Forced Marriage & Genital Mutilation: Kareen Bosung’s Predicament

 By Nana John Besong    

 Stories about forced marriages and female genital mutilation (FGM) are common in some parts of Cameroon in particular and Africa in general.

    Female children, who get to maturity and young women, have tales to tell about decisions taken on their behalf by family members. Some of these decisions have to do with forced marriage, in some cases even to the unborn female child by an ‘agreement’ of two independent families whose heads have their parochial interests to protect.

    In Cameroon, an estimated 47% of girls under 18 reportedly get married - usually against their will - because they are seen as an economic burden to their families. These girls often remain in poverty because they leave school to marry and have no access to income-generating opportunities. They are more likely to be victims of domestic and sexual violence; highly vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections including HIV; and they face a high risk of complications, even death, during pregnancy and childbirth.  

   Cameron’s Civil Status Registration (Ordinance No. 81-02 of June 29, 1981), in its Article 52 states: “No marriage may take place: 1) If the girl is younger than 15 years…unless for serious reasons and a waiver has been granted by the president of the Republic”

  This law appears to be largely disregarded in rural settings as village custodians insist on the respect of their traditions and customs.

  On a recent outburst on the dehumanizing effects of FGM, Dr. Joseph Tabi Tabi, a medical doctor practicing in Douala, Cameroon made the following remark about FGM:

 “This is a situation whereby the clitoris of a female is taken off in the village setting during the process of circumcision. This is the removal of the clitoris in the vagina.”

   He regretted the negative effects of FGM.“There are several complications that come in thereafter.  The issue of HIV/AIDS comes in as one blade is used for many persons in the process. There is civilization and increasing awareness of things happening around us. The youths of today say no to FGM and forced marriage and it should be abolished.

     A lot of young girls in Manyu Division in Cameroon are fleeing the area. Grace Ngwai Agbor, now in Europe reportedly fled form Cameroon because every time she went to her village in Manyu Division, she is said to have been reminded by her family there that, she had to undergo the process of FGM, a practice she detested and publicly condemned

   Found in this dilemma, she reportedly decided to leave the country.  And that is how Cameroon lost one of her upcoming and resourceful youths to another country.

   Another lady, Kareen Nyasa Bosung, a University of Buea law graduate, has her own story to tell. A native of  Akwaya,one of the most enclaved regions of Cameroon, Nyasa Bosung has been  battling with her family members over cultural practices she thinks are old-fashioned .

 “I heard this story before and it is now very clear to me that the practice of forced marriage and genital mutilation has a stronghold in Akwaya villages,” Bosung regretted. She is said to be on the run after her life was made unbearable by a ceratin Mr. Tabi of of same village when she refused to respect a forced marriage arrangement. He stalked her even after she ran away from the village.

  Haunted by the scare and members of her villagers who wished to see Bosung succumb to these traditional practices, this young woman is not only psychologically traumatized, but has reportedly lost her marriage to her husband.

  Hear her: “They called me a prostitute who ran away to marry another man even though I was already married.  They cursed me several times, shouted and swore I will never prosper nor succeed in my life.”

  The educational system in rural areas is a great push factor for early marriages in Cameroon. Gender based violence(GBV), poor infrastructure, gender bias teaching material(text books), cultural practices which discourage parents from fully investing on the education of women, and a non-conducive learning environment are all motivating factors for girls to drop out of school.

   Hailing from a rural community, I have observed that most girls who drop out of school have marriage as a main option. Thus, education in rural communities should be made not only more accessible and efficient but also more welcoming to girls. Girls should be encouraged to finish their schooling because education can give them more opportunities and independence. Legal measures which render education compulsory and free for all should be implemented by all African Governments so that women and girls will be able to depend on themselves for a livelihood and not turn to men and early marriage to sustain them. Family Life Education should also be introduced into schools so that boys and girls will be educated about the dangers of premature sexuality which lead to unwanted pregnancies. If a girl should become pregnant prematurely, she should be given the opportunity to continue with her education before and after childbirth. Adult literacy rates need to be improved to encourage a change of mentality which will consequently favour the promotion of girls’ education. Education is fundamental to establish gender equality. Laws should be translated into simple formats and local languages for everyone to understand so that they can see the importance of gender equality and development. Perpetrators who force this responsibility on women should be punished by law whether it is in a context of conflict or not. The imposed status of marriage has chronic long-term consequences for women, while the men who force the marriages lose nothing. Forced marriage should be a codified crime prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

