy as the best avenue for creating wealth for the fulfilment of professed social aims.
With the present collapse of the market model totted by neo-liberals, it is time for the left to rob its own hands in glee in celebration of the death of unregulated markets! One of the lessons of the collapse is that the market economy can only function to the benefit of all if the state does intervene to regulate it; that the market is so selfish that left to its own designs, it consumes even itself!
The collapse brings to centre stage politics of the Third Way. Concepts like free market economy, planned economy, the welfare state, private enterprise and others need to be viewed with new lenses to provide new orientations that benefit both the rich and the poor, the powerful and the weak.
Between the left and the right, it can now be said that there is no victor and no vanquished, since each side has had its moment of glee. The two sides need to return to the drawing board, not in their usual, quarrelling camps, but together to seek a new understanding of the market to redesign it to the benefit of all humanity.
The collapse of the market has seriously affected every continent except ... Africa! This is not a reflection of strength but of the weakness of the economic systems in Africa. If Africa suffers any effect at all, it would be what can be described as the bystander effect.
Africa's position brings to mind Kruskev’s answer when he was asked what would happen if all bombs in the world explode: he responded that there would be nobody left except the Chinese and the Africans. The Chinese have since moved on, leaving the Africans alone in that league! In a way, China moved on, encouraged by the nuclear status of the other four members of the UN Security Council (USA, then USSR, UK, France). Following China’s first nuclear test in 1964, members of the Security Council crated the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT) which arrogantly grants to five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council the right to be nuclear weapons states and at the same time denies the same right to the rest of us.
All four recognized sovereign states that refused to be parties to the treaty - India, Israel, Pakistan and North Korea – seem to all have nuclear weapons today, especially India and Pakistan. In spite of Kruschev’s comments that would hurt any proud people, no African country refused to sign the treaty on the basis of principle, as did the four countries cited above!
Africa seems to stand alone in the world, being the poorest continent, the continent most affected by HIV/AIDS, the continent most affected by malaria, the continent with the worst dictators, the continent with the most barriers to free movement of people and goods, the continent with the poorest communication infrastructure, the continent with no stake in space, and on and on! Africa needs to assert itself. Africa urgently needs renewal and change.
When the Berlin wall came down in 1989, neo-liberals robbed their hands in glee, professing the triumph of capitalism over communism and other versions of left-wing politics. It was affirmed that the collapse was proof that at best, states should leave the market place alone, since the market regulates itself.
The dazed left responded that the ruthlessness of capitalism requires that to best serve all humans, the answer was not free wheeling capitalism but a marriage - a Third Way - that shunned the classical, outdated political positions of the left and the right and sought a convergence towards using both capitalism and social welfare politics to serve the people. The left accepted the market economy as the best avenue for creating wealth for the fulfilment of professed social aims.
With the present collapse of the market model totted by neo-liberals, it is time for the left to rob its own hands in glee in celebration of the death of unregulated markets! One of the lessons of the collapse is that the market economy can only function to the benefit of all if the state does intervene to regulate it; that the market is so selfish that left to its own designs, it consumes even itself!
The collapse brings to centre stage politics of the Third Way. Concepts like free market economy, planned economy, the welfare state, private enterprise and others need to be viewed with new lenses to provide new orientations that benefit both the rich and the poor, the powerful and the weak.
Between the left and the right, it can now be said that there is no victor and no vanquished, since each side has had its moment of glee. The two sides need to return to the drawing board, not in their usual, quarrelling camps, but together to seek a new understanding of the market to redesign it to the benefit of all humanity.
The collapse of the market has seriously affected every continent except ... Africa! This is not a reflection of strength but of the weakness of the economic systems in Africa. If Africa suffers any effect at all, it would be what can be described as the bystander effect.
Africa's position brings to mind Kruskev’s answer when he was asked what would happen if all bombs in the world explode: he responded that there would be nobody left except the Chinese and the Africans. The Chinese have since moved on, leaving the Africans alone in that league! In a way, China moved on, encouraged by the nuclear status of the other four members of the UN Security Council (USA, then USSR, UK, France). Following China’s first nuclear test in 1964, members of the Security Council crated the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT) which arrogantly grants to five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council the right to be nuclear weapons states and at the same time denies the same right to the rest of us.
All four recognized sovereign states that refused to be parties to the treaty - India, Israel, Pakistan and North Korea – seem to all have nuclear weapons today, especially India and Pakistan. In spite of Kruschev’s comments that would hurt any proud people, no African country refused to sign the treaty on the basis of principle, as did the four countries cited above!
Africa seems to stand alone in the world, being the poorest continent, the continent most affected by HIV/AIDS, the continent most affected by malaria, the continent with the worst dictators, the continent with the most barriers to free movement of people and goods, the continent with the poorest communication infrastructure, the continent with no stake in space, and on and on! Africa needs to assert itself. Africa urgently needs renewal and change.
Oil crew kidnapped off Cameroon
Armed gunmen in speedboats have kidnapped and threatened to kill 10 crew members from an oil vessel off the West African state of Cameroon.
The vessel's owners said those taken hostage were seven French nationals, two Cameroonians and a Tunisian.
The attack reportedly took place near the Bakassi peninsula, which Nigeria recently handed over to Cameroon.
