By Christopher Ambe Shu
A two- day nation-wide strike launched by transporters’ syndicates in Cameroon to protest against petrol and fuel price hikes has been called off by the organisers after the prices were reduced last night, following the instruction of President Paul Biya.
The strike, described as the most successful in recent years, exposed the growing anger of Cameroonians against the Biya régime.
The Recorder learned on good authority that, the Government had thought the call for the strike would not be heeded as previous ones, but was shocked that people heeded the call.
But the resumption of traffic up to the time of posting this article is rather too timid, for fear of the unknown especially as the strike was largely characterized by violence, looting of shops, vandalism, gunfire, the burning of vehicles and road barricades.
The destruction of private and public property in various towns- especially government offices during the strike is valued at hundreds of millions of Fcfa
"We cannot understand that our country produces petrol and we still buy petrol at the same price as people in non oil producing countries,” Jean Collins Ndefossokeng, president of the national taxi drivers' union SYNATA,reportedly said.
Following the price reduction, a liter of petrol now sells at 594 Fcfa, down by six francs; one liter of diesel now sells at 545Fcfa, down by five francs and kerosene sells at 375Fcfa.The prices were hurriedly reviewed at a meeting that assembled government officials and transporters trade unions’ representatives, so to restore peace and order.
But some transporters have described the reduction as too insignificant and provocative, insisting that reasonable price reductions be done. It was an increase of up to 16 Fcfa per liter of petrol that sparked the strike ,but pressured ,the government added only six francs .
“I don’t know why our representatives at the meeting accepted such an inconsequential price reduction. I have a feeling that the Government must have bribed them to accept their proposal and call off the strike”, one transporter fumed in a chat with The Recorder in Buea
A worried Christian Cardinal Tumi, archbishop of Douala, has condemned the wanton destruction of property and the killing of citizens .He urged the Government to have a meaningful dialogue with the protesters for a lasting solution.
The strike, on Monday and Tuesday, paralyzed the major cities of the country causing untold hardship to citizens; prices of other basic products also sky-rocketed. Lives were lost in various towns during clashes with anti-riot police. For example, at least four people were killed in Douala last Monday by armed police in a bid to disperse protestors barricading the streets.
"Two persons were pulled out of their car and beaten to death at Bonaberi neighborhood. One man was burned to death when the Douala Five Council was set ablaze and another young man suffocated after inhaling too much tear gas," a senior police officer, who asked not to be named, told Reuters.
Shaken by the strike, the Cameroon government, widely believed to be insensitive to the cries of the population, was forced to reduce petrol and fuel prices last night when it dawned on it that the strike was becoming something else: a war against the regime. The Government had failed to take measures to avert the strike despite an early warning by the transporters’ unions.
Irate Cameroonians now were not only protesting against the price hikes in petrol but against the general high cost of living, high unemployment rate and even against the ruling party (CPDM) proposed constitutional amendment to make it possible for President Paul Biya to run for a third term when his current mandate ends in 2011.
Biya, now 75 years old, has ruled Cameroon since November 1982 and many are of the opinion that, his 25- year rule has done very little to bail citizens out of poverty and misery.
But even before the two-day strike started last Monday, opposition supporters protesting plan by the ruling CPDM to amend the constitution to prolong President Biya’s rule, last Saturday in Douala clashed with anti-riot polce.One person was shot dead.
Earlier, there was also a mass demonstration in Douala, calling for the reopening of Equinox TV, a private television station .Equinox TV, barely three years in existence but very popular, was shut down for not complying to regulation, according to Communications Minister Jean Pierre Biyiti bi Essam .
But it is widely held that the closure was prompted by the fact that the TV station was too critical of the Biya regime. Police shot at the stone-throwing protestors calling for the reopening of the TV station. During the confrontations two persons were reported dead.
Unconfirmed reports say at least 12 people were shot dead by armed troops during the strike in the various towns.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Party Leader Pleads with Colleagues , MPs to Defend Cameroons constitution
Following is an appeal to Cameroonian political party leaders and MPs to defend Cameroon`s Constitution by A .S. NGWANA,Chairman of Cardinal Democratic Party
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen our country is at the cross road of history and the future of Cameroon will depend on your decision now. You can help build Cameroon for better tomorrow or help destroy Cameroon for worse tomorrow.
The question is simple, should we allow President Paul Biya to amend the Constitution, to destroy the Constitution, to enable him to become life president of Cameroon?
Will history forgive us if for any selfish reason, whether it is for money, for appointment, for promotion or just to maintain our present position in government, corporation, or business, we were to sell our consciences and allow Mr. Paul Biya to destroy Cameroon, before God calls him, as God will call each one of us to account for what we have done, or failed to do.
Our duty as politicians, our responsibility as political leaders, is to leave behind us a peaceful, prosperous and happy Cameroon, built on the unshakable principles of justice, love and peace. We must build a Cameroon where every one is equal before the law, a Cameroon where every one can aspire to the highest position of government, irrespective of his creed, tribe or region. We must build a Cameroon where human dignity is valued and respected. We must build a Cameroon where people live; freed from ignorance, poverty and disease; freed from corruption, hatred, oppression, discrimination, marginalization and tyranny.
We have not made progress in building a prosperous, virile and democratic country since independence because we suffer from FEAR, because we are SELFISH, because we are not prepared to make SACRIFICES. We cannot build this country based on fear.
We cannot allow one man or a small group of people to destroy our country, because we fear. We must stand up and defend the truth. The Constitution is the supreme law of the state and because the Constitution has been ignored, treated with contempt and manipulated by the head of state, there is no ”rule of law”, or “separation of Powers” in Cameroon.
Honorable Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, we as the political leaders of our country have a serious responsibility to ourselves, our children and our country. We cannot allow Mr. Biya to amend the Constitution to extend his mandate after 2011. We cannot allow Mr.Biya to manipulate the Constitution so that he can continue to govern Cameroon after nearly 30 years. We cannot allow Mr. Biya to be life president of Cameroon. Various governments under President Paul Biya have been most corrupt, inefficient, and disastrous.
Our appeal to all parliamentarians is that they should throw out any bill sent down by Mr. Paul Biya, to amend the Constitution, so that he can stand for elections after 2011. You can either vote out the bill or walk out of the House. The President of the National Assembly is advised not to manipulate the passage of such a Bill because Cameroonians will never forgive him. He will answer for such a terrible crime to the Nation.
Our appeal to all Chairmen and women of political parties is that, they have to unite and educate their militants on the importance of the Constitution. In this exercise personal differences must be dropped in the interest of the Nation. We suggest that one of the chairmen whose party is represented in parliament should take the initiative to call the chairmen and women of all political parties to an urgent meeting to discuss ways of stopping this threatening catastrophe to our country. Mr. Fru Ndi who has the largest number of parliamentarians after the CPDM can do this or Mr. Ndam Njoya can do so. In the absence of these two men, any other Chairman or woman should do so. We may invite the Chairman of the CPDM or his representative to this meeting, if necessary.
If we fail as political leaders to solve this National crisis, then we shall blame ourselves if Cameroonians take the law into their hands to solve this problem in their own way.
I am sure that no Cameroonian will want us to experience the sad situation Kenya is going through now.
MAY GOD SAVE CAMEROON FROM CHAOS, ANACHY, AND DOOM.
A.S. Ngwana.
Chairman
Cardinal Democratic Party
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen our country is at the cross road of history and the future of Cameroon will depend on your decision now. You can help build Cameroon for better tomorrow or help destroy Cameroon for worse tomorrow.
The question is simple, should we allow President Paul Biya to amend the Constitution, to destroy the Constitution, to enable him to become life president of Cameroon?
Will history forgive us if for any selfish reason, whether it is for money, for appointment, for promotion or just to maintain our present position in government, corporation, or business, we were to sell our consciences and allow Mr. Paul Biya to destroy Cameroon, before God calls him, as God will call each one of us to account for what we have done, or failed to do.
Our duty as politicians, our responsibility as political leaders, is to leave behind us a peaceful, prosperous and happy Cameroon, built on the unshakable principles of justice, love and peace. We must build a Cameroon where every one is equal before the law, a Cameroon where every one can aspire to the highest position of government, irrespective of his creed, tribe or region. We must build a Cameroon where human dignity is valued and respected. We must build a Cameroon where people live; freed from ignorance, poverty and disease; freed from corruption, hatred, oppression, discrimination, marginalization and tyranny.
We have not made progress in building a prosperous, virile and democratic country since independence because we suffer from FEAR, because we are SELFISH, because we are not prepared to make SACRIFICES. We cannot build this country based on fear.
We cannot allow one man or a small group of people to destroy our country, because we fear. We must stand up and defend the truth. The Constitution is the supreme law of the state and because the Constitution has been ignored, treated with contempt and manipulated by the head of state, there is no ”rule of law”, or “separation of Powers” in Cameroon.
Honorable Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, we as the political leaders of our country have a serious responsibility to ourselves, our children and our country. We cannot allow Mr. Biya to amend the Constitution to extend his mandate after 2011. We cannot allow Mr.Biya to manipulate the Constitution so that he can continue to govern Cameroon after nearly 30 years. We cannot allow Mr. Biya to be life president of Cameroon. Various governments under President Paul Biya have been most corrupt, inefficient, and disastrous.
