By Tazoacha Asonganyi in Yaounde
Divisional Officer(DO), Fonya Felix Morfaw and other fallen heroes of the Bakassi peninsula were buried in their various villages of origin last weekend.
I have always had a mixture of conflicting emotions following the repeated carnage in Bakassi. A feeling of pride at the thought that there are citizens who serve the country with everything, including their lives; a feeling of frustration at the thought that our military is a helpless lot that submits to repeated, murderous attacks from "unidentified" gunmen to which they respond with terse communiqués to inform a bewildered citizenry; a feeling of suspicion that what we are witnessing in Bakassi may turn out to be more about intrigue and self interest than military business and national interest...!
It is usually said that war is politics by other means.
Therefore, it is when politics fails that war ensues. Politics is an art which when well practiced, provides an alternative for violence and bloodshed. It is to the credit of politics that Bakassi was won back to Cameroon not through war but through politics.
Politicians are usually not aware of the weight of the political responsibility they carry. Most have refused to heed the wisdom of a US Supreme Court judge that in politics, the most important office is the office of the citizen.
The citizen is most important because they hold the key to the fate of the country, which depends on their achievements, their talents, their services to the country... their patriotism! Patriotism is an obligation of citizenship, a sense of duty and sacrifice on behalf of the country.
You can attack patriotism frontally like those who are perpetrating massive embezzlement of public funds are doing, or you can attack it subtly by celebrating the wrong people as heroes, thus draining patriotism of its true meaning.
Legitimacy of government is advanced by the degree to which it nurtures and rewards patriotism... how much it keeps its own side of the patriotism deal.
There is symbolism in state burial because it honours and celebrates heroism and patriotism. Such symbolism is vividly caught by the manner in which other countries recognise and celebrate those they consider their fallen heroes through state burials.
A few examples will suffice.When the popular gospel musician Sonny Okosuns died some time ago, Nigeria gave him a state burial because he was considered "an epitome of celebration, freedom fighter, patriot and great Nigerian... with a thousand and one Okosuns waiting to be discovered and celebrated, in Nigeria..."When three urologists perished in a road accident in Ghana, the incident was described as "a national disaster" and they were given a state burial because of their achievements among "a handful of urologists in Ghana..."When fifteen soldiers died in a helicopter clash in Mongolia during their effort to put out a bush fire, the minister of Emergency immediately resigned stating that "I have no moral right to continue to hold the post of Minister of Emergency. I decided on resigning soon after the crash, but could submit my request to the Prime Minister only after the national state of mourning ... We failed to live up to our responsibility as we did not have any emergency preparedness plan..."
The government declared that "...the people of Mongolia have not faced any greater period of mourning, have not seen any greater loss of brave sons than this. These 15 died protecting their native land from wild fires. The State of Mongolia, on behalf of its people, salutes our fallen heroes..."
A free apartment was offered by the state to each of the 22 families whose men suffered the crash and a bank account was opened to help the families of the victims and survivors; ordinary people donated whatever they could; big business houses came forward generously...Barring Marc Vivien Foe, all those who have had state burials in Cameroon have been close associates of Paul Biya – ministers, former ministers, ambassadors, "states men"...
Our fallen heroes in Bakassi, whether they are those of 21 November 2007 or the recent ones of 9 June 2008 which included the DO of Kumbo Abedimo, have not received the attention from Cameroon that they truly deserve. It was not proper for the Head of State to spend up to ten days abroad following the 9 June incident before returning to the country. He should always remember that there are national calamities like these that can cause him to shorten his holidays to add to the symbolism that surrounds recognition of patriotism.
Someone may say that the dead were decorated with medals. Decoration with medals in Cameroon are more about the medallist deciding to fill candidature forms and knowing the right people, than about achievement, talent and service to the country.
The attribution of medals to our Bakassi fallen heroes instead of giving them state burials is a mockery of the concept of patriotism, and betrays not only government’s real intentions in Bakassi but also their concept of service and sacrifice for the country.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
EU Parliament Adopts Bloc-Wide Immigration Policy
Ireland’s rejection of the Lisbon Treaty has not stopped the European Parliament from passing laws that reach across the borders of the nations of Europe.
The European Union is facing a conundrum over what to do about Ireland rejecting the Lisbon Treaty. Some analysts have said that the Lisbon debacle as a whole could spell the end of the EU as a federal superstate. Despite the Lisbon setback, however, the European Union is not dialing down its political reach. On the contrary, the European Parliament is still passing laws on a federal superstate level.
On June 18, only six days after the Irish rejected the Lisbon Treaty, the European Parliament met in Strasbourg, France, to vote on a controversial new law that would establish a common EU policy for expelling illegal immigrants from the continent-wide bloc. This law was approved 369 to 197 with 106 abstentions. EU member states will have two years to implement the new rules. These reforms will not automatically apply in Britain and Ireland, which never joined the EU’s borderless Schengen Zone, or in Denmark, because it has negotiated an opt-out.
There are an estimated 8 million illegal immigrants within the 27 EU member states, but there has been no common EU policy on how to deal with this problem—until now. The new immigration policy, in part, stipulates:
EU member states may detain illegal immigrants for up to 18 months in specialized detention centers while deportation procedures are processed. EU member states may impose a reentry ban of up to five years on expelled immigrants who do not cooperate or are deemed a threat. EU member states must place illegal immigrants in specialized detention centers, not in prisons with convicted criminals. This new law has come under forceful criticism from the United Nations, human rights advocates, and developing countries. The UN high commissioner for human rights, Louise Arbour, said the new policy does not provide near enough protection for the vulnerable, while Bolivian President Evo Morales issued a statement comparing the EU’s detention centers to “concentration camps” for detainees.
Despite the criticism, however, the European Parliament remains firm in its resolve to implement these new rules across Europe. Lisbon or no Lisbon, the European Union will continue on its path toward federal superstate status—and eventually use even more drastic measures to crack down on problems like illegal immigration. For more information on where this path will lead, read “Europe’s Solution to Illegal Immigration” and “The EU and the Irish
Courtesy: http://www.thetrumpet.com/
The European Union is facing a conundrum over what to do about Ireland rejecting the Lisbon Treaty. Some analysts have said that the Lisbon debacle as a whole could spell the end of the EU as a federal superstate. Despite the Lisbon setback, however, the European Union is not dialing down its political reach. On the contrary, the European Parliament is still passing laws on a federal superstate level.
On June 18, only six days after the Irish rejected the Lisbon Treaty, the European Parliament met in Strasbourg, France, to vote on a controversial new law that would establish a common EU policy for expelling illegal immigrants from the continent-wide bloc. This law was approved 369 to 197 with 106 abstentions. EU member states will have two years to implement the new rules. These reforms will not automatically apply in Britain and Ireland, which never joined the EU’s borderless Schengen Zone, or in Denmark, because it has negotiated an opt-out.
There are an estimated 8 million illegal immigrants within the 27 EU member states, but there has been no common EU policy on how to deal with this problem—until now. The new immigration policy, in part, stipulates:
EU member states may detain illegal immigrants for up to 18 months in specialized detention centers while deportation procedures are processed. EU member states may impose a reentry ban of up to five years on expelled immigrants who do not cooperate or are deemed a threat. EU member states must place illegal immigrants in specialized detention centers, not in prisons with convicted criminals. This new law has come under forceful criticism from the United Nations, human rights advocates, and developing countries. The UN high commissioner for human rights, Louise Arbour, said the new policy does not provide near enough protection for the vulnerable, while Bolivian President Evo Morales issued a statement comparing the EU’s detention centers to “concentration camps” for detainees.
Despite the criticism, however, the European Parliament remains firm in its resolve to implement these new rules across Europe. Lisbon or no Lisbon, the European Union will continue on its path toward federal superstate status—and eventually use even more drastic measures to crack down on problems like illegal immigration. For more information on where this path will lead, read “Europe’s Solution to Illegal Immigration” and “The EU and the Irish
Courtesy: http://www.thetrumpet.com/
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Cameroon: Disturbing Absence of Public Toilets
By Mofor Samuel
The notion of hygiene and sanitation is much more of an illusion than a reality in most of our communities. In spite of all the noises made here and there on the improvement of personal and public hygiene, the situation is gradually but steadily moving from bad to worse.
The situation is such that that talking of a solution is a far- fetched dream. A high degree of orderly disorderliness is being manifested by individuals, families, socio- professional groups, the administration and companies at all levels and the community as a whole.
How does one explain the fact there is the persistence of environment – related diseases among the population despite the fact that most of these diseases can be easily prevented or are easily preventable? How can explain the fact that there is this acute shortage of health personnel particularly sanitary inspectors among others but emphasis is being laid on the training of medical and paramedical personnel? Worst still in the heat of the personnel crisis, government deploys people to work where they have little or no understanding of the assignment.
Sometimes, helpless in front of the situation, some of these persons openly say that they were not trained for that purpose. This shows that there is a lack of communication and understanding between policy makers, planners and the people. Or that those who take decisions are not square pegs in square holes.
Cameroon is a developing country and like every developing African country is not spared by the brunt of poverty. With the population not being able to afford for medical care, there is every reason to look for another alternative. This alternative must be one that would not make them to be dependent on medical care or curative medicine.
A much more holistic approach will be to inculcate the notion of preventive and promotional medicine among the Cameroonian population and communities. The training of technicians in this domain will be the first step that will go a long way to facilitate the task of improving the health status of the population particularly matters or issues related to environmental sanitation. Whether in houses, schools, offices, beaches, parks, traveling agencies, motor parks, markets etc, the state of hygiene and sanitation is far from being perfect. But then who is behind this imperfection? What accounts for this imperfection?
In a bid to attempt an answer to these questions, can we take a look at the way human waste is being disposed of in some public facilities? Most of our markets, offices, motor parks, traveling agencies, hospitals, beaches etc, do not have toilet facilities or if they have, it is much more of an eyesore . Either it is not being maintained or users do not use them properly thus forcing numerous others to devise not so very decent means to empty their bowels.
Drainage patterns, behind buildings, nearby bushes, behind stationary vehicles or just anywhere that one can relieve oneself of the body’s waste becomes fertile ground for urine and faeces. Woe betides anyone who unknowingly passes by as one is greeted by this pungent smell and ugly sight of urine or faeces. The truth is that most people rather than complain, would prefer “to discipline” their bowels until they get to their houses or a more convenient place.
Even those concerned, are often very indifferent to this state of affairs. Why are those concerned in the different establishments find it difficult to provide toilet to customers? Before issuing permit to function does the authorities take into consideration the comfort of the passengers?, looking at the specific case of traveling agencies. Why is it so difficult for councils to build toilets in markets and motor parks?
Above all, what makes it so difficult for councils to carry out routine checks of toilet facilities in private and public facilities-bars, traveling agencies, offices, beaches, markets and motor parks? For example it will help them to see how clean are the surroundings, do they have toilets at all, who clean them and how often?
Apparently one only needs to be hard pressed by the urge to empty one’s bowels in order to better appreciate the whole show- that is if one happens to find oneself in the market, motor park, traveling agency , office or any public facility.
Share this personal experience with this narrator. Having left Kribi very early in the morning for Douala, this commentator suddenly developed stomach upset along the way. In fact his bowels were rumbling and by the time he got to Douala the urge to empty his bowels became unbearable. Hard-pressed, he had to succumb to the pressure. Immediately he alighted from the bus, he headed to the office of the traveling agency and told the officer in charge about his problem. Luck was on his side as a nearby bar offered a payable toilet facility.
Once at the entrance, he paid a hundred francs only to be told that there was no toilet tissue, first inadequacy. The floor of the toilet was clean, there was no odour and one had to stoop to empty one’s bowels. The ceramic product of the toilet was kept clean but the tiles on the wall left much to be desired. Before I forget, the issue of no toilet tissue was ignored because the narrator had a pack of disposable handkerchief. Back to the tiles, they were brown with age of not being cleaned. A look at them at first sight will scare anyone.
The truth behind it all was that the soapy water used to clean the toilet’s floor often splashed and landed on the wall tiles with the cleaner failing to clean them as well. There were two full buckets of water at the disposal of the customer. One bucket was used to wash away all that could be washed away before using the toilet. The second bucket was used to flush the toilet proper.
Just imagine what could have happened to this commentator if there was no public toilet around? Therefore public toilets should be considered as a necessity and not as a far-fetched dream that is often very difficult if not impossible to realize.
As this commentator left the toilet, he called on the person in charge and reminded him on the need to clean the wall tiles as well. He went further to give the impression that he was a sanitary inspector which scared the young to the marrow. He told the young man that he did not come to scare him but to advise him on what needed to be done because any other sanitary or health officer would have brought him to book.
He concluded by telling the young man that he was rendering a commendable service to the public and that all he needed to do was to make the necessary adjustments to satisfy and meet up with the expectations of his customers but above all public hygiene.
The notion of hygiene and sanitation is much more of an illusion than a reality in most of our communities. In spite of all the noises made here and there on the improvement of personal and public hygiene, the situation is gradually but steadily moving from bad to worse.
The situation is such that that talking of a solution is a far- fetched dream. A high degree of orderly disorderliness is being manifested by individuals, families, socio- professional groups, the administration and companies at all levels and the community as a whole.
How does one explain the fact there is the persistence of environment – related diseases among the population despite the fact that most of these diseases can be easily prevented or are easily preventable? How can explain the fact that there is this acute shortage of health personnel particularly sanitary inspectors among others but emphasis is being laid on the training of medical and paramedical personnel? Worst still in the heat of the personnel crisis, government deploys people to work where they have little or no understanding of the assignment.
Sometimes, helpless in front of the situation, some of these persons openly say that they were not trained for that purpose. This shows that there is a lack of communication and understanding between policy makers, planners and the people. Or that those who take decisions are not square pegs in square holes.
Cameroon is a developing country and like every developing African country is not spared by the brunt of poverty. With the population not being able to afford for medical care, there is every reason to look for another alternative. This alternative must be one that would not make them to be dependent on medical care or curative medicine.
A much more holistic approach will be to inculcate the notion of preventive and promotional medicine among the Cameroonian population and communities. The training of technicians in this domain will be the first step that will go a long way to facilitate the task of improving the health status of the population particularly matters or issues related to environmental sanitation. Whether in houses, schools, offices, beaches, parks, traveling agencies, motor parks, markets etc, the state of hygiene and sanitation is far from being perfect. But then who is behind this imperfection? What accounts for this imperfection?
In a bid to attempt an answer to these questions, can we take a look at the way human waste is being disposed of in some public facilities? Most of our markets, offices, motor parks, traveling agencies, hospitals, beaches etc, do not have toilet facilities or if they have, it is much more of an eyesore . Either it is not being maintained or users do not use them properly thus forcing numerous others to devise not so very decent means to empty their bowels.
Drainage patterns, behind buildings, nearby bushes, behind stationary vehicles or just anywhere that one can relieve oneself of the body’s waste becomes fertile ground for urine and faeces. Woe betides anyone who unknowingly passes by as one is greeted by this pungent smell and ugly sight of urine or faeces. The truth is that most people rather than complain, would prefer “to discipline” their bowels until they get to their houses or a more convenient place.
Even those concerned, are often very indifferent to this state of affairs. Why are those concerned in the different establishments find it difficult to provide toilet to customers? Before issuing permit to function does the authorities take into consideration the comfort of the passengers?, looking at the specific case of traveling agencies. Why is it so difficult for councils to build toilets in markets and motor parks?
Above all, what makes it so difficult for councils to carry out routine checks of toilet facilities in private and public facilities-bars, traveling agencies, offices, beaches, markets and motor parks? For example it will help them to see how clean are the surroundings, do they have toilets at all, who clean them and how often?
Apparently one only needs to be hard pressed by the urge to empty one’s bowels in order to better appreciate the whole show- that is if one happens to find oneself in the market, motor park, traveling agency , office or any public facility.