A group called the Bakassi Freedom Fighters has claimed to have carried out the attack.
The group said it would kill the hostages within three days if Cameroon's government did not meet its demands.
It was not immediately clear what the group's demands were.
Reuters news agency reported that the attack had been carried out jointly with a second group called the Niger Delta Defence and Security Council.
Bank raid
There have been a number of attacks over the last year against oil installations in the Gulf of Guinea, where the kidnapping took place.
A diplomat in Cameroon said the raid had happened near the Bakassi Peninsula, which is on the country's border with Nigeria.
Attacks on oil installations in Nigeria's nearby Niger Delta have been especially frequent, and the diplomat told AFP news agency that the boarding of the vessel off Cameroon resembled recent raids in the Delta.
Militants there claim to be fighting for greater control over oil wealth in the impoverished region, though opponents say they make money from criminal rackets and trade in stolen oil.
The vessel seized off Cameroon, the Bourbon Sagitta, is owned by the French maritime services company Bourbon.
A company spokesperson said armed hijackers had boarded it from three speedboats at around midnight.
Five crew members stayed aboard the vessel, and neither the crew members who were seized nor those who stayed on board had been injured, Bourbon said.
Earlier this month, armed robbers carried out a daring raid on banks in a seaside town of Limbe in Cameroon.
Some 50 masked men who arrived by speedboat blew up safes in banks and made away with the money.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Cameroon: Unwanted Police checks
By Mofor Samuel
After last February social upheavals that sent shock waves across the nation and within the ranks of the powers that be in particular, security road blocks and check points have taken a new twist and dimension.
Unlike in the past when the Biya administration used to blindfold the population into believing that they were doing everything possible to facilitate travels by checking the excesses of the men in uniform, this time around the check points have more than doubled with some only meters apart.
As someone puts it one can be an honest citizen in the eyes of the policeman but not in the eyes of the gendarmes and vice versa. There is even a third option whereby even soldiers are involved in the show, when some can barely read. With the new phenomenon of “apprentis sorciers” gaining grounds in the corridor of power, the powers that be are leaving no stone unturned in their bid to check and contain this phenomenon. Hence the need for mixed controls, and every Cameroonian traveling with particular bus agencies is considered without papers until they are presented
. When questioned as to why they have to ridicule people and make them walk for long distances on foot and why buses of certain travel agencies as well as private vehicles are not checked, one is simply told by these security agents that they are acting on instructions from above.
At times many buses arrive at a control point making it very difficult and cumbersome for the khaki boys to carry on their “checking”. Most often than not, they are overwhelmed with the task, coupled with the fact that the scorching sun does not give them any breathing space.
Things even get worst when it is raining torrentially. The whole thing comes to a standstill.
Permit me to present a picture of a scenario that took place in one of the several check points on the outskirts of Douala along the road to Yaoundé. I tell you it is very interesting going by what one sees unfolding. This check point was being manned by the elements of GMI No.II in Douala.
Having arrived at this check point while it was still raining or better still drizzling, the team leader and his members sought refuge in someone’s roadside hut. This narrator was able to perceive from the 70 -seater bus that there was a “njangi” going on with those without papers doing the contribution and the khaki boys the collection. The team leader was the president (police officer), the treasurer (senior police inspector) and the financial secretary (police inspector). Then the chief whips were the (senior police constable) and a simple ( police constable).
Any one, who could not go through the filter or sieve, meaning that the individual was not in possession of his/her papers, was conducted by one of the chief whips to the njangi house.
The chief whip upon sending a potential catch shouts with all overzealousness at the top of his voice to enable the team leader to know the number of persons sent. The fate of these potential contributors is decided upon by the team leader. Once in the hut as a matter of principle one had to contribute to gain one’s freedom. And that is how three passengers from our bus became victims since they were not in possession of their papers. Two did contribute to be set free.
One guy was abandoned for failing to comply since the other passengers in the bus also declared a war on the driver for wasting their time. Indeed, one could see how passengers were openly giving their bribes to one person to finally hand it over to the police.
Now, he meticulously counts them to make sure that the amount corresponds to the number of defaulters. All this is done under the watchful eyes of the Financial Secretary and President.
Interestingly, there was this old lady who had but the old National Identity Card(not longer in use). Her fate was to be determined by the young policeman- chief whip- as none of us knew what was in store for her.
Strangely enough, the young man never bothered to ask her any question. Either this young man was in a haste to run away from the rain that had suddenly moved from drizzles to torrential, or that he was hypnotized by the old lady one cannot tell.
Earlier around Bekoko, passengers were using several other means to outsmart the men –in- uniform. They just have to do with what they have in hand. This, because the amount of questions, comments, open attacks and scolding they receive from passengers divert their attention from the reality.
In fact the passengers of the bus taking us to Kribi really had some harsh words for these road policemen. Thank God, they never dared to ask anyone to go down in the rain or else the undelivered package that they had for the authorities of Jako Voyages would have been handed over to them.
It should be noted that passengers who arrived at the agency at 9 am with the intention of traveling thirty minutes later, finally left for Kribi at 2:30pm. The reason is that most of the drivers got drunk and were suffering form hang-over of the Labour Day Celebration. That too is Cameroon. Labour Day as we all know, is the day set aside for workers to demand better working conditions and salaries.