   Forced marriage and the resulting early pregnancy, and other traditional practices, are harmful to girls but because they are deeply rooted in mentalities and cultures, combating them is a real challenge. Some practitioners, some of whom are women, understand how damaging these traditions are to girls’ health but because of fear of being discriminated against by their communities, they hold on to them and socialise the girls to accept them as normal. These negative customs cannot be eradicated unless the harmful mentalities of the practitioners are eradicated. Those fighting for change should also understand the reasons for those beliefs and practices so that they know where and how to open the communication channels to change these mentalities and behaviors. Mentalities need to be changed if legal actions against these traditions are going to be accepted and gender equality promoted.

CAMEROUN’S CURSED PRESIDENCY

BY AYAH Paul ABINE

 As Christ cursed the fig tree for tantalizing him, there are palpable reasons to suppose that Ahidjo cursed the Presidency for treating him similarly. If only the stories of the Secretaries General of that edifice in the past two decades give cogent corroboration. Historians will vindicate me in respect of the President of the Republic himself. Not without reason! Those are patients while he is the actor. Let’s give him the benefit of the doubt till his exit. No-one I prevent from drawing the curtain, or even the dagger! None should urge me so to do either!

 Few are unaware that on the advent of multi-party system in Cameroun, the former Secretary General at the Presidency, Samuel Ebua, was arrested and given a snake beating by the forces of oppression. One could say he was tortured without infringing the decorum of using mild terms in artificial decency. His advanced age meant little to the advanced democracy Cameroun is purported to epitomize.

 Secretary General, Owona Rene, died in active service. I regret that my memory fails me on how many in ministerial positions have similarly died since Mr. President took over from Ahidjo. If by your refusal, failure or neglect to refresh my memory I should persist in my erroneous (erroneous?) conclusion, this singular exception would I count as a second curse.

 A former secretary general, Dr Titus Edjoa, Mr. President’s personal physician, has been languishing in Kondengui for over a decade now, methinks. His arrest and imprisonment coincided with his declaration to run for the Presidency of Cameroun.

 Then came some four years ago the turn of another former secretary general, Atangana Megara. His being remanded in prison custody that long coincided with his giving lavishly to the needed virtually on a daily basis – paying an expensive price for his rising popularity that was feared could eclipse that of the master.

 aIn the 5th place now comes the arrest and remand in prison custody of yet another of Mr. President’s former secretary general, Marafa Hamidou Yaya. His own ordeal has coincided with newspaper publications of late that France favoured his succeeding Mr. President. His tsunami has swept along another former secretary general, Chief Inoni Ephraim. This one was seen as being too close to the heels of the brother who is championing one of Mr. President’s ostentatious outings christened “50th anniversary of Reunification”. Who wants to dismiss the Bakweri Land Claim?

 Obviously, the clarion is loud enough to put on their enquiry those still entertaining wild dreams in similar positions to soar to dreamlands. The coincidences are too many, too varied, to pass the test of coincidence. Once a coincidence loses its accidental character, it ceases to be a coincidence. And the veil becomes outrageously threadbare where a coincidence becomes a colossal buffer zone between the people’s fury over the rape of democracy in a palace coup, and the twin arrests of former secretaries general. The most ignorant villager would cry out: “de sick whe kill cacca na ye go kill coffee”! The “electoral” code palaver is too important to be hidden in a net!

Cameroon: Former Prime Minister Ephraim Inoni & Ex-SG at the Presidency Marafa Hamidou Arrested.

By Christopher Ambe

Former Prime Minister and Chief of Bakingili, Ephraim Inoni, and ex- Secretary-general at the Presidency of the Republic of Cameroon Marafa Hamidou Yaya, today were arrested and detained in security cells in Yaoundé.The two,formerly believed to be untouchables, are implicated in shady financial transactions in the purchase in 2003 of a faulty presidential plane, named Albatross, for Cameroon.

Marafa Hamidou Yaya

Chief Ephraim Inoni

The plane developed a technical fault at its inaugural flight in 2004 and almost crashed with the presidential couple, Biya and Chantal on board.

Upon investigations, it emerged that it was instead a second-hand plane that was bought as those in charge of the purchase allegedly embezzled a good chunk of the huge amount the State of Cameroon had disbursed for the purchase of a new plane.