Share this personal experience with this narrator. Having left Kribi very early in the morning for Douala, this commentator suddenly developed stomach upset along the way. In fact his bowels were rumbling and by the time he got to Douala the urge to empty his bowels became unbearable. Hard-pressed, he had to succumb to the pressure. Immediately he alighted from the bus, he headed to the office of the traveling agency and told the officer in charge about his problem. Luck was on his side as a nearby bar offered a payable toilet facility.
Once at the entrance, he paid a hundred francs only to be told that there was no toilet tissue, first inadequacy. The floor of the toilet was clean, there was no odour and one had to stoop to empty one’s bowels. The ceramic product of the toilet was kept clean but the tiles on the wall left much to be desired. Before I forget, the issue of no toilet tissue was ignored because the narrator had a pack of disposable handkerchief. Back to the tiles, they were brown with age of not being cleaned. A look at them at first sight will scare anyone.
The truth behind it all was that the soapy water used to clean the toilet’s floor often splashed and landed on the wall tiles with the cleaner failing to clean them as well. There were two full buckets of water at the disposal of the customer. One bucket was used to wash away all that could be washed away before using the toilet. The second bucket was used to flush the toilet proper.
Just imagine what could have happened to this commentator if there was no public toilet around? Therefore public toilets should be considered as a necessity and not as a far-fetched dream that is often very difficult if not impossible to realize.
As this commentator left the toilet, he called on the person in charge and reminded him on the need to clean the wall tiles as well. He went further to give the impression that he was a sanitary inspector which scared the young to the marrow. He told the young man that he did not come to scare him but to advise him on what needed to be done because any other sanitary or health officer would have brought him to book.
He concluded by telling the young man that he was rendering a commendable service to the public and that all he needed to do was to make the necessary adjustments to satisfy and meet up with the expectations of his customers but above all public hygiene.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Cameroon Job Seekers Told IVTC Buea Is Gateway To Employment
By Christopher Ambe ShuIt is high time Cameroonian youth and even holders of academic certificates who find it hard to secure jobs got enrolled in to Buea Intensive Vocational Training Centre (IVTC) for Office Employees, so to better prepare themselves for the job market, Becky Effoe(pictured), director of Buea IVTC, has said.
“Vocational training is not meant only for school drop outs as some people wrongly believe. It is for all of us! In fact, everybody stands a better chance of making the most with the marketable skills IVTC offers”
Becky Effoe, in an interview with The Recorder, said Buea IVTC is one of six public vocational training centers in the country and the only one catering for Cameroonians of English expression.
“IVTC is here to provide quality training to all who desire it, be they public or private sector workers or simply to individuals who feel the need to acquire or upgrade skills in office techniques, basic accounting and computer literacy and maintenance”, she noted.
She said IVTC offers diploma courses with duration of nine months, adding that its courses as at now have three specializations: Bilingual Secretary ship, Accounting Assistants and Computer Maintenance and Repairs. Some programs in the pipeline include: Dessigning and Organizing Computer Programs; Infography, and General Computer and Programming Language
The Director boasted, ‘Thousands have graduated from this center, many of whom are found in offices and financial institutions nationwide. The number involved in business ventures too is increasing”
Admission into IVTC, she noted, is either through an entrance examination or through direct negotiations with the centre.
Short/tailored certificate courses too are offered such as: office administration, secretarial procedures, stress and time management, meeting and minutes taking. Also, other courses are offered according to the clients’ needs.
Becky Effoe noted that, through government efforts, IVTC has evolved over the years and taking cognizance of the average Cameroonian budget twist, courses at IVTC are offered at much reduced cost. “And in some destitute cases, tuition has been free”
She appealed to parents, sponsors, and employers to take advantage of the training opportunities at IVTC.
“Go for the option of vocational training for your children, for yourself, for your employees or simply, encourage your friends. This is the sure route to self-employment. It is sure route to self-reliance. This is the shortest route out of idleness and its accompanying ills”, the director specially appealed to the public.
“Youth unemployment is a big issue for government and one of the ways it is rolling back this canker worm is through vocational training,” Becky Effoe remarked
According to the director, IVTC is connected to the National Employment Fund and the Integrated Support Project for Actors of the Informal Sector (PIASSI). These bodies provide advice and funds for people with the right ideas and skills, to set up self-employment ventures.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Cameroon: Ndian Division- Rich Yet In Abyss of Underdevelopment
Ndian is one of richest regions in terms of natural resources. Yet the area and its indigenes are too backwards in terms of development
By Mofor Samuel
This writer, a health educator, has rightly or wrongly been nicknamed by friends as a professional nomad because he would hardly let go an opportunity to travel round the country. During some such travels, he uses some of the most dangerous stretches of roads, thus he experiences a great deal of what Cameroon has as bad roads and sees its poor rural facilities. His travels within the country have had to do with community education and development.
And this is how recently he found himself going to Mundemba, the headquarters of Ndian Division, of Cameroon.Ndian is arguably one of the richest regions in Cameroon in terms of natural resources. Yet the area and its indigenes are too backwards in terms of development.
Having left Kumba town one fateful afternoon en route to Mundemba, this commentator was marveled by the beautiful vegetation and landscape starting with the palm plantations of Pamol, the ever -green forest, the never- ending water courses, the singing of birds, the mild temperature and the fresh air which overshadowed the poor state of the road and the overloaded Toyota Corolla transporting us from Kumba to Mundemba.
My trip to Mundemba was in June. Right in Mundemba, one could feel the presence of the Korup Park in the greenness, freshness and stillness of the environment. Korup is located some 8.8 km from Mundemba. From the SDO’s Office, which is located on top of one of several hills in town, one can have a panoramic view of the town as well the vegetation cover. In fact, anyone who admires nature will never ever regret it once in Mundemba or Ndian Division as a whole.
To quote from Cameroon Panorama of May 2007: “Ikassa centenary reminds us of Africa being the cradle of humanity and civilization, although the latter somehow eluded our continent and went elsewhere in the world bearing more fruits leaving Africa to suffer the predicament of un-enforced marginalization. We have been told of the richness of the Garden of Eden, and the splendour of the Holy City (not the city of Jerusalem). These two have a common characteristic of being a dwelling place of God Almighty. However a journey to Ikassa leaves one and many with the impression that Ndian Division as a whole remains a land of discovery, a land of promise, a land of glory with abundant natural resources; all attributes which liken this division to the Garden of Eden. Ndian Division could be a dwelling place for our God the omnipotent, the omnipresent, the omniscient, as it harbours the rich oil and fish Bakassi Peninsular and the World class Korup biodiversity reserve. We do believe, it is just a matter of time for this potential to be developed to transform Ndian Division into a paradise regained and not Milton’s Paradise lost.”
Going by the near standstill in infrastructure development in the division, there is every reason to raise eyebrows or even wonder aloud when one takes into consideration that this division possesses the wealth that can take care of its development and even extend a hand to others. Ndian Division lacks a good road network linking it to the rest of the country; most of the sub divisional headquarters are linked to the divisional headquarters by water, schools, hospitals, telecommunications facilities, security posts, electricity and offices are either lacking in personnel or in infrastructure or do not exist at all in some parts of the division. Coupled with that, the situation was compounded by the Bakassi crisis pitting Cameroon and Nigeria over the ownership of the peninsular. Part of the reason for the annexation of this peninsular by Nigeria could be linked or attributed to the almost complete abandonment of this peninsular and by extension the whole of Ndian Division by the powers that be.
The prevailing events in the area during the occupation of parts of the peninsular by Nigeria, gave the impression that the powers that be had one over- riding objective: to explore and exploit the natural , mineral and human resources of the division. During the crisis, residents were constantly subjected to wholesale savagery and brutality- the economy was devastated, their villages and towns were sacked and destroyed, their family and community life was broken, their environment polluted with filth and sorrow, with the stench of unburied corpses and the wailing of the bereaved and the maimed; their will to resist evil and personal and national humiliation had been effectively paralyzed; and greed, selfishness, callousness and hate reigned supreme. The result being that they became morally debased, mentally befogged, psychologically benighted, timid and docile, were lacking in initiative, devoid of self -confidence and of elevating aspirations.
Recently some elites as well as sons and daughters of this division began to raise their voices in an unequivocal protest against the prevailing deprivation, exploitation, oppression and humiliation of the people of Ndian Division. With awakened minds and growing intellectuals, they are able to discern the decades-old injustices done to Ndian Division. So far, one can say that they have achieved for their efforts, the concession for Ndian people to participate in the discussion of their own affairs. That not withstanding organizations and development associations have been formed in Ndian Division with the aim of winning for themselves the right to participate not merely in the discussion of their own affairs, but actually in the running of their own affairs.
Time has come for Ndian to prove to the world that it has a new breed of leaders who are alert, agile and sound, both in body and mind, a breed of leaders who are extremely clever, resourceful, fearless and positively aggressive; indeed,a breed of leaders who are ambitious, self- confident, justifiable proud and who rightly believe that they have a glorious destiny and can hold their own encounter whatsoever and wheresoever.
At the same time, it has a peculiar mass of people who are frantically loyal to their division and who though downtrodden, are conscious of their politico-economic rights, and when pushed to the wall, are prepared to fight for these rights at the risk of their lives.
This paper is coming up after a fact-finding mission from the United Nations in charge of the over seeing of the handing over of the peninsular to Cameroon, has just visited the area to assess the level of infrastructure development being carried out by the Cameroon government. Cameroon’s effective presence is felt administratively but in the area of social amenities, just very much still have to be done judging from press reports.
Some diplomatic missions have also been to the Ndian area to see how they can help to improve the lot of the population in Bakassi and Ndian division as a whole.
It is now left for the sons and daughters of this division to take the bull by the horns and strike the iron now that it is still very hot. Better still, stand up and fight for their own share of the cake now that the plight of Ndian Division has been brought to the limelight both nationally and internationally.
By Mofor Samuel
This writer, a health educator, has rightly or wrongly been nicknamed by friends as a professional nomad because he would hardly let go an opportunity to travel round the country. During some such travels, he uses some of the most dangerous stretches of roads, thus he experiences a great deal of what Cameroon has as bad roads and sees its poor rural facilities. His travels within the country have had to do with community education and development.
And this is how recently he found himself going to Mundemba, the headquarters of Ndian Division, of Cameroon.Ndian is arguably one of the richest regions in Cameroon in terms of natural resources. Yet the area and its indigenes are too backwards in terms of development.
Having left Kumba town one fateful afternoon en route to Mundemba, this commentator was marveled by the beautiful vegetation and landscape starting with the palm plantations of Pamol, the ever -green forest, the never- ending water courses, the singing of birds, the mild temperature and the fresh air which overshadowed the poor state of the road and the overloaded Toyota Corolla transporting us from Kumba to Mundemba.
My trip to Mundemba was in June. Right in Mundemba, one could feel the presence of the Korup Park in the greenness, freshness and stillness of the environment. Korup is located some 8.8 km from Mundemba. From the SDO’s Office, which is located on top of one of several hills in town, one can have a panoramic view of the town as well the vegetation cover. In fact, anyone who admires nature will never ever regret it once in Mundemba or Ndian Division as a whole.
To quote from Cameroon Panorama of May 2007: “Ikassa centenary reminds us of Africa being the cradle of humanity and civilization, although the latter somehow eluded our continent and went elsewhere in the world bearing more fruits leaving Africa to suffer the predicament of un-enforced marginalization. We have been told of the richness of the Garden of Eden, and the splendour of the Holy City (not the city of Jerusalem). These two have a common characteristic of being a dwelling place of God Almighty. However a journey to Ikassa leaves one and many with the impression that Ndian Division as a whole remains a land of discovery, a land of promise, a land of glory with abundant natural resources; all attributes which liken this division to the Garden of Eden. Ndian Division could be a dwelling place for our God the omnipotent, the omnipresent, the omniscient, as it harbours the rich oil and fish Bakassi Peninsular and the World class Korup biodiversity reserve. We do believe, it is just a matter of time for this potential to be developed to transform Ndian Division into a paradise regained and not Milton’s Paradise lost.”
Going by the near standstill in infrastructure development in the division, there is every reason to raise eyebrows or even wonder aloud when one takes into consideration that this division possesses the wealth that can take care of its development and even extend a hand to others. Ndian Division lacks a good road network linking it to the rest of the country; most of the sub divisional headquarters are linked to the divisional headquarters by water, schools, hospitals, telecommunications facilities, security posts, electricity and offices are either lacking in personnel or in infrastructure or do not exist at all in some parts of the division. Coupled with that, the situation was compounded by the Bakassi crisis pitting Cameroon and Nigeria over the ownership of the peninsular. Part of the reason for the annexation of this peninsular by Nigeria could be linked or attributed to the almost complete abandonment of this peninsular and by extension the whole of Ndian Division by the powers that be.
The prevailing events in the area during the occupation of parts of the peninsular by Nigeria, gave the impression that the powers that be had one over- riding objective: to explore and exploit the natural , mineral and human resources of the division. During the crisis, residents were constantly subjected to wholesale savagery and brutality- the economy was devastated, their villages and towns were sacked and destroyed, their family and community life was broken, their environment polluted with filth and sorrow, with the stench of unburied corpses and the wailing of the bereaved and the maimed; their will to resist evil and personal and national humiliation had been effectively paralyzed; and greed, selfishness, callousness and hate reigned supreme. The result being that they became morally debased, mentally befogged, psychologically benighted, timid and docile, were lacking in initiative, devoid of self -confidence and of elevating aspirations.
Recently some elites as well as sons and daughters of this division began to raise their voices in an unequivocal protest against the prevailing deprivation, exploitation, oppression and humiliation of the people of Ndian Division. With awakened minds and growing intellectuals, they are able to discern the decades-old injustices done to Ndian Division. So far, one can say that they have achieved for their efforts, the concession for Ndian people to participate in the discussion of their own affairs. That not withstanding organizations and development associations have been formed in Ndian Division with the aim of winning for themselves the right to participate not merely in the discussion of their own affairs, but actually in the running of their own affairs.
Time has come for Ndian to prove to the world that it has a new breed of leaders who are alert, agile and sound, both in body and mind, a breed of leaders who are extremely clever, resourceful, fearless and positively aggressive; indeed,a breed of leaders who are ambitious, self- confident, justifiable proud and who rightly believe that they have a glorious destiny and can hold their own encounter whatsoever and wheresoever.
At the same time, it has a peculiar mass of people who are frantically loyal to their division and who though downtrodden, are conscious of their politico-economic rights, and when pushed to the wall, are prepared to fight for these rights at the risk of their lives.
This paper is coming up after a fact-finding mission from the United Nations in charge of the over seeing of the handing over of the peninsular to Cameroon, has just visited the area to assess the level of infrastructure development being carried out by the Cameroon government. Cameroon’s effective presence is felt administratively but in the area of social amenities, just very much still have to be done judging from press reports.
Some diplomatic missions have also been to the Ndian area to see how they can help to improve the lot of the population in Bakassi and Ndian division as a whole.
It is now left for the sons and daughters of this division to take the bull by the horns and strike the iron now that it is still very hot. Better still, stand up and fight for their own share of the cake now that the plight of Ndian Division has been brought to the limelight both nationally and internationally.
Wetland Pollution: The Douala – Edea Basin case
Authorities must ,as a matter of priority ,get the population to ensure that Douala is rid of pollution.
By Mofor Samuel in Kribi
It has been observed yearly that, bio- chemical agents in the environment cause the premature death of millions of people world wide and ill- health or disablement of hundreds of millions more. Development strategies in some sectors of communities can have or not have adverse consequences for health and the environment.
Surprisingly, in spite of the fact that concerns for health usually underlies discussions about the environment, health itself is not specifically considered and is seldom given a high priority in development plans. A dramatic change is affecting Cameroonians from the Sahel scrubland through the savanna extending to the forest heartland of the Great South; the mangrove swamps along the coastline are not left out.
