Cameroon: Public Accountants Urged To Spearhead Fight against Corruption

By Christopher Ambe

Any public accountant worth the salt must be in the forefront of the fight against corruption, Mr. Ayuk Peter, Southwest Treasurer/Paymaster-General (TPG) has told public accountants of the Southwest region.

Mr. Ayuk was speaking recently at the first coordination meeting of treasury accountants of the Southwest financial jurisdiction in Menji-Lebialem, while informing them of the elaboration of the National Anti-corruption Strategy.

“We shall not alleviate poverty effectively if we do not help create incentives for those deserving them and sanction those who want the easy way to riches”, remarked the TPG, who is said to be a vocal anti-corruption crusader and stringent financial expert.

The stock-taking meeting was intended, among other things, to examine the innovations of the 2012 finance law, innovations on the 2012 accounting nomenclature, the national strategy on the fight against corruption, reports of activities of chiefs of service and heads of treasury stations, and the importance of opening bank accounts for both service providers and civil servants

The TPG revealed that four Municipal Treasuries of the Southwest region had not produced management accounts for over seven years now, even though it is one of their obligations.

 “As concerns the production of management accounts, from all indications, the municipal treasurers of Wabane, Kombo Ikindi, Idabato and Akwaya still seem to be finding it impossible to produce any management account since 2004,” the Treasurer/Paymaster-general said at the meeting, strongly requesting them to submit to him ASAP a written report of their difficulties

He regretted that of a total of over 10.3 billion FCFA received as credits for the Southwest region for this year as at march 31^st the Treasury department in the Southwest had effectively paid only 494,295,864 FCFA as expenditure relating to the budget of 2012, representing a percentage of execution of 4.77%.

 “In fact, this gives us a percentage execution of the running budget of 13.11% and of 0.42% for the investment budget of 2012 which is 7.049,596,000 FCFA,” he said.

Mr. Ayuk said an execution rate of 4.77% when the year was one-quarter gone was not a good percentage, noting that as at last March, 25 % of the year had already gone.

 “We cannot afford to have a general consumption of 4.77%; it means we are lagging behind. In two months time we are going to receive the credit of the second semester in addition to the punctual credits to be given to the region especially as the head of state will be visiting the Southwest region.”

 The Treasurer-General warned the accountants: “The late production or non-production of periodic situations, the sluggish treatment of regular bills, the unjustified delays in the payment of expenses that have already been controlled and found, the lack of cash flow management which makes some of you to publish the list of people to be paid only for such beneficiaries to be told to come later when they present themselves at your stations, will be promptly and severely punished”

He told colleagues to anticipate the expenditure plans of authorizing officials, inform him on time so he could tell hierarchy- for a proactive management of cash flow.

 “In fact, cash flow management is done at the level of Yaoundé on a daily basis and that is what we shall eventually apply at all levels of the economy to avoid frustrating service providers who have earnestly earned their dues,” the TPG said.

He said in the first quarter (January 1 to March 31), his jurisdiction effectively recovered a total of about 2.8 billion. Mr.Ayuk pointed out that, the recovery witnessed a “very significant increase in service revenue”, which rise he attributed to on-going recoveries mission that is now in Meme Division.

“In fact, within this same period last year, service revenue was only FCFA 148,224,656;for this year we have FCFA 202.780,106,a rise of 37% thanks to the ongoing inventory of income generating sources”, he revealed. “Meanwhile 42 new revenue collection services were identified in Meme Division bringing the total number of income generating services to 72 from the former 34 services identified in 2011.We expect this number to increase when the team finishes with Konye subdivision which has not yet been completely visited”

The TPG disclosed that the Southwest Region as at last March 31 had 225 revenue collectors, up from 164 in March 2011.

However, he regretted that out of the 225 revenue collectors, only 23 had deposited monthly returns with regularity since January 2012.

TheTPG said as concerning the state budget the level of execution for running credits as at March was at 13.11%. “As concerns the investment credit we are very low, it is at the level of 0.42%.For the councils, it is even worse for the running budget placed at their level…they are at the level of 0.1%. As concerns their investment credit, nothing has been paid yet. I think this is because most of the investment credits have to the procedure of tendering”

He called for a speedy procedure, noting that “more often than not the treasury does not pay if the authorizing officers do not take initiative.

For his part, Mr.Magloire Mendouga, who sat in for the Director-General of Treasury, Financial and Monetary Cooperation reminded the accountants of the existence of a commission on the Fight against Corruption in the Ministry and requested the Treasury/Paymaster-General to proceed with the creation of sub-commissions of anti-corruption body in his financial jurisdiction. He announced that to encourage total efficiency and total duty-consciousness, the Director-General of Treasury, Financial and Monetary Cooperation has launched an Excellence Award for best treasury accountants.Mr.Mendouga said treasurers/paymasters-general ,for the competition, would be judged based, among other criteria, on the quality of their accounts rendered.

He stressed the need for the respect of the time limit of sixty (60) days for all payments.