Our appeal to all parliamentarians is that they should throw out any bill sent down by Mr. Paul Biya, to amend the Constitution, so that he can stand for elections after 2011. You can either vote out the bill or walk out of the House. The President of the National Assembly is advised not to manipulate the passage of such a Bill because Cameroonians will never forgive him. He will answer for such a terrible crime to the Nation.
Our appeal to all Chairmen and women of political parties is that, they have to unite and educate their militants on the importance of the Constitution. In this exercise personal differences must be dropped in the interest of the Nation. We suggest that one of the chairmen whose party is represented in parliament should take the initiative to call the chairmen and women of all political parties to an urgent meeting to discuss ways of stopping this threatening catastrophe to our country. Mr. Fru Ndi who has the largest number of parliamentarians after the CPDM can do this or Mr. Ndam Njoya can do so. In the absence of these two men, any other Chairman or woman should do so. We may invite the Chairman of the CPDM or his representative to this meeting, if necessary.
If we fail as political leaders to solve this National crisis, then we shall blame ourselves if Cameroonians take the law into their hands to solve this problem in their own way.
I am sure that no Cameroonian will want us to experience the sad situation Kenya is going through now.
MAY GOD SAVE CAMEROON FROM CHAOS, ANACHY, AND DOOM.
A.S. Ngwana.
Chairman
Cardinal Democratic Party
Monday, February 25, 2008
Obama and the Abdication of Reason
What the spectacular success of Barak Obama reveals about the American psyche.By*BRAD MACDONALD(pictured)
What can we deduce about the state of mind of those who rally, sometimes with remarkable fervor, behind a man they know nothing about?
Abdication of reason.
In the Emory Wheel, the student newspaper of Emory College, Josh Prywes reported, “Pollster Frank Luntz asked college students at a recent focus group to name the candidate they were going to vote for. All of them said Obama, but when Luntz followed up by asking them to name a single accomplishment of the senator, they couldn’t name one. Nobody could name a single accomplishment that Senator Obama has achieved” (emphasis mine throughout).
Can you?
Barack Obama is an unrivaled political sensation, a political phenomenon on pace to become the Democratic nominee for president of the United States.
Senator Obama’s success is spectacular not just for its scale, but for the means by which it has come about. The strategy employed by the Obama campaign, as commentators—including some on the liberal bench—have observed lately, has been one of substituting rhetoric for reason, and style for substance, in an effort to win the hearts of supporters with a syrupy message of change, hope and inspiration. It’s the same style as that adopted by many a Pentecostal preacher, and it seems to be having the same spellbinding results.
But though the senator’s message of “change” may be enthralling—especially when delivered Obama-style, with a big toothy smile, vibrant body language and the perpetual use of emotionally inclusive language—there is no particular agenda offered for that change, no goal mentioned to hope for, no laid-out strategy. Obama’s message is geared to obtaining one climactic, emotionally inspired action from his enraptured audiences: vote for Obama!
It’s a campaign founded on the abdication of reason in exchange for the embodiment of emotion.
So far, it has worked. In his column last Friday, Charles Krauthammer assembled a disturbing montage of the feverish support behind Senator Obama. Despite the stark contrast “between his broad rhetoric and his narrow agenda,” said Newsweek columnist Robert Samuelson, “the press corps—preoccupied with the political ‘horse race’—has treated his invocation of ‘change’ as a serious idea rather than a shallow campaign slogan. He seems to have hypnotized much of the media and the public with his eloquence and the symbolism of his life story. The result is a mass delusion that Obama is forthrightly engaging the nation’s problems when, so far, he isn’t.”
Campaign Obama is beginning to undergo some scrutiny. But what about the millions of supporters who have allowed themselves to be deluded into following this esoteric dream? The future of America is at stake in this election. Candidates are not campaigning to become president of the pta, or coach of the Little League team. They are campaigning to become the next president of the United States, the most powerful nation on the planet; the one who will have the unique responsibility of guiding that nation through a time of unprecedented global disorder.
That’s a weighty responsibility, and the decision as to who—among the limited choice of candidates—will play this role falls, for the most part, on the shoulders of the American electorate. It’s a responsibility that demands from the electorate a keen sense of reason, intelligent choice, a willingness to judge character, and the ability to make decisions based on reality rather than on emotion.
What then, does the spectacular success of Barack Obama, an untested, inexperienced freshman senator whose campaign is more style than substance, reveal about the American psyche?
British commentator Melanie Phillips likened the feverish euphoria for Obama sweeping America to the irrational euphoria, which she coined Diana Derangement Syndrome (dds), that swept Britain after the death of Princess Diana:
The main characteristics of dds are the replacement of reason, intelligence, stoicism, self-restraint and responsibility by credulousness, emotional incontinence, sentimentality, irresponsibility and self-obsession. Political icons to which this disorder gives rise achieve instantaneous and unshakeable mass followings of adoring acolytes because they grant permission to the public to suspend the faculty of judgment and avoid making any hard choices, indulging instead in fantasies of turning swords into plowshares ….
That millions of Americans have abdicated intelligent reason for a feel-good message as empty as it is vague—“change”—exposes critical deficiencies in the psyche of the average post-baby-boom, post-hippie, post-Cold War, post-subprime-meltdown American of today.
First, that Obama supporters are willing to marginalize reason in an effort to subscribe to the emotional but vague message of hope and inspiration reveals a wanton failure to face up to reality among many Americans.
Although Obama feigns moderacy, and his supporters buy it, he is in practice a hard-left liberal. Here’s a summary of the senator’s record from the National Journal:
Overall in NJ’s 2007 ratings, Obama voted the liberal position on 65 of the 66 key votes on which he voted; Clinton voted the liberal position 77 of 82 times. Obama garnered perfect liberal scores in both the economic and social categories. His score in the foreign-policy category was nearly perfect, pulled down a notch by the only conservative vote that he cast in the ratings, on a Republican-sponsored resolution expressing the sense of Congress that funding should not be cut off for U.S. troops in harm’s way.
Of course, it’s not as if political campaigns are fountains of cold, hard, honest reality. Campaign promises are known to be overstated, empty, ethereal and, more than anything, just plain out-and-out lies. But campaign Obama has taken this to a new vague, bizarre level. And a vast proportion of the American public are swallowing the bait, hook, line and sinker!
Obama’s success also reveals a widespread ignorance of what comprises effective leadership, let alone true statesmanship. It reveals an electorate unwilling to take the time to investigate, think, analyze and judge based on reality and not on emotion. On Saturday, the National Post quoted one woman at a rally saying, “Are you kidding me? I’d walk over hot coals to vote for this man. I mean, oh, he’s just … he’s a man that can change not our country, but the world.” This is but a reflection of a shallow mind that prefers vague generalities and promises of change over real facts and that is unable, even unwilling, to think, analyze and judge based on cold, hard reality.
How many Obama supporters have thoroughly investigated their candidate’s foreign-policy objectives? How many have analyzed his team of advisors, those who could soon be guiding the United States’ relationship with the rest of the world?
An educated electorate that values reality, the proven facts of any issue, over smiling platitudes is the hallmark of a successful democracy.
In some circles, Barack Obama has been hailed as an American messiah. Some have, unbelievably, even paralleled the junior senator with Jesus Christ.
What an unbelievably inane comparison! Jesus Christ was an icon of real, tangible, proven hope in a real, tangible future of unbelievable proportions—literally out of this world. After all, He was the literal Son of Almighty God!
Jesus Christ didn’t just preach a visionary, hope-filled message to His followers; He lived it, and He backed rhetoric with substance. He performed spectacular miracles: He healed the sick, He cast out demons, He turned water into wine, He multiplied a handful of bread and fishes to feed thousands, and the list goes on. The gospel message, as taught by Christ, was practical—it took into account reality and gave people real-life solutions, promising them the chance to fulfill their incredible human potential.
Jesus Christ’s message was about government. It pointed positively toward the future, but it was based on immutable, concrete law and towering accomplishments of eternal proportions. That is how His “campaign” injected people with real hope and true vision.
In Matthew 7, Christ instructs His followers to evaluate others based on their fruits, or actions (verses 15-20). During His ministry Christ condemned the religion of the Pharisees, which was all appearance and no substance, rhetoric but no works (Matthew 12:33).
There is a lesson here for not only all Americans, but for all who would place their hope in men to deliver a just and peaceful society. There is nothing inherently wrong with rallying behind a message of hope and inspiration. But when supporting such a message demands the abdication of reason for a short-lived emotional sensation, then it’s time to start asking some hard questions.
To learn how you can avoid being duped by the pseudo-hope-filled rhetoric of political candidates, and instead find real hope and direct your support to the only true and lasting vision of an eternally inspiring future, read Mystery of the Ages.
What can we deduce about the state of mind of those who rally, sometimes with remarkable fervor, behind a man they know nothing about?
Abdication of reason.
