Tasong Njukang Paul: The Strategist and Fine Manager

*Appointed  National  Coordinator  for Reconstruction of 

Northwest & Southwest Regions of Cameroon

By Christopher Ambe

The appointment on 3^rd April  2020 of 57-year old Tasong Njukang Paul, a workaholic, patriot and celebrated  development strategist  as the National Coordinator  of the Presidential Plan for the Reconstruction  and Development of the  Northwest and Southwest Regions  by   Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute  makes assurance double sure , that President Paul Biya is determined  to   boost socio-economic and infrastructural development   in these   parts of the country, which  have witnessed much destruction in the past three  years as a result of the ongoing Anglophone crisis.

Mr.Tasong, who, since March 2018, has been Minister Delegate in charge of Planning at the Ministry of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, has, observers say, been assigned to do what he likes most: planning and executing projects for common interest. 

One cannot talk about Cameroon government’s strategic development planning, at least, for about two decades, without mentioning the name of Mr. Tasong, also known in other circles as the stringent go-getter with a broad smile.

Before his appointment as Minister Delegate, he was assigned to Bangui as Commissioner in Charge of Economic, Financial & Monetary Policies on the Commission of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) for over five years.

Armed with a Master’s degree in Public Administration and Management from the prestigious Harvard University Kennedy School of Government- University of Antwerp RUCA, Belgium, among other high qualifications, Mr.Tasong  once  served  as Permanent Secretary in the  all-powerful Ministry of Economy, Planning and Regional Development(MINEPAT)  for over two years -and even before that  he had served  as Director of Programming of Public Investments in  Ministry of Economy and Finance, from September 2004 – August 2010.

This Cameroonian multi-tasker and strategist, who hails from Lebialem Division of the Southwest region, has been charged with coordinating the reconstruction of two regions, which have been complaining bitterly of underdevelopment –yet have witnessed the destruction of public and private property, by war mongers, worth billions of FCFA.

The good news is that Mr. Tasong knows the two regions’ development problems and high expectations very well, and is ready to help solve them.

 But he wants denizens of these regions “not only to collaborate but to participate because they are the beneficiaries of this presidential plan. The plan is theirs. Let them stand up and take ownership of this plan,” he said on Cameroon calling, CRTV on Sunday,

 Noted for excelling when entrusted with challenging assignments, Mr. Tasong has been appointed to champion the development cause of Northwest and Southwest regions just when both regions have been granted “special status because of their specificities”, as recommended by the Major National Dialogue of 2019 that was intended to look for lasting solutions to the Anglophone crisis, provoked by corporate demands of common law lawyers and Anglophone teachers.

“Reconstruction and development of conflict-affected areas “was one of the themes of the Major National Dialogue.

Although a native of the Southwest region, Mr. Tasong   got his secondary and high school education in the Northwest region which offered him the opportunity to better understand the likes and dislikes of the “Bamenda man”. From 1975 -81,he attended Sacred Heart College, Mankon where he passed the GCE Ordinary Level  and  then moved on  to Cameroon College of Arts Science and Technology, Bambili  where  in 1983 he obtained  his GCE Advanced Level ( French, History and English Literature) .

Mr. Tasong obtained his First degree in Public Law and Political Science from the then University of Yaounde in 1983 and proceeded three years later to the National School for Administration and Magistracy (ENAM) Yaoundé where he graduated in 1988 with a Post-Graduate Diploma in Taxation.

 Earlier in his career, Mr Tasong had served the state in various capacities: as South West Provincial Delegate for MINEPAT from Sep 1999 – Sep 2004; served as Chief of Centre for Taxes, Tiko (February 1997 -September 1999); Value-added Tax Auditor, Yaoundé (August 1994 – February 1997); Assistant Legal Research Officer, Department of Taxation -Yaoundé (January 1989 – August 1994).

Although Mr, Tasong got his residence in his village burnt down reportedly by separatist fighters, this CPDM apologist has never stopped campaigning for peace and development, as well as a return to normalcy in the crisis-stricken regions.

So patriotic is Mr. Tasong that  when he bagged  a Master’s degree in Public Administration and Management in Belguim ,he turned down several employment offers from foreign employers, insisting  he wanted to come  and  contribute his quota in the development of the country-a commitment he has lived-up to.

 Mr. Tasong was born on March 20, 1963 in M’mockmbie ,Lebialem Division; he is married and a father of several children. He is also described as humble,a social mixer and philanthropist.

Mr. Tasong will be assisted in the coordination of the reconstruction and development of the two regions by Mr. Njong Donatus,for former mayor of Kumbo,also a development agent. 

(This profile was first published in The Horizon Newspaper,Cameroon,of April 6,2020)