Cameroon:Tiko IDPs Receive Assistance from “Reaching Out International”

Tiko IDPs receiving gifts from Reaching Out International

By Christopher Ambe

Over 40 Internally Displaced People (IDPs), in the morning of Sunday March 21, at the Holt Forth Field, Tiko benefitted from the generosity of Reaching Out International, a philanthropic group of Cameroonians in the diaspora.

The beneficiaries, who included men, women and school children, smiled home with gifts such as food stuff/items, farm tools, seedlings, mattresses and cash, estimated to cost over one million Fcfa.

The brain behind “Reaching Out International is Enowmpey Besong, a Cameroonian resident in France,who said he thought they could not sit back and fold their arms while many Cameroonians were suffering back home as a consequence of the ongoing Anglophone crisis, which erupted in  2016 and has resulted in the deaths of thousands of people and hundreds of thousands of others internally displaced.

Mr. Enowmpey, who grew up in Tiko, had persuaded his friends who chipped in their widow’s might so that the donation to the IDPs could be possible.

Presiding at the ceremony, Nchamukong Stanley Babila (friend of Mr. Enowmpey), lauded Reaching Out International for the concern they have for suffering Cameroonians. He advised the beneficiaries, who were some of the most desperate IDPs in Tiko,to be thankful to God and remain ever hopeful for  brighter days .

He advised them to share whatever food stuff they received with any other IDP who could approach them. Nothing is too small to share, Mr. Babila remarked.

According to Miss Ebaisem, out of the forty-four(44) beneficiaries,33 received food stuff and material things while eleven (11) who were school children received school fees.

Tiko IDP woman publicly thanking God for the gift of mattress she received

The beneficiaries were all thankful to the donors.

“Everybody here is happy with what they have received. I received a bag of rice and other food items. God should continue to bless the donor”, said Ashwembom Syndy Bright, student of Sure Foundation Comprehensive college, Tiko,who fled from Muyuka.

One woman, who received a mattress, was in tears of joy.She was particularly thankful to the donors, regretting that her own family seemed to have abandoned her at a time she needed their support most.

The donations included: thirty bags of rice, two cartons of soap, three cartons of groundnut oil; five cartons of tomatoes, two cartons of Maggi, farm tools and seedlings, as well as five mattresses.

Buea Council honored for development efforts

Buea Mayor  David Mafani Namange displaying awards 

By Christopher Ambe

Buea Council, under the able leadership of Lord Mayor David Mafani Namange, has been honored for its sustained development efforts in the municipality.

The council was honored recently in Yaoundé   during an award-giving ceremony organized by Go-Africa Initiative Cameroon (GAICAM).

Go-Africa Initiative Cameroon is a Yaoundé-based NGO, aimed at transforming lives and promoting growth in Cameroon and Africa at large.

Buea Council was awarded the “CAMEROON HEROES -GAICAM IMPACT AWARD 2020” for impacting on the lives of Buea residents.

“You are indeed a remarkable Cameroon Hero!” reads an inscription on the certificate of recognition awarded to Buea Council.  The certificate was accompanied by a hero’s trophy.

GO-AFRICA INITIATIVE CAMEROON commended Buea Council for its remarkable “contributions to the Growth and Development of our Fatherland (Cameroon).”

The Lord Mayor of Buea has gladly dedicated this award to the peace-loving denizens of Buea for their collaboration with and support to the leadership of Council towards realizing its development objectives.

The Cameroon Heroes-Gaicam Impact Award encourages participation in national growth and promotes the spirit of patriotism among Cameroonians.

 Since assuming the mayoral office in February 2020, Mayor David Mafani’s development drive has been commended by residents of the municipality.

Among other achievements, Buea Council has been at the forefront in the fight against spread Corona virus /COVID-19 pandemic. The mayor has embarked on restoring urban disorder in Buea and promoting hygiene and sanitation.

 The Council too is busy constructing boreholes in several quarters in Buea, to the minimize the negative impact of the on-going water crisis residents of the Southwest regional capital have been facing for several years.

 

 

 

 

Cameroon-SW Governor Reinforces Anti-COVID-19 Campaign in Buea

Southwest Governor Bernard Okalai Bilai distributing face masks

 By Sheron Tita

The governor of the Southwest(SW) region, Bernard Okalia Bilai ,on March 17, 2021, embarked on a one-day sensitization campaign within the Buea municipality, urging the strict application of anti-covid-19 measures adopted by Cameroon government, amid reports that cases of the  pandemic  are on the rise again.

The governor was accompanied by the Mayor of Buea, David Mafani Namange and regional delegates of the region.

The sensitization exercise, which started at the Mile 17 motor park in Buea, ended at the Taxation office.