In the Emory Wheel, the student newspaper of Emory College, Josh Prywes reported, “Pollster Frank Luntz asked college students at a recent focus group to name the candidate they were going to vote for. All of them said Obama, but when Luntz followed up by asking them to name a single accomplishment of the senator, they couldn’t name one. Nobody could name a single accomplishment that Senator Obama has achieved” (emphasis mine throughout).
Can you?
Barack Obama is an unrivaled political sensation, a political phenomenon on pace to become the Democratic nominee for president of the United States.
Senator Obama’s success is spectacular not just for its scale, but for the means by which it has come about. The strategy employed by the Obama campaign, as commentators—including some on the liberal bench—have observed lately, has been one of substituting rhetoric for reason, and style for substance, in an effort to win the hearts of supporters with a syrupy message of change, hope and inspiration. It’s the same style as that adopted by many a Pentecostal preacher, and it seems to be having the same spellbinding results.
But though the senator’s message of “change” may be enthralling—especially when delivered Obama-style, with a big toothy smile, vibrant body language and the perpetual use of emotionally inclusive language—there is no particular agenda offered for that change, no goal mentioned to hope for, no laid-out strategy. Obama’s message is geared to obtaining one climactic, emotionally inspired action from his enraptured audiences: vote for Obama!
It’s a campaign founded on the abdication of reason in exchange for the embodiment of emotion.
So far, it has worked. In his column last Friday, Charles Krauthammer assembled a disturbing montage of the feverish support behind Senator Obama. Despite the stark contrast “between his broad rhetoric and his narrow agenda,” said Newsweek columnist Robert Samuelson, “the press corps—preoccupied with the political ‘horse race’—has treated his invocation of ‘change’ as a serious idea rather than a shallow campaign slogan. He seems to have hypnotized much of the media and the public with his eloquence and the symbolism of his life story. The result is a mass delusion that Obama is forthrightly engaging the nation’s problems when, so far, he isn’t.”
Campaign Obama is beginning to undergo some scrutiny. But what about the millions of supporters who have allowed themselves to be deluded into following this esoteric dream? The future of America is at stake in this election. Candidates are not campaigning to become president of the pta, or coach of the Little League team. They are campaigning to become the next president of the United States, the most powerful nation on the planet; the one who will have the unique responsibility of guiding that nation through a time of unprecedented global disorder.
That’s a weighty responsibility, and the decision as to who—among the limited choice of candidates—will play this role falls, for the most part, on the shoulders of the American electorate. It’s a responsibility that demands from the electorate a keen sense of reason, intelligent choice, a willingness to judge character, and the ability to make decisions based on reality rather than on emotion.
What then, does the spectacular success of Barack Obama, an untested, inexperienced freshman senator whose campaign is more style than substance, reveal about the American psyche?
British commentator Melanie Phillips likened the feverish euphoria for Obama sweeping America to the irrational euphoria, which she coined Diana Derangement Syndrome (dds), that swept Britain after the death of Princess Diana:
The main characteristics of dds are the replacement of reason, intelligence, stoicism, self-restraint and responsibility by credulousness, emotional incontinence, sentimentality, irresponsibility and self-obsession. Political icons to which this disorder gives rise achieve instantaneous and unshakeable mass followings of adoring acolytes because they grant permission to the public to suspend the faculty of judgment and avoid making any hard choices, indulging instead in fantasies of turning swords into plowshares ….
That millions of Americans have abdicated intelligent reason for a feel-good message as empty as it is vague—“change”—exposes critical deficiencies in the psyche of the average post-baby-boom, post-hippie, post-Cold War, post-subprime-meltdown American of today.
First, that Obama supporters are willing to marginalize reason in an effort to subscribe to the emotional but vague message of hope and inspiration reveals a wanton failure to face up to reality among many Americans.
Although Obama feigns moderacy, and his supporters buy it, he is in practice a hard-left liberal. Here’s a summary of the senator’s record from the National Journal:
Overall in NJ’s 2007 ratings, Obama voted the liberal position on 65 of the 66 key votes on which he voted; Clinton voted the liberal position 77 of 82 times. Obama garnered perfect liberal scores in both the economic and social categories. His score in the foreign-policy category was nearly perfect, pulled down a notch by the only conservative vote that he cast in the ratings, on a Republican-sponsored resolution expressing the sense of Congress that funding should not be cut off for U.S. troops in harm’s way.
Of course, it’s not as if political campaigns are fountains of cold, hard, honest reality. Campaign promises are known to be overstated, empty, ethereal and, more than anything, just plain out-and-out lies. But campaign Obama has taken this to a new vague, bizarre level. And a vast proportion of the American public are swallowing the bait, hook, line and sinker!
Obama’s success also reveals a widespread ignorance of what comprises effective leadership, let alone true statesmanship. It reveals an electorate unwilling to take the time to investigate, think, analyze and judge based on reality and not on emotion. On Saturday, the National Post quoted one woman at a rally saying, “Are you kidding me? I’d walk over hot coals to vote for this man. I mean, oh, he’s just … he’s a man that can change not our country, but the world.” This is but a reflection of a shallow mind that prefers vague generalities and promises of change over real facts and that is unable, even unwilling, to think, analyze and judge based on cold, hard reality.
How many Obama supporters have thoroughly investigated their candidate’s foreign-policy objectives? How many have analyzed his team of advisors, those who could soon be guiding the United States’ relationship with the rest of the world?
An educated electorate that values reality, the proven facts of any issue, over smiling platitudes is the hallmark of a successful democracy.
In some circles, Barack Obama has been hailed as an American messiah. Some have, unbelievably, even paralleled the junior senator with Jesus Christ.
What an unbelievably inane comparison! Jesus Christ was an icon of real, tangible, proven hope in a real, tangible future of unbelievable proportions—literally out of this world. After all, He was the literal Son of Almighty God!
Jesus Christ didn’t just preach a visionary, hope-filled message to His followers; He lived it, and He backed rhetoric with substance. He performed spectacular miracles: He healed the sick, He cast out demons, He turned water into wine, He multiplied a handful of bread and fishes to feed thousands, and the list goes on. The gospel message, as taught by Christ, was practical—it took into account reality and gave people real-life solutions, promising them the chance to fulfill their incredible human potential.
Jesus Christ’s message was about government. It pointed positively toward the future, but it was based on immutable, concrete law and towering accomplishments of eternal proportions. That is how His “campaign” injected people with real hope and true vision.
In Matthew 7, Christ instructs His followers to evaluate others based on their fruits, or actions (verses 15-20). During His ministry Christ condemned the religion of the Pharisees, which was all appearance and no substance, rhetoric but no works (Matthew 12:33).
There is a lesson here for not only all Americans, but for all who would place their hope in men to deliver a just and peaceful society. There is nothing inherently wrong with rallying behind a message of hope and inspiration. But when supporting such a message demands the abdication of reason for a short-lived emotional sensation, then it’s time to start asking some hard questions.
To learn how you can avoid being duped by the pseudo-hope-filled rhetoric of political candidates, and instead find real hope and direct your support to the only true and lasting vision of an eternally inspiring future, read Mystery of the Ages.
*Brad McDonald,is a columnist for The Trumpet.Com
Courtesy: www.thetrumpet.com
Courtesy: www.thetrumpet.com
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Street Children: Man’s Greed Versus Religion and Tradition ?
By Mofor Samuel
In many parts of the world, street children create fear and uneasiness to most people. With no identity, no belongings, living in fetid passages with no roof under their heads, found hanging around hotel, at crossroads, at ports, public parks and gardens, abandoned structures and vehicles or in the very busy streets of the city centre etc, all minors each one has a heart breaking story to tell, they have been left to themselves to face the realities of life. They have to meet their essential needs and for this all ways and means are acceptable. Some adults recognize this and exploit them to their advantage. While one school of thought considers street children as a threat to a civilized world, yet another group of people shocked by the situation, say the situation is like that because people are too lazy to look after their children. On whatever side of the divide that we find ourselves, we must bear in mind that street children are just humans who feel pangs of hunger as we do. They are many of them and they have a real need.
The phenomenon of children who have been left or abandoned to fend for themselves in Cameroon is gaining much ground thanks to the shortcomings of the present social, political and economic climate which is characterized by rapid urbanization, increase poverty and abandonment. In a way street children are a product of runaway urbanization, the impoverishment of the people, and substantial changes to family structure. Since the phenomenon of children who live on the streets is relatively new in Cameroon, initiatives by both government and the civil society to take care of these tormented souls are still thin on the ground. This does not prevent the recent swelling of towns and cities in the country. The infrastructures not being able to keep up, a large part of the population lives in very precarious conditions.
Experience has shown that most of the street children found in the large urban cities of Yaoundé and Douala are mostly males with a good number of them coming from the predominantly Moslem north. Of recent, the phenomenon is leaving no stone unturned as a reasonable number of children from the Christian south are fast becoming members of this “community”. At one point in time, the main rallying point of the children was the train station in Ngaoundere. They sneaked into the train heading to Yaoundé where they settle or continue to Douala. Others preferred large trucks leaving the north for the south. Again some just move from one town to the other through whatever means put at their disposal.