 Chief Inoni was then assistant Secretary-General at the Presidency while Marafa Hamidou Yaya was the Secretary-General.

 Both, who are now in pre-trial detention, were said to be actors in the purchase transaction. Atangana Mebera, who succeeded Marafa as Secretary-General had since 2008 been in pre-trial detention still in connection with the Albatross affair.

 The arrests are within the frame work of President Paul Biya’s on-going war against corruption and embezzlement of public funds. Biya‘s war against embezzlement is dubbed Operation Sparrow hawk, has sent several senior officials of the Biya regime in prison.

Cameroon:George Washington University in Partnership with University of Buea

Both to begin Master’s Degree Program in Security & Safety Leadership at UB

By Christopher Ambe

Professor Lemieux (right) hands over partnership document to UB VC Prof  Vincent PK.Titan

The University of Buea (UB) has signed an important partnership agreement with the George Washington University, USA, that will see the introduction of a master’s degree program in Security and Safety Leadership as one of UB’s degree programs.

The master’s degree program, which will begin July this year at the University of Buea, is offered by the College of Professional Studies in George Washington University, in partnership with UB, considered as Cameroon’s most prestigious state-owned varsity.

The first batch of students, it emerged, will total twenty-five (25) and George Washington University will teach eight (8) out of the eleven (11) program courses to be offered, while UB dons will handle three.

“Classes will be taught by experts in homeland security policy, law enforcement cooperation, public safety leadership, emergency management and cyber security”, according to an official document The Recorder obtained. “Courses are offered at the University of Buea (one weeklong; once a month)”.

Completion of the master’s degree could take approximately 16-24 months, it emerged.

The master’s degree (program) in security and safety leadership was launched last April 3 at UB by officials of both universities.

Professor Federic Lemieux, Director of the College of Professional Studies, George Washington University signed the partnership on behalf of GW while Professor Vincent Pk.Titanji,Vice-chancellor of University of Buea,did same for UB.

The signing of the partnership and the launch of the degree program was preceded by a public lecture on “Security and Safety in Changing world: Theories, Best Practices and emerging issues”, given by Professor Federic Lemieux, earlier mentioned.

Cross-section of people who attended the  lecture at UB

Professor Lemieux, in his lecture stressed that, if security and safety concerns are given the needed attention in time, the world will know more peace, which is a prerequisite for development.

Earlier in his welcome speech, UB Vice-chancellor Professor Titanji said the introduction of the master’s degree program on security and safety leadership was necessary and timely. He noted that since the introduction of university reforms in Cameroon several years ago, much emphasis was now being laid professionalism

Before Professor Lemieux’s public lecture, Mrs. Joan Wacka, Head of e-Learning and Computerization at UB, gave a foreword on security and safety in Cameroon. She disclosed that Cameroon is ranked 9^th in cyber criminality in the world and 3^rd in Africa.

It is hoped that security and judicial officials and companies would particularly take advantage of the course, so to gain adequate knowledge on Security and safety matters.

The ceremony was attended among others by Legal and judicial authorities, security chiefs, University dons and journalists

For more information about the program please contact: Tel +237 77 16 07 29 (Mr.Bapooh Lipot) or +237 33 32 21 34(Dr.Lyonga)

Hon.Ayah Paul Abine :There is acute need for elections to be postponed

Hon.Ayah Paul Abine

Outspoken Member of Parliament and Leader of the People’s Action Party (PAP), Hon. Ayah Paul Abine, has advised that municipal and parliamentary elections be postponed, instead of rushing things to give the CPDM another occasion to rig elections. The PAP leader, who just returned from a thank-you tour of five of the six divisions of the Southwest Region, says he will be a happy man if Cameroon goes biometric, to ensure clean elections.

Hon .Ayah spoke to  RECORDER’s Christopher Ambe  in Buea  earlier this March

Honorable Ayah Paul ,  we understand you just returned from a tour of the Southwest region in your capacity as President of People’s Action party(PAP).What special message did you take to the various people you visited? 