On the contrary in Cameroon, workers are celebrating since it is the only opportunity for them to wine and dine with their employers. That is how those of us passengers were grounded on that fateful Friday, May 2 ,until we had to impose the destination of the bus that came in from Yaoundé and was about to return there.
This coupled with the heavy downpour got most passengers infuriated and were just waiting for the slightest provocation to explode. Thank God the rain came and calmed down the temperature and tempers.
While the rain worked to the advantage of travelers, it actually had a message for the powers that be – that they had another serious battle to fight. If they do not want to surrender in disgrace, it is better they call off the controls before the rains eventually put an end to them thereby rendering them powerless and impotent in front of Cameroonians.
After last February social upheavals that sent shock waves across the nation and within the ranks of the powers that be in particular, security road blocks and check points have taken a new twist and dimension.
Unlike in the past when the Biya administration used to blindfold the population into believing that they were doing everything possible to facilitate travels by checking the excesses of the men in uniform, this time around the check points have more than doubled with some only meters apart.
As someone puts it one can be an honest citizen in the eyes of the policeman but not in the eyes of the gendarmes and vice versa. There is even a third option whereby even soldiers are involved in the show, when some can barely read. With the new phenomenon of “apprentis sorciers” gaining grounds in the corridor of power, the powers that be are leaving no stone unturned in their bid to check and contain this phenomenon. Hence the need for mixed controls, and every Cameroonian traveling with particular bus agencies is considered without papers until they are presented
. When questioned as to why they have to ridicule people and make them walk for long distances on foot and why buses of certain travel agencies as well as private vehicles are not checked, one is simply told by these security agents that they are acting on instructions from above.
At times many buses arrive at a control point making it very difficult and cumbersome for the khaki boys to carry on their “checking”. Most often than not, they are overwhelmed with the task, coupled with the fact that the scorching sun does not give them any breathing space.
Things even get worst when it is raining torrentially. The whole thing comes to a standstill.
Permit me to present a picture of a scenario that took place in one of the several check points on the outskirts of Douala along the road to Yaoundé. I tell you it is very interesting going by what one sees unfolding. This check point was being manned by the elements of GMI No.II in Douala.
Having arrived at this check point while it was still raining or better still drizzling, the team leader and his members sought refuge in someone’s roadside hut. This narrator was able to perceive from the 70 -seater bus that there was a “njangi” going on with those without papers doing the contribution and the khaki boys the collection. The team leader was the president (police officer), the treasurer (senior police inspector) and the financial secretary (police inspector). Then the chief whips were the (senior police constable) and a simple ( police constable).
Any one, who could not go through the filter or sieve, meaning that the individual was not in possession of his/her papers, was conducted by one of the chief whips to the njangi house.
The chief whip upon sending a potential catch shouts with all overzealousness at the top of his voice to enable the team leader to know the number of persons sent. The fate of these potential contributors is decided upon by the team leader. Once in the hut as a matter of principle one had to contribute to gain one’s freedom. And that is how three passengers from our bus became victims since they were not in possession of their papers. Two did contribute to be set free.
One guy was abandoned for failing to comply since the other passengers in the bus also declared a war on the driver for wasting their time. Indeed, one could see how passengers were openly giving their bribes to one person to finally hand it over to the police.
Now, he meticulously counts them to make sure that the amount corresponds to the number of defaulters. All this is done under the watchful eyes of the Financial Secretary and President.
Interestingly, there was this old lady who had but the old National Identity Card(not longer in use). Her fate was to be determined by the young policeman- chief whip- as none of us knew what was in store for her.
Strangely enough, the young man never bothered to ask her any question. Either this young man was in a haste to run away from the rain that had suddenly moved from drizzles to torrential, or that he was hypnotized by the old lady one cannot tell.
Earlier around Bekoko, passengers were using several other means to outsmart the men –in- uniform. They just have to do with what they have in hand. This, because the amount of questions, comments, open attacks and scolding they receive from passengers divert their attention from the reality.
In fact the passengers of the bus taking us to Kribi really had some harsh words for these road policemen. Thank God, they never dared to ask anyone to go down in the rain or else the undelivered package that they had for the authorities of Jako Voyages would have been handed over to them.
It should be noted that passengers who arrived at the agency at 9 am with the intention of traveling thirty minutes later, finally left for Kribi at 2:30pm. The reason is that most of the drivers got drunk and were suffering form hang-over of the Labour Day Celebration. That too is Cameroon. Labour Day as we all know, is the day set aside for workers to demand better working conditions and salaries.
On the contrary in Cameroon, workers are celebrating since it is the only opportunity for them to wine and dine with their employers. That is how those of us passengers were grounded on that fateful Friday, May 2 ,until we had to impose the destination of the bus that came in from Yaoundé and was about to return there.
This coupled with the heavy downpour got most passengers infuriated and were just waiting for the slightest provocation to explode. Thank God the rain came and calmed down the temperature and tempers.
While the rain worked to the advantage of travelers, it actually had a message for the powers that be – that they had another serious battle to fight. If they do not want to surrender in disgrace, it is better they call off the controls before the rains eventually put an end to them thereby rendering them powerless and impotent in front of Cameroonians.