With most of them being at least twelve of age, pick pocketing and the temptation of drug s cannot conceal their terrible emotional stress. Many of them abandoned to their fate, with no shelter, nothing to their name, fall under the threat of drug- particularly the solvent glue that they inhale to forget.
Going by several studies as to why these children find themselves on the streets, if financial grounds dominate, there are various reasons behind the explosion of this phenomenon. Attempting an answer without starting from the family- the smallest unit of a community- and above all responsible parenthood to an extent, means running away from the question.
Due to irresponsible parenthood from the highest to the lowest level of the society and fro the richest to the poorest family, many children are abandoned to themselves or should one say to the street. They become street children because man’s greed has made him to transform the values of our traditions and religion to suit and satisfy his immediate needs. Values like social justice, honesty, peace, sharing, respect, love and humility etc found in the teachings of most of our religions and upheld by most of our traditions, have no place in the society today. No religion or tradition encourages irresponsible parenthood.
Children become street children, generally after traveling a road littered with danger which lands some of them in police cells. Abused children, children from broken homes, children from poor families, children from homes of rich but violent fathers, those who have lost one or both parents, all are potential street children. Add to that unwanted pregnancies, rape within the family and illegitimate children who are product of a union that has not or cannot be disclosed for one reason or the other. For example, a young woman impregnated by an all powerful alhadji would not dare to mention his name because of his social status. The child is already at crossroads even before his birth.
Another reason which is also specific in the Moslem north of Cameroon and other countries of the region is the children whose parent entrusted them to the protection of marabouts who are supposed to provide them with an education based on the Koran. These children are often required to finance their education, begging in the streets. In fact some of them are veritable slaves of the marabouts and are often forced to run away, this time street- bound.
Street children are victims of violence and exploitation by all and sundry in the society- individuals, families, police and vigilante groups who are overburdened by their presence. This is an admission to helplessness. They should be regarded as unutilized but potential assets rather a burden to the society.
There is every need for the government and the civil society to enable individuals to obtain public assistance, financial help from other sources, legal aid, support in reestablishing links with family or the chance to learn basic skills and offer advice on healthier lifestyles. Satisfying an immediate physical need maybe of limited value. It is better to help them learn how to solve problems and address their own needs. They need to be taught life skills or even an altogether different outlook on and approach to life.
In many parts of the world, street children create fear and uneasiness to most people. With no identity, no belongings, living in fetid passages with no roof under their heads, found hanging around hotel, at crossroads, at ports, public parks and gardens, abandoned structures and vehicles or in the very busy streets of the city centre etc, all minors each one has a heart breaking story to tell, they have been left to themselves to face the realities of life. They have to meet their essential needs and for this all ways and means are acceptable. Some adults recognize this and exploit them to their advantage. While one school of thought considers street children as a threat to a civilized world, yet another group of people shocked by the situation, say the situation is like that because people are too lazy to look after their children. On whatever side of the divide that we find ourselves, we must bear in mind that street children are just humans who feel pangs of hunger as we do. They are many of them and they have a real need.
The phenomenon of children who have been left or abandoned to fend for themselves in Cameroon is gaining much ground thanks to the shortcomings of the present social, political and economic climate which is characterized by rapid urbanization, increase poverty and abandonment. In a way street children are a product of runaway urbanization, the impoverishment of the people, and substantial changes to family structure. Since the phenomenon of children who live on the streets is relatively new in Cameroon, initiatives by both government and the civil society to take care of these tormented souls are still thin on the ground. This does not prevent the recent swelling of towns and cities in the country. The infrastructures not being able to keep up, a large part of the population lives in very precarious conditions.
Experience has shown that most of the street children found in the large urban cities of Yaoundé and Douala are mostly males with a good number of them coming from the predominantly Moslem north. Of recent, the phenomenon is leaving no stone unturned as a reasonable number of children from the Christian south are fast becoming members of this “community”. At one point in time, the main rallying point of the children was the train station in Ngaoundere. They sneaked into the train heading to Yaoundé where they settle or continue to Douala. Others preferred large trucks leaving the north for the south. Again some just move from one town to the other through whatever means put at their disposal.
With most of them being at least twelve of age, pick pocketing and the temptation of drug s cannot conceal their terrible emotional stress. Many of them abandoned to their fate, with no shelter, nothing to their name, fall under the threat of drug- particularly the solvent glue that they inhale to forget.
Going by several studies as to why these children find themselves on the streets, if financial grounds dominate, there are various reasons behind the explosion of this phenomenon. Attempting an answer without starting from the family- the smallest unit of a community- and above all responsible parenthood to an extent, means running away from the question.
Due to irresponsible parenthood from the highest to the lowest level of the society and fro the richest to the poorest family, many children are abandoned to themselves or should one say to the street. They become street children because man’s greed has made him to transform the values of our traditions and religion to suit and satisfy his immediate needs. Values like social justice, honesty, peace, sharing, respect, love and humility etc found in the teachings of most of our religions and upheld by most of our traditions, have no place in the society today. No religion or tradition encourages irresponsible parenthood.
Children become street children, generally after traveling a road littered with danger which lands some of them in police cells. Abused children, children from broken homes, children from poor families, children from homes of rich but violent fathers, those who have lost one or both parents, all are potential street children. Add to that unwanted pregnancies, rape within the family and illegitimate children who are product of a union that has not or cannot be disclosed for one reason or the other. For example, a young woman impregnated by an all powerful alhadji would not dare to mention his name because of his social status. The child is already at crossroads even before his birth.
Another reason which is also specific in the Moslem north of Cameroon and other countries of the region is the children whose parent entrusted them to the protection of marabouts who are supposed to provide them with an education based on the Koran. These children are often required to finance their education, begging in the streets. In fact some of them are veritable slaves of the marabouts and are often forced to run away, this time street- bound.
Street children are victims of violence and exploitation by all and sundry in the society- individuals, families, police and vigilante groups who are overburdened by their presence. This is an admission to helplessness. They should be regarded as unutilized but potential assets rather a burden to the society.
There is every need for the government and the civil society to enable individuals to obtain public assistance, financial help from other sources, legal aid, support in reestablishing links with family or the chance to learn basic skills and offer advice on healthier lifestyles. Satisfying an immediate physical need maybe of limited value. It is better to help them learn how to solve problems and address their own needs. They need to be taught life skills or even an altogether different outlook on and approach to life.
University of Buea Moving Towards New Horizons of Excellence
By Christopher Ambe Shu Picture 1:UB VC,Prof Vincent Titanji answering questions from the press after receiving New year wishes
Pictue 2:Cross -section of Students and staff listening to VC(not pictured) during the ceremony
University of Buea, Cameroon’s most highly rated state-owned university is moving toward new horizons of excellence, Professor Vincent P. K Titanji, the Vice-chancellor has said, confidently.
The University, whose 2008 budget stands at FCFA 6.2million, representing a 20% increase over last year’s, now has a new strategic plan, new research policy, new professionalized BMP (Bachelor’s, Masters PhD) programs; has launched a distance education project for a Bachelor of Education degree in Nursery and Primary Education and several other reforms, which are all aimed at improving correspondence between university training and the requirements of the Job markets.
Professor Titanji, who in December 2006, became the third vice-chancellor of University of Buea(UB) told a large assembly of staff and students of the institution who on February 20 turned –up to present him New Year’s Wishes that, his administration is bent on making the varsity an all-time model.
So satisfied at the high quality education and administration of UB is Cameroon’s Minister of Higher Education, Professor Jacques Fame
Ndongo.The Minister has “congratulated us six times in the past 14 months and authorized a special subvention of FCFA 800 million to the University as a sign of his appreciation for our work”, the Vice chancellor disclosed, attracting thunderous applause from the University community.Professor Titanji said the Cameroon government “is investing heavily in Higher Education sector …especially in University of Buea. These significant investments are eloquent proof of government’s commitment to support the University of Buea.”
He pleaded with the students to show appreciation for what the government is doing to enable them study in a conducive environment. “The least that students can do to show appreciation for this support is shun violence and disorder so that they better apply themselves to their studies”, he stressed in a veiled reference to the last two violent and destructive UB strikes that left several students dead.
The Vice -Chancellor ,however, remarked, “More than ever before our students are taking seriously to our call to remain focused on their studies and take advantage of positive wind of change in favor of creating a bright future for themselves”
The Vice-Chancellor insisted that the UB strategic plan, which runs from 2007 to 2015, must be implemented. “We cannot afford to spend the best part of a year to draw up a plan only to put it aside and act as if the plan did not exist. We must start to implement this plan in earnest even if we will be making adjustments as we move along”
He challenged lecturers to form research teams and compete for a UB research grant of FCFA 425 million, but warned that, research grants are public funds that must be managed transparently and in an accountable manner. “Grantees, who fail to account for funds received, expose themselves to sanction provided by the law and will certainly be issued collection orders”, Prof Titanji, himself a renowned researcher, cautioned
Presenting New Year’s Wishes to the Vice-Chancellor on behalf of the staff, UB Registrar, Professor Samson N. Abangma, in his speech, described the Vice-Chancellor’s leadership as one that “establishes and communicates clear standards, a leadership that listens to what is said and is sensitive to others’reactions, a leadership that chooses the methods of communication most likely to secure effective results”
The registrar said the skies of UB brightened in 2007 under the leadership of Professor Titanji.He noted that in 2007 UB was peaceful, purposeful and businesslike, a year when most of the objectives and targets set were achieved. “A further success for 2007 at the academic level was the consolidation and rigorous implementation of the medical degree program which stared in 2006/2007 academic year”, he pointed out.