The first thing is that I did not do the whole region. I toured southwest to the exclusion of Fako Division because Fako has several all-weather roads. So I will do that later. The message was simple: just to go and thank the people; they gave us so much support during the last presidential election. I did not have the time and means to tour and yet we had the kind of tremendous support they gave us.Inspite of all the rigging we did so well in the Southwest; we were in a comfortable position. So the message was to just thank them and let them know that our salvation lies in saying NO, where there is need to say so. I say the greatest word on earth is NO. It is NO that helps you not to fall into temptation; it is NO that helps you to set standards, that gives character. In the world you have several examples of people who said NO and toady they are icons. Is it Gandhi? Is it Rosa Park? Is it Martin Luther King? Is it the four great men who abolished slave trade world-wide? Is it Mandela only yesterday? So people must learn to say No to bad situations instead of sending what is called in Cameroon motion s of support. One of my messages was for people to turn over a new leaf because there is little or nothing that the CPDM can show for being in power for the past 30 years.

At the various stops how were you received by the population? 

I have already said the support we had was tremendous; It was not only in casting the vote, we were overwhelmed in almost the places went to; even villages. When I went to kagifu I saw the huge number of people who came out. Just the crowd that followed me from the end of the town to the hall was massive. The photographs we took speak for themselves. In fact, there were areas that we felt so small, that the crowd we had before us we were therefore small children that we are.

With the impressive turnout you witnessed are you already foreseeing PAP victory in the coming municipal and parliamentary elections? 

In fact, all we need is clean election. The word clean covers everything. If we have clean election there is no doubt that we may come out with a minimum of 50% being at the Parliament or council level

How far have you gone with the implantation nation-wide? 
You know that is a thing that takes time. It is true that our party was registered in1991.but until I came in January 2011 the party was more or less morrbund.Now the time factor, the lack of resources make it so difficult for us to implant nation-wide. But we are planning what to do between now and the next election. As it is rumored that election will be postponed if that happens within the next six months PAP will be actively on the ground everywhere at least in five regions of Cameroon.

I understand that you have thousands upon thousands of sympathizers’ nation-wide. How do you treat them now that the party is yet to be implanted everywhere? 

We are going progressively-not progressively as used by the CPDM because everything in Cameroon today is going progressively. We are going progressively within our resources –both as to time and money. We are not going to fail our people anywhere. Where we cannot go as a big team, we will send representatives two or three.

There is rumor about the postponement of elections. If it comes true, would you be happy as a party leader? 

There is acute need for elections to be postponed, because nobody can tell me that between and four months ELECAM will be able to import machines for the biometric system, which I hear, will be adopted, that ELECAM will be able to study how to operate, that ELECAM will be able to register people, then have those machines sent to the polling stations where they have to test people’s identity and train people who will man this operation. If anybody tells you that that is a thing that can be done in two months then it is a big lie-because from the time the electorate is called to the polls registration stops. And so will it be, which is to say that in two months ELECAM is supposed to have done all the things I have just mentioned. That is impossible. Look at this opportunity. If it’s  true that we are going to go biometric we should take all the time necessary to organize good elections, clean election so that when somebody does make it  one should be honest enough to congratulate the winner. We should not rush things and give the CPDM another occasion to rig election. 

 And if we are going biometric is that pleasing to you? 
In the last election the things that were done, moving people from town to town in big buses openly with arrogance; people who died ten years still being on the electoral roll and people voting for them. If we go biometric where somebody has to be accurately identified we can only thank God that eventually Cameroon is moving towards clean election. I will be a very happy man.

The National Assembly is in session. What are your expectations? 

What can I expect? We have a Parliament where bills are tabled only by government. And until those bills are tabled you can not pre-judge. The fact, however, is that everybody is now talking about electoral code. And there should be a bill to postpone the present parliament. If we don’t do it this time ,then what are we there for?. So those are our expectations-essentially on the electoral system. 

What is your appeal to Cameroonians concerning the coming elections? 
The point is that we have suffered enough. Somebody said that actually the Jews were supposed to come and settle in Cameroon. But toady it is the very Cameroon -a land flowing with milk and honey that is the core of hell-where everybody is suffering. We have suffered enough. Those who have the illusion that money could make them happy realized that it is all vanity.So it is time for us to turn to GOD and do the right thing for once, so that posterity will say at a certain moment the people saw the light and thank God that He gave them a country with all the natural endowments we have.

What is this right thing you want Cameroonians to do?

 They should be honest in choosing their leaders. People should not choose their leaders because they are brothers; they should not choose them because they give them money. In the last election, the CPDM had more than 19 billion Francs. What the rest of the people had was less than 700 million francs. That is out of 23 candidates one man had 19.3 billion and the rest shared 0.7 billion Francs. Can you imagine it was not up to one billion for 22 people while one man had 19.3 billion Francs? So if we are honest to ourselves we should know that we have tried an experiment and it has failed woefully. And that it was time Mr. Biya gave Cameroonians a chance; and if he does not Cameroonians will take their destiny in their hands and do the proper thing by rejecting money. Even if they accept the money they should vote according to their conscience.