The governor made four strategic stops- at Mile 17 Motor park, Lycee  Bilingue,Molyko, OIC market and Clerks quarters-and at each stop distributed face masks to  residents.

Emphasizing on the need for  face mask , Governor Bilai  urged   everyone to henceforth  wear  face mask  before visiting  public places.

He regretted that inhabitants of the Buea Municipality were living as though there was no corona virus.

At the OIC market and Buea Motor Park, the governor and his team were taken aback   that people who had the face masks only started putting them on when they saw the sensitizers.

He advised taxi drivers to make wearing of face masks a precondition for passengers to board their taxis

 In an interview with reporters Governor Bilai noted, “To wear the mask is not to please the authorities; but it is to protect their own health and by doing so they protect the other people”.  

Buea residents were advised not only to wear face masks but to tell other people to do same.

 “If I am wearing a mask and you are not wearing you become a danger to me; so let's wear the mask particularly when we are in the public as the Covid-19 for this year is more dangerous than that of last year,” the governor cautioned.

For his part, the Mayor of Buea, David Mafani Namange told reporters that, his council will soon intensify the campaign in order to make people know that the danger is real. He said he will make provision for wash-hand points in public area with detergents and will be putting Covid19 sensitization banners in the days ahead in order to prevent the spread of the deadly disease.

Warned the mayor: “Vehicles - taxis and private cars that are found on the road with people without face masks are going to impounded.   The first fine will be payment of 50,000 FRS for impoundment and as each day passes an additional 3000 FRS.”

 Many residents said that, for the governor to lead the sensitization campaign    was indicative of the seriousness of the pandemic.

At Clerks Quarters, residents were shocked when a mentally sick girl joined the mayor in urging   vendors at Clerks Quarters to always put on their masks for their safety.

Anglophone Crisis: Cameroon Parliament should act now

. By Dr. Namanga Ngongi *

Dr. Namanga Ngongi

The month of February dashed all expectations that there would soon be a respite from the pain experienced by the population of the North West and South West Regions in January over the multiple killings of civilians and soldiers. 

War is brutal but the images of the brutal torture of a civilian in Ndu by elements of the armed forces where shocking. It was not so much the cries of the victim but the pleasure that some of the soldiers seemed to derive from their action.

The Government acknowledged responsibility and arrested those involved. We await the verdict. 

The 11th of February should have been a happy day, the 60th anniversary of the plebiscite that determined the future of Southern Cameroons, but a photo of a roasted baby was diffused in the social media. The blame game went into high gear, no one accepted responsibility for the fire. Three chiefs were abducted and killed in Lebialem.

 Of course there was a huge outcry and renewed out pouring of grief. Mutual accusations continued. As February drew to a close, news of major fighting and death of civilians and military emerged from Kumbo and Bali.

 In all of these happenings, it was the youths, both civilian and military who were brutally affected. The conflict is now in its fifth year but it does not seem to be any closer to a solution. Appeals have been made by the population, the clergy and the international community but to no avail. Mothers have organized several gatherings for mass weeping and have pleaded to their children to come out of the bushes and for the government to end the war but these cries have also seemingly fallen on deaf ears.

 The social media, newspapers and television stations have discussed the Anglophone crisis ad nauseam, offering in the course of time many plausible paths to a solution but the killing goes on. Despite the persistent calls for the Government and secessionists to work out a solution and stop the war this has not happened

. It may be because a very important segment of national decision making has not been fully engaged in this process, the Parliament. Cameroon has a Parliament/National Assembly that has three principal functions: scrutinize legislation, oversee government action and interact with the public

. These are important roles. The North West and South West Regions have 35 members of Parliament out of the 180 and 20 Senators out of 100. Representatives from the North West and South West Regions have a responsibility to convey to the National Assembly the feelings of the people in the two regions and work with the other representatives to find solutions to the current crisis but there has not been a formal debate on the crisis in Parliament. 

There have been statements and questions from a few Parliamentarians but these have not been well received by the leadership. The few who have attempted to formally introduce discussion of the crisis in Parliament and convey the pain being felt by the population, are hushed down and have had to muster extra-ordinary courage to hold their ground. 

We saw that in the case of Hon. Joseph Wirba, former Member of Parliament from Bui and before him, Hon. Ayah Paul from Akwaya. The images seen on television and the social media are not flattering. Parliament seems to have largely abdicated its role as the repository of sovereignty of the country. 

 To have ignored the Anglophone crisis for this long, except to express support for the actions of government and the recent memorandum of protestation against foreign interference signed by some 60 parliamentarians, does not in any way enhance the credibility of the institution, especially in the eyes of the population of the North West and South West Regions. Among the key roles of any Parliament is the responsibility to hold governments accountable.