Our environment is greatly threatened by climatic change, influenced by pollution, global warming, drying out streams and rivers, deteriorating air quality in urban settlements, deforestation, bush fires, poor waste disposal, floods, carbon emission from factories and mostly second- hand vehicles and drought in some areas. This makes the land to become a baked, powder –dry desert. It is difficult to imagine how multicellular life can survive in such condition. This is because on the environmental front pollution, deforestation, extinction and global warming threaten future life on our planet.
With prices rising and earth resources being taxed more and more, will future generations be able to afford health care, quality food and sufficient fuel? In order to reduce their dependence on fossil fuel, some countries are investing heavily in bio- fuel, such as ethanol, derived from vegetation. Thus, for the first time in history, the human stomach is competing with automotive gas tank for the produce of available land. The resulting inflation in food prices is already being felt in Cameroon as well. Equally the disparity between the rich and the poor is growing, adding to social tensions.
Throw into this mix the spectre of global warming which may cause increased desertification [the Sahara desert is advancing with a great speed towards the south] and more extreme weather; many informed people are jittery about tomorrow. Even scientists too continue to observe the cascading effects of global warming on the planet’s complex ecosystems.
In an attempt to give health its rightful place at the centre of the discussion about the environment and development, WHO Director- General appointed an independent commission whose work and report focused particularly on food and agriculture, water, energy, industry, and urbanization. The report looked at the adverse effects on health and environment, in each case examining the negative outcomes of various sectorial policies and recommending approaches and action aimed at mitigating or preventing them. The discussion is underpinned by concern for the principles of a more equitable access to resources both within and without countries, and participation of the public in formulating, implementing and evaluating plans and projects.
Application of these principles is considered essential for the attainment of three global objectives set by the commission- achievement of a sustainable basis for health for all, attainment of an environment that promotes health and awareness by all individuals and organizations of their responsibility for health and its environmental basis.
As one enters Douala-Cameroon, from either the Bekoko or Ndogpassi end of the city, one is greeted by offensive odor and stuffed hot air emanating from the swampy area below the weighing station in Bekoko (Yapaki); and the grayish black water of the small river in Ndogpassi. If the colour and stench from the swamps in Yapaki reminds one of the mismanagement of industrial waste in the Bonaberi Industrial Zone, that of Ndogpassi brings to mind how industrial waste is being handled and treated in the Bassa Industrial Zone.
In fact, whether on the atmosphere, land or water and water sources, it is very difficult or impossible to imagine that there is a single source of water on this basin that can be declared completely free from pollution or pollutants. Going by the importance of wetlands to man, there is every reason to try to measure the degree of pollution of this basin considering the number of rivers, small streams and the vegetation. Giving that animal and plant life , agriculture, energy supply, fish, cool temperature and fresh air are some of the benefits that man derives from wetlands, condemning the pollution of these wetlands, by whosever need not be over emphasized.
When one looks at this basin, food and agriculture, water courses, energy supply, industries and urbanization are the main characteristics of the basin. But then, is there a healthy collaboration among them? Is one not struggling to eliminate or has completely eliminated if not made it impossible for the others to thrive or survive? Can it be said that the powers that be are consciously or unconsciously encouraging the state of affairs by not checking the excesses of the industries in particular as far as the pollution of this basin is concerned? The end result: diseases, social and economic chaos.
Whatever measures are taken by municipal authorities such as flower- planting around major roundabouts and drive ways, without fighting to put an end to this high degree of pollution by mostly industrial installations in the basin, large-scale pollution in the city will still be noticed from the stuffed air. Douala city dwellers equally need fresh air. The municipal authorities must as a matter of priority get the population to actively participate to ensure that Douala is rid of pollution. There should be no discrimination between the rich and the poor in the quest for the fresh air needed in the city. Individuals, families, communities, industries, administrative authorities must now understand they got themselves into this mess and they have got to get themselves out.
Only then can one begin to think that the damage done to this basin can be checked. On the whole, solutions to pollution on the Douala- Edea Basin will not require measures for which, almost certainly, no support will be found by counting votes or measuring consumer preferences.
By Mofor Samuel in Kribi
It has been observed yearly that, bio- chemical agents in the environment cause the premature death of millions of people world wide and ill- health or disablement of hundreds of millions more. Development strategies in some sectors of communities can have or not have adverse consequences for health and the environment.
Surprisingly, in spite of the fact that concerns for health usually underlies discussions about the environment, health itself is not specifically considered and is seldom given a high priority in development plans. A dramatic change is affecting Cameroonians from the Sahel scrubland through the savanna extending to the forest heartland of the Great South; the mangrove swamps along the coastline are not left out.
Our environment is greatly threatened by climatic change, influenced by pollution, global warming, drying out streams and rivers, deteriorating air quality in urban settlements, deforestation, bush fires, poor waste disposal, floods, carbon emission from factories and mostly second- hand vehicles and drought in some areas. This makes the land to become a baked, powder –dry desert. It is difficult to imagine how multicellular life can survive in such condition. This is because on the environmental front pollution, deforestation, extinction and global warming threaten future life on our planet.
With prices rising and earth resources being taxed more and more, will future generations be able to afford health care, quality food and sufficient fuel? In order to reduce their dependence on fossil fuel, some countries are investing heavily in bio- fuel, such as ethanol, derived from vegetation. Thus, for the first time in history, the human stomach is competing with automotive gas tank for the produce of available land. The resulting inflation in food prices is already being felt in Cameroon as well. Equally the disparity between the rich and the poor is growing, adding to social tensions.
Throw into this mix the spectre of global warming which may cause increased desertification [the Sahara desert is advancing with a great speed towards the south] and more extreme weather; many informed people are jittery about tomorrow. Even scientists too continue to observe the cascading effects of global warming on the planet’s complex ecosystems.
In an attempt to give health its rightful place at the centre of the discussion about the environment and development, WHO Director- General appointed an independent commission whose work and report focused particularly on food and agriculture, water, energy, industry, and urbanization. The report looked at the adverse effects on health and environment, in each case examining the negative outcomes of various sectorial policies and recommending approaches and action aimed at mitigating or preventing them. The discussion is underpinned by concern for the principles of a more equitable access to resources both within and without countries, and participation of the public in formulating, implementing and evaluating plans and projects.
Application of these principles is considered essential for the attainment of three global objectives set by the commission- achievement of a sustainable basis for health for all, attainment of an environment that promotes health and awareness by all individuals and organizations of their responsibility for health and its environmental basis.
As one enters Douala-Cameroon, from either the Bekoko or Ndogpassi end of the city, one is greeted by offensive odor and stuffed hot air emanating from the swampy area below the weighing station in Bekoko (Yapaki); and the grayish black water of the small river in Ndogpassi. If the colour and stench from the swamps in Yapaki reminds one of the mismanagement of industrial waste in the Bonaberi Industrial Zone, that of Ndogpassi brings to mind how industrial waste is being handled and treated in the Bassa Industrial Zone.
In fact, whether on the atmosphere, land or water and water sources, it is very difficult or impossible to imagine that there is a single source of water on this basin that can be declared completely free from pollution or pollutants. Going by the importance of wetlands to man, there is every reason to try to measure the degree of pollution of this basin considering the number of rivers, small streams and the vegetation. Giving that animal and plant life , agriculture, energy supply, fish, cool temperature and fresh air are some of the benefits that man derives from wetlands, condemning the pollution of these wetlands, by whosever need not be over emphasized.
When one looks at this basin, food and agriculture, water courses, energy supply, industries and urbanization are the main characteristics of the basin. But then, is there a healthy collaboration among them? Is one not struggling to eliminate or has completely eliminated if not made it impossible for the others to thrive or survive? Can it be said that the powers that be are consciously or unconsciously encouraging the state of affairs by not checking the excesses of the industries in particular as far as the pollution of this basin is concerned? The end result: diseases, social and economic chaos.
Whatever measures are taken by municipal authorities such as flower- planting around major roundabouts and drive ways, without fighting to put an end to this high degree of pollution by mostly industrial installations in the basin, large-scale pollution in the city will still be noticed from the stuffed air. Douala city dwellers equally need fresh air. The municipal authorities must as a matter of priority get the population to actively participate to ensure that Douala is rid of pollution. There should be no discrimination between the rich and the poor in the quest for the fresh air needed in the city. Individuals, families, communities, industries, administrative authorities must now understand they got themselves into this mess and they have got to get themselves out.
Only then can one begin to think that the damage done to this basin can be checked. On the whole, solutions to pollution on the Douala- Edea Basin will not require measures for which, almost certainly, no support will be found by counting votes or measuring consumer preferences.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Cameroon:Buea Motor Park and Poor Sanitation
The Council stands to gain a lot if its Motor Park is given a facelift.
By Mofor Samuel
Most visitors coming to Buea town, of Cameroon, for the first time are shocked by what goes around its motor park- dubbed Mile 17 Motor Park.Buea plays host to Cameroon’s lone Anglo-Saxon University. The motor park is an eyesore and its activities beg for good hygienic conditions and facilities
Buea council’s inability to provide basic sanitation facilities to the public is the first embarrassment to those who are pressed by their bowels. Infact, one easily sees men just urinating anywhere in the park area. For their part, women sneak in to backyards or bushes around the park area for same purpose. One realizes that the urge can be very strong for those coming to town for the first time. The sudden change in temperature in Buea, determines the necessary adjustment that the various systems of the human body particularly the excretory system have to make. Woe betides anyone who had been drinking some moments before take off to Buea.
The situation is even worse for those who wish to defecate. Do not have the ill- luck of having a sudden attack of diarrhea and expecting to relieve yourself upon arriving at Buea Motor Park. There is this young man who went to purchase plastic items in Kumba to be sold in Buea. While in Kumba, he ate fufu and eru. Before he got to Muea, his bowels started rumbling and he was pressed by so much so that he could hardly maintain himself on the seat. Infact he was so pressed that upon arrival at Mile 17 Motor Park, he abandoned his wares and rushed across the road without even looking out for if any vehicle was coming. He punched his way through the Texaco Filling Station, then tore his way into the sugar cane farms and barely had time to lower his underpants…you can guess the rest of the story. Strange enough, the owner of the farm stood by and watched the drama unfold. At first he almost took the intruder for a thief on the run, only to realize that the young man had a message from his bowels to deliver to Mother Nature. What an embarrassment to all and sundry! Man is being sent back to the primitive era when his animalistic instinct had an edge over his intellectual ability.
The recent construction of the CNPS edifice has compounded matters in showing the grim and ugly face of the motor park. Matters further worsened by the tarring of the Mutengene- Muea Highway. What is the essence of dividing the park into two-a small area covered with tar and a large area left uncovered exposing the population to the whims and caprices of dust and mud? Apartheid’s rebirth or just the real face of discrimination a la Camerounaise in the manner in which public facilities are being handled and treated? Even the Driver’s Union and Council staff have been forced to abandon their offices for the open air because they too cannot cope with the situation as at now. Couldn’t the council make arrangement for the tarring of the whole park given that it generates a lot of income from the park?
Another disgusting picture is that of dirt everywhere- sugar cane peelings, waterproof papers, very bushy roundabout, haphazard display of articles, foodstuff sold in not so good hygienic conditions, empty containers everywhere, no pipe borne water, and a near complete disorder as to who does what, when and how that might result to keep the entire park dirty or unclean.
Garbage collection services are inadequate or non-existent around the park area. One cannot be over-estimating to say close to between 30-50% of solid waste generated within the confines of the park area are left uncollected. It accumulates on the park and the open spaces around the Mile17 area causing serious health problems.
Garbage left uncollected invites flies; these flies promote the transmission of infections. It also attracts rats; it can be a serious fire hazard; and also blocks drainage channels increasing health problems related to flooding.
Keeping the entire park clean should not only be when there is an event of national or international magnitude. Also the poor image of this park and its sanitation picture in particular, bring two things to mind: the indifference and the incompetence of the authorities in charge of the hygiene and sanitation situation of the town, given that the park is the gateway into the town.
Even the projectors at the Mile 17 Roundabout are still to shine; this also applies to the other street lamps which reckless drivers keep knocking down one by one. At the end of the day the whole issue looks so ridiculous for a town like Buea.
The council has all it takes to reverse and change the face and shape of things. With the huge sums generated from the park, it just needs to set up and organize a hygiene and sanitation team for the park in collaboration with the Driver’s Union, Buea Health District and other interested parties to cater for the hygiene and sanitation situation of the park. This team whose workers must rotate monthly to guarantee equal participation and fairness will have amongst other as task: to organize the activities of the park- loading and of-loading , selling of items, entering and leaving the park, guarantee the security of passengers and their belongings, take care of the cleanliness of the park, ensure the proper use of toilets to be constructed by the council, make sure there is proper lighting at night, make sure people do not litter the place, take care of the waiting hall(s) to be constructed by the council, supervise any other activity around the park and submit daily reports to the council which will have the responsibility to share with other collaborators. At first the council can vote a budget to kick start the project(s), then when everything is in full gear, funds generated from the different activities to pay workers and those involved in the other activities that guarantee the cleanliness and orderliness in the park. The council will just be in charge of general supervision-income, expenditure and balance on a monthly basis. Income generated at the park should be used first for the upkeep of the park and the surplus is channeled to other areas of development. The council should try to make the park to function round the clock and workers to rotate from one shift to the other.
To ensure sustainability, public opinion must be sought and their concern taken into consideration before implementing whatever project that hinges on the hygiene and sanitation in the motor park. Buea Council stands to gain a lot if the Mile 17 Motor Park is given the befitting look it deserves.
By Mofor Samuel
Most visitors coming to Buea town, of Cameroon, for the first time are shocked by what goes around its motor park- dubbed Mile 17 Motor Park.Buea plays host to Cameroon’s lone Anglo-Saxon University. The motor park is an eyesore and its activities beg for good hygienic conditions and facilities
Buea council’s inability to provide basic sanitation facilities to the public is the first embarrassment to those who are pressed by their bowels. Infact, one easily sees men just urinating anywhere in the park area. For their part, women sneak in to backyards or bushes around the park area for same purpose. One realizes that the urge can be very strong for those coming to town for the first time. The sudden change in temperature in Buea, determines the necessary adjustment that the various systems of the human body particularly the excretory system have to make. Woe betides anyone who had been drinking some moments before take off to Buea.
The situation is even worse for those who wish to defecate. Do not have the ill- luck of having a sudden attack of diarrhea and expecting to relieve yourself upon arriving at Buea Motor Park. There is this young man who went to purchase plastic items in Kumba to be sold in Buea. While in Kumba, he ate fufu and eru. Before he got to Muea, his bowels started rumbling and he was pressed by so much so that he could hardly maintain himself on the seat. Infact he was so pressed that upon arrival at Mile 17 Motor Park, he abandoned his wares and rushed across the road without even looking out for if any vehicle was coming. He punched his way through the Texaco Filling Station, then tore his way into the sugar cane farms and barely had time to lower his underpants…you can guess the rest of the story. Strange enough, the owner of the farm stood by and watched the drama unfold. At first he almost took the intruder for a thief on the run, only to realize that the young man had a message from his bowels to deliver to Mother Nature. What an embarrassment to all and sundry! Man is being sent back to the primitive era when his animalistic instinct had an edge over his intellectual ability.
The recent construction of the CNPS edifice has compounded matters in showing the grim and ugly face of the motor park. Matters further worsened by the tarring of the Mutengene- Muea Highway. What is the essence of dividing the park into two-a small area covered with tar and a large area left uncovered exposing the population to the whims and caprices of dust and mud? Apartheid’s rebirth or just the real face of discrimination a la Camerounaise in the manner in which public facilities are being handled and treated? Even the Driver’s Union and Council staff have been forced to abandon their offices for the open air because they too cannot cope with the situation as at now. Couldn’t the council make arrangement for the tarring of the whole park given that it generates a lot of income from the park?
Another disgusting picture is that of dirt everywhere- sugar cane peelings, waterproof papers, very bushy roundabout, haphazard display of articles, foodstuff sold in not so good hygienic conditions, empty containers everywhere, no pipe borne water, and a near complete disorder as to who does what, when and how that might result to keep the entire park dirty or unclean.