The Registrar particularly lauded he Vice -Chancellor who still “feels most at home with test tubes and White laboratory over-all”
He called on the Vice –chancellor to try to redress the problem of unpaid dues faced by some staff, and encouraged him to “continue with the culture of dialogue, the rhythm of infrastructural development, and the improvement of working conditions for student and staff”
In conclusion, Professor Abangma told the Vice -Chancellor, “The University of Buea ship you are piloting is on course; the winds are favorable and the sea is calm” He urged the VC to continue to do what is right for the good of the University and the nation as a whole.
Unlike in past years, this year the student union was not allowed to make a speech at the occasion. It was feared their speech could incite students to rebellion, as the student body was said not to be in very good terms the UB administration.
EurOil, an indigenous oil and gas company in Douala also used the ceremony to present books to the University. Retired UB workers were also given encouragement prizes by the University Administration.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
US Volunteers Want Cameroonian Women Freed From Poverty
Pictured(From L-R):Chris Dejong,Ann Speyer,Agbor Magdalene in CHAMEG office,Buea
Two volunteers from the USA now working with RELUFA, Yaounde, a network for the fight against hunger in Cameroon have expressed their wish to see Cameroonian women lifted out of poverty .Ann Speyer and Chris Dejong made their wish public in a chat with The Recorder in Buea on February 18 during a visit to CHAMEG, a poverty-alleviation NGO, coordinated by women empowerment crusader, Agbor Magdalene.
The volunteers were in Buea to assess the impact of CHAMEG/RELULA micro-credits on beneficiaries. They had first visited beneficiaries in Muyuka and Kumba for assessment.
“We are here to see beneficiaries of CHAMEG credit scheme and talk to them so to get some of their stories and tell them to other people and show what these women are doing to fight poverty”, said Ann Speyer.
“There is a lot of poverty in
She was happy learning some of the income-generating activities (such as farming) the women were carrying to improve their lot.
She had this advice for women: “They should believe that they are capable of generating their own income, of taking care of themselves and their children; they should not be afraid to stand up for themselves to do what they know they are capable of doing…”
Agbor Magdalene, coordinator of CHAMEG and incumbent chairperson of RELUFA said poverty reduction and women empowerment are her targets. “I feel happy when women go about their activities with little or no stress”, she remarked.
According to her, RELULA started in early 2000 in
RELUFA has over 25 originations-NGOs and associations and its area of operation is the entire
“Most of our assistance is coming form the Presbyterian Hunger Project in
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Agrochemicals and Cameroonian farmers
By Mofor Samuel
The use of chemicals is one of the most disputed issues in agricultural development. In Cameroon, they range from fertilizer, herbicides to pesticides. To some experts, providing enough good and agricultural raw material for Cameroon’s growing population, synthetic fertilizer, chemical pesticides and high yielding seed varieties must be used. According to them, increasing yields per unit of land additionally benefit the environment by limiting the encroachment of the agricultural frontier into national reserves.
Toxic chemicals pose many risks and hazards which emerge throughout the substance life cycle, be it during the production, transportation or distribution, storage, use or disposal. Therefore there is every reason to ask this question: how much chemical use is needed by the country’s agriculture? Far from being a discussion between agricultural experts and advocates of environmental protection only, the debate the debate goes to the heart of the current policy discussions about how to achieve the targets of the Millennium Development declaration.
Agrochemicals can contribute to increased agricultural productivity if their use is limited and targeted. Improving safety when handling chemicals is a way to actively protect human health and the environment. Above all, it protects the poorest in the society, who suffer most from the lack of safety precautions and from short term objective of maximizing profit.
On the other hand, the increase availability of generic, non-brand, off-patent pesticides in developing countries and Cameroon too, especially in the case of insecticides, tend to be broad- spectrum compounds which destroy the balance of the agro- ecosystems by killing beneficial insects that might have otherwise served as natural pest control. Generic pesticides tend to be inexpensive but more toxic for human health and the environment. There is also a severe loss of topsoil fertility from overuse of chemical fertilizer and pesticides. Also, excessive use of nitrogen fertilizer is responsible for the contamination of ground water sources.
In Cameroon today, particularly around the Banana Plantations, where aerial spraying is constantly being carried out, the local population is at risk. They farm close to these plantations with no protective clothing and do not adhere to the waiting period after chemicals have been applied, use water sources close to the plantations for watering and irrigation. Women and children are particularly at risk. They apply the pesticides or wash contaminated clothes for their husbands and fathers respectively. There is no protection period for pregnant women or nursing mothers. Since spraying equipment and plant protection products are expensive, to guard against theft, they are stored in bedrooms or living rooms. Leftover pesticides are often not properly kept thus exposing younger children to poisoning. In short the use of agrochemicals serves as a potential danger to people directly involved in food production and also affects population groups who have no contact with agrochemicals. In Buea for example, certain people do not eat anything vegetable or tuber cultivated around the Molyko-Muea and Mile 16 (Bolifamba) areas. Cases have also been reported of poisoning due to poor handling of agrochemicals not leaving out the numerous cases of diarrhoeal diseases experienced by the population after having consumed foodstuff cultivated with chemical fertilizer.
The government should give organic manure the place it deserves at least, as far as the cultivation of food crop is concerned. Farmers who equally rear animals must be made to understand that, fowl, pig, goat and sheep droppings etc can serve as very good manure for their vegetable gardens and farmlands. Agriculture extension workers must be given the necessary assistance needed to pass the message across and follow up its implementation on the field.
This will not only prevent further health hazards but will also help the farmers to save some money. Finally, environmental degradation from chemical use on the farmland will be reduced and soil fertility guaranteed.
The use of chemicals is one of the most disputed issues in agricultural development. In Cameroon, they range from fertilizer, herbicides to pesticides. To some experts, providing enough good and agricultural raw material for Cameroon’s growing population, synthetic fertilizer, chemical pesticides and high yielding seed varieties must be used. According to them, increasing yields per unit of land additionally benefit the environment by limiting the encroachment of the agricultural frontier into national reserves.
Toxic chemicals pose many risks and hazards which emerge throughout the substance life cycle, be it during the production, transportation or distribution, storage, use or disposal. Therefore there is every reason to ask this question: how much chemical use is needed by the country’s agriculture? Far from being a discussion between agricultural experts and advocates of environmental protection only, the debate the debate goes to the heart of the current policy discussions about how to achieve the targets of the Millennium Development declaration.
Agrochemicals can contribute to increased agricultural productivity if their use is limited and targeted. Improving safety when handling chemicals is a way to actively protect human health and the environment. Above all, it protects the poorest in the society, who suffer most from the lack of safety precautions and from short term objective of maximizing profit.
On the other hand, the increase availability of generic, non-brand, off-patent pesticides in developing countries and Cameroon too, especially in the case of insecticides, tend to be broad- spectrum compounds which destroy the balance of the agro- ecosystems by killing beneficial insects that might have otherwise served as natural pest control. Generic pesticides tend to be inexpensive but more toxic for human health and the environment. There is also a severe loss of topsoil fertility from overuse of chemical fertilizer and pesticides. Also, excessive use of nitrogen fertilizer is responsible for the contamination of ground water sources.
In Cameroon today, particularly around the Banana Plantations, where aerial spraying is constantly being carried out, the local population is at risk. They farm close to these plantations with no protective clothing and do not adhere to the waiting period after chemicals have been applied, use water sources close to the plantations for watering and irrigation. Women and children are particularly at risk. They apply the pesticides or wash contaminated clothes for their husbands and fathers respectively. There is no protection period for pregnant women or nursing mothers. Since spraying equipment and plant protection products are expensive, to guard against theft, they are stored in bedrooms or living rooms. Leftover pesticides are often not properly kept thus exposing younger children to poisoning. In short the use of agrochemicals serves as a potential danger to people directly involved in food production and also affects population groups who have no contact with agrochemicals. In Buea for example, certain people do not eat anything vegetable or tuber cultivated around the Molyko-Muea and Mile 16 (Bolifamba) areas. Cases have also been reported of poisoning due to poor handling of agrochemicals not leaving out the numerous cases of diarrhoeal diseases experienced by the population after having consumed foodstuff cultivated with chemical fertilizer.
The government should give organic manure the place it deserves at least, as far as the cultivation of food crop is concerned. Farmers who equally rear animals must be made to understand that, fowl, pig, goat and sheep droppings etc can serve as very good manure for their vegetable gardens and farmlands. Agriculture extension workers must be given the necessary assistance needed to pass the message across and follow up its implementation on the field.
This will not only prevent further health hazards but will also help the farmers to save some money. Finally, environmental degradation from chemical use on the farmland will be reduced and soil fertility guaranteed.