Cameroon:Why Make Anglophones Invisible Citizens?
By Ndicho Awudu in Douala
As Cameroon government deploys security forces to arrest, torture, and incarcerate some English- speaking Cameroonians under the pretext that they want to secede, it is important to situate the Anglophone in the Cameroonian society. Does the Francophone-dominated
government really recognise Anglophones or their ability to manage positions given to them appropriately? Do French -speaking Cameroonians know that Anglophones’ ability to manage has an origin? Shouldn’t that origin be recognised and accepted?
The success of any leader partly depends on the successful flow of instructions and hitch-free implementation. This seems not to be the case with Anglophones who hold positions of responsibility in our country. The current Prime Minster is said to have instructed the former Minister of Finance to allot financial provision for new furniture in the PM’s office. But the Finance Minster brushed it aside and dumped the file claiming that it was not going to improve on the country’s revenue.
Incarcerated former Finance Minster Abah Abah even refused arogantly to listen to the PM concerning the planned privatisation of Cameroon Airlines. The Prime Minister insisted and the then finance minister stood his grounds and was about to adjudicate the sale to his cohorts.
It only took a presidential decree to annul the deal. We all know that all ministers are subordinates to the Prime Minister who is Head of Government, but yet his instructions or decisions are not implemented. I believe this is because some influential Francophone power wielders don’t consider Anglophones as part and parcel of this country. Not even the clan that rules the country pays considerable attention to Anglophones’cry.
Furthermore, when Mr. Peter Mafany Musonge(another Anglophone) was Prime Minister, a commission awarded a FEICOM contract worth 188 million to an Anglophone company. The then Prime Minister signed the contract and forwarded it to the FEICOM former GM, Ondong Ndong, for visa before publication. Ondong Ndong, now in prison for embezzlement of billions of FCFA, said an Anglophone was unable to win such a juicy contract in Cameroon while he was still alive. His statement was final. Even if Anglophone firms do win such contracts from government, how many of them and how often does this occur?
When Mr. Inoni assumed functions as PM, he paid surprise visits to some ministries to encourage punctuality and duty -consciousness. French- speaking people with whom I associate refer to it as ‘‘les choses des anglos-là ’’, ça va finir. But did it work? Did Mr. Inoni succeed? If not, why? Is he being respected as the head of government?
On several occasions Anglophone heads of government have had little or no say as most of their instructions are disobeyed or waived aside with the left hand even by low-ranking Francophones
However, Cameroonians believe that the post of PM. is given to us and that there should be no complaint. I believe elsewhere in the society, the story is not different.
In fact it is even worse than what I observed when I used to spend holidays in Douala in the 1980s. I recently noticed that an English- speaking citizen heading a taxation centre or a custom post is referred to provocatively as‘‘un Bamenda’’. His or her subordinates would say in French that ‘‘ l’anglo là est stricte pour rien’’. Or « il peut aller ou avec cette rigueur’’?
Before long, all decisions taken are ignored or partially executed to the detriment of the State, leaving the English speaking boss humiliated. That Anglophone nursery, primary, secondary schools and even thier lone university (Buea) are invaded by French speaking children is not news.
The question is, what is their aim? Would they really succeed in their mission? Many of them claim that the world is dominated by English speaking people, so they do not want their children to suffer the same embarrassment as they the parents. This is purely a mockery. . How many of us went to French -speaking schools to learn English before becoming bilingual?
Talking with a French speaking parent the other day, he confessed that his main reason for falling in love with Anglophone education system is that, “vous les anglos, vous êtes disciplinés. Vos écoles vous forment bien ». This according to him is not the case with the French educational system. Their children are let loose and many do not actually succeed the way Anglophone children do. Even though they have all the means, my friend says that his people are not well groomed. So he has observed and seen that ‘‘ les anglo sont meilleurs en tout’’ .
If Anglophones are truly the best why do they not give them that recognition officially, by allowing our leaders in the system to excel?
Francophone guests in Anglophone education system has plunged Anglophone parents into more trouble. It is more difficult for many Anglophone parents who in the past could sell their farm produce and get their children into good private or mission schools.
They have been so deprived that they have turned to government schools because the Francophone parents come in with their huge pockets filled with ill-gotten bank notes and can easily buy their children’s way into schools of their choice. Their children even enter “our” schools through the window before the huge fees are paid. The poor Anglophone parent who has been invisible in his or her struggle for survival is further pushed into oblivion by such invasion. Note that the some ministers, who fail to work according to Anglophone standards, go by their children to acquire an Anglophone education.
In a way, they recognise that Anglophone education system is better but wouldn’t admit it. Many fail to come to terms with Anglophones’ ability to perform better from the classroom to the public service than they. Someone needs to teach them this Pidgin English adage that ‘‘if man pass you, carry his bag’’. Let the Francophone open their eyes and see our abilities.
Let the government come out clearly and embrace us-Anglophones, not only as better managers but as true brothers working for the development and progress of our country.