Garbage collection services are inadequate or non-existent around the park area. One cannot be over-estimating to say close to between 30-50% of solid waste generated within the confines of the park area are left uncollected. It accumulates on the park and the open spaces around the Mile17 area causing serious health problems.
Garbage left uncollected invites flies; these flies promote the transmission of infections. It also attracts rats; it can be a serious fire hazard; and also blocks drainage channels increasing health problems related to flooding.
Keeping the entire park clean should not only be when there is an event of national or international magnitude. Also the poor image of this park and its sanitation picture in particular, bring two things to mind: the indifference and the incompetence of the authorities in charge of the hygiene and sanitation situation of the town, given that the park is the gateway into the town.
Even the projectors at the Mile 17 Roundabout are still to shine; this also applies to the other street lamps which reckless drivers keep knocking down one by one. At the end of the day the whole issue looks so ridiculous for a town like Buea.
The council has all it takes to reverse and change the face and shape of things. With the huge sums generated from the park, it just needs to set up and organize a hygiene and sanitation team for the park in collaboration with the Driver’s Union, Buea Health District and other interested parties to cater for the hygiene and sanitation situation of the park. This team whose workers must rotate monthly to guarantee equal participation and fairness will have amongst other as task: to organize the activities of the park- loading and of-loading , selling of items, entering and leaving the park, guarantee the security of passengers and their belongings, take care of the cleanliness of the park, ensure the proper use of toilets to be constructed by the council, make sure there is proper lighting at night, make sure people do not litter the place, take care of the waiting hall(s) to be constructed by the council, supervise any other activity around the park and submit daily reports to the council which will have the responsibility to share with other collaborators. At first the council can vote a budget to kick start the project(s), then when everything is in full gear, funds generated from the different activities to pay workers and those involved in the other activities that guarantee the cleanliness and orderliness in the park. The council will just be in charge of general supervision-income, expenditure and balance on a monthly basis. Income generated at the park should be used first for the upkeep of the park and the surplus is channeled to other areas of development. The council should try to make the park to function round the clock and workers to rotate from one shift to the other.
To ensure sustainability, public opinion must be sought and their concern taken into consideration before implementing whatever project that hinges on the hygiene and sanitation in the motor park. Buea Council stands to gain a lot if the Mile 17 Motor Park is given the befitting look it deserves.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Cameroon:How To Fight Corruption.
By A. S. Ngwana, Chairman, Cardinal Democratic Party.
After the shameful and disgraceful unconstitutional and illegal amendment of the Constitution in April this year, Cameroon is now going through a dangerous period of uncertainty and apprehension which calls for prayers to avoid catastrophe, calamity and complete chaos.
However we must tackle some urgent matters which affect our standards of living, growth and economic development. The economy is terribly affected, our standards of living are falling, and Cameroon is regressing instead of progressing
Corruption and Embezzlement Of Funds.
In 1987, the President of the Cameroon Democratic Party, (now Cardinal Democratic Party) CDP, in his address to the Cameroon community in London sounded the alarm that the economy was getting into serious trouble. In that address, he highlighted the following reasons for the economic malaise:
“Institutionalized corruption and embezzlement of public funds,
gross mismanagement of the economy and global fall in prices of raw material”. (Note that crude oil was then $14 per barrel, now it is more than $200 per barrel)
In 1999, The Prime Minister, Mr. Peter Mafany Musonge on National Television said “the government is corrupt from top to bottom”
Again on March 12, 2000 The Herald News paper reported that the Chief Justice of the North West Province, Justice Tengen Pius admitted that some magistrates in the region are so corrupt that their professional malpractice not only marred the image of the judiciary but was also responsible for the increasing loss of confidence in the courts. “We are aware of the situation where some magistrates have transformed their chambers into business premises where justice is sold for money instead of applying the law as it should be” he said
We are appalled that for more than 20 years today since the alarm was raised in London, President Biya has made no concrete move to stop corruption. The excuse he gave was that there was NO EVIDENCE.
Thank God, today America and other foreign countries have provided EVIDENCE of the accounts of some Cameroonians with huge balances of laundry money.
According to reliable information, there are nearly 50 Cameroonians, civil servants and Directors of public corporations who have the equivalent of more than 3 billion francs in their accounts and assets.
These figures are staggering and frightening, because none of these people could have this money if they did not steal it.
Since last year only a few people have been arrested and only a few of the arrested ones have been tried and convicted and none of the embezzled money or properties have been recovered.
The pace at which the investigations are taking place, is too slow. Most of these criminals will cover up their loot before they are caught.
1. We suggest that a special Task Force should be set up immediately to investigate all suspected cases of corruption, bribery, embezzlement and stealing of government, corporations and parastatals, funds.
2. This Task Force should be made up of security personal, government auditors, and accountants and external auditors from reputable private firms or companies.
3. It shall be the duty and responsibility of every Cameroonian to report to this Task Force in writing or by word of mouth any suspected cases of bribery and corruption, fraud, stealing or embezzlement. All cases so reported must be investigated immediately by the Task Force and suspected culprits brought to court. Any persons reporting to the Task Force shall be protected by immunity from liability of defamation or libel.
4.
Special Tribunals headed by Judges of the Supreme Court or Court of Appeal are to be set up to try with dispatch all cases forwarded to them by the Task Force.
5. Only in very special cases should appeals be granted and bail only granted if twice the amount involved has been deposited in cash to the Court. We are fighting a war against hardened and merciless criminals.
6. If found guilty, the accused is to be given a maximum penalty ranging from 30 years to life imprisonment, all the monies recovered, and all properties acquired before and after the crime most be confiscated and forfeited to the State.
7. In this exercise, there shall be no “regional balancing” because the criminals never thought of “regional balancing” when they where stealing.
8. The President, Prime Minister, Parliamentarians, Judges, Heads of Government Departments, Army and Police Chiefs, Directors and Chief executives of corporations and parastatals, must declare their assets on joining and leaving the service. Any unaccounted assets or money must be forfeited to the State.
9. Cameroon is going through the worst period of its history.
We must declare war on corruption and prosecute it seriously.
The thieves are occupying very high positions in Cameroon, but our collective effort will bring all of them down.
If these monies were not stolen, we would have moved from the World Bank’s ranking of “middle income” category of developing countries, in 1987, to the “rich” category of developed countries today. In 1987 our GDP per capita was $1,262 but by 2000 it had dropped to $580 per capita. We have fallen to be among the poorest countries of the world and are happy to have our loans and debts written off. We should bury our heads in shame. We most stop this downward slide into chaos. Every year billions of francs CFA, are voted for roads, schools, hospitals etc, but the situation gets worse. Our standards of living keep falling, our country keeps growing poorer every year. The government is selling all government corporations and parastalals, liquidating some and creating unprecedented joblessness in the country. These thieves are killing us and they should be treated as “ armed robbers”.
Cameroon is now a high risk investment country and is not attracting any more foreign investors.
If we do not fight corruption seriously we shall remain poor for ever.
The window-dressing exercise going on now to impress the International Community that we are fighting corruption is not enough, we have to show that we mean business to fight corruption. If we don’t, the International Community should bring pressure to bear on the government as it did to force the CPDM government in 1990 to allow multi-party politics in Cameroon. We again appeal to lovers of democracy, to the International Community, and friends of Cameroon, to come to our assistance. Economic and diplomatic pressure should be brought to bear on President Paul Biya and his government to relent in their negative ways, to practice democratic principles and good governance. As in 1990, all aid, grants and loans to the Biya Government should be linked or tied to the observance of human rights, democratic principles and accountability, to ensure that the monies do not end up in foreign private bank accounts.
The Common Wealth should be ashamed that it is now a “toothless bull dog”, unable to enforce even minimum standards of good governance, among its members, impotent to intervene in the gross violation of its principles, and blind to the cronyism that have robbed it of any political or moral weight. The Common Wealth has become a caricature of its own powerlessness; hence the Cameroon Government can treat it with scorn and contempt, ignoring all its pleas.
After the shameful and disgraceful unconstitutional and illegal amendment of the Constitution in April this year, Cameroon is now going through a dangerous period of uncertainty and apprehension which calls for prayers to avoid catastrophe, calamity and complete chaos.
However we must tackle some urgent matters which affect our standards of living, growth and economic development. The economy is terribly affected, our standards of living are falling, and Cameroon is regressing instead of progressing
Corruption and Embezzlement Of Funds.
In 1987, the President of the Cameroon Democratic Party, (now Cardinal Democratic Party) CDP, in his address to the Cameroon community in London sounded the alarm that the economy was getting into serious trouble. In that address, he highlighted the following reasons for the economic malaise:
“Institutionalized corruption and embezzlement of public funds,
gross mismanagement of the economy and global fall in prices of raw material”. (Note that crude oil was then $14 per barrel, now it is more than $200 per barrel)
In 1999, The Prime Minister, Mr. Peter Mafany Musonge on National Television said “the government is corrupt from top to bottom”
Again on March 12, 2000 The Herald News paper reported that the Chief Justice of the North West Province, Justice Tengen Pius admitted that some magistrates in the region are so corrupt that their professional malpractice not only marred the image of the judiciary but was also responsible for the increasing loss of confidence in the courts. “We are aware of the situation where some magistrates have transformed their chambers into business premises where justice is sold for money instead of applying the law as it should be” he said
We are appalled that for more than 20 years today since the alarm was raised in London, President Biya has made no concrete move to stop corruption. The excuse he gave was that there was NO EVIDENCE.
Thank God, today America and other foreign countries have provided EVIDENCE of the accounts of some Cameroonians with huge balances of laundry money.
According to reliable information, there are nearly 50 Cameroonians, civil servants and Directors of public corporations who have the equivalent of more than 3 billion francs in their accounts and assets.
These figures are staggering and frightening, because none of these people could have this money if they did not steal it.
Since last year only a few people have been arrested and only a few of the arrested ones have been tried and convicted and none of the embezzled money or properties have been recovered.
The pace at which the investigations are taking place, is too slow. Most of these criminals will cover up their loot before they are caught.
1. We suggest that a special Task Force should be set up immediately to investigate all suspected cases of corruption, bribery, embezzlement and stealing of government, corporations and parastatals, funds.
2. This Task Force should be made up of security personal, government auditors, and accountants and external auditors from reputable private firms or companies.
3. It shall be the duty and responsibility of every Cameroonian to report to this Task Force in writing or by word of mouth any suspected cases of bribery and corruption, fraud, stealing or embezzlement. All cases so reported must be investigated immediately by the Task Force and suspected culprits brought to court. Any persons reporting to the Task Force shall be protected by immunity from liability of defamation or libel.
4.
Special Tribunals headed by Judges of the Supreme Court or Court of Appeal are to be set up to try with dispatch all cases forwarded to them by the Task Force.
5. Only in very special cases should appeals be granted and bail only granted if twice the amount involved has been deposited in cash to the Court. We are fighting a war against hardened and merciless criminals.
6. If found guilty, the accused is to be given a maximum penalty ranging from 30 years to life imprisonment, all the monies recovered, and all properties acquired before and after the crime most be confiscated and forfeited to the State.
7. In this exercise, there shall be no “regional balancing” because the criminals never thought of “regional balancing” when they where stealing.
8. The President, Prime Minister, Parliamentarians, Judges, Heads of Government Departments, Army and Police Chiefs, Directors and Chief executives of corporations and parastatals, must declare their assets on joining and leaving the service. Any unaccounted assets or money must be forfeited to the State.
9. Cameroon is going through the worst period of its history.
We must declare war on corruption and prosecute it seriously.
The thieves are occupying very high positions in Cameroon, but our collective effort will bring all of them down.
If these monies were not stolen, we would have moved from the World Bank’s ranking of “middle income” category of developing countries, in 1987, to the “rich” category of developed countries today. In 1987 our GDP per capita was $1,262 but by 2000 it had dropped to $580 per capita. We have fallen to be among the poorest countries of the world and are happy to have our loans and debts written off. We should bury our heads in shame. We most stop this downward slide into chaos. Every year billions of francs CFA, are voted for roads, schools, hospitals etc, but the situation gets worse. Our standards of living keep falling, our country keeps growing poorer every year. The government is selling all government corporations and parastalals, liquidating some and creating unprecedented joblessness in the country. These thieves are killing us and they should be treated as “ armed robbers”.
Cameroon is now a high risk investment country and is not attracting any more foreign investors.
If we do not fight corruption seriously we shall remain poor for ever.
The window-dressing exercise going on now to impress the International Community that we are fighting corruption is not enough, we have to show that we mean business to fight corruption. If we don’t, the International Community should bring pressure to bear on the government as it did to force the CPDM government in 1990 to allow multi-party politics in Cameroon. We again appeal to lovers of democracy, to the International Community, and friends of Cameroon, to come to our assistance. Economic and diplomatic pressure should be brought to bear on President Paul Biya and his government to relent in their negative ways, to practice democratic principles and good governance. As in 1990, all aid, grants and loans to the Biya Government should be linked or tied to the observance of human rights, democratic principles and accountability, to ensure that the monies do not end up in foreign private bank accounts.
The Common Wealth should be ashamed that it is now a “toothless bull dog”, unable to enforce even minimum standards of good governance, among its members, impotent to intervene in the gross violation of its principles, and blind to the cronyism that have robbed it of any political or moral weight. The Common Wealth has become a caricature of its own powerlessness; hence the Cameroon Government can treat it with scorn and contempt, ignoring all its pleas.
Friday, June 13, 2008
The Advent of Barack Obama!
By Tazoacha Asonganyi
The euphoria that has greeted the victory of Barack Obama in Africa can only be compared to that which greeted the election of Kofi Annan as the Secretary General of the United Nations some years ago.
To some, Obama’s feat is a signal that the hour of the black race to dominate the world as predicted by Colonel Ghadafi has come!
Such wishful thinking is indicative of the fact that even if we have refused to organize and prepare ourselves for such a possibility, we would be happy if it came our way!
It is the regular changes imposed by presidential term limits in the USA that allow people like Barack Obama to emerge from relative obscurity. Indeed, Barack Obama may never have emerged if the first president that took up office in the USA in 1789 and subsequent ones each served for 20 years or more!
To qualify to dominate the world, there must be appropriate processes that allow us to regularly identify the best among us to lead the way in all domains. This is why it is appropriate to revisit the recent debate on Presidential term limits in Cameroon which featured the usual classical arguments on the issue, except that it was taking place in a poor, underdeveloped country that needs innovative and strategic thinking to turn the country around.Those who were against term limits were mainly barons of the regime in place.
They argued that a "good" president could be lost through term limits; that the two-term limit is undemocratic because it limits voter choice; that in some western democracies there are no term limits for the heads of executive branches; that some policies require long term leadership to ensure their success...Those who were for term limits were mainly those who think that our society has to constantly renew itself to meet the various challenges of bringing prosperity to the country.
They argued that the role of President of the Republic is so important that unlimited terms may breed elective dictatorship; that unlimited terms allow the use of the advantages of incumbency to win election after election; that the longer a specific individual is in place and has the potential to continue to be in place in the future, the greater the chance that council, legislative and regional elections would be fixed to ensure personal support for him nationally; that the longer the tenure, the greater the chance for corruption; that no one man is greater than the office of President, the more reason why Ahidjo "the father of the nation" went and the presidency continued to function; that in our multi-ethnic, bi-national country, the best option for just and equitable rule is to have term limits that allow regular changes in the Presidency to manage our diversity; that the checks and balances that allow the legislative and judicial branches to control the executive in western democracies are absent in Cameroon where the president of the republic is the "head" not only of the executive but also of the legislative and judicial branches; that if the people really support the policies of the incumbent, the party the President belongs to can continue them when his term is up...The term-limit debate was therefore about the best form of an executive branch that should lead governance processes in Cameroon.