Kenya: How close to the brink we all are !
*By Tazoacha Asonganyi
Following the ill-fated general elections in Kenya, the people went on the rampage and left over 1000 dead! The politicians had pushed the people to the brink so often that when they got over the brink, they did not pay attention to the complete and angry rupture that had resulted! Contempt of death became the order of the day for the people, and rendered the unjust regime helpless. This happens to be the collective fate that lays in wait for CamerooniansFuzziness usually percolates reporting on Africa related to such ruptures: a particular pattern ofbehavior is taken to demonstrate the existence of a particular political culture, and is then explained by that political culture. Ethnicity is assumed to be the source of all evil and used to explain all failures.Wrong conclusions are reached using a faulty methodology based on the false premise that certainvalues are foreign to Africa and therefore their mere practice is always a giant step on the road todemocracy. And so the biased reporting about Africans being more comfortable with chief-like leadership, ethnic tensions and divisions, and such thrash... This was the fate of the Kenyan debacle.Journalists from countries where millions of souls have been sacrificed to defend human dignity (the rule of law, freedom, liberty, justice ...) suddenly turn around and report angry reactions in Africa to theviolation of these values with disdain that smacks of racism and arrogance. Yet, most of them have a long experience of life in multi-ethnic nations where people of many heritages and faiths live and prosper in peace, because they live in freedom, liberty and justice.History has never been kind to nations that flouted the rights and aspirations of their people. Suchnations may present a calm and tranquil landscape, but it is rife with subterranean discontent. They are
littered with governments that are not committed to the most deeply rooted popular aspirations. In spite of repeated calls for identifying and institutionalizing values that enable democracy towithstand the onslaught of usurpers and tyrants, they prefer to fabricate false majorities to manipulate the daily lives of the people.In the process, a material basis for complete rupture with the regime in our country has been provided,whether knowingly or not. Revolutions, it is usually said, always have a material basis. The call to change the constitution of our country to allow a single individual to perpetuate his reign has emerged as the basis for its advent! It has emerged to channel the discontent that many Cameroonians feel against the regime into civic activism. The call has not only disillusioned people of good faith, but has alienated members of the regime that were preparing to takeoverin 2011. They will support this civic activism, not because they like it but because they want to takeadvantage of it to push their sit-tight man out to create the space they are longing for.It is certain that getting over the brink may lead to some terrible evils, but there are worse things,including the permanent refusal of all that makes life relevant. Freedom, justice and democracy cannot be bargained away at any cost because no people can afford to be exempt from them in our fast changing world.The impending debacle engineered by the regime may be made worse by appeals to ethnic, religious and traditional bonds to confuse and dampen the people’s anger and revulsion. But revolutionaries are never political virgins: they are aware that the rights they fight for serve to preserve both diversity and unity. When there is total rupture, everyone will invoke peace as if it is an absolute that is not conditioned by some contracts. Peace is not enough without freedom
and justice... History has repeatedly demonstrated that in some circumstances, it is necessary tosacrifice peace if freedom and justice are to prevail.There will also be efforts to prevent people from letting out their steam through peaceful democraticactions, but this will be in ignorance of human nature, which is not quite that simple! The carnage inKenya started slowly, with ruthless repression by the regime. But it is the regime that ended up on itsknees, not the people.If the ideas being totted around as justification for a constitutional amendment were so good, the regime would have introduced them long before. Their only intention is to permit Paul Biya to hang on after2011. They will succeed only at the risk of pushing us over the brink.
* Tazoacha Asonganyi is a university don and former Secretary-General of Cameroon's leading opposition party,the Social Democratic Front(SDF)
Following the ill-fated general elections in Kenya, the people went on the rampage and left over 1000 dead! The politicians had pushed the people to the brink so often that when they got over the brink, they did not pay attention to the complete and angry rupture that had resulted! Contempt of death became the order of the day for the people, and rendered the unjust regime helpless. This happens to be the collective fate that lays in wait for CamerooniansFuzziness usually percolates reporting on Africa related to such ruptures: a particular pattern ofbehavior is taken to demonstrate the existence of a particular political culture, and is then explained by that political culture. Ethnicity is assumed to be the source of all evil and used to explain all failures.Wrong conclusions are reached using a faulty methodology based on the false premise that certainvalues are foreign to Africa and therefore their mere practice is always a giant step on the road todemocracy. And so the biased reporting about Africans being more comfortable with chief-like leadership, ethnic tensions and divisions, and such thrash... This was the fate of the Kenyan debacle.Journalists from countries where millions of souls have been sacrificed to defend human dignity (the rule of law, freedom, liberty, justice ...) suddenly turn around and report angry reactions in Africa to theviolation of these values with disdain that smacks of racism and arrogance. Yet, most of them have a long experience of life in multi-ethnic nations where people of many heritages and faiths live and prosper in peace, because they live in freedom, liberty and justice.History has never been kind to nations that flouted the rights and aspirations of their people. Suchnations may present a calm and tranquil landscape, but it is rife with subterranean discontent. They are
littered with governments that are not committed to the most deeply rooted popular aspirations. In spite of repeated calls for identifying and institutionalizing values that enable democracy towithstand the onslaught of usurpers and tyrants, they prefer to fabricate false majorities to manipulate the daily lives of the people.In the process, a material basis for complete rupture with the regime in our country has been provided,whether knowingly or not. Revolutions, it is usually said, always have a material basis. The call to change the constitution of our country to allow a single individual to perpetuate his reign has emerged as the basis for its advent! It has emerged to channel the discontent that many Cameroonians feel against the regime into civic activism. The call has not only disillusioned people of good faith, but has alienated members of the regime that were preparing to takeoverin 2011. They will support this civic activism, not because they like it but because they want to takeadvantage of it to push their sit-tight man out to create the space they are longing for.It is certain that getting over the brink may lead to some terrible evils, but there are worse things,including the permanent refusal of all that makes life relevant. Freedom, justice and democracy cannot be bargained away at any cost because no people can afford to be exempt from them in our fast changing world.The impending debacle engineered by the regime may be made worse by appeals to ethnic, religious and traditional bonds to confuse and dampen the people’s anger and revulsion. But revolutionaries are never political virgins: they are aware that the rights they fight for serve to preserve both diversity and unity. When there is total rupture, everyone will invoke peace as if it is an absolute that is not conditioned by some contracts. Peace is not enough without freedom
and justice... History has repeatedly demonstrated that in some circumstances, it is necessary tosacrifice peace if freedom and justice are to prevail.There will also be efforts to prevent people from letting out their steam through peaceful democraticactions, but this will be in ignorance of human nature, which is not quite that simple! The carnage inKenya started slowly, with ruthless repression by the regime. But it is the regime that ended up on itsknees, not the people.If the ideas being totted around as justification for a constitutional amendment were so good, the regime would have introduced them long before. Their only intention is to permit Paul Biya to hang on after2011. They will succeed only at the risk of pushing us over the brink.
* Tazoacha Asonganyi is a university don and former Secretary-General of Cameroon's leading opposition party,the Social Democratic Front(SDF)
Evaluators Say PCC Women Empowerment Project Succeeding
By Christopher Ambe Shu (Pictured:PCC officials & evaluators after meeting)
Food and Rural Development Foundation (FORUDEF), Buea-Cameroon, a local NGO that won the bid to evaluate the first phase of Women Education and Empowerment Project (WEEP) of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC) has put the success rate of the project at over 75%.
FORUDEF has noted that WEEP has reduced women’s ignorance about their rights and responsibilities, and improved their level of education on political and leadership issues.
The evaluators said WEEP has also improved Cameroonian women’s access and control over resources as well as over their reproductive health.
FORUDEF made public its evaluation report on February 14 in the PCC conference hall, Buea, at a meeting attended by PCC officials, local administration delegates, journalists and other invitees.
WEEP activities for the first phase(April 2005 to December 2006) included sensitization meetings with women- round -table conferences on Women and Citizens’ rights, training of trainers workshops on gender and women’s rights, seminars on women and their legal rights,worshops on leadership and good governance, and on girl child education. WEEP activities in the first phase were carried in Fako Division of the Southwest Province of Cameroon. There are plans for the project to reach out to other women in far away areas.
“The monitoring system was not adequately followed-up to ensure fuller participation and recognition of shortcomings in planned activities”, noted Tabe Moses, FORUDEF coordinator.
FORUDEF then recommended that WEEP should improve on its planning and monitoring and that the Project Management committee should put more emphasis on its supervisory role by making more field visits in order to maximize achievement of the project goal. They also advised that more young women should be targeted by the project.
For her part, Clara Manga, Buea Sub-delegate for Women and the Family, thanked the PCC for initiating such a vital project to improve on the knowledge of women. She noted that, WEEP has come to complement Cameroon’s commitment to enhance the development of Women.
Denis Kumbo, PCC Project Officer and WEEP Board Chair, who presided at the Evaluation Report Presentation, expressed satisfaction at the evaluation by FORUDEF.He reiterated PCC’s resolve to help improve the lot of women.
WEEP is co-sponsored by Bread for the World and is coordinated by Rev Mary Kinge.