As Cameroon government deploys security forces to arrest, torture, and incarcerate some English- speaking Cameroonians under the pretext that they want to secede, it is important to situate the Anglophone in the Cameroonian society. Does the Francophone-dominated
government really recognise Anglophones or their ability to manage positions given to them appropriately? Do French -speaking Cameroonians know that Anglophones’ ability to manage has an origin? Shouldn’t that origin be recognised and accepted?
The success of any leader partly depends on the successful flow of instructions and hitch-free implementation. This seems not to be the case with Anglophones who hold positions of responsibility in our country. The current Prime Minster is said to have instructed the former Minister of Finance to allot financial provision for new furniture in the PM’s office. But the Finance Minster brushed it aside and dumped the file claiming that it was not going to improve on the country’s revenue.
Incarcerated former Finance Minster Abah Abah even refused arogantly to listen to the PM concerning the planned privatisation of Cameroon Airlines. The Prime Minister insisted and the then finance minister stood his grounds and was about to adjudicate the sale to his cohorts.
It only took a presidential decree to annul the deal. We all know that all ministers are subordinates to the Prime Minister who is Head of Government, but yet his instructions or decisions are not implemented. I believe this is because some influential Francophone power wielders don’t consider Anglophones as part and parcel of this country. Not even the clan that rules the country pays considerable attention to Anglophones’cry.
Furthermore, when Mr. Peter Mafany Musonge(another Anglophone) was Prime Minister, a commission awarded a FEICOM contract worth 188 million to an Anglophone company. The then Prime Minister signed the contract and forwarded it to the FEICOM former GM, Ondong Ndong, for visa before publication. Ondong Ndong, now in prison for embezzlement of billions of FCFA, said an Anglophone was unable to win such a juicy contract in Cameroon while he was still alive. His statement was final. Even if Anglophone firms do win such contracts from government, how many of them and how often does this occur?
When Mr. Inoni assumed functions as PM, he paid surprise visits to some ministries to encourage punctuality and duty -consciousness. French- speaking people with whom I associate refer to it as ‘‘les choses des anglos-là ’’, ça va finir. But did it work? Did Mr. Inoni succeed? If not, why? Is he being respected as the head of government?
On several occasions Anglophone heads of government have had little or no say as most of their instructions are disobeyed or waived aside with the left hand even by low-ranking Francophones
However, Cameroonians believe that the post of PM. is given to us and that there should be no complaint. I believe elsewhere in the society, the story is not different.
In fact it is even worse than what I observed when I used to spend holidays in Douala in the 1980s. I recently noticed that an English- speaking citizen heading a taxation centre or a custom post is referred to provocatively as‘‘un Bamenda’’. His or her subordinates would say in French that ‘‘ l’anglo là est stricte pour rien’’. Or « il peut aller ou avec cette rigueur’’?
Before long, all decisions taken are ignored or partially executed to the detriment of the State, leaving the English speaking boss humiliated. That Anglophone nursery, primary, secondary schools and even thier lone university (Buea) are invaded by French speaking children is not news.
The question is, what is their aim? Would they really succeed in their mission? Many of them claim that the world is dominated by English speaking people, so they do not want their children to suffer the same embarrassment as they the parents. This is purely a mockery. . How many of us went to French -speaking schools to learn English before becoming bilingual?
Talking with a French speaking parent the other day, he confessed that his main reason for falling in love with Anglophone education system is that, “vous les anglos, vous êtes disciplinés. Vos écoles vous forment bien ». This according to him is not the case with the French educational system. Their children are let loose and many do not actually succeed the way Anglophone children do. Even though they have all the means, my friend says that his people are not well groomed. So he has observed and seen that ‘‘ les anglo sont meilleurs en tout’’ .
If Anglophones are truly the best why do they not give them that recognition officially, by allowing our leaders in the system to excel?
Francophone guests in Anglophone education system has plunged Anglophone parents into more trouble. It is more difficult for many Anglophone parents who in the past could sell their farm produce and get their children into good private or mission schools.
They have been so deprived that they have turned to government schools because the Francophone parents come in with their huge pockets filled with ill-gotten bank notes and can easily buy their children’s way into schools of their choice. Their children even enter “our” schools through the window before the huge fees are paid. The poor Anglophone parent who has been invisible in his or her struggle for survival is further pushed into oblivion by such invasion. Note that the some ministers, who fail to work according to Anglophone standards, go by their children to acquire an Anglophone education.
In a way, they recognise that Anglophone education system is better but wouldn’t admit it. Many fail to come to terms with Anglophones’ ability to perform better from the classroom to the public service than they. Someone needs to teach them this Pidgin English adage that ‘‘if man pass you, carry his bag’’. Let the Francophone open their eyes and see our abilities.
Let the government come out clearly and embrace us-Anglophones, not only as better managers but as true brothers working for the development and progress of our country.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Cameroon :Political Parties and The Courts
By Tazoacha Asonganyi in Yaounde
Political parties usually think that they have the right to do as they wish, since they have the liberty to make their own rules. However, they are constrained to remain within the ambit of the rule of law since they are essentially associations of free citizens.
Indeed, a political party is not just a collection of human beings but an assembly of people joined in an agreement on justice and partnership for the common good.
Most of the time, some members of political parties cover their self-interests with pretensions about "protecting" and "saving" the party from "destruction" by "enemies" through "anti-party" activities, which usually mean just anything that is not in the interest of the usurpers!
