Cameroon:Why Mbua Etonde is New SW Delegate for Secondary Education.

By Chrsitopher Ambe

From L-R: Dr.Mrs. Mbua Hannah Etonde,Dr.Mohommadou & Mombakued Victor Yewoh after 

the handing over ceremony in Buea

Dr. Mrs. Mbua nee Ngoto Hannah Etonde, aged 51, on August 31, officially replaced Mr. Mombakued Victor Yewoh as new Southwest Regional Delegate for Secondary Education, following her recent appointment by the Minister of Secondary Education,Nalova Lyonga,PhD.

 Yewoh had occupied the position for barely one year.  

 Mrs.. Mbua is the first-ever woman to occupy that position in the Southwest Region.

  The technical handing over ceremony between the new and former delegates was chaired by Dr. Mohammadou, Inspector-General of Regional Services at Southwest Governor’s office

Dr. Mohammadou lauded Mr. Yewoh for his valuable services to the nation,and particularly commended the new delegate for winning the confidence of hierarchy to merit such  a high  public office.

As different speakers showered praises on Mrs. Mbua for her career promotion, during the ceremony that too place in the conference hall of the Regional Delegation of Public Service, the calm-looking teacher-cum educational administrator responded, “We give God the Glory. For without God I am nothing!”

In fact, as a devout Presbyterian Christian, Mrs. Mbua, this reporter gathered, believes strongly in the Bible principle that “everything works for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose”(Romans 8:28)

An Appointment to a post of responsibility is based on various considerations; but what is so obvious with Mrs. Mbua’s own is that her competence and qualifications-both administratively and academically, earned her the job, critical observers said.

Having served as principal of state-owned secondary/high schools for more than a decade running, her quest for purposeful knowledge would cause her journey for a terminal degree. 

And that is how she enrolled for a PhD in Educational Administration in the prestigious Anglo-Saxon University of Buea, and several years after, brilliantly defended it in October 2017.

Whether as principal of GSS Bonjongo (2000-2002) or as first-ever female Principal of Government High School (GHS) Buea (2002-2016) or as Principal of Government Bilingual Grammar School-Molyko-Buea(2016-August 2018, from where she was elevated to the rank of  Regional Delegate,   Mrs. Mbua, was described by both students and students as a disciplinarian par excellence

 Her school management style also attracted the admiration of not only Hierarchy but also the general public.

This Fako elite has put in a total of eighteen years as principal of the above mentioned schools before her new portfolio.

As recognition of her valuable contributions to nation-building, Mrs. Mbua has been decorated by the State of Cameroon with the Knight of the National Order of Valour medal. 

                          But what inspired her to choose teaching as a career?

 Mrs.Mbua,who first bagged an M.Ed in Educational Administration (University of Buea) before heading for her PhD in the same institution, told this reporter while still principal of GHS Bokwango-Buea that:  “From what my mother told me, I was actually born to be a teacher. As a child, I am told, I used to rally other children in my quarter, teach, advise and lead them.”

 Mrs. Mbua, now a career teacher for 24 years, confidently told this reporter in a 2014 interview that she had no problem blending teaching and administration.

 “I teach, I administer and lead both teachers and students. And, I perform all these functions smoothly guided by God”, she said.

 Mrs. Mbua  in 1992 earned a B.A (English) from University of Yaoundé and in 1994 graduated as teacher from Higher Teachers’ Training College (ENS) Yaoundé.

 Married to Njie Peter Mbua, a court registrar now on retirement, this mother of four, is also said to be motherly.

                                                     The Politician

       A member of the ruling CPDM since the 1990’s,Mrs. Mbua,has been  president of Buea WCPDM(WCPDM Fako III) since  March 2007 and  is member of the WCPDM National Bureau since 2011.  She had before held other duty posts in the WCPDM in Buea such as Section Treasurer (May 2002 –march 2007) and Subsection president of WCPDM Soppo Mokongo (1997-2002).

  As a Buea councilor, this courageous lady in September 2013 when the CPDM won municipal elections in Buea, contested the mayoral seat against Ekema Patrick Esunge but lost to him. 

Yet, she is ambitious. “I aspire to become something more than a mayor. Life is all aspirations and hopes.” 

                                                               The Teacher
She taught English Language and Literature in Bilingual Grammar School (BGS)Molyko Buea(December 1994-August 2000);taught ‘The Use of English’ at University of Buea(September  1995- July 2000);taught English & Literature  at Central GCE Evening School Mevick Bilingual Grammar School Yaounde( January 1993 –June 1994) and at Inter Comprehensive College Buea(1992)

Mrs. Mbua has been Assistant Chief Examiner (O’ level Literature in English) from July 2008 to date), and had been a GCE examiner for O’ level in English Literature (1995-2008) 

  Active Christian

   As a committed Christian, Mrs. Mbua has been an elder and lay preacher of Presbyterian Church Molyko –Buea; member of Christian Women Fellowship (CWF Molyko) and is President-General of Ndol’a Kristo Choirs Association of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC)
                                                            Hobbies

 Mrs.Mbua is an amateur actress, who has been member of both the Musinga Drama Group and the University of Yaounde Theatre. She likes   doing research on important subjects .She enjoys cooking and singing.

( This profile  is also published in The  Horizon Newspaper ,Cameroon,of September 4, 2018)