The coordination meeting was declared open by the by the Governor of the Southwest region through his representative, Fofie Mboueda Chrsitopher, who is also First Assistant SDO for Lebialem.Mr.Fofie implored the accountants to ensure the proper execution of the State budget.

Earlier in his welcome speech, the mayor of Menji, Chief Fobellah Nyockembeng II, appealed to the participants to serve also as ambassadors of Lebialem by lobbying for development projects for the Division, which he likened to the Switzerland of Cameroon due to its topography.

First Published in The Recorder Newspaper, Cameroon, of May 2, 2012

Cameroon: Buea Linguistic Centre In Need of Multi-Media, Says Director

By Christopher Ambe

The Director of the Southwest Regional Linguistic Centre Buea, Mr.Akombi Sampson Oke, has used  the 2012 Bilingual Training Certificate Award ceremony to appeal to hierarchy to construct a multi-media Centre in the institution as soon as possible.

The ceremony, which was chaired by Professor Chief Peter Agbor Tabi, Assistant Secretary-General at the Presidency of Cameroon, saw the forty-two learners receive their end-of -course bilingual certificates. The awardees included senior civil servants such as Kouemo Simon (SDO for Kupe Muanenguba) and Justice Goodwill Okia  Mukete(Deputy Secretary-General at the National Assembly,Yaounde).

The Southwest Regional Linguistic Centre is one of the networks of centres of the Bilingual Training Programme, placed under the Presidency of the Republic. The centre’s missions, amongst others, include the teaching and promotion of the two official languages in Cameroon French and English, thereby contributing to national unity and integration. The Buea Linguistic centre has an annex in Limbe.

 Speaking at the ceremony, Director Akombi  Oke expressed happiness  to have the end-of-course certificates handed to  the  42 deserving  products of  the institution by  Professor, Chief Peter Agbor Tabi,Minister,Assistant Secretary General No.1 at the Presidency.Mr.Akombi  noted  that in the previous graduation  there were only 15 who  earned the bilingual certificates compared to 42 this year. The Director, who stressed the importance of bilingualism, said the centre has graduated hundreds of people from many institutions. He urged the 42 awardees to be marketing agents of the centre, by demonstrating that, the certificates they earned were not mere pieces of paper. “Bilingualism is on the move in the Southwest Region, “remarked Director Akombi. “Our Credo is Professionalism in the promotion of Bilingualism”

Mr.Akombi pleaded with hierarchy to construct an ultra –modern multi-media centre at the Buea Linguistic Centre so to facilitate teaching and learning-a plea which the Presidential deputy SGl later said would be taken in to consideration.

“The Southwest Regional Linguistic Centre will get the kind of equipment its deserves,” said Professor Chief Agbor Tabi as he addressed the ceremony ,which  was witnessed amongst other dignitaries by Southwest Governor Bernard Okakia Bilai,Fako SDO Bona Ebengue Francois, Buea Divisional Officer  Chekem Abraham and Professor Gottlieb Monekosso,former Minister of Public Health.

Minister Agbor Tabi, in emphasizing the importance of bilingualism, advised the large audience: “If you want a big appointment in the country, please be bilingual.”

He charged the Southwest governor to ensure that government workers within his jurisdiction take advantage of the bilingual training programme.He said the state was bent on making the country a veritable cradle of bilingualism, adding that bilingualism is a treasure which should be preserved by all Cameroonians.

The Presidential envoy announced the imminent creation of Maroua Linguistic Centre to add to the list of existing ones.

While hailing the 42 recipients of the bilingual certificates, Professor, Chief Agbor Tabi called on the Southwest populations to emulate them. He equally urged companies and corporation to get their personnel to take advantage of the bilingual centers.

Ealier in his welcome address, Mayor of Buea Charles Mbella Moki recalled that the seeds of bilingualism in Cameroon were sown in Buea, which is also seat of reunification. He thanked the Head of State for the linguistic centre in Buea, but wished to see it improved upon before President Biya’s coming to Buea to chair the golden jubilee of Cameroon’s reunification.

Highlights of the ceremony included an academic discourse on “Reunification of Cameroon and Bilingualsm”by Sadjo Amoa; testimonies by products of the Buea center and a sketch on bilingualism.

It is worthy of note that,the Southwest Regional Linguistic Centre, Buea, as it is known toady was created in 1963 as a Federal Government structure to teach West Cameroonian Government officials, French language.

In 1990, Presidential decree no.90/196 of 3^rd August 1990 created the Bilingual Training Programme.This decree also made provision for the opening of a linguistic centre at each Regional headquarters. The Buea Linguistic Centre was therefore absorbed into the Bilingual Training Programme in 1991 with Mr. Patrice Ngantu as its first Director. In 1995 Mr.Ngantu was replaced by Mrs.Bilong Regina Nalova .

in 1996,an annex of the centre was created in Limbe.In 1996,Mrs.Bilong was replaced by Mr.Akombi Sampson Oke, who is the current director.