They engage in the naïve practice of always reaching judgment by ignoring external dangers or wishing them away; in unthinking hostility to other stakeholders who may be useful, even if temporal allies; in hanging to personal, self-serving convictions and outdated ideologies as guides for determining the interests of the party.
They never seek to marry rhetoric with realism; the letter and the spirit of their rules; ideals with the realities of human behaviour; wrongheaded principles with compromise and good sense.They are permanently engaged in shadow boxing in matches the shadow is always going to win! In this apocalyptic struggle to preserve/protect the party, rules are stripped of their essence and used in the crusade against "indiscipline".
Not unexpectedly, such illusions easily slide into the settlement of political and social scores in total disregard of the real interests of the party.Sooner or later, some aggrieved members turn to the courts to test the general understanding and solidity of the rules.The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party in power in Nigeria that recently dismissed the executive committee of the party in Anambra state was recently ordered by the High Court in Onitsha to reinstate the executive.
The party has obliged, declaring that "[t]he mood of the party ... is to respect judicial pronouncements as regards ... our party and we shall continue to do so...PDP as the party in the centre cannot afford to be anti-rule of law..."
The SDF was also reminded recently in Cameroon that it cannot enjoy too much impunity. Last year it removed the provincial executive committee of the West from office and replaced it with a caretaker team. The High Court in Mfoundi recently ordered the executive to be reinstated.
In spite of usual equivocation that earns headlines like "Fru Ndi Snubs Court Decision...," their regular use of the courts to resolve even some internal party matters leaves no doubt that they know the courts have a say in their internal affairs.Although many avenues for the courts to regulate political life in Cameroon through making pronouncements on issues shouting to be resolved remain wide-open, the courts are still too condescending with the CPDM party in power.
The confessions in courts by cronies of the party that some of the public money they embezzled went to CPDM coffers would have led the courts to order the return of the funds to the public treasury by the party, especially as the party continues to publish mainly the names of managers of significant amounts of public funds and other resources as their lead campaign people.
Further, it is incredible that although NEO has said among other things that 150 of 361 polling station results in Douala V were falsified before they were transferred to the Council Supervisory Commission during the 2007 twin elections, the court only cancelled the results, instead of establishing the true results using NEO counting sheets, and ensuring that the culprits are identified and punished!
This leniency of NEO and the courts towards those who falsify election results can only embolden election riggers, and ridicule the present noises of NEO about punishing those who will fraud during the election reruns. It can only help unpopular politicians to continue to call the shots against the will of the people.It is the duty of the courts to say what the law is.
It is also the duty of the courts to ensure that in the discharge of their duties, nobody is perceived to be above the law; and that equality is not just the preaching of the righteous but a reality in the life of the people.
The new deal-advanced democracy-democracy of appeasement-greater ambitions idea constitutes a sophisticated tactic of resistance and containment of opponents, guided by cronies of the regime in all areas of public life – in parliament, in academia, in the press, in the court system.
The grand idea is to ensure that the regime survives at all cost through the total control of the judiciary, the legislature and the executive. The idea may be under serious assault, but it is alive.
Political parties usually think that they have the right to do as they wish, since they have the liberty to make their own rules. However, they are constrained to remain within the ambit of the rule of law since they are essentially associations of free citizens.
Indeed, a political party is not just a collection of human beings but an assembly of people joined in an agreement on justice and partnership for the common good.
Most of the time, some members of political parties cover their self-interests with pretensions about "protecting" and "saving" the party from "destruction" by "enemies" through "anti-party" activities, which usually mean just anything that is not in the interest of the usurpers!
They engage in the naïve practice of always reaching judgment by ignoring external dangers or wishing them away; in unthinking hostility to other stakeholders who may be useful, even if temporal allies; in hanging to personal, self-serving convictions and outdated ideologies as guides for determining the interests of the party.
They never seek to marry rhetoric with realism; the letter and the spirit of their rules; ideals with the realities of human behaviour; wrongheaded principles with compromise and good sense.They are permanently engaged in shadow boxing in matches the shadow is always going to win! In this apocalyptic struggle to preserve/protect the party, rules are stripped of their essence and used in the crusade against "indiscipline".
Not unexpectedly, such illusions easily slide into the settlement of political and social scores in total disregard of the real interests of the party.Sooner or later, some aggrieved members turn to the courts to test the general understanding and solidity of the rules.The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party in power in Nigeria that recently dismissed the executive committee of the party in Anambra state was recently ordered by the High Court in Onitsha to reinstate the executive.
The party has obliged, declaring that "[t]he mood of the party ... is to respect judicial pronouncements as regards ... our party and we shall continue to do so...PDP as the party in the centre cannot afford to be anti-rule of law..."
The SDF was also reminded recently in Cameroon that it cannot enjoy too much impunity. Last year it removed the provincial executive committee of the West from office and replaced it with a caretaker team. The High Court in Mfoundi recently ordered the executive to be reinstated.
In spite of usual equivocation that earns headlines like "Fru Ndi Snubs Court Decision...," their regular use of the courts to resolve even some internal party matters leaves no doubt that they know the courts have a say in their internal affairs.Although many avenues for the courts to regulate political life in Cameroon through making pronouncements on issues shouting to be resolved remain wide-open, the courts are still too condescending with the CPDM party in power.