Unfortunately, it was turned around to become a debate for or against Paul Biya. Having decided to put personal interest over national interest, we can surely not seek to eat our cake and have it! The processes that familiarized us with Barack Obama do not resemble those that allowed us to conduct and decide on the outcome of the term limit debate...The people in every society that seeks to dominate the world are inherently plural with different opinions, different points of view, different passions... They are always debating issues, in permanent struggle, in permanent self-reflection and permanently engaged in self-criticism.
These activities open the society to challenge, innovation and change. Since 1982, we have zigzagged from no-term-limits to term-limits and back to no-term-limits to satisfy a single individual! Such zigzagging cannot be said to be characteristic of people who are even imagining that they can one day rule the world... or produce a welcome surprise for the world, like Barack Obama!
The manner in which the term-limits debate was conducted and resolved is symbolic of the personalized and haughty manner in which governance business is conducted in Cameroon. This gags our society and constitutes a major impediment for those who pretend to be preparing to dominate the world. A second impediment is our lack of both a framework of governance and a form of state laid down in a constitution of Cameroon that is accepted by all stakeholders.
The present constitution, cherished by the party in power is contested by political parties in the country, since each has its own "constitution" for Cameroon that they would "adopt" if they got to power. It is also contested by civil society groups like the All Anglophone Conference that proposed its own constitution for Cameroon in 1993.
Further, there is presently a call from within some political parties like the feminist Coordination of alternative forces that is clamouring for the holding of a "Peoples’ Assembly" to debate and adopt a framework of governance in Cameroon.
The country that has thrust Barack Obama to the fore has a framework for the organization of government laid out in their Constitution that is unanimously accepted by all stakeholders in the USA. Their constitution provides a solid foundation on which politics and political processes are conducted, to the benefit of all. Unfortunately, we lack such a solid, firm and unshakeable foundation for our country.
One of the principal failures of the regime in Cameroon is its refusal to heal this rift on constitutionalism by facilitating the provision of a framework for governance that is acceptable to all of us, without discrimination of political party, ethnic group, factional interest or other considerations. Without such a solid foundation, we are unable to stand up in the world, not to talk of aspiring to dominate it!We need a framework of governance that depersonalizes the conduct of issues of national interest, and gives citizens equal opportunity to pursue their happiness and wellbeing.
The absence of agreement on the supreme law of the land alienates stakeholders and leaves them quarrelling over trivialities, instead of freeing citizens to engage in individual, reasoned actions and productive efforts to bring prosperity to our society.
This is why the time to dominate the world still has to wait. But we should not fail to learn the "lesson from America": that in an appropriate environment, Africans can be just as good, sometimes better than other peoples!
The euphoria that has greeted the victory of Barack Obama in Africa can only be compared to that which greeted the election of Kofi Annan as the Secretary General of the United Nations some years ago.
To some, Obama’s feat is a signal that the hour of the black race to dominate the world as predicted by Colonel Ghadafi has come!
Such wishful thinking is indicative of the fact that even if we have refused to organize and prepare ourselves for such a possibility, we would be happy if it came our way!
It is the regular changes imposed by presidential term limits in the USA that allow people like Barack Obama to emerge from relative obscurity. Indeed, Barack Obama may never have emerged if the first president that took up office in the USA in 1789 and subsequent ones each served for 20 years or more!
To qualify to dominate the world, there must be appropriate processes that allow us to regularly identify the best among us to lead the way in all domains. This is why it is appropriate to revisit the recent debate on Presidential term limits in Cameroon which featured the usual classical arguments on the issue, except that it was taking place in a poor, underdeveloped country that needs innovative and strategic thinking to turn the country around.Those who were against term limits were mainly barons of the regime in place.
They argued that a "good" president could be lost through term limits; that the two-term limit is undemocratic because it limits voter choice; that in some western democracies there are no term limits for the heads of executive branches; that some policies require long term leadership to ensure their success...Those who were for term limits were mainly those who think that our society has to constantly renew itself to meet the various challenges of bringing prosperity to the country.
They argued that the role of President of the Republic is so important that unlimited terms may breed elective dictatorship; that unlimited terms allow the use of the advantages of incumbency to win election after election; that the longer a specific individual is in place and has the potential to continue to be in place in the future, the greater the chance that council, legislative and regional elections would be fixed to ensure personal support for him nationally; that the longer the tenure, the greater the chance for corruption; that no one man is greater than the office of President, the more reason why Ahidjo "the father of the nation" went and the presidency continued to function; that in our multi-ethnic, bi-national country, the best option for just and equitable rule is to have term limits that allow regular changes in the Presidency to manage our diversity; that the checks and balances that allow the legislative and judicial branches to control the executive in western democracies are absent in Cameroon where the president of the republic is the "head" not only of the executive but also of the legislative and judicial branches; that if the people really support the policies of the incumbent, the party the President belongs to can continue them when his term is up...The term-limit debate was therefore about the best form of an executive branch that should lead governance processes in Cameroon.
Unfortunately, it was turned around to become a debate for or against Paul Biya. Having decided to put personal interest over national interest, we can surely not seek to eat our cake and have it! The processes that familiarized us with Barack Obama do not resemble those that allowed us to conduct and decide on the outcome of the term limit debate...The people in every society that seeks to dominate the world are inherently plural with different opinions, different points of view, different passions... They are always debating issues, in permanent struggle, in permanent self-reflection and permanently engaged in self-criticism.
These activities open the society to challenge, innovation and change. Since 1982, we have zigzagged from no-term-limits to term-limits and back to no-term-limits to satisfy a single individual! Such zigzagging cannot be said to be characteristic of people who are even imagining that they can one day rule the world... or produce a welcome surprise for the world, like Barack Obama!
The manner in which the term-limits debate was conducted and resolved is symbolic of the personalized and haughty manner in which governance business is conducted in Cameroon. This gags our society and constitutes a major impediment for those who pretend to be preparing to dominate the world. A second impediment is our lack of both a framework of governance and a form of state laid down in a constitution of Cameroon that is accepted by all stakeholders.
The present constitution, cherished by the party in power is contested by political parties in the country, since each has its own "constitution" for Cameroon that they would "adopt" if they got to power. It is also contested by civil society groups like the All Anglophone Conference that proposed its own constitution for Cameroon in 1993.
Further, there is presently a call from within some political parties like the feminist Coordination of alternative forces that is clamouring for the holding of a "Peoples’ Assembly" to debate and adopt a framework of governance in Cameroon.
The country that has thrust Barack Obama to the fore has a framework for the organization of government laid out in their Constitution that is unanimously accepted by all stakeholders in the USA. Their constitution provides a solid foundation on which politics and political processes are conducted, to the benefit of all. Unfortunately, we lack such a solid, firm and unshakeable foundation for our country.
One of the principal failures of the regime in Cameroon is its refusal to heal this rift on constitutionalism by facilitating the provision of a framework for governance that is acceptable to all of us, without discrimination of political party, ethnic group, factional interest or other considerations. Without such a solid foundation, we are unable to stand up in the world, not to talk of aspiring to dominate it!We need a framework of governance that depersonalizes the conduct of issues of national interest, and gives citizens equal opportunity to pursue their happiness and wellbeing.
The absence of agreement on the supreme law of the land alienates stakeholders and leaves them quarrelling over trivialities, instead of freeing citizens to engage in individual, reasoned actions and productive efforts to bring prosperity to our society.
This is why the time to dominate the world still has to wait. But we should not fail to learn the "lesson from America": that in an appropriate environment, Africans can be just as good, sometimes better than other peoples!
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Cameroon :State Authority and The Rule of Law
By Tazoacha Asonganyi in Yaounde
All politics and the democratic processes that govern politics take place in society.
Carved out from society is a referee usually referred to as the state.Indeed, the state is the level at which all factionsin society meet. The state plays the noble role ofreferee and facilitator of political and democraticprocesses.
To play these roles well, the state should be non-partisan.Early thinkers who created the concept of the state knew that humans are not angels; that they can be both good and evil. They can usually be blinded by theirpassions and self-interests. This is why it is the duty of the state to produce laws, rules and regulations to guide the actions of both rulers andthe ruled in society.Many of such laws, rules and regulations exist inCameroon.
On paper, most of them are reasonable, but in practice they are usually ignored to the benefit of individuals or partisan groups like political parties,especially the ruling party! Most agents of the state are known to treat laws as if they are informal rules that they can obey or disobey at their discretion!
Therefore one of the main problems with the rule oflaw in Cameroon lies with people who implement laws.
In fact, it is the generalised disregard for the lawby state officials that has bred the culture of corruption that is the main challenge to governance inCameroon today.Since 20th May 2008, a drama has been played out in Menji Local Council in Lebialem Division, South WestProvince, out of the knowledge of the press thatusually highlights such events! On 20 May just beforethe start of the march past at the Menji Municipal Stadium, the Senior Divisional Officer (SDO) of Lebialem moved to the front of the grandstand and solemnly announced that he had suspended the Mayor indefinitely on the frivolous charge of "unpatrioticattitude"!
By this he meant that the Mayor refused togive out the council vehicle at his behest, even ifthe mayor had explained that the vehicle was not ingood mechanical condition. Then the SDO proceeded tofloat the usual information peddled by over-zealous administrators to gain support for their wrong decisions, or by political misfits to put down theirpolitical rivals - that the mayor is a closet SCNC militant!
Although law no.2004/17 of 22 July 2004 on orientationof decentralisation, and law no. 2004/18 of 22 July2004 to lay down rules applicable to councils, both ofwhich are in force today, do not give such powers tothe "the representatives of the state" who is the SDO,he actually proceeded to seal the office of the Majoras a sign of the effectiveness of the suspension!
For those who may not be aware of the provisions of the new laws, section 94 of law no. 2004/18 of 22 July2004 to lay down rules applicable to councils states unequivocally that "In case of infringement of the law and regulations in force, or of serious misconduct,mayors and deputy mayors may be suspended by order ofthe Minister in charge of regional and local authorities for a maximum period of three months after hearing them or requesting them to furnish written explanations on acts for which they are accused. After such period, they shall either be rehabilitated or dismissed… by decree of the President of theRepublic;...the suspension orders and dismissal shall give reasons thereof..."
The law is therefore clear on the duties of the"representative of the state" (the SDO) and on that ofthe minister in charge of local and regional authorities. Representatives of the state wherever they may be are supposed to be symbols of facilitationand leadership, not vessels of power. In a council,power has been devolved to the mayors; they are theones supposed to get things done. It is not the dutyof the state to remove the sense of pride and personal responsibility from mayors in councils. There is no use deceiving ourselves by producing documents and making official pronouncements that assure outsiders that there is the rule of law on decentralization inCameroon, as was the case last week during the African Ministerial Conference on Decentralisation (AMCOD),while the reality is different.
For the good of society, laws are supposed to bedecisive moral arbiters. Obedience of a law should be non negotiable. The law is not secure if representatives of the state behave as if they are the law, and infringe it as they see fit.
The act of the SDO of Lebialem is nothing short of sabotage of thelaw, especially as his action was a deliberate,skilfully executed plot to stir up protest during the20 May celebrations so as to impute the disturbances on a supposed lack of patriotism of the people! His assault on the law was not for the good of society but for his personal good.It is the insecurity dictated by human nature that propelled human societies to allow their lives to be governed by the state. The state provides laws, rules and regulations to govern activities in society.
A law is therefore not something that a representative ofthe state should feel that he is doing somebody afavour by obeying it. It is unfair, unjust and disruptive of council activities if the new laws on decentralisation are not obeyed by all stakeholders. A decision to disobey the law should be considered personal and should not engage the state, at the riskof discrediting the authority of the state.
It isincumbent on the state to build trust, confidence and respect for the role of the state by regularly disciplining its representatives who show disrespect for the rule of law.
All politics and the democratic processes that govern politics take place in society.
Carved out from society is a referee usually referred to as the state.Indeed, the state is the level at which all factionsin society meet. The state plays the noble role ofreferee and facilitator of political and democraticprocesses.
To play these roles well, the state should be non-partisan.Early thinkers who created the concept of the state knew that humans are not angels; that they can be both good and evil. They can usually be blinded by theirpassions and self-interests. This is why it is the duty of the state to produce laws, rules and regulations to guide the actions of both rulers andthe ruled in society.Many of such laws, rules and regulations exist inCameroon.
On paper, most of them are reasonable, but in practice they are usually ignored to the benefit of individuals or partisan groups like political parties,especially the ruling party! Most agents of the state are known to treat laws as if they are informal rules that they can obey or disobey at their discretion!
Therefore one of the main problems with the rule oflaw in Cameroon lies with people who implement laws.
In fact, it is the generalised disregard for the lawby state officials that has bred the culture of corruption that is the main challenge to governance inCameroon today.Since 20th May 2008, a drama has been played out in Menji Local Council in Lebialem Division, South WestProvince, out of the knowledge of the press thatusually highlights such events! On 20 May just beforethe start of the march past at the Menji Municipal Stadium, the Senior Divisional Officer (SDO) of Lebialem moved to the front of the grandstand and solemnly announced that he had suspended the Mayor indefinitely on the frivolous charge of "unpatrioticattitude"!
By this he meant that the Mayor refused togive out the council vehicle at his behest, even ifthe mayor had explained that the vehicle was not ingood mechanical condition. Then the SDO proceeded tofloat the usual information peddled by over-zealous administrators to gain support for their wrong decisions, or by political misfits to put down theirpolitical rivals - that the mayor is a closet SCNC militant!
Although law no.2004/17 of 22 July 2004 on orientationof decentralisation, and law no. 2004/18 of 22 July2004 to lay down rules applicable to councils, both ofwhich are in force today, do not give such powers tothe "the representatives of the state" who is the SDO,he actually proceeded to seal the office of the Majoras a sign of the effectiveness of the suspension!
For those who may not be aware of the provisions of the new laws, section 94 of law no. 2004/18 of 22 July2004 to lay down rules applicable to councils states unequivocally that "In case of infringement of the law and regulations in force, or of serious misconduct,mayors and deputy mayors may be suspended by order ofthe Minister in charge of regional and local authorities for a maximum period of three months after hearing them or requesting them to furnish written explanations on acts for which they are accused. After such period, they shall either be rehabilitated or dismissed… by decree of the President of theRepublic;...the suspension orders and dismissal shall give reasons thereof..."
The law is therefore clear on the duties of the"representative of the state" (the SDO) and on that ofthe minister in charge of local and regional authorities. Representatives of the state wherever they may be are supposed to be symbols of facilitationand leadership, not vessels of power. In a council,power has been devolved to the mayors; they are theones supposed to get things done. It is not the dutyof the state to remove the sense of pride and personal responsibility from mayors in councils. There is no use deceiving ourselves by producing documents and making official pronouncements that assure outsiders that there is the rule of law on decentralization inCameroon, as was the case last week during the African Ministerial Conference on Decentralisation (AMCOD),while the reality is different.
For the good of society, laws are supposed to bedecisive moral arbiters. Obedience of a law should be non negotiable. The law is not secure if representatives of the state behave as if they are the law, and infringe it as they see fit.
The act of the SDO of Lebialem is nothing short of sabotage of thelaw, especially as his action was a deliberate,skilfully executed plot to stir up protest during the20 May celebrations so as to impute the disturbances on a supposed lack of patriotism of the people! His assault on the law was not for the good of society but for his personal good.It is the insecurity dictated by human nature that propelled human societies to allow their lives to be governed by the state. The state provides laws, rules and regulations to govern activities in society.
A law is therefore not something that a representative ofthe state should feel that he is doing somebody afavour by obeying it. It is unfair, unjust and disruptive of council activities if the new laws on decentralisation are not obeyed by all stakeholders. A decision to disobey the law should be considered personal and should not engage the state, at the riskof discrediting the authority of the state.
It isincumbent on the state to build trust, confidence and respect for the role of the state by regularly disciplining its representatives who show disrespect for the rule of law.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Cameroon: Celebrating May 20
By Tazoacha Asonganyi(pictured) in Yaounde.
May 20 is an anniversary date shrouded by cynicism. It is the handiwork of (former President) Ahidjo for whom "democracy" was anathema and "national unity" a prize he sought greedily. He can be said to have decreed May 20 as a national day single-handedly, without due consideration for the complete history of the entire Cameroon.