She said WEEP is aimed at educating and empowering women collectively and individually and would stop at nothing.
Food and Rural Development Foundation (FORUDEF), Buea-Cameroon, a local NGO that won the bid to evaluate the first phase of Women Education and Empowerment Project (WEEP) of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC) has put the success rate of the project at over 75%.
FORUDEF has noted that WEEP has reduced women’s ignorance about their rights and responsibilities, and improved their level of education on political and leadership issues.
The evaluators said WEEP has also improved Cameroonian women’s access and control over resources as well as over their reproductive health.
FORUDEF made public its evaluation report on February 14 in the PCC conference hall, Buea, at a meeting attended by PCC officials, local administration delegates, journalists and other invitees.
WEEP activities for the first phase(April 2005 to December 2006) included sensitization meetings with women- round -table conferences on Women and Citizens’ rights, training of trainers workshops on gender and women’s rights, seminars on women and their legal rights,worshops on leadership and good governance, and on girl child education. WEEP activities in the first phase were carried in Fako Division of the Southwest Province of Cameroon. There are plans for the project to reach out to other women in far away areas.
“The monitoring system was not adequately followed-up to ensure fuller participation and recognition of shortcomings in planned activities”, noted Tabe Moses, FORUDEF coordinator.
FORUDEF then recommended that WEEP should improve on its planning and monitoring and that the Project Management committee should put more emphasis on its supervisory role by making more field visits in order to maximize achievement of the project goal. They also advised that more young women should be targeted by the project.
For her part, Clara Manga, Buea Sub-delegate for Women and the Family, thanked the PCC for initiating such a vital project to improve on the knowledge of women. She noted that, WEEP has come to complement Cameroon’s commitment to enhance the development of Women.
Denis Kumbo, PCC Project Officer and WEEP Board Chair, who presided at the Evaluation Report Presentation, expressed satisfaction at the evaluation by FORUDEF.He reiterated PCC’s resolve to help improve the lot of women.
WEEP is co-sponsored by Bread for the World and is coordinated by Rev Mary Kinge.
She said WEEP is aimed at educating and empowering women collectively and individually and would stop at nothing.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
RUMPI Partners Drilled On Information Management Systems
Project Coordinator Calls for Effective FieldWork
By Christopher Ambe Shu
Picture 1:Rumpi Project Coordinator,Besong Ogork Ntui ,being interviewed
Picture 2:Cross section of Workshop participants
Over 100 implementation agents of the FCFA 17 billion RUMPI Area Participatory Development Project (fondly called Rumpi project) have been drilled on Project Information Management Systems (PIMs) at a two-day workshop (February 7&8) that took place in Limbe, Cameroon.
The workshop was organized by the Management of the Rumpi Project. The Project coordinator, Besong Ogork Ntui, a seasoned tropical agronomist, in his opening address called on the implementation agents to be more than ever serious and be effectively present in the field.
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 Project is jointly funded by African Development Bank (ADB75%), Technical Assistance Fund (TAF 8 %), Government of Cameroon (GOC15%) and the beneficiaries (2%).
Participants learned various processes of managing information within the project and were equipped with the know-how and means of collecting data from the PIM .Topics treated included: Monitoring and Evaluation Concept, Collecting Relevant data for agricultural production and Productivity –the Case of Rumpi by Dr Besong Manfred; Important village/community data for Rumpi project Support by Patricia Leke Tambo and Project Information Management Design by Dr Hani Afifi
Mr Ogork Ntui said Rumpi had just received the second disbursement of funds from the ADB to the tune of about FCFA 500million.
“We are starting this year with funds available. Performance allowances of implementation partners would be paid. But people have to show proof that work has been effectively done first”, he told the participants, adding that he would make sure that project funds would no longer be delayed by the financiers, as was the case with the former management.
Emphasizing the importance of the workshop, the coordinator said in every project implementation the smooth flow of information is very critical.
It was last November that the Rumpi project had its mid-term evaluation and it emerged that not much had been done in the field.
But Ogork Ntui told The Recorder, “That is not to say work has not been going on. We have done quite a lot in terms of preparing the take of activities in the field and this year is one which those activities must take off in the field. It is an important year for Rumpi-a year of results”
Dr Hani Afifi, Rumpi Management Advisor and resource person at the workshop confirmed to reporters that the Rumpi project is now on track with the coming of Ogork Ntui as new project coordinator. But he added that, because of the delays in disbursements suffered by previous management the project may need extension. “There have been many delays; there is a need for extension of the lifespan”
Also optimistic about the future of the Rumpi project was Dr. Besong Manfred, one of the project’s senior official and workshop resource person. “Rumpi is in its third year. It is true that we had some lapses/delays ….But we have been planning. With the funds now available it is a simple thing to improve the lives of many,”Dr Besong told the press.
Participants rose with a resolve to do their very best to help Rumpi quickly realize its goal of poverty alleviation in the Southwest Province of Cameroon.
Rumpi, a giant development project, is considered as the gateway to poverty alleviation in the southwest province.
The workshop was organized by the Management of the Rumpi Project. The Project coordinator, Besong Ogork Ntui, a seasoned tropical agronomist, in his opening address called on the implementation agents to be more than ever serious and be effectively present in the field.
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 Project is jointly funded by African Development Bank (ADB75%), Technical Assistance Fund (TAF 8 %), Government of Cameroon (GOC15%) and the beneficiaries (2%).
Participants learned various processes of managing information within the project and were equipped with the know-how and means of collecting data from the PIM .Topics treated included: Monitoring and Evaluation Concept, Collecting Relevant data for agricultural production and Productivity –the Case of Rumpi by Dr Besong Manfred; Important village/community data for Rumpi project Support by Patricia Leke Tambo and Project Information Management Design by Dr Hani Afifi
Mr Ogork Ntui said Rumpi had just received the second disbursement of funds from the ADB to the tune of about FCFA 500million.
“We are starting this year with funds available. Performance allowances of implementation partners would be paid. But people have to show proof that work has been effectively done first”, he told the participants, adding that he would make sure that project funds would no longer be delayed by the financiers, as was the case with the former management.
Emphasizing the importance of the workshop, the coordinator said in every project implementation the smooth flow of information is very critical.
It was last November that the Rumpi project had its mid-term evaluation and it emerged that not much had been done in the field.
But Ogork Ntui told The Recorder, “That is not to say work has not been going on. We have done quite a lot in terms of preparing the take of activities in the field and this year is one which those activities must take off in the field. It is an important year for Rumpi-a year of results”
Dr Hani Afifi, Rumpi Management Advisor and resource person at the workshop confirmed to reporters that the Rumpi project is now on track with the coming of Ogork Ntui as new project coordinator. But he added that, because of the delays in disbursements suffered by previous management the project may need extension. “There have been many delays; there is a need for extension of the lifespan”
Also optimistic about the future of the Rumpi project was Dr. Besong Manfred, one of the project’s senior official and workshop resource person. “Rumpi is in its third year. It is true that we had some lapses/delays ….But we have been planning. With the funds now available it is a simple thing to improve the lives of many,”Dr Besong told the press.
Participants rose with a resolve to do their very best to help Rumpi quickly realize its goal of poverty alleviation in the Southwest Province of Cameroon.
Rumpi, a giant development project, is considered as the gateway to poverty alleviation in the southwest province.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Global Forest Watch Launches New Cameroon’s Interactive Forestry Atlas
By Christopher Ambe Shu
(Pictures:Gideon Neba Shu (standing)addressing his audience at the Forestry Atlas presentation in Buea)
Global Forest Watch (GFW) Yaoundé, an initiative of the World Resources Institute (WRI), an NGO based in Washington, DC in the United States of America, has launched an updated Interactive Forestry Atlas of Cameroon version 2.0 in the Southwest Province of Cameroon and announced its availability to all stakeholders in the country’s forest sector.GFW updated the forestry atlas in colloraboration with Government of Cameroon through the Ministry of
Forests and Wildlife (M
INFOF). According to Grace Mbah Nyieh, a senior MINFOF official ,Cameroon has a total forest cover of about 20 million hectares, about half of the surface area of Cameroon.She said forestry sector contributes significantly to the national economy through the creation of jobs, infrastructure development and significant contribution to the national revenue.
The launching of the forest atlas and capacity-building in using geospatial data/tools for monitoring and control of natural resources exploitation took place on February 4 at Pan-African Institute for Development, Buea, co- chaired by Gideon Neba Shu,Assitant National Coordinator of GFW Cameroon and Grace Mbah Nyieh, MINFOF Southwest Provincial Delegate.
The over 100 Participants at the three-day meeting included mayors, local NGO’s dealing with forest activities, Government officials and journalists.
An earlier convention of collaboration signed by GFW with MINFOF to promote sustainable and transparent forest management led to the production of spatial databases, maps of situation of forest exploitation in Cameroon(2003&2004),interactive forestry atlas of Cameroon(version 1.0),and associated reports and publication, according to GFW Yaoundé sources.