             (First Published In The RECORDER Newspaper ,Cameroon,of March 23,2012)

                                                                                                                                                           

Cameroon:Musonge Urges SW Folk to Fully Support Reunification’s Golden Jubilee.

Support Committee Already Put in Place 

By Christopher Ambe Shu

Sons and daughters of the Southwest Region have been called upon to fully support the Government and the Administration towards a successful organization of the celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the Reunification of Cameroon .The Golden Jubilee will be celebrated later this year , in pomp ,in Buea and to be attended by President Paul Biya

Former Prime Minister Peter Mafany Musonge made the call, March 17, in Buea  in his capacity as chairman of the Steering Committee of Southwest Regional Support Committee for the Celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the Reunification of Cameroon while launching activities of the Regional Support committee  

The launching saw the creation of 12 sub committees .They include: mobilization and sensitization, protocol, transportation, lodging, logistics, decoration, finance, gift, secretariat, dinner and gala night committees. The committees immediately met, made recommendations and drew up their plans of action.

Launching the activities of the Support Committee, Chairman Musonge recalled that it was the All -Southwest Forum of 29^th January 2011, jointly organized by the Southwest Chiefs’ Conference (SWECC) and Southwest Elite Association (SWELA) that called on President Biya “to come to Buea, the birthplace of Reunification, to continue the celebrations marking the 50^th anniversary of the independence and reunification of Cameroon”. He added that President Biya in his wisdom granted the request.

He said although the golden jubilee is a national event, whose organization, preparation etc, are incumbent on structures created by the President of the Republic for this purpose, “it is highly desirable that Southwest people fully participate with unparalleled fervor, joy and enthusiasm in the celebrations to make this national landmark event really memorable”

The purpose of the Support Committee, the chairman noted, is to take care of some areas which need special attention, for the effective, joyous and enthusiastic participation of the people of the Southwest.

Justifying his call for massive support which includes financial contribution to the celebration, Mola Musonge, who is also Grand Chancellor of National Orders, told Southwest Folk:

 “It will be a wonderful opportunity for us to put again for the president of the Republic, his guests and the entire nation our legendary hospitality, peace-loving nature and our capacity for tolerance, understanding, peaceful coexistence and national consciousness” 

Other speakers at the ceremony who included Buea Mayor, Charles Mbella Moki, the Secretary-general of Southwest Elite Association(SWELA) Epie Ekale, and the president of Southwest Chiefs’ Conference(SWECC) all hoped that the celebration would provide an opportunity for some of the  priority  concerns of the Region  such as roads to be  taken care of.

Meanwhile Martin Berlinga Eboutou, Chairman of the National Organizing Committee for the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Cameroon’s Reunification   also met with different actors involved in the preparation of the celebration, and implored them to be more committed.

 Berlinga Eboutou reportedly told the meeting participants that, President Paul Biya wants the celebrations to be quite memorable. He strongly recommended to actors concerned regular field visits to Buea, host of the golden jubilee.

 He called on each actor to pay regular visits to Buea, the place of celebration, to seize up the level of preparation.

(First Published In The RECORDER Newspaper ,Cameroon,of March 23,2012)

Cameroon:Professor Julius Ngoh castigates SYNES for shying away from discussing ideas

Professor J. V. Ngoh

Professor Victor Julius Ngoh, Deputy Vice-chancellor in charge of Research, Cooperation and Relations, in the University of Buea, is a renowned professor of history and author of several books. His outspokenness on issues of national interest makes him to be seen by many not only as a critical but also as controversial figure. Recently SYNES Buea, a teachers’ trade union, called for a lecturers’ strike to press for, among other things, the election of heads of departments, deans and the Vice-chancellor of University of Buea and the call was honored. Last March 11, RECORDER Editor Christopher Ambe interviewed the Professor and Deputy Vice-chancellor about the strike action and more. Read on.

Professor Julius Ngoh, you are a senior official of the university of Buea.Lecturers were recently on strike. What is the situation now?

I would like first of all to say that I am granting this interview not as a senior official of the University of Buea but as a teacher of the University of Buea, Professor of History, in the History Department.

