Tiko:Over 17 m Fcfa raised for Ashong water project

Fongoh and Partners at the fundraiser In Tiko, Cameroon

By Zifac Fatima

The Ashong Cultural and development Association (ASCUDA), Mutengene Branch, hosted a successful 2024 Annual General Meeting () of ASCUDA on Saturday, November 6 at the Tiko Airport Hotel, during which the sum of over 17 million FCFa was raised in cash and pledges for the Ashong water rehabilitation an extension project. 

Ashong is a village in Batibo subdivision ,Momo Division of the Northwest Region of Cameroon. The village is in dire need of social facilities .It  is one of the biggest villages in Momo division, and is  a second-class fondom .

It is the most populated of  the 22 villages of Batibo Subdivision and is estimated to have an indigenous population of about 9000 people.

The AGM , which held under the theme "And water will flow" .was principally aimed at raising  funds for the  village's rehabilitation and extension of water network. 

The  crowd-pulling event  was   chaired by Tikum Vincent ,an Ashong elite and development advocate , and it was graced with the presence of  the Fon of Ashong, His Royal Highness  Mbafor Christopher III.

With an attendance of over 500 people,ASCUDA branches that answered present at the Tiko AGM included:Ashong,Bamenda, Buea, Mutengene, Douala, Yaounde, Limbe, Bolo, Baduma, Loum, Ediki Bombe, Ikiliwindi, Kanjo and the Diaspora 

Major  financial contributors at the fund raiser  included  Fongoh and Partners Real Estate Solutions Buea,  Tikum Scott and Mafor Anje who each donated One million FCFA . 

 ASCUDA host president, Neakoh Walters ,welcomed all the guests, noting  that Tiko was  a safe haven and likened Mutengene to Ashong II. He invited the ASCUDANational Exco to visit the Mutengene project site meant for   building  their cultral hall .

"Meeting houses built by various branches increase the assets and credibility of ASCUDA," he remarked.

Addressing his people, HRH Fon Mbafor III emphasized the importance of unity and collective efforts in the development and moddernisation of  Ashong. "The development of Ashong needs all our efforts and it is unfair for some people to shy away from making contributions geared towards development," the Fon said .  

Fon Mbafor appreciated ASCUDA Buea for taking the lead in developing Ashong and specially thanked Neye Maureen,an Ashong elite, from Maryland, USA for  her great contribution to ASCUDA 

He said the water project is of great importance to Ashong as water is life .

"We drink water but at times we have problems and that is why we want to solve those problems so that water can flow 24/7," he said 

Fon Mbafor appreciated the  association's national president and his team for their good governance and accountability and also applauded all the sons and daughters of ASCUDA.

 "The water project is a wonderful initiative .The present Exco has been doing a marvelous job and I think no other project can mobilize people like this water project, "the Fon  emphasized . 

ASCUDA  National   President, Mbah Timben John ,said  the target of fundraising was to have 36 million and encouraged branches to send in their development levies. He called on all the sons and daughters of Ashong to put hands on deck to  quicken the realization of  the water project .

Timben said the water system is old and the quality of the water has degraded and needs to be rehabilitated and extended due to the growing population of Ashong.  "We want to make sure water gets to every household, every hospital and every child in school in good quality in order to ensure the good health of the people," Mbah emphasized .

Ashong Women Social, Cultural and Development Association (AWOSCUDA,)  is an arm of ASCUDA. Its  general president, Teboh Magdalene ,said  Ashong Women are willing and ready to support the realization of  the water project.  "Women are the first beneficiary of the water ,for  this water extension and rehabilitation will help us in our farm works and domestic chores," she said , emphasizing  the importance of clean portable water 

Fon  Mbafor  III dancing with his people at the fundraiser

The pioneer General President of ASCUDA, Forsab Joseph, used the ceremony to give the history of the water project, which was launched in  November 1981 (43 years ago). He  disclosed that  the project was written by Dr. Mbah David .

Forsab also applauded the current leadership for sensitive and priority projects so far achieved like the roads, health facilities and electricity projects He  appreciated Fongoh and Partners Real Estate Solutions, Buea for their immeasurable contributions in giant projects.

One of  highlights of the event was cultural dance and HRH Fon Mbafor happily danced with his people.