In the landscape of the united country that was born following the UN supervised plebiscite of 11 February 1961, May 20 1972 like February 4 1984, fall in the constellation of the conceit of nationalists of the "Republic of Cameroon" that formed the union with Southern Cameroons.
In spite of everything, the union of the two Cameroon has made history for the last 47 years. Such history is only useful when it teaches lessons. Therefore, as we celebrate May 20 this year, it is useful to look at some signposts in the road that lays behind us, in the hope of building on our past.
One-man rule in a one-party regime has characterized the united country for the better part of its life.Whether the side of the party coin was named CNU or CPDM, the party usurped the authority of the state. Indeed, the party has been more harmful to the country than useful. The arrest and detention of barons of the party for embezzling huge sums of public money is testimony of the conspiracy of the leadership of the party against the state!
The suspects being arrested and thrown into jail are hard-core party barons and strong believers in the new deal regime, like many others, who profited from a long history of impunity of party barons and confused state coffers for their purse. The regime allowed corruption to become so entrenched that, in the present clash with the formidable network, the regime consciously makes it impossible to find the truth, and extremely dangerous to seek it. The "truth" lies with shady documents mounted against the chosen few from the sea of heads in the corruption fraternity. What we are witnessing is not a fight against corruption but a struggle to acquire window blinds to provide shade for the entrenched fraternity. Whatever the case, the pressure has been unleashed and the tide could become so strong that it overcomes even the worried circle of men who hold court in the new deal...
Many people are applauding, not so much for any effort to fight corruption as for the reality of the saying that what goes up must come down. By their applause, they are comforting themselves that all of them without exception will eventually come down in one way or the other. They are sending the clear message to the regime that it shall not be allowed to go away with half measures on corruption.
Unfortunately, it is clear that in much of what the regime is doing; it is placing perception ahead of reality. Lack of seriousness can be judged from the refusal to apply article 66 of the constitution on thedeclaration of assets. It can also be judged from the weak and confused law no. 2003/005 of 21 April 2003 laying down conditions for the organisation and functioning of the Audit Bench of the Supreme Court that is supposed to keep watch over public funds; the law sets aside important sections of Ordinance no.62/0F/04 (modified on 19 April 2002 by law no. 2002)
If history means anything, the regime would have borrowed from the past in this fight againstcorruption. Indeed, it is history that in Southern Cameroons as far back as 1958, a Commission of Inquiry Ordinance (Cap 36 of the 1958 law) existed and empowered the Prime Minister to appoint commissions of inquiry to publicly investigate wrongdoing in any department of government. In turning a blind eye to present and past frameworks for checking corruption, the regime has refused to de-personalise and de-politicise the fight, and so allowed continuing, persistent and serious breaches of the public trust across all arms of government.
Further, the regime has failed to pay enough attention to the "small" thieves that populate our ministries, like in Public Service and Finance. Instead of undercover police agents going around and listening to the small talk of citizens in bars, the regime would have mounted and introduced "documents" into the system for the agents to "follow" for purposes of identifying and dismantling the "spiders" in the cobwebs of fraud, bribery and corruption that entangleoperations in the ministries and frustrate citizens daily.
As the barons of the regime join in the celebration of May 20 this year, they should not only think aboutthese issues of corruption. They should also remember that Southern Cameroons experienced a democratic change of government as far back as 1959 with Foncha taking over from Endeley; and thatunification-citizens of Cameroon have never experienced a change of government leaders based onindividual choice, since 1961.
As they lead the celebrations, they should also remember that the last thing we need in the 21stcentury is another form of the same old thing we have lived through since the advent of the unitary state.
When people are elected undemocratically and they emerge on the scene to play the democrat, it isnothing short of the of the single-candidate-per-post elections of the one party days. Those to be appointed soon into ELECAM after May 20 will have the advantage of having lived through failed elections with piles of reports from the NDI, the Commonwealth, IFES, NEO and others to draw from. They would also have received recent lessons from similar structures in Kenya,Zimbabwe and others...
Our union is already 47 years old. Forty and over is a time for reflection. It is the duty of the regime thathas governed us in different shades since 1961 to create the appropriate environment for serious reflection on the future of the united Cameroon. The strength of politics is that it can create formulasthat allow people to break with past failures and move beyond seemingly insoluble problems. The special symbolism attached to May 20 should not be the show of empty force of arms and militants, but a show of compassion for past errors, and a new determination to move forward as a strong, just and united country.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Cameroon: Moving Forward To 2011!
By Tazoacha Asonganyi in Yaounde.
With all the distractions around us, like selective arrest of embezzlers of state funds, noises about impending big projects, pompous declarations about the food crisis and more, we should not lose sight of the momentous 2011 that is approaching at a gallop.It is of historical interest that once in a while, extraordinary human beings that stand out head and shoulders above all others appear on the scene. We all had this in mind when we embarked on the politics of change with the return of multi-party politics in the early ‘90s.
This was especially so because experience from South East Asia had taught us that one commanding personality could change a country in a generation…Such a personality gets thrust up by forces under the surface and they alter the direction of the forces in their poor, underdeveloped countries and make their life a legend, like Mao, Park Chung Hee and others...It is true that the opposition figures that emerged on the stage in the early ‘90s were products of different backgrounds: some were realists, others were idealists, but they seemed to be all aware of the weak foundation on which the country stood. They also seemed to be aware of the forces under the surface that had brought the country to its knees. All of them had one thing in common: each behaved like a star.
It was not long before we became aware of the dangers that had been cast on the struggle by these "shining" stars. Since great stars are only happy in their own unimpeded orbits, it was difficult to put them in one orbit! Each time they were "forced" together, it was more a partnership of circumstances and convenience, than of friendship and cooperation. And so under our eyes, the mission of the struggle whittled down and was departed from. In their dazzling, competitive orbits, they developed "strategies" that were more shell than kernel... As years went by, each developed the myopia of old men that it is difficult to imagine a satisfactory younger successor!So what was the challenge the emergent leaders were bound to meet? Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai has responded with a question: "...why is Africa one of the richest continents on the planet, endowed with oil, precious stones, forests, water, wildlife, soil, land, agricultural products, and millions of women and men, and yet most of Africa’s people remain impoverished?" (seewww.project-syndicat.org/commentary/maathai1).
Thesimple reason is the lack of serious leaders with vision like Mao Tse-tung (for China) and Park Chung Hee (for South Korea) that truly emanate from within the society to create the appropriate environment for their countries to emerge from poverty, underdevelopment and helplessness. Africa’s false step was taken by the leaders that took over African countries following independence, because of their "limited and conditioned vision".
To paraphrase Paulo Freire (Pedagogy of the Oppressed), the perception of the leaders of the colonised people was impaired by their submersion in the reality of colonisation. They were so inside the system that they could not see themselves in the struggle to free their countries except in terms of raising themselves to the status of those who colonised them.
Although they were colonised and abused, they identified with the colonial forces that denied them what they dreamt to become.Since the coloniser had inspired "admiration", being like the coloniser would also inspire "admiration"!Consequently, the opportunity to rule was confused with oppression; they imitated the use of power and authority by colonisers and ruled their people in the manner of the colonialist they had just replaced.Unfortunately, those who succeeded to replace these "strongmen" or "fathers of the nation", continued in the imitation.
Therefore the mission that faced the "new" opposition parties that emerged in the early ‘90s was to end this sterile imitation by providing appropriate leadership to lead our country out of the stalemate of underdevelopment and poverty. As would be realised later, the leaders did not seem to have a single grain of conviction, except in the hope that by some luck, they could grab the country and commandeer it in the image of those they were fighting to replace. Their political attitudes seemed to be dictated by opportunism, rather than by any coherent corpus of belief.
"Democracy" was always their pet slogan, and they invariably included it in the names of their parties, although they had very little idea of what it meant. It was like a password for self-preservation and self promotion…Most of the "leaders" spent precious time uprooting plants from the gardens of ideological certainties and replanting them in the gardens of the outfits they had set up as political parties; giving them funny names like rigour and moralisation, new deal, grands ambitions, power to the people, equal opportunity, republican ethics... and even creating "shadows" that fell into desuetude upon their creation... As expected, the gardens became more and more barren with passing years… and the hungry and expectant people became more and more restive!Although a politician should always be ready to prick the balloon of his own enthusiasm, none of ours allowed their balloons to be deflated.
Slowly, most of them came to believe in the illusion that the people can "rise up like one man" against injustice and frustration without nurture and prompting ... without professional managers of the emotion of change. What is difficult to understand is that although some of them led themselves up futile, blind alleys, they still seem to be persuaded that they are on the crest of a winning wave!After Ahidjo’s 22 years at the helm, it seems the only ambition of the present man at the top in our country is to be remembered for having blown out the highest number of candles in the presidential palace.
As we move forward to 2011, the various "stars" circling their individual orbits leave us only to hope that the year will mark our own "once in a while" when, from relative obscurity, an extraordinary human being with vision and patriotism will emerge on the scene.
With all the distractions around us, like selective arrest of embezzlers of state funds, noises about impending big projects, pompous declarations about the food crisis and more, we should not lose sight of the momentous 2011 that is approaching at a gallop.It is of historical interest that once in a while, extraordinary human beings that stand out head and shoulders above all others appear on the scene. We all had this in mind when we embarked on the politics of change with the return of multi-party politics in the early ‘90s.
This was especially so because experience from South East Asia had taught us that one commanding personality could change a country in a generation…Such a personality gets thrust up by forces under the surface and they alter the direction of the forces in their poor, underdeveloped countries and make their life a legend, like Mao, Park Chung Hee and others...It is true that the opposition figures that emerged on the stage in the early ‘90s were products of different backgrounds: some were realists, others were idealists, but they seemed to be all aware of the weak foundation on which the country stood. They also seemed to be aware of the forces under the surface that had brought the country to its knees. All of them had one thing in common: each behaved like a star.
It was not long before we became aware of the dangers that had been cast on the struggle by these "shining" stars. Since great stars are only happy in their own unimpeded orbits, it was difficult to put them in one orbit! Each time they were "forced" together, it was more a partnership of circumstances and convenience, than of friendship and cooperation. And so under our eyes, the mission of the struggle whittled down and was departed from. In their dazzling, competitive orbits, they developed "strategies" that were more shell than kernel... As years went by, each developed the myopia of old men that it is difficult to imagine a satisfactory younger successor!So what was the challenge the emergent leaders were bound to meet? Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai has responded with a question: "...why is Africa one of the richest continents on the planet, endowed with oil, precious stones, forests, water, wildlife, soil, land, agricultural products, and millions of women and men, and yet most of Africa’s people remain impoverished?" (seewww.project-syndicat.org/commentary/maathai1).
Thesimple reason is the lack of serious leaders with vision like Mao Tse-tung (for China) and Park Chung Hee (for South Korea) that truly emanate from within the society to create the appropriate environment for their countries to emerge from poverty, underdevelopment and helplessness. Africa’s false step was taken by the leaders that took over African countries following independence, because of their "limited and conditioned vision".
To paraphrase Paulo Freire (Pedagogy of the Oppressed), the perception of the leaders of the colonised people was impaired by their submersion in the reality of colonisation. They were so inside the system that they could not see themselves in the struggle to free their countries except in terms of raising themselves to the status of those who colonised them.
Although they were colonised and abused, they identified with the colonial forces that denied them what they dreamt to become.Since the coloniser had inspired "admiration", being like the coloniser would also inspire "admiration"!Consequently, the opportunity to rule was confused with oppression; they imitated the use of power and authority by colonisers and ruled their people in the manner of the colonialist they had just replaced.Unfortunately, those who succeeded to replace these "strongmen" or "fathers of the nation", continued in the imitation.
Therefore the mission that faced the "new" opposition parties that emerged in the early ‘90s was to end this sterile imitation by providing appropriate leadership to lead our country out of the stalemate of underdevelopment and poverty. As would be realised later, the leaders did not seem to have a single grain of conviction, except in the hope that by some luck, they could grab the country and commandeer it in the image of those they were fighting to replace. Their political attitudes seemed to be dictated by opportunism, rather than by any coherent corpus of belief.
"Democracy" was always their pet slogan, and they invariably included it in the names of their parties, although they had very little idea of what it meant. It was like a password for self-preservation and self promotion…Most of the "leaders" spent precious time uprooting plants from the gardens of ideological certainties and replanting them in the gardens of the outfits they had set up as political parties; giving them funny names like rigour and moralisation, new deal, grands ambitions, power to the people, equal opportunity, republican ethics... and even creating "shadows" that fell into desuetude upon their creation... As expected, the gardens became more and more barren with passing years… and the hungry and expectant people became more and more restive!Although a politician should always be ready to prick the balloon of his own enthusiasm, none of ours allowed their balloons to be deflated.
Slowly, most of them came to believe in the illusion that the people can "rise up like one man" against injustice and frustration without nurture and prompting ... without professional managers of the emotion of change. What is difficult to understand is that although some of them led themselves up futile, blind alleys, they still seem to be persuaded that they are on the crest of a winning wave!After Ahidjo’s 22 years at the helm, it seems the only ambition of the present man at the top in our country is to be remembered for having blown out the highest number of candles in the presidential palace.
As we move forward to 2011, the various "stars" circling their individual orbits leave us only to hope that the year will mark our own "once in a while" when, from relative obscurity, an extraordinary human being with vision and patriotism will emerge on the scene.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Cameroon: Parliamentary Privilege, Proxies and Hate Politics
By Tazoacha Asonganyi(pictured) in Yaounde.Adama Modi, one of the parliamentarians of the National Assembly has openly expressed his disgust at the repeated preference of the CPDM party for Cavaye Yeguié Djbril, another MP, for the presidency of the national assembly.
History has it that in spite of his parliamentary immunity
defined by Ordinance No. 72-12 of 26 August 1972 which clearly states that Members of Parliament should not be questioned elsewhere for votes or debates in the National Assembly, he was questioned by a committee set up by the Head of State, President of the CPDM for opinions he expressed in parliament. This was nothing short of a breach of parliamentary privilege!
Further, although Chapter XIII (Articles 56-59) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly clearlydefines the "delegation of voting rights" by a member of parliament, there has been much accusation and counter-accusation in the press about whether or not Paul Ayah, another MP left such a delegation in the assembly, which was used to vote on his behalf. The CPDM parliamentarian who voted on his behalf is most vulnerable to the line of attack opened by the press on this issue, whether she is guilty as charged or not, because it fits in with the general fraudulent character and behavior of barons of her party.
It is incredible that although the rules on the issue are very clear, she has not made any serious effort to convince us that she acted within the ambit of the rules when she voted on behalf of her colleague.To remain in a party and yet disagree with its leadership on central issues of the day is not a joke.Forcing members to vote against their convictions or drawing artificial lines to contain rebellion tocontentious issues are all familiar behavior in party politics.
In general, although a party member can speak for the party on public issues, the party cannot speak for its member on such issues! It is immoral for a party to force its member to violate his conscience or violate the national interest. Using fraud to obtain the consent of a member on an important societal issue can only be the handiwork of persons with the same morals as those daily exposed as embezzlers of public funds.
MPs are supposed to use the immense moral authority of their positions to offer leadership and inspiration…Interestingly, although article 15(2) of the constitution of Cameroon states that each member ofthe national assembly represents the entire nation; we are told that Chief Inoni (the Prime Minister)had to answer for the "negative" vote of an MP against the amendment of the constitution to give Paul Biya the latitude to rule for life! We are also told that he was not answering for it because he is the Prime Minister of the entire nation, but because he originates from the South West Province with the MP.
After all, by the constitution, you are either "autochtone" or "allogène"; native or stranger! One of the hallmarks of the "new deal" regime is duplicity: representing the whole nation while being native or stranger; professing "national unity" while institutionalizing divisiveness!Sometimes the expression of political opinion based on conscience can attract visceral dislike and cloud the political judgment of even one’s colleagues.