Are you a member of SYNES?

I was one of the founding members of SYNES in the early 1990’s when it was really an uphill task. But when I was transferred to Buea I felt that certain conditions were not put in place and I decided not to be a member. And I would like to explain why. When we created SYNES, it was agreed that Assistant Lecturers should not be members of SYNES because they were and are not permanent civil servants, if I can put it that way because they are recruited two years renewable twice. And if they don’t change their grade they are fired. And their contract is with the university concerned, not with the public service. If an Assistant Lecturer refuses to fulfill the duties he signed to perform, it is much easier for the Rector or Vice-chancellor to sanction that assistant lecturer unlike a civil servant; so that is why I had advised that assistant lecturers should not be members of SYNES, but SYNES should protect their interest. But when that was not accepted when I talked with my friend Dr.Fonyam in 2000 I decided not to be a member because I thought that I had to protect the interest of Assistant Lecturers.

Before we talk more about SYNES, are you saying that assistant lecturers are now members of SYNES?

Sure! SYNES has Assistant Lecturers as members. And you see, if an assistant lecturer does change grade after six years, if the text is applied she or he should be fired. So you have a situation where Assistant Lecturers should be advised to be more focused, to publish and change grade. And it is partly because of that failure that we have Assistant Lecturers who have been in that grade for almost ten years.

Judging from the activities of SYNES, some critics shave described it as a rebellious group. You people started it; what is SYNES all about?

In fact, I don’t think it is a rebellious group. It is a teachers’ trade union. It is necessary. It is welcome and it is indispensable for the academic and social welfare of the teaching staff. I think it is a worthwhile group. There are issues which SYNES raises which I support. If you like you can verify with Dr.Yanou, who is the current president of SYNES Buea chapter, you can verify from Dr.Fontem or Dr.Fonyam. If an issue is correct I support it; if it is not correct I don’t support it. But the long and short of is that SYNES is very necessary.

Let us come now to the recent UB strike called by SYNES pressing that Heads of departments, deans and the Vice-chancellor be elected. As a member of the university, as a teacher with many years of varied experiences, would you say the call for the strike was genuine and reasonable?

If you look at Article 54 of the presidential decree of 19 January 1993, which says something along that line, you will be tempted to say yes.But I would like to say here that the implementation of that decree can not be done conveniently; because the way I look at it there are certain modifications or amendments that should be done in order to make that article worthwhile. It should be noted that all lecturers in the eight State universities, I am not talking of assistant lecturers, I am talking about lecturers, associate professors and professors- are either civil servant s or contract officers with the government, which means that as a civil servant a lecturer can be transferred to any of the eight state universities and he or she can’t refuse except on serious medical or social reason if it can be verified. It therefore means that if a civil servant can be transferred, it is not possible for SYNES-given the present text, to insist that election of deans, heads of department and vice-chancellor be done. Because if a lecturer is elected dean or head of department and the Government decides to transfer that lecturer to another university to teach-I have not said the government decides to appoint, that lecturer is bound to go and teach; which means that SYNES cannot turn around to say that we have elected this lecturer as head of department or dean so he or she should not be transferred. The present pretext does not give SYNES or the elected official the right to refuse the transfer; but he or she can refuse an appointment because civil servants are not obliged to accept appointments.

Secondly, the lecturers in UB are not permanent lecturers of the University of Buea.They  were recruited by the Ministry of Higher education on behalf of the Public Service, which means that they can not refuse to go on transfer. And since they are not permanent lecturers of UB, they can be transferred to other universities.

It is not like the University of Oxford where the lecturers are recruited by the University of Oxford and promoted by the same university; they can be fired by the University of Oxford but they can not be transferred to the University of Cambridge. Same with the University of Nsukka,the lecturers of Nsukka are permanent lecturers there-recruited and promoted by the appropriate authorities of the University of Nsukka.Those lecturers cannot be transferred to say the University of Lagos. But that is not what exists in Cameroon state universities. And also, one important point which we should understand is that the change of grade in Cameroon is not done by an individual university; it is not done by the University of Buea or the University of Yaoundé 1. It is done by a commission .The Commission, following the text, meets twice a year. So this is also something which is different. The other universities like Oxford, Cambridge or Nsukka do their promotions.