The confessions in courts by cronies of the party that some of the public money they embezzled went to CPDM coffers would have led the courts to order the return of the funds to the public treasury by the party, especially as the party continues to publish mainly the names of managers of significant amounts of public funds and other resources as their lead campaign people.
Further, it is incredible that although NEO has said among other things that 150 of 361 polling station results in Douala V were falsified before they were transferred to the Council Supervisory Commission during the 2007 twin elections, the court only cancelled the results, instead of establishing the true results using NEO counting sheets, and ensuring that the culprits are identified and punished!
This leniency of NEO and the courts towards those who falsify election results can only embolden election riggers, and ridicule the present noises of NEO about punishing those who will fraud during the election reruns. It can only help unpopular politicians to continue to call the shots against the will of the people.It is the duty of the courts to say what the law is.
It is also the duty of the courts to ensure that in the discharge of their duties, nobody is perceived to be above the law; and that equality is not just the preaching of the righteous but a reality in the life of the people.
The new deal-advanced democracy-democracy of appeasement-greater ambitions idea constitutes a sophisticated tactic of resistance and containment of opponents, guided by cronies of the regime in all areas of public life – in parliament, in academia, in the press, in the court system.
The grand idea is to ensure that the regime survives at all cost through the total control of the judiciary, the legislature and the executive. The idea may be under serious assault, but it is alive.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Powell endorses Obama as 'transformational'
Retired General Colin L. Powell(pictured), one of the country's most respected Republicans, stunned both parties on Sunday( 19 october)by strongly endorsing Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) for president on NBC's "Meet the Press" and laying out a blistering, detailed critique of the modern GOP.
Powell said the election of Obama would "electrify the world."
"I think he is a transformational figure," Powell said. "He is a new generation coming ... onto the world stage and on the American stage. And for that reason, I'll be voting for Senator Barack Obama."
As a key reason, Powell said: "I would have difficult with two more conservative appointments to the Supreme Court, but that's what we'd be looking at in a McCain administration."
Powell, once considered likely to be the nation's first African-American presidential nominee, said his decision was not about race.
Moderator Tom Brokaw said: "There will be some ... who will say this is an African-American, distinguished American supporting another African-American because of race."
Powell, who last year gave the Arizona senator's campaign the maximum $2,300, replied: "If I had only had that in mind, I could have done this six, eight, 10 months ago. I really have been going back and forth between somebody I have the highest respect and regard for, John McCain and somebody I was getting to know, Barack Obama. And it was only in the last couple of months that I settled on this."
"I can't deny that it will be a historic event when an African-American becomes president," Powell continued, speaking live in the studio. "And should that happen, all Americans should be proud — not just African-American, but all Americans — that we have reached this point in our national history where such a thing could happen. It would also not only electrify the country, but electrify the world."
Powell, making his 30th appearance on "Meet the Press," said he does not plan to campaign for Obama. He led into his endorsement by saying: "We've got two individuals — either one of them could be a good president. But which is the president that we need now — which is the individual that serves the needs of the nation for the next period of time.
"And I come to the conclusion that because of his ability to inspire, because of the inclusive nature of his campaign, because he is reaching out all across America, because of who he is and his rhetorical abilities — and you have to take that into account — as well as his substance — he has both style and substance, he has met the standard of being a successful president, being an exceptional president."
Powell said that he is "troubled" by the direction of the Republican Party, and said he began to doubt Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) when he chose Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate.
"Not just small towns have values," he said, responding to one of Palin's signature lines.
"She's a very distinguished woman, and she's to be admired," he said. "But at the same, now that we have had a chance to watch her for some seven weeks, I don't believe she's ready to be president of the United States, which is the job of the vice president. And so that raised some question in my mind as to the judgment that Senator McCain made."
The endorsement is likely to help Obama convince skeptical centrists that he is ready to handle the challenges of commander in chief, and undercuts McCain argument that he is better qualified on national-security issues.
McCain, appearing on "Fox News Sunday," sought to minimize the endorsement by noting his support from other former secretaries of state and retired military flag officers.
"It doesn’t come as a surprise," McCain said. "I'm very pleased to have the endorsement of four former secretaries of state, well over 200 retired generals and admirals. I've admired and continue to respect Secretary Powell."
Powell, 71, criticized McCain and his campaign for invoking the former domestic terrorist William Ayers.
"They're trying to connect him to some kind of terrorist feelings, and I think that's inappropriate," Powell said.
"Now I understand what politics is all about — I know how you can go after one another. And that's good. But I think this goes too far. And I think it has made the McCain campaign look a little narrow. It's not what the American people are looking for. And I look at these kinds of approaches to the campaign, and they trouble me. And the party has moved even further to the right, and Governor Palin has indicated a further rightward shift."
Powell said he has "heard senior members of my own party drop the suggestion [that Obama's] a Muslim and might be associated with terrorists."
"This is not the way we should be doing it in America. I feel strongly about this particular point," Powell said. "We have got to stop polarizing ourselves in this way. And John McCain is as non-discriminatory as anyone I know. But I'm troubled about the fact that within the party, we have these kinds of expressions."