One may hate the guts of a colleague, but to extend the hatred to family, village and area of origin is a mark of the bankruptcy of politics in our country. Several weeks ago, Hon. Ayah brought the case of the ethnic conflict in Akwaya to public attention. No one seemed to listen except the press! Only recently did we learn that Manyu Chiefs met and decided to pay attention to the problem.
It is like the administrative authorities were saying that since the MP did not want their amendment to pass, they did not care what was happening in Akwaya, his place of origin.It is a good thing that the Manyu Chiefs have also drawn attention to the conflict. It is also a goodthing that Divine Ewane, NGO personnel recently highlighted the problem in a newspaper interview,although surprisingly, he failed to mention the MP even once!
We can only hope that the partisan administrative authorities will shed their hate politics, theirincredible intolerance and spite, and their insensitivity to the sufferings of citizens under their charge, and pay attention to the welfare of the people without any consideration for the political opinions of their leaders.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Cameroon:Kribi Beach- Beautiful But Also Dangerous
By Mofor Samuel
As one walks along the coastline, one is tempted to go swimming or even bathing in the ocean. The very beautiful sandy beaches and their closeness to main highway leading to town prevent many a visitor from imagining the risk and danger that are concealed behind the waves as they drift towards the shore. But then every cautious human being will prefer to merely sit or walk along the coastline to enjoy the fresh breeze that the waves in their never ending journey to the shore bring along with them. These waves which are often very violent hit the shore producing very powerful noise than can only be compared to several tons of water falling from above to the earth in one go.
Ever since this contributor got into town, he is caught between believing or not the notion of high and low tides, he learnt in his Geography classes. The force with which the waves come to the shore with, tells one that: “hey man look before you leap.” This warning often falls on deaf ears as many still dare to conquer these waves only for the lucky ones to be rescued and the unfortunate ones to be swallowed up by the waves and sent to the bosom of the ocean. They are often fished out several hours or days later by which time life must have be pluck out of them or being washed ashore by the very waves.
Such was the case of some students from the Bilingual High School Kribi. The college which is overlooking the ocean makes it possible for the students to always go swimming or bathing in it. That is how some three students and some visitors coming from Douala met their premature end on that fateful Friday afternoon.
Just coming into town, this contributor always strolls along the coastline in the evenings on his way to the centre of the town. As he approached the junction leading to the Framotel Hotel for those who know Kribi, he spotted the flashlight of a police van stationed by the roadside near one of the several bridges found along the road. As he was trying to imagine that even if the khaki boys were on their normal control of papers, why would they prefer a blind bend to park their vehicle? But as he came closer to the scene, he noticed that several vehicles and motor cycles were also parked, with people standing in small groups, whispering and all eyes looking at the ocean. Further into the coastline, he noticed the ambulance of the District Hospital Kribi waiting. That was about 7:15pm. He immediately knew that there must be an accident along the coastline, little did he even imagine of someone drowning. In reality the ambulance was waiting for the remaining two corpses to come ashore, while the police was there to confirm that the deaths were fished out of the ocean.
This contributor not having anyone to inquire from as to what had actually happened hesitantly strolled off. Some 50 metres away from the scene, both the police van and the ambulance overtook him with their flash lights on. They were followed by a convoy of vehicles.
It was not until the following morning that this contributor learnt from his colleague that some seven ladies and students were hit by violent waves as they were swimming. The ladies were rescued by fishermen while the students were declared missing. There was this frantic search that proved fruitless. Later on, two of them (girls) were found already dead. Then towards 7:30pm, one of the boys was seen; earlier on at about 5:30pm fishermen fished out one of the boys and finally the last one was washed ashore around 5 am the next day.
My colleague Ngala form Donga and Mantung division of the North West province reacting to the tragedy said, ever since he came to Kribi, he has never allowed the waters of the ocean to go beyond his ankles not to talk of bathing in the ocean. He went further to say that there are several points along the coastline that belong to “the inhabitants of the ocean” and if anyone or group violates this territory, the unlucky ones often pay with their lives.
Still another, this time a female colleague, said when the feast of the Batangas which usually comes around May 8th, is around the corner, human sacrifice is often made before the feast takes place.
To corroborate what they said, a Batanga lady in the bus that was taking us to Douala while reacting to the concern raised by a fellow passenger said, they of Kribi do not have anything to do with the ocean between April and September as far as swimming and bathing is concerned. That they have between October and February each year to go swimming and bathing in the ocean. She ended by saying that the ocean is often very violent between April and August and people die because of their foolhardiness.
Earlier on, CRTV Ebolowa cabled in a report over the national network news concerning the death of two fishermen when their canoe was hit by violent storm as they went fishing. They were five in number, three managed to swim to safety while the two others never made it alive.
Generally when mention of Kribi and the ocean are made, the first thing that comes to mind, is mermaid or “mami wata.” Some even believe that most of the young ladies found along the coastline looking for “customers” mostly whites or some well-to-do young men just coming into town, belong to the water world or are fairies coming the ocean. Some are harmless but most of them can be very dangerous; woe betides anyone who falls in the trap of a dangerous water spirit, you know the rest.
Coming back to the issue of the students, there is every reason for one to ask if the school authorities have put in place any mechanisms to keep off students from swimming or bathing in the ocean during school hours or have reported to their houses for their parents to see them first. By so doing they will wash their hands off some of these very painful and premature deaths of students.
On the other hand, the municipal and local authorities must come to an understanding so that rescue teams are implanted along the coastline. They will be the ones to warn people of the dangers involved as they go swimming or bathing in the ocean. No one goes to the ocean without passing through them.
When a beautiful beach like the one in Kribi is responsible for senseless and preventable deaths like the one just mentioned above, there is every reason to borrow from the famous Nigerian writer that: Beauty carries sorrow with it.”
The powers that be in Kribi should do everything in their powers to make the beach safe and enjoyable to all and sundry.
As one walks along the coastline, one is tempted to go swimming or even bathing in the ocean. The very beautiful sandy beaches and their closeness to main highway leading to town prevent many a visitor from imagining the risk and danger that are concealed behind the waves as they drift towards the shore. But then every cautious human being will prefer to merely sit or walk along the coastline to enjoy the fresh breeze that the waves in their never ending journey to the shore bring along with them. These waves which are often very violent hit the shore producing very powerful noise than can only be compared to several tons of water falling from above to the earth in one go.
Ever since this contributor got into town, he is caught between believing or not the notion of high and low tides, he learnt in his Geography classes. The force with which the waves come to the shore with, tells one that: “hey man look before you leap.” This warning often falls on deaf ears as many still dare to conquer these waves only for the lucky ones to be rescued and the unfortunate ones to be swallowed up by the waves and sent to the bosom of the ocean. They are often fished out several hours or days later by which time life must have be pluck out of them or being washed ashore by the very waves.
Such was the case of some students from the Bilingual High School Kribi. The college which is overlooking the ocean makes it possible for the students to always go swimming or bathing in it. That is how some three students and some visitors coming from Douala met their premature end on that fateful Friday afternoon.
Just coming into town, this contributor always strolls along the coastline in the evenings on his way to the centre of the town. As he approached the junction leading to the Framotel Hotel for those who know Kribi, he spotted the flashlight of a police van stationed by the roadside near one of the several bridges found along the road. As he was trying to imagine that even if the khaki boys were on their normal control of papers, why would they prefer a blind bend to park their vehicle? But as he came closer to the scene, he noticed that several vehicles and motor cycles were also parked, with people standing in small groups, whispering and all eyes looking at the ocean. Further into the coastline, he noticed the ambulance of the District Hospital Kribi waiting. That was about 7:15pm. He immediately knew that there must be an accident along the coastline, little did he even imagine of someone drowning. In reality the ambulance was waiting for the remaining two corpses to come ashore, while the police was there to confirm that the deaths were fished out of the ocean.
This contributor not having anyone to inquire from as to what had actually happened hesitantly strolled off. Some 50 metres away from the scene, both the police van and the ambulance overtook him with their flash lights on. They were followed by a convoy of vehicles.
It was not until the following morning that this contributor learnt from his colleague that some seven ladies and students were hit by violent waves as they were swimming. The ladies were rescued by fishermen while the students were declared missing. There was this frantic search that proved fruitless. Later on, two of them (girls) were found already dead. Then towards 7:30pm, one of the boys was seen; earlier on at about 5:30pm fishermen fished out one of the boys and finally the last one was washed ashore around 5 am the next day.
My colleague Ngala form Donga and Mantung division of the North West province reacting to the tragedy said, ever since he came to Kribi, he has never allowed the waters of the ocean to go beyond his ankles not to talk of bathing in the ocean. He went further to say that there are several points along the coastline that belong to “the inhabitants of the ocean” and if anyone or group violates this territory, the unlucky ones often pay with their lives.
Still another, this time a female colleague, said when the feast of the Batangas which usually comes around May 8th, is around the corner, human sacrifice is often made before the feast takes place.
To corroborate what they said, a Batanga lady in the bus that was taking us to Douala while reacting to the concern raised by a fellow passenger said, they of Kribi do not have anything to do with the ocean between April and September as far as swimming and bathing is concerned. That they have between October and February each year to go swimming and bathing in the ocean. She ended by saying that the ocean is often very violent between April and August and people die because of their foolhardiness.
Earlier on, CRTV Ebolowa cabled in a report over the national network news concerning the death of two fishermen when their canoe was hit by violent storm as they went fishing. They were five in number, three managed to swim to safety while the two others never made it alive.
Generally when mention of Kribi and the ocean are made, the first thing that comes to mind, is mermaid or “mami wata.” Some even believe that most of the young ladies found along the coastline looking for “customers” mostly whites or some well-to-do young men just coming into town, belong to the water world or are fairies coming the ocean. Some are harmless but most of them can be very dangerous; woe betides anyone who falls in the trap of a dangerous water spirit, you know the rest.
Coming back to the issue of the students, there is every reason for one to ask if the school authorities have put in place any mechanisms to keep off students from swimming or bathing in the ocean during school hours or have reported to their houses for their parents to see them first. By so doing they will wash their hands off some of these very painful and premature deaths of students.
On the other hand, the municipal and local authorities must come to an understanding so that rescue teams are implanted along the coastline. They will be the ones to warn people of the dangers involved as they go swimming or bathing in the ocean. No one goes to the ocean without passing through them.
When a beautiful beach like the one in Kribi is responsible for senseless and preventable deaths like the one just mentioned above, there is every reason to borrow from the famous Nigerian writer that: Beauty carries sorrow with it.”
The powers that be in Kribi should do everything in their powers to make the beach safe and enjoyable to all and sundry.
Kribi:What A Touristic Cameroonian Town?
By Mofor Samuel
Going by its beautiful sandy beaches from Londji to Kribi itself, one realizes that the Germans had every reason to try to dispossess the native Batanga people from their fatherland. The wicked war and harassment carried out on the people send them fleeing to seek refuge in Victoria, Bolifamba, (Mile 16), and far off Ndian division. Today there is Ngolo Batanga. These people have historical links with the Batangas of Kribi.
As one makes one’s entry to town, one is greeted by a number of lodging houses- call them hotels, motels, inns etc. they are either constructed across the main road overlooking the ocean or beside the shore. The sandy beaches with their golden colour are only interrupted by the several streams making their way into the ocean and islands of rock masses.
Along the coastline, but for coconut trees, fishermen and their canoes, buyam-sellam selling fresh and dry fish, there is this proliferation of the famous boukarous where roasted fish and drinks are sold to visitors and tourists. Make sure your pocket is heavy with bank notes before daring to go for a bite or a drink in the boukarous. The reason being that most of those who frequent these boukarous are considered as tourists or those who have come to have a nice time, who pay without complaining.
As one leaves the seaside for the town, one is welcomed by another set of recreation and restauration facilities – beer palours and bars. They take the cue from the boukarous, given that when it becomes dark, most people no longer find it secure by the coast. Just like in the boukarous, one has to be loaded with bank notes to be able to withstand the demands of these bars. Most of the customers are mostly whites- expatriates, tourists, and other well-to- do men in town. The main difference with the boukarous is that they are more secured, organized and customers have facilities like Cable TV images, beautiful decorations, light music and other cultural attractions, not leaving out servants at their disposal. Almost all the recreation or relaxation houses are along the major road heading towards the coastline. Roasting activity is accompanied by cooked food mostly Cameroonian dishes and a few foreign ones.
Further into the heart of the town, that is, heading towards Carrefour Kingue, there is a proliferation of business houses, -cyber cafes, hardware shops, bookshops, documentation centres, provision stores, the Nkolbiteng market and other petty businesses.
Carrefour Kingue is very lively and busy at night as far as the common man is concerned. Kribi by night takes a different dimension in this particular area as from 10 pm. It is a “come and see.” The effective presence of drinking houses , women roasting fish (local and foreign), men roasting meat, hawkers selling kola nuts, bitter kola, cigarettes; call boxes at the disposal of those who want to get into contact with friends and “customers” , motor taxi men dropping and picking up passengers, free women advertising themselves to potential customers, couples sipping beer, eating roasted fish or meat, other negotiating for the cost per night before accompanying their potential catches to where they have to pass the night, and some idling around with the intention of having a fast one from anyone who is distracted for their cell phones or wallets to be snatched. In fact the whole area at night is as busy as a bee hive.
That does not mean that life is cheap and affordable, on the contrary, Kribi is very expensive. The situation is even worst now that there is this wahala of reduction of the prices of basic commodities.
Don’t be fooled to fall in that trap. Make sure for those who can afford to always take some provision along with you if you intend to make more than a week in town or you might yourself wanting.
This commentator realized that a fruit seller will rather allow fruits meant to be sold to get rotten and thrown away than sell it at a reduced price. Worst still, if one wants to buy fruits like pears, one has to be very careful, for there is the possibility of the pears being cooked as used to be the case with Douala or harvested before they get ready. Do not be surprised to buy pears looking from without only to discover that they are rotten within. That too, is another side of Kribi not only expensive but sellers can be very dubious and crafty.
Another very interesting thing about the town concerns the very few taxi cabs that ply the streets. Do not look at their number plates or else you will have the feeling they are not of the town not to talk of the province. The simple fact is that the number plates range form (SW) South West, (LT) Littoral, (CE) Centre, and of course (SU) Sud, representing the South province. At the time of writing this paper it was not clear whether the door numbers were being issued irrespective of the province indicated on the number plates. That too is Cameroon, a land of disorder and near anarchy where every Tom and Dick tries to impose themselves to others.
The climate is highly tropical with very hot dry season and very wet rainy season. Kribi is found in the heart of the equatorial forest but most of the land along the road to Kribi is deprived of trees, with the very few ones being threatened by man’s activities in the city itself, a few patchwork of forest is still surviving but this does not prevent loggers from continuing to fell the very young timber for export. Without necessarily being an expert in lumbering, the sizes of the logs being transported through Kribi tells one that the loggers will stop at nothing to cart away anything timber from the Cameroonian equatorial forest. Oh! my God where did we go wrong?
Going by its beautiful sandy beaches from Londji to Kribi itself, one realizes that the Germans had every reason to try to dispossess the native Batanga people from their fatherland. The wicked war and harassment carried out on the people send them fleeing to seek refuge in Victoria, Bolifamba, (Mile 16), and far off Ndian division. Today there is Ngolo Batanga. These people have historical links with the Batangas of Kribi.
As one makes one’s entry to town, one is greeted by a number of lodging houses- call them hotels, motels, inns etc. they are either constructed across the main road overlooking the ocean or beside the shore. The sandy beaches with their golden colour are only interrupted by the several streams making their way into the ocean and islands of rock masses.
Along the coastline, but for coconut trees, fishermen and their canoes, buyam-sellam selling fresh and dry fish, there is this proliferation of the famous boukarous where roasted fish and drinks are sold to visitors and tourists. Make sure your pocket is heavy with bank notes before daring to go for a bite or a drink in the boukarous. The reason being that most of those who frequent these boukarous are considered as tourists or those who have come to have a nice time, who pay without complaining.