And finally, what should be understood is that it is wrong to give the impression that in all Anglophone universities, teachers elect their heads of departments, deans and their vice-chancellors. It is not true and it is not the 21^st century tendency because I know some of my colleagues have said that because we are in the 21^st century we must democratize university management. I am strongly for good governance, for good university management and governance. But this does not mean that it must be by election. That is not the trend of the 21^st Century; more and more vice-chancellors and deans are called to be managers. More and more they are given a fixed target. You are appointed dean or vice-chancellor and this is what we expect from you. It should also be borne in mind that with the progress of time, there are now more and more stakeholders in university management. Universities are no longer only research and teaching institutions; there is now a third component: outreach development.  Many stakeholders are involved in the success of a university management; so they have directly or indirectly a say on who should manage the university. And finally, state universities in Cameroon are financed to the tune of almost 90% by the government. It should be understood that the Government pays the salaries of all the lecturers, in the broad sense of the word and gives subventions. So almost 90% of state universities are financed by the government and it would be strange to expect, given the present context, the government not to have a say; not to decide who to manage the 90% of the funds it gives state universities.

Remember in all Anglophone universities, students pay both registration and tuition fees. At the University of Buea, like in all other State universities in Cameroon, students pay only registration fees. Those who advance that UB is an Anglophone university should not stretch this argument too far, for I find it hard to accept that students in the University of Buea and their parents will be comfortable to be told that they should pay tuition fees while other state universities are exempted.

 From your argument, don’t you think that if lecturers are elected to the positions of say heads of departments, deans or vice-chancellor and they are transferred elsewhere, another election can replace them?

You are now coming back to the same issue. In the final analysis it means the government has the right to transfer lecturers. There is no text which says the government should transfer only one person. That is why I say the present decree of 19 January 1993 should be looked into first. They should not say election be done, don’t put the cart before the horse. Create the conducive atmosphere before you do that. If you have not addressed the issues I have raised, you cannot talk of election.

Now you are just an observer of SYNES but you are so knowledgeable.Why don’t you  come back on board by joining SYNES, so to help make it stronger and more reasonable?

I know my friend s in SYNES are honest. In meetings we have had with them, which are chaired by the vice-chancellor, If they raise a point which I know it is right, I support them. And if they raise a point which is wrong I don’t support them. My worry with SYNES is that more often they get away from discussing ideas; from allowing sound arguments to hold. They get too sentimental and personal. They now take on individual colleagues.Oh, you spend so many years on one grade, you have not changed; it means you are not worthy; that is being personal. People should discuss Ideas. Even some of them who are talking, spent even more years on a particular grade than those they are trying to insult. You would be surprised to hear some of them talk of Francophone’s /Anglophones. It defeats the purpose.SYNES is not only for Anglophone or Francophone lecturers. But I have heard talk like some lecturers are not supposed to be here because they are Francophones. SYNES is open to both Francophone and Anglophone lecturers.

Even though you don’t want to talk in your capacity as a senior official of University of Buea  but you are a teacher there  with many years of experience .It is alleged that, out of the 100 lecturers recently recruited and sent to the University of Buea,more than 80 % are Francophones who don’t know good English. What is your take on that?

Please, let me explain one point. The language of instruction is English. Please don’t take a general view. I am surprised that colleagues don’t make exceptions. In the French Department, do you expect the lecturers there to be dominantly Anglophones even if there are Francophones more qualified to teach in that Department? If a Francophone is qualified to teach French and he is transferred to Buea, why should people complain? I think we should make exceptions.
Secondly, it is true to say some Francophones sent to Buea have English language deficiency.
Thirdly, my View is that even those whose  English language is not very good, measures should be put in place to let them improve on their English…To generalize  that they are Francophones and their level of English is not good is unfair. Some of them speak and write good English is very good. As I said, exception should be made.

This bonus question: You are not the Vice-chancellor of the University of Buea, but you are part of its leadership and management. Would you say all is well at UB?

You see my principle has always been to tell hierarchy actually what is on the ground. And by so doing you are helping hierarchy to take appropriate measures. I would be dishonest on my part to say all is well. Should I make the mistake to say all is well, then the first question to me would be “Then, why did SYNES go on strike? “ I am sure I have answered your question

First published in The RECORDER Newspaper, Cameroon, of March 23, 2012

Cameroon:Mayor Mbella Moki Fires Back at Challengers, Insists He Can’t Lose Elections Now

By Christopher Ambe Shu

 Apparently waiting for the right moment to strike his numerous detractors and challengers within and out of the CPDM party, Charles Mbella Moki, president of Fako III Section (Buea) CPDM, on March 24, used the 27^th anniversary of the party in Buea to tell a huge crowd of party members and sympathizers who turned up for the celebrations that, losing an election is not part of his political agenda despite the on-going scheming to unseat him.