 Accountability is not limited to examining government reports on successes and achievements but also to question failures. Even the most ardent supporters of the government cannot in good conscience deny the fact that a serious problem of governance has led to the current situation in the North West and South West Regions of the country. 

These need to be discussed and such a discussion can start in Parliament. Parliament has the responsibility to question the government and hold it accountable for the management of the Anglophone crisis. The earlier this is done the sooner we can expect to live in peace once again. Parliament’s discussion should not be considered a reprimand but an encouragement for the Government to reflect and do what is right. At a minimum, Parliament should have a formal debate on the crisis. At the end of such debate a resolution could be adopted with a view to encouraging the Government and Ambazonia leaders to meet, discuss and agree on a peace settlement.

 Even a non-binding resolution would be to the credit of Parliament. It is not honourable for Honourable Members of Parliament to remain seemingly deaf, blindfolded and mute over the most critical problem faced by the country since unification. 

Most rural based Parliamentarians from the North West and South West Regions are not able to reside within their constituencies. They have themselves become internally displaced. How do they then render services to the people they are supposed to represent? The next parliamentary session has been called for the 11th of March. 

This is an opportunity for Parliament to take on this important issue in the life of the country, discuss it and propose a path to a peaceful solution. Ideally, such a resolution should be tabled by Parliamentarians from the North West and South West Regions but that is not absolutely necessary. Other Regions of the country, especially the West, Littoral and Center Regions are also affected by the Anglophone crisis through the inflow of IDPs and the additional pressure on their already fragile social infrastructure

. The overall disruption of economic activity in the two Regions has had a negative impact on the national economy as resources that could have been used to improve living conditions of Cameroonians throughout the country are now diverted for military use. It is therefore in the interest of all Cameroonians that this conflict be brought to an end.

 The people as a whole should make it known to their Parliamentarians throughout the country that they should do what they were elected to do, hold the government accountable and propose a way forward. As representatives of the people, Parliamentarians should have some degree of moral authority over the secessionists. 

They should appeal to them on behalf of the suffering population and request that a mediated inclusive dialogue without preconditions be given a chance. Parliamentarians should demonstrate that they represent all the people in their constituencies.

 The population is in dire need of peace and Parliamentarians can contribute positively by encouraging discussions between the Government and secessionists. Such action on the part of the peoples’ representatives would generate some degree of hope, faith and confidence in the population. A military solution to a sociopolitical problem is not really a solution.

 The concerns that led to the crisis cannot be solved by bullets, torture, kidnapping or the burning of houses. A peaceful solution to the crisis, starting with a ceasefire, is urgently needed. It is important that Parliament takes action now. 

The longer the crisis lasts the more splinter groups will emerge. This will make it more difficult to reach a peace agreement. Should the Government and Ambazonia leadership pay heed to calls from the representatives of the people, there is a good chance that peace could be restored to the country before the 60th anniversary of unification. Parliament, having initiated action could then establish follow-up Committees to keep members regularly informed on progress being made in the implementation of a peace agreement.

 It is not reasonable nor is it honourable for the representatives of the people to ignore, for so long, this crisis that has caused so much destruction, destabilization, death and pain in the restive North West and South West Regions. Parliament should act and should act now before the situation gets to the point of no return.

 *Dr. Namanga Ngongi is a retired Under-Secretary General, Special Representative the Secretary General of the United Nations to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Head of the Peace Keeping Mission (MONUC).

MEDICARE DIAGNOSTIC CENTRE, Buea Launches Sensitization Campaign on Blood Group & COVID-19 Response.

 

MEDICARE testing for Blood Group

By Christopher Ambe

 MEDICARE Diagnostic Centre (MDC), a stand-alone clinical laboratory in Buea, capital of Southwest region of Cameroon, has launched a public sensitization campaign on blood group and COVID-19 response.

According to Edwin Achimbom Minang, Director of MDC and who is a medical laboratory scientist (chemical pathology), the sensation campaign is free and the public is urged to take advantage of the opportunity.

MDC has been operating in Buea for the past two decades.

The laboratory basically operates in the diagnosis of Common Tropical Diseases (CTDs), the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), Organ Function Tests, and employs the science in Hematology, Serology, Microbiology (Parasitology/ Mycology) & Chemical Pathology   to achieve its goals.

According to MDC,“The ABO grouping is a test performed to determine an individual’s blood type.”

With the present Corona Virus Disease-2019(COVID 19), it argues, “ it is important to understand the relationship between the ABO Blood Group and the COVID 19 susceptibility”

In a study that compared the ABO Blood group distribution in 2,173 patients with COVID 19 confirmed by SARS-CO-2 test from 3 hospitals in Wuhan and Shenzen in China, with that in normal individuals from the corresponding regions, the results showed that blood group A was associated with a higher risk for acquiring COVID-19 compared with non-A blood groups, whereas blood group O was associated with a lower risk for the infection compared with non-O blood Groups.