As one leaves the seaside for the town, one is welcomed by another set of recreation and restauration facilities – beer palours and bars. They take the cue from the boukarous, given that when it becomes dark, most people no longer find it secure by the coast. Just like in the boukarous, one has to be loaded with bank notes to be able to withstand the demands of these bars. Most of the customers are mostly whites- expatriates, tourists, and other well-to- do men in town. The main difference with the boukarous is that they are more secured, organized and customers have facilities like Cable TV images, beautiful decorations, light music and other cultural attractions, not leaving out servants at their disposal. Almost all the recreation or relaxation houses are along the major road heading towards the coastline. Roasting activity is accompanied by cooked food mostly Cameroonian dishes and a few foreign ones.
Further into the heart of the town, that is, heading towards Carrefour Kingue, there is a proliferation of business houses, -cyber cafes, hardware shops, bookshops, documentation centres, provision stores, the Nkolbiteng market and other petty businesses.
Carrefour Kingue is very lively and busy at night as far as the common man is concerned. Kribi by night takes a different dimension in this particular area as from 10 pm. It is a “come and see.” The effective presence of drinking houses , women roasting fish (local and foreign), men roasting meat, hawkers selling kola nuts, bitter kola, cigarettes; call boxes at the disposal of those who want to get into contact with friends and “customers” , motor taxi men dropping and picking up passengers, free women advertising themselves to potential customers, couples sipping beer, eating roasted fish or meat, other negotiating for the cost per night before accompanying their potential catches to where they have to pass the night, and some idling around with the intention of having a fast one from anyone who is distracted for their cell phones or wallets to be snatched. In fact the whole area at night is as busy as a bee hive.
That does not mean that life is cheap and affordable, on the contrary, Kribi is very expensive. The situation is even worst now that there is this wahala of reduction of the prices of basic commodities.
Don’t be fooled to fall in that trap. Make sure for those who can afford to always take some provision along with you if you intend to make more than a week in town or you might yourself wanting.
This commentator realized that a fruit seller will rather allow fruits meant to be sold to get rotten and thrown away than sell it at a reduced price. Worst still, if one wants to buy fruits like pears, one has to be very careful, for there is the possibility of the pears being cooked as used to be the case with Douala or harvested before they get ready. Do not be surprised to buy pears looking from without only to discover that they are rotten within. That too, is another side of Kribi not only expensive but sellers can be very dubious and crafty.
Another very interesting thing about the town concerns the very few taxi cabs that ply the streets. Do not look at their number plates or else you will have the feeling they are not of the town not to talk of the province. The simple fact is that the number plates range form (SW) South West, (LT) Littoral, (CE) Centre, and of course (SU) Sud, representing the South province. At the time of writing this paper it was not clear whether the door numbers were being issued irrespective of the province indicated on the number plates. That too is Cameroon, a land of disorder and near anarchy where every Tom and Dick tries to impose themselves to others.
The climate is highly tropical with very hot dry season and very wet rainy season. Kribi is found in the heart of the equatorial forest but most of the land along the road to Kribi is deprived of trees, with the very few ones being threatened by man’s activities in the city itself, a few patchwork of forest is still surviving but this does not prevent loggers from continuing to fell the very young timber for export. Without necessarily being an expert in lumbering, the sizes of the logs being transported through Kribi tells one that the loggers will stop at nothing to cart away anything timber from the Cameroonian equatorial forest. Oh! my God where did we go wrong?
Can Biya and Co. be compassionate with the suffering masses?
By Mofor Samuel
Anyone traveling to and from Yaoundé and Douala after the February 2008 uprising that shook the foundation of the nation, will think that Cameroon is in a state of war. The numerous check points manned by the different elements of the country’s security forces- police, gendarmerie and army; with passengers having to pass through the control posts on foot and on presentation of their papers. In fact passengers cover several hundred metres on foot to join their buses since almost all the travelling agencies but for Guarantee Express and Centrale Voyage buses that go scout free.
President Paul Biya is one of the several African leaders who promised his people the basic freedoms denied them several hundred years ago by the White man. The promises of restoring basic freedoms to his fellow men have been ruthlessly suppressed. The principles of democracy and the edifice of democratic practices, which has been solemnly enshrined and neatly erected in the various independent constitutions, are promptly demolished. Besides, as soon as an African leader accedes to power with the support of the people, he develops a superior but false estimation of himself. He views himself as Godsent, and as the wisest man in the land (of recent Biya called fellow Cameroonians “apprentis sorciers”) who must as long as he lives, remain in power in order to ensure that heaven and hell do not collapse over the heads of the people of his country, by allowing any other of his countrymen, who are now considered by him as lesser than and inferior to himself, to succeed him.
One realizes that even the elementary freedom of dissent, which was employed by African leaders against colonialists with devastating effect during the agitation for independence, is stifled. By means of all these acts of self-delusion and repression, substance is exchanged for glittering shadow and the morale, the will and the enthusiasm of the people for great national endeavours are seriously eroded.
Cameroonian masses are victims of many diseases, some of which are endemic. Because their health is poor, they suffer from physical and mental inertia, and the loss of enthusiasm for life. Economic exploitation of the under-privileged by foreign and national exploiters continues apace in various guises. In International trade and finance, and in the supply of expert management and technical know-how, the terms are consistently loaded heavily against Cameroon which is terribly short of expertise in many vital areas of development.
With secondary and tertiary industries still in their infant stages, few social amenities which are inefficient and limited mainly to urban areas and communications are exceedingly inadequate and inefficient.
The masses who have all this while been impatient and yearning for better standard of living had to vent their anger last February by letting the magma in them flow during the last social eruption that threatened, shook and rendered Biya’s government helpless and impotent for five days.
In fact young Cameroonians went back to the campaigns for independence and employed the weapons of articulated dissent of boycott, socio-political pressure, of strikes and other industrial actions and of occasional outburst of violence against properties. They now seek to employ the same weapons to win economic, social and political advantages for themselves.
Organized labour movements (syndicates) are now uncompromising in their demands for a better deal from the government. The Press is not left behind in espousing the fundamental rights of the people. All of these are complicated and aggravated by other factors such as internally and externally generated inflation; unemployment and under- employment; malutilisation and misdirection of resources; and the inter- play of conflicts. In order to satisfy the crying but legitimate needs of the people, measures are hurriedly adopted which are ill-considered and, therefore to the chagrin and frustration of the people, ill-fated.
The million dollar question is, can Mr. Biya as a ruler single handedly: solve the economic woes, guaranteeing abundant food and excellent housing to all Cameroonians; prevent or minimize the risks of natural and man made disasters- floods, landslides, tornado, wild fire; accidents- road, air and water, thereby sparing Cameroonians of devastation caused by these disasters; combat and eradicate major prevalent and preventable diseases thereby reducing the high morbidity and mortality rates among young Cameroonians- leaders of tomorrow-thus making it possible for them quit the scene of action at a ripe age; put an end to all forms of violence – inter tribal wars, criminal killings, summary killings, witch hunting and victimization; insecurity etc thereby enabling Cameroonians to live in peace and security; and protect and restore Cameroon’s ecological system to perfect balance, transforming the country to a semi paradise on earth.
Never before have so many Cameroonians been in such dire need of compassionate help as they face hardship, famine, sickness, poverty, crime, civil strife and natural and man made disasters. Media reports tend to emphasize atrocities and acts of brutality. Daily acts of compassion and kindness are often eclipsed by these accounts. This does not change the fact that Cameroonians are desperate for love, affection and sympathy. In fact they hunger for compassion.
Showing compassion may not be easy in a society that seems predominantly cold and inhospitable. The prevalent attitude is that ruthlessness and insensitivity pave the way for success and triumph. Many appear to live by the creed that it is more prudent to be cruel than compassionate. Greed and egotism easily cut off the flow of compassion. As a result, many put themselves first, even at the cost of other people’s feelings or interests. Some political leaders behave similarly.
It is up to President Paul Biya whom Cameroonians all know to be a devout Catholic Christian to distant himself from the above mentioned attitude and show a lot of compassion to the Cameroonian suffering masses.
Compassion denotes a sympathetic awareness of another’s suffering or adversity combined with a desire to alleviate it. Like the warm rays of the bright sun, lessen pain and lift the spirit of an afflicted person.
President Biya and Co. can show compassion by their actions and their words- caring for others and being there when they need them. It is also good not to limit compassion to family members, friends and acquaintances. They have to widen out to include people whom they do not even know.
We all have as obligation to help those who, for whatever reason cannot help themselves. Displaying compassion, however, does not always come naturally.
For example for those of us who are used to the teachings of the Bible-President Biya inclusive- the Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians of Colossae, “strip off the old personality, with its practices and clothe yourselves with the new personality, which through accurate knowledge is being made according to the image of the One who created it… As God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, clothe yourselves with tender affections of compassion.” Colossians 3:9, 10, 12.
Thus cultivating a compassionate attitude takes effort. The attitude is a part of “the new personality” that we Cameroonians as children of God from the top to the bottom of the political ladder- president, ministers, directors, governors, high ranking security officers, managers, decision makers, parliamentarians, the clergy, employers , civil servants, men , women the young and the old, the common man etc, are expected to put on. As we live in this brutal world of today, we as human beings are called upon to make drastic changes in our personality in order for us to become more sympathetic, more compassionate.
Pessimists view those who show compassion as weak and vulnerable. This perception is not correct. The real force behind genuine compassion is deep love which originates from the Almighty God.
Compassion has the power to relieve affliction. It reflects a spirit of sympathy towards those in distress and causes us to suffer with those who suffer. Compassion involves tender regard for people in misery and positive action to help such ones.
And so there is every reason for Paul Biya and Co. to be tenderly compassionate with the Cameroonian suffering masses.
Anyone traveling to and from Yaoundé and Douala after the February 2008 uprising that shook the foundation of the nation, will think that Cameroon is in a state of war. The numerous check points manned by the different elements of the country’s security forces- police, gendarmerie and army; with passengers having to pass through the control posts on foot and on presentation of their papers. In fact passengers cover several hundred metres on foot to join their buses since almost all the travelling agencies but for Guarantee Express and Centrale Voyage buses that go scout free.
President Paul Biya is one of the several African leaders who promised his people the basic freedoms denied them several hundred years ago by the White man. The promises of restoring basic freedoms to his fellow men have been ruthlessly suppressed. The principles of democracy and the edifice of democratic practices, which has been solemnly enshrined and neatly erected in the various independent constitutions, are promptly demolished. Besides, as soon as an African leader accedes to power with the support of the people, he develops a superior but false estimation of himself. He views himself as Godsent, and as the wisest man in the land (of recent Biya called fellow Cameroonians “apprentis sorciers”) who must as long as he lives, remain in power in order to ensure that heaven and hell do not collapse over the heads of the people of his country, by allowing any other of his countrymen, who are now considered by him as lesser than and inferior to himself, to succeed him.
One realizes that even the elementary freedom of dissent, which was employed by African leaders against colonialists with devastating effect during the agitation for independence, is stifled. By means of all these acts of self-delusion and repression, substance is exchanged for glittering shadow and the morale, the will and the enthusiasm of the people for great national endeavours are seriously eroded.
Cameroonian masses are victims of many diseases, some of which are endemic. Because their health is poor, they suffer from physical and mental inertia, and the loss of enthusiasm for life. Economic exploitation of the under-privileged by foreign and national exploiters continues apace in various guises. In International trade and finance, and in the supply of expert management and technical know-how, the terms are consistently loaded heavily against Cameroon which is terribly short of expertise in many vital areas of development.
With secondary and tertiary industries still in their infant stages, few social amenities which are inefficient and limited mainly to urban areas and communications are exceedingly inadequate and inefficient.
The masses who have all this while been impatient and yearning for better standard of living had to vent their anger last February by letting the magma in them flow during the last social eruption that threatened, shook and rendered Biya’s government helpless and impotent for five days.
In fact young Cameroonians went back to the campaigns for independence and employed the weapons of articulated dissent of boycott, socio-political pressure, of strikes and other industrial actions and of occasional outburst of violence against properties. They now seek to employ the same weapons to win economic, social and political advantages for themselves.
Organized labour movements (syndicates) are now uncompromising in their demands for a better deal from the government. The Press is not left behind in espousing the fundamental rights of the people. All of these are complicated and aggravated by other factors such as internally and externally generated inflation; unemployment and under- employment; malutilisation and misdirection of resources; and the inter- play of conflicts. In order to satisfy the crying but legitimate needs of the people, measures are hurriedly adopted which are ill-considered and, therefore to the chagrin and frustration of the people, ill-fated.
The million dollar question is, can Mr. Biya as a ruler single handedly: solve the economic woes, guaranteeing abundant food and excellent housing to all Cameroonians; prevent or minimize the risks of natural and man made disasters- floods, landslides, tornado, wild fire; accidents- road, air and water, thereby sparing Cameroonians of devastation caused by these disasters; combat and eradicate major prevalent and preventable diseases thereby reducing the high morbidity and mortality rates among young Cameroonians- leaders of tomorrow-thus making it possible for them quit the scene of action at a ripe age; put an end to all forms of violence – inter tribal wars, criminal killings, summary killings, witch hunting and victimization; insecurity etc thereby enabling Cameroonians to live in peace and security; and protect and restore Cameroon’s ecological system to perfect balance, transforming the country to a semi paradise on earth.
Never before have so many Cameroonians been in such dire need of compassionate help as they face hardship, famine, sickness, poverty, crime, civil strife and natural and man made disasters. Media reports tend to emphasize atrocities and acts of brutality. Daily acts of compassion and kindness are often eclipsed by these accounts. This does not change the fact that Cameroonians are desperate for love, affection and sympathy. In fact they hunger for compassion.
Showing compassion may not be easy in a society that seems predominantly cold and inhospitable. The prevalent attitude is that ruthlessness and insensitivity pave the way for success and triumph. Many appear to live by the creed that it is more prudent to be cruel than compassionate. Greed and egotism easily cut off the flow of compassion. As a result, many put themselves first, even at the cost of other people’s feelings or interests. Some political leaders behave similarly.
It is up to President Paul Biya whom Cameroonians all know to be a devout Catholic Christian to distant himself from the above mentioned attitude and show a lot of compassion to the Cameroonian suffering masses.
Compassion denotes a sympathetic awareness of another’s suffering or adversity combined with a desire to alleviate it. Like the warm rays of the bright sun, lessen pain and lift the spirit of an afflicted person.
President Biya and Co. can show compassion by their actions and their words- caring for others and being there when they need them. It is also good not to limit compassion to family members, friends and acquaintances. They have to widen out to include people whom they do not even know.
We all have as obligation to help those who, for whatever reason cannot help themselves. Displaying compassion, however, does not always come naturally.
For example for those of us who are used to the teachings of the Bible-President Biya inclusive- the Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians of Colossae, “strip off the old personality, with its practices and clothe yourselves with the new personality, which through accurate knowledge is being made according to the image of the One who created it… As God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, clothe yourselves with tender affections of compassion.” Colossians 3:9, 10, 12.
Thus cultivating a compassionate attitude takes effort. The attitude is a part of “the new personality” that we Cameroonians as children of God from the top to the bottom of the political ladder- president, ministers, directors, governors, high ranking security officers, managers, decision makers, parliamentarians, the clergy, employers , civil servants, men , women the young and the old, the common man etc, are expected to put on. As we live in this brutal world of today, we as human beings are called upon to make drastic changes in our personality in order for us to become more sympathetic, more compassionate.
Pessimists view those who show compassion as weak and vulnerable. This perception is not correct. The real force behind genuine compassion is deep love which originates from the Almighty God.
Compassion has the power to relieve affliction. It reflects a spirit of sympathy towards those in distress and causes us to suffer with those who suffer. Compassion involves tender regard for people in misery and positive action to help such ones.
And so there is every reason for Paul Biya and Co. to be tenderly compassionate with the Cameroonian suffering masses.
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