Fako III CPDM  Section President Charles Mbella Moki vows:"I cannot lose elections in Buea now"//Recorder Cmr

 “It is not yet time to lose elections in Buea”, thundered the local party boss, who is also Mayor of Buea to a cheering crowd of militants, as some of them seemingly aware of the on-going scheming against their leader, displayed pro-Mbella Moki placards.

 “Paul Biya for Cameroon, Mbella Moki, for Buea ‘’, read one of the placards.

Without mentioning names, Mbella Moki made senior party officials sent by the Central Committee of the party to boost the anniversary celebrations in Buea visibly uncomfortable .To the surprise of many, Mbella Moki bluntly told them to be honest ambassadors of the party at the grassroots, instead of scheming and fanning division in a bid to unseat him as Section president and mayor when it was not yet time for that.

“I have an injection and when I inject people with it they are energized and are ready to face challenges at any time”, boasted Mbella Moki, whose current terms as section president and Mayor are supposed to end this year when the party calls for elections to reorganize its structures and when the President of the Republic convenes the electorate for this year’s municipal elections.

Judging from the significant Buea  Council-supported   infrastructural development of  the town ,many  people strongly believe that if the CPDM reorganizes its structures and Mbella Moki is elected  a councilor on the CPDM ticket -and the CPDM eventually  wins the municipal elections in Buea,he may be reelected as mayor to serve a third consecutive five-year term as Mayor. 

But even as many hail the increasing infrastructural development of the town now under Mayor Moki, his detractors think otherwise. They insist that his time is up.  Consequently, his detractors are said to be holding secret meetings here and there and often strategizing on how to frustrate his efforts to rise again. So intense is the cold war within the CPDM in Buea that longtime political observers have likened it to a vendetta.

But Mbella Moki, privately described even by CPDM partisans as a political tactician and dribbler is said to have sufficient information about what his schemers have in store for him. He has vowed to fight back with all his might to ensure that the CPDM remains the winning and leading party in Buea –and why not under his continued leadership.

The section president regretted that some shortsighted CPDM militants have joined cheap talk by the opposition SDF that the mayor of Buea has mortgaged the Municipality by bringing on board private investors to help boost infrastructural  development of the Municipality.

“We have transformed Buea through the Build, Operate-and Transfer (BOT) and the Public Private Partnership Initiative (PPPI).But it is rather unfortunate that some of our comrades, who have been to school, are subscribing to misinformation by the opposition about the BOT and PPPI funded projects”, said Mbella Moki, adding that it is such partnerships that have developed the USA.

With elections just at the corner, how can Mbella Moki ensure that he remains in the limelight?

This is what he told the huge crowd of militants and sympathizers: “I am coming to meet you at your doorsteps to get you registered for the coming polls.Togther we have done so much to give Buea a facelift that we cannot afford to lose any elections now”.

 He said he has dedicated his life “to serve Buea under the CPDM ticket and we shall achieve more and build a new Buea.”

 “It is thanks to our level of accountability and transparency in the management of the Council resources that we won a prize from the Council Support Fund, FEICOM, and we also won the confidence of other right-thinking Individuals in our Community who have accepted to venture into this PPPI and BOT”, Mbella Moki said, adding that his leadership- whether at the council or party level- has a positive balance sheet to charm more voters. 

Telca  CEO Mrs Kate Kanyi  visits Buea council projects

The CPDM Central Committee delegation to the anniversary celebrations in Buea was led by Hon Emilia Lifaka, VP of the National Assembly, who is said not to be pulling on well with Section President Mbella Moki .Hon. Lifaka called on militants to close ranks and consolidate their political gains.

Mayor Moki and his visitor Mrs. Kate Kanyi

Meanwhile on the eve of the party’s 27^th anniversary, Madam Kate Kanyi, business magnate and CEO of Telca ltd Douala, a coffee and cocoa company, attracted by the current infrastructural development of Buea, paid a surprise visit to Mayor Mbella Moki, and visited some project construction sites. She encouraged the mayor to continue enhancing the development of the Municipality and promised her support where necessary.