“GFW has as object to assemble information and put in a format that forest sector stakeholders can use in decision-making. We have been able to put together cartographic and statistical data base on the forest situation in Cameroon”, Mr Neba Shu told reporters in Buea “The data base is readily available for every body. All stakeholders in forestry sector have access to this data base which helps them in decision-making with regards to forestry sector. It is a tool used by those involved in forest management and exploitation. The atlas has covered almost 80% of the forest cover of Cameroon”
He said GFW has been working in Cameroon for over six years and helps the Cameroon Government to transparently manage its forest by “making public information about governmental decisions and providing decision-making or negotiation tools available for everybody who is interested.
Mrs. Mbah Nyieh, speaking at the meeting, said the MINFOF partnership with Global Forest Watch “seeks to support the Cameroonian forestry administration in its functions of monitoring forest exploitation through the use of remote sensing and development of a cartographic and statistical database for stakeholders in the forestry sector and forest management”. She said that the Interactive Atlas of Cameroon contains “key information on forest management and governance put in a friendly and easily accessible format for exploitation by the general public”
She was thankful to the GFW for bringing the forest atlas to the province (visit http://www.globalforestwatch.org/)
Participants ,who spoke to reporters, appreciated the timeliness and usefulness of the forestry atlas especially now that the Cameroon Government is bent on ensuring sustainable exploitation and management.
(Pictures:Gideon Neba Shu (standing)addressing his audience at the Forestry Atlas presentation in Buea)
Global Forest Watch (GFW) Yaoundé, an initiative of the World Resources Institute (WRI), an NGO based in Washington, DC in the United States of America, has launched an updated Interactive Forestry Atlas of Cameroon version 2.0 in the Southwest Province of Cameroon and announced its availability to all stakeholders in the country’s forest sector.GFW updated the forestry atlas in colloraboration with Government of Cameroon through the Ministry of
Forests and Wildlife (MINFOF). According to Grace Mbah Nyieh, a senior MINFOF official ,Cameroon has a total forest cover of about 20 million hectares, about half of the surface area of Cameroon.She said forestry sector contributes significantly to the national economy through the creation of jobs, infrastructure development and significant contribution to the national revenue.The launching of the forest atlas and capacity-building in using geospatial data/tools for monitoring and control of natural resources exploitation took place on February 4 at Pan-African Institute for Development, Buea, co- chaired by Gideon Neba Shu,Assitant National Coordinator of GFW Cameroon and Grace Mbah Nyieh, MINFOF Southwest Provincial Delegate.
The over 100 Participants at the three-day meeting included mayors, local NGO’s dealing with forest activities, Government officials and journalists.
An earlier convention of collaboration signed by GFW with MINFOF to promote sustainable and transparent forest management led to the production of spatial databases, maps of situation of forest exploitation in Cameroon(2003&2004),interactive forestry atlas of Cameroon(version 1.0),and associated reports and publication, according to GFW Yaoundé sources.
“GFW has as object to assemble information and put in a format that forest sector stakeholders can use in decision-making. We have been able to put together cartographic and statistical data base on the forest situation in Cameroon”, Mr Neba Shu told reporters in Buea “The data base is readily available for every body. All stakeholders in forestry sector have access to this data base which helps them in decision-making with regards to forestry sector. It is a tool used by those involved in forest management and exploitation. The atlas has covered almost 80% of the forest cover of Cameroon”
He said GFW has been working in Cameroon for over six years and helps the Cameroon Government to transparently manage its forest by “making public information about governmental decisions and providing decision-making or negotiation tools available for everybody who is interested.
Mrs. Mbah Nyieh, speaking at the meeting, said the MINFOF partnership with Global Forest Watch “seeks to support the Cameroonian forestry administration in its functions of monitoring forest exploitation through the use of remote sensing and development of a cartographic and statistical database for stakeholders in the forestry sector and forest management”. She said that the Interactive Atlas of Cameroon contains “key information on forest management and governance put in a friendly and easily accessible format for exploitation by the general public”
She was thankful to the GFW for bringing the forest atlas to the province (visit http://www.globalforestwatch.org/)
Participants ,who spoke to reporters, appreciated the timeliness and usefulness of the forestry atlas especially now that the Cameroon Government is bent on ensuring sustainable exploitation and management.
The Ordeal of a Cameroonian Mother
By James Mukoh
Catherine Muambo is a Cameroonian mother of three.
On April 28, 2005, this wife was reportedly watching TV in the night in her
Buea residence, while her husband and kids had slept.
Suddenly, she heard a knock on the door and upon
opening the door to receive the visitor, we were told,it turned out that it was
a group of five men, with one of them pointing a gun at her. She screamed in
fright.
Her shouts woke-up the husband Paul Esie Gbwema,who
rushed to the living room to find out what was happening; but Mr. Gbwema who is a
blacksmith, was arrested and whisked away, after the house was searched and some of his work tools
confiscated.
Mr. Gbwema never knew the security agents were
taking him to a detention cell in Bonanjo in Douala. He had been accused of
illegal manufacturing and selling of arms.
Reports said Mr. Gbwema was later transferred to a
unknown location, and up to date his family members claim he has since then not been seen, despite
searches by relations.Could he have been killed? His family is wondering.
Frightened and to avoid further molestation from
security, Mrs. Gbwema in January 2008, moved to the town of Muyuka to live with
her relations for safety.
Mrs. Gbwema, according to family sources, was still
living in fear and one evening that same January she said she was going to visit a friend, and
since then she has not been seen. It is not clear whether she must have been
arrested and also whisked off to an unknown destination or that
she simply relocated elsewhere to avoid detection by security agents.
Here is a mother whose husband is feared dead yet
she has no peace of mind in her own country. Isn’t it time to give Cameroonian
women, who make up more than 50 % of the population, more protection and
attention? Should a wife be molested because her husband has allegedly
committed a crime? These are the questions on the lips of many Human Rights
advocates
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Women Urged to Excel in Education to Get Top Jobs
By Christopher Ambe Shu(Picture 1 Left to right:Dr Beatrice Ndoping,Thiery Mobega,Jane-francis Yensii,Dr Irene Anyangwe and Dr Niger Thomas Margaret in familiy photo during the event)
(Picture 2 : Jane-Francis Yensii displaying her award)
The Cameroon Association of University Women (CAMAUW) has challenged Cameroonian female students in particular and schooling women in general to strive always to be counted among the best in their various academic disciplines.
Dr Beatrice Ndoping, president of CAMAUW who threw the challenge to women on February 1 in Buea-Cameroon, was presiding at an award –giving ceremony organized by CAMAUW to honor two female graduates who recently distinguished themselves in education at the University of Buea, on
e of Cameroon’s six state-owned varsities.She stressed that, the more women get formally educated the more are their chances to occupy decision-making positions in society. Dr Ndopings said it is by education that “women and girls are empowered to be agents for change building sustainable futures”
The CAMAUW award-winning females are a Bachelor’s degree holder and a PhD holder, Tume Jane-Francis Yensii and Irene A. Anyangwe, respectively.
Ms. Tume Jane-Francis Yensii, graduated with a Second Class Honors (Upper Division Upper) B.Sc. degree last December from the Department of Nursing; she had as GPA 3.48 and received Cameroon First Lady‘s Prize for the Best Female Student in Health Sciences during the graduation ceremony.
Irene A. Anyangwe, a lecturer of same university and mother, for her part, bagged a doctorate or PhD in Microbiology. She was the lone female among three who graduated last December with PhD from University of Buea.
“Today CAMAUW offers you the Grace Ngemukong Tima Award of Excellence. This award is in honor of CAMAUW’s pioneer president who is courageous, visionary and hardworking. Both of you had developed such characteristics to come this far. These are building blocks to becoming leaders. You are women like Grace Ngemukong Tima on the move to the top. We are here to cheer you and to say “Keep the good work,” remarked Dr Ndoping, before the laureates were awarded their certificates of excellence and an undisclosed amount of money, during a ceremony witnessed among other dignitaries by Thiery Mobega, Assistant Divisional officer for Buea Subdivision.
CAMAUW is a non-profit, non-political NGO working locally, nationally and globally and is affiliated to the International Federation of University Women (IFUW) with headquarters in Geneva-Switzerland and a membership of over180, 000 female graduates from 72 national federations and associations, CAMAUW president said.
The association had before given awards to girls who excelled at the secondary school level, in order to encourage them enroll, continue studies and graduate from secondary school with flying colours.
CAMAUW,The Recorder learnt ,has carried out a wide-range of educational and humanitarian activities addressing issues from national to grassroots perspective through seminars, workshops,conferences,research projects and training programs
According to Dr Ndoping,CAMAUW ‘s missions include :advocacy for the improvement of the status of women and girls ,promoting long life education and enabling graduate women to use their expertise to effect change
Dr Niger Thomas Margaret, Southwest Provincial Delegate for Women & Family commended the awardees. “We are proud of you. You are on the path of a bright future. What has happened to you (the two laureates) is a challenge and you have to keep it up”, she said.
The awardees expressed satisfaction at the honor done to them. “Just as we have been advised, I will continue to further my studies. The sky is my limit”, said Yensii who is still to secure a job.The ceremony was also witnessed by a cross section of University female students
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