 The  Centre officials say  that ,Blood type may play a very important role in driving the severity among corona virus COVID -19 patients. Genetic studies (analysis) of COVID 19 patients have shown that people with blood type O seemed to be protected against severe stage of the disease. In contrast those with blood type A may experience complications linked with the viral infection-Associated Respiratory Failure (ARF).

Summarily, people with blood type A seem to be at a particular high risk of a severe course of COVID-19. They might be twice as likely to need an oxygen support supply or ventilation in the event of a corona virus infection as people with blood type 0.Eventhough the blood type 0 people are not protected against an infection with the virus, studies show they have the lowest risk of having a severe(complicated) case of the disease.

Ultimately, the outcome of the studies relating COVID- 19 and blood type may help in developing various drug treatments. Researchers have used similar approaches when searching for medications to fight other diseases. In the case of malaria, scientists have established a link between the disease and different blood types. For example, it is now known that people with blood type O very rarely develop severe malaria and are very-well protected against its most severe form.

The expected accomplishment of the campaign, according to the Center Director, are:

 -To ensure that people living within the Fako Division should have a better awareness on their Blood Group type and are delivered a Blood Group Identification Card.

-Making it possible that people within Fako Division can tell their blood group whenever need arises whether in critical health situations or when to save a life through blood transfusion.

-For a better and quicker response on their Health Care.

-To increase collaboration between Government, Private Sector and the Civil Society in Health Care and particularly the Covid-19 response.

(For more info about Medicare Diagnostic Centre, Contact Tel:(00237) 677932172, Email: medstic@gmail.com)

 

Cameroon: Taku Catherine Bags PhD in African Literature

Taku Catherine A. Ogork talks to the press after PhD defense

 

By Christopher Ambe

Teacher and author of children’s books, Taku Catherine Arrey-Ngang epse Ogork , Saturday February 6, joined the prestigious club of PhD holders, after brilliantly defending a thesis, which reveals that, men just like women are victims of gender-based violence .

But these (African) men, the work points out, are reluctant to report or make public the violence against them by women.

The defense of the thesis, titled “Gender-based violence in Post-Colonial Africa: An Intermedia Perspective” took place in the Board Room of the Faculty of Arts, University of Buea.

Taku Catherine’s successful defense   qualified her for the   award of a PhD in African Literature.

The five- member defense jury that assessed and approved   the research work for the PhD award   was chaired by Professsor Emmanuel Yenshu of the University of Buea.

 Other members were: Professor Kashim I. Tala(as internal examiner),Professor Eunice Ngongkum  from Yaounde ( External Examiner),Professor Nol Alembong of University of Buea (as supervisor) and Associate Professor Charles Teke of University of Buea (co-supervisor).

The research work, which took the candidate close to five years to complete, portrays that both men and women suffer violence, contrary to the   belief that it is women who are victims of gender-based violence.

According to the work, quite a significant number of men are victims of gender-violence but their situations are rarely brought to the light (even by the men themselves).

Before recommending the candidate for the PHD award, the Prof Yenshu-led jury was unanimous that Taku Catherine’s work was quite interesting and a worthwhile contribution to science. The jury admitted that claims in the work were founded, her approach excellent, the thesis clearly focused and organized.

Taku Catherine, in her work, advised that men should report cases of violence against them.

 “It is only by reporting violence against them (men) by themselves that solutions can easily be found.

“We should start training males and females as early as when they are still toddlers to know that, no sex are greater than the other. If boys are trained to respect girls I think violence will greatly reduce,” Taku   Catherine noted.

She also advised that when victims of violence report cases to authorities for remedy the latter should take it seriously.

Taku Catherine   observed that, there is a lot of violence in society.

“But what actually pushed me to work on this topic was a scene that I witnessed in which a wife actually packed her husband’s things and threw them out of the house; and the man came around for two days consecutively begging his wife; but what touched me more was the fact that, no one in society talked about it-because it was a woman in this case.

“I realized that men are going through a lot of tough times and someone needs to talk about it”.

The work, the jury agreed, would also let the public know that men are victims of gender-based violence, most of who are suffering in silence.

Taku Catherine Arrey gang, who is the Chief of Center for Teachers’ Resource Center in Buea, is the wife   of Dr. Bessong Ntui Ogork, General Manager   of Southwest Development Authority (SOWEDA),Buea , who  among other dignitaries, witnessed her spouse’s defense. She is also president of Manyu Women’s Association (MOHWA),Buea

Taku Catherine has authored several Children’s books and plans to publish her research work so to reach a significant section of the public with it.