Powell, a four-star Army general, was national security adviser to President Ronald Reagan; chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the 1991 Persian Gulf war, when George H.W. Bush was president; and was President George W. Bush’s first secretary of State.
Powell has consulted with both Obama and McCain, and the general’s camp had indicated in the past that he would not endorse.
Powell said that as he watched McCain, the Republican “was a little unsure as to how to deal with the economic problems that we were having, and almost every day, there was a different approach to the problem, and that concerned me, sensing that he didn't have a complete grasp of the economic problems that we had."
Powell said a big job of the new president will be “conveying a new image of American leadership, a new image of America’s role in the world.”
“I think what the president has to do is to start using the power of the Oval Office and the power of his personality to convince the American people and to convince the world that America is solid, America is going to move forward … restoring a sense of purpose,” he said.
Courtesy:AP
Powell said the election of Obama would "electrify the world."
"I think he is a transformational figure," Powell said. "He is a new generation coming ... onto the world stage and on the American stage. And for that reason, I'll be voting for Senator Barack Obama." As a key reason, Powell said: "I would have difficult with two more conservative appointments to the Supreme Court, but that's what we'd be looking at in a McCain administration."
Powell, once considered likely to be the nation's first African-American presidential nominee, said his decision was not about race.
Moderator Tom Brokaw said: "There will be some ... who will say this is an African-American, distinguished American supporting another African-American because of race."
Powell, who last year gave the Arizona senator's campaign the maximum $2,300, replied: "If I had only had that in mind, I could have done this six, eight, 10 months ago. I really have been going back and forth between somebody I have the highest respect and regard for, John McCain and somebody I was getting to know, Barack Obama. And it was only in the last couple of months that I settled on this."
"I can't deny that it will be a historic event when an African-American becomes president," Powell continued, speaking live in the studio. "And should that happen, all Americans should be proud — not just African-American, but all Americans — that we have reached this point in our national history where such a thing could happen. It would also not only electrify the country, but electrify the world."
Powell, making his 30th appearance on "Meet the Press," said he does not plan to campaign for Obama. He led into his endorsement by saying: "We've got two individuals — either one of them could be a good president. But which is the president that we need now — which is the individual that serves the needs of the nation for the next period of time.
"And I come to the conclusion that because of his ability to inspire, because of the inclusive nature of his campaign, because he is reaching out all across America, because of who he is and his rhetorical abilities — and you have to take that into account — as well as his substance — he has both style and substance, he has met the standard of being a successful president, being an exceptional president."
Powell said that he is "troubled" by the direction of the Republican Party, and said he began to doubt Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) when he chose Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate.
"Not just small towns have values," he said, responding to one of Palin's signature lines.
"She's a very distinguished woman, and she's to be admired," he said. "But at the same, now that we have had a chance to watch her for some seven weeks, I don't believe she's ready to be president of the United States, which is the job of the vice president. And so that raised some question in my mind as to the judgment that Senator McCain made."
The endorsement is likely to help Obama convince skeptical centrists that he is ready to handle the challenges of commander in chief, and undercuts McCain argument that he is better qualified on national-security issues.
McCain, appearing on "Fox News Sunday," sought to minimize the endorsement by noting his support from other former secretaries of state and retired military flag officers.
"It doesn’t come as a surprise," McCain said. "I'm very pleased to have the endorsement of four former secretaries of state, well over 200 retired generals and admirals. I've admired and continue to respect Secretary Powell."
Powell, 71, criticized McCain and his campaign for invoking the former domestic terrorist William Ayers.
"They're trying to connect him to some kind of terrorist feelings, and I think that's inappropriate," Powell said.
"Now I understand what politics is all about — I know how you can go after one another. And that's good. But I think this goes too far. And I think it has made the McCain campaign look a little narrow. It's not what the American people are looking for. And I look at these kinds of approaches to the campaign, and they trouble me. And the party has moved even further to the right, and Governor Palin has indicated a further rightward shift."
Powell said he has "heard senior members of my own party drop the suggestion [that Obama's] a Muslim and might be associated with terrorists."
"This is not the way we should be doing it in America. I feel strongly about this particular point," Powell said. "We have got to stop polarizing ourselves in this way. And John McCain is as non-discriminatory as anyone I know. But I'm troubled about the fact that within the party, we have these kinds of expressions."
Powell, a four-star Army general, was national security adviser to President Ronald Reagan; chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the 1991 Persian Gulf war, when George H.W. Bush was president; and was President George W. Bush’s first secretary of State.
Powell has consulted with both Obama and McCain, and the general’s camp had indicated in the past that he would not endorse.
Powell said that as he watched McCain, the Republican “was a little unsure as to how to deal with the economic problems that we were having, and almost every day, there was a different approach to the problem, and that concerned me, sensing that he didn't have a complete grasp of the economic problems that we had."
Powell said a big job of the new president will be “conveying a new image of American leadership, a new image of America’s role in the world.”
“I think what the president has to do is to start using the power of the Oval Office and the power of his personality to convince the American people and to convince the world that America is solid, America is going to move forward … restoring a sense of purpose,” he said.
Courtesy:AP
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)