Cameroon:University of Buea Set to host 2012 varsity games

By Christopher Ambe Shu

Vice Chancellor  Vincent PK Titanji at Press Confere

The University of Buea(UB) is set to warmly receive  thousands of delegates , on campus,  from Cameroon’s  universities  and other higher  institutions of learning  who are coming for this year’s university games, Professor Vincent PK Titanji,UB  Vice-Chancellor(VC),  last Friday ,told a press conference in Buea . The games will begin on May 5 and will take 9 days.

The initiative of University games started in 1998 in Dschang as a way of fostering unity and solidarity among higher institutions of learning, and has now become a permanent feature in the university landscape in Cameroon.

   The games are jointly funded by the National Federation of University Sports (FENASU), the Ministry of Higher Education, the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education, the Host University, and partners in the private sector such as MTN Cameroon, which is the official but not exclusive sponsor of the games.

The National Federation of University Sports (FENASU) has since 2002 been handling the technical aspects of organizing the games

UB is hosting the yearly games, which are organized on a rotation principle this year for the third time; it first hosted the games in 2000 and the time in 2006.Last year the games were hosted by the University of Dschang.

Some 19 delegations with some 4000 delegates are expected at the University of Buea, which has had its sports infrastructure and facilities renovated and upgraded.

“An outstanding aspect of the University Games is that there is more to it than winning of medals”, Professor Titanji told the press conference, which held in the Conference Room of the Faculty of Science. “Athletes and officials are usually called up to demonstrate the Olympic Spirit which is the respect for one another and a sense of fair play.

 “To give this aspect of the games a great distinction, a trophy and cash prize of 2 million FCFA for fair play was introduced in 2000 when UB hosted the games.”

Because supporters’ clubs add special animation during the games, in 2001 in Ngaoundere a completion for the best supporters clubs was launched.

The UB VC said the falls of the University games have included the selection of  good number athletes for  various national teams as results of their impressive performances.

While expressing UB‘s readiness to host the games, Professor Titanji reminded athletes “to compete in all fairness, in a spirit of brotherliness but with the will to conquer”

The VC noted that the games have witnessed both positive quantitative and qualitative improvement in terms of number of disciplines and number of participating institutions.

He gave assurance that measures have been put in place to ensure the security and safety of delegates and other vistors in Buea.

The vice-chancellor was hopeful that UB competitors who are to participate in all the sport disciplines this year would greatly improve on their past performances considering that, they started training and preparation for the competition early enough.

“We are going in with a firm determination to do better than last year”, said Professor Titanji, wearing a broad smile.

The VC did not hesitate to tell reporters that, UB would certainly take advantage of the games to market its programmes. “It will also be an opportunity for us to show that we are a dynamic university; that there is quality scholarship going on in UB”, he said.

He also launched an appeal to hotel owners and other business people not to inflate prices of commodities, so to make life quite affordable to all visitors.

First Published in The RECORDER Newspaper of May 2, 2012

Cameroonian excelling in Reiki therapy in Netherlands

BY TARHYANG ENOWBIKAH TABE

 A Cameroonian , Samuel Eyong Takang is  excelling in Netherlands in the field of Reiki therapy.

Eyong Samuel, based in Rotterdam, in the Netherlands is a certified Reiki master, and started practicing Reiki since.2005. Since then he has given treatments to many people around Europe and America (Maryland).

He operates Reiki therapy at home and also carry his services from place to place when need be.

In an online chat with him, he said “our aim is to provide Reiki energy therapy to our clients, and also we are searching for old people’s homes, hospitals, business organisations all over the world to work in partnership with them in order to maintain good health and vitality to humanity.

Reiki developed in 1922 by Japanese Buddhist Mikao Usui, which since has been adapted by various teachers of varying traditions. It uses a technique commonly called palm healing or hands on healing as a form of complementary therapy and is sometimes classified as oriental medicine by some professional medical bodies. Through the use of this technique, practitioners believe that they are transferring universal energy (i.e., reiki) in the form of ki through the palms, which allows for self-healing and a state of equilibrium.

There are two main branches of Reiki, commonly referred to as Traditional Japanese Reiki and Western Reiki. Though differences can be wide and varied between branches and traditions, the primary difference is that Westernised forms use systematised hand-placements rather than relying on an intuitive sense of hand-positions which is commonly used by Japanese Reiki branches. Both branches commonly have a three-tiered hierarchy of degrees, usually referred to as the First, Second, and Master/Teacher level, all of which are associated with different skills and techniques.

Reiki is also a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.

The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words - Rei which means "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power" and Ki which is "life force energy". So Reiki is actually "spiritually guided life force energy."

A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and wellbeing. Many have reported miraculous results.

Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. It has been effective in helping virtually every known illness and malady and always creates a beneficial effect. It also works in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery.

An amazingly simple technique to learn, the ability to use Reiki is not taught in the usual sense, but is transferred to the student during a Reiki class. This ability is passed on during an "attunement" given by a Reiki master and allows the student to tap into an unlimited supply of "life force energy" to improve one's health and enhance the quality of life.

Its use is not dependent on one's intellectual capacity or spiritual development and therefore is available to everyone. It has been successfully taught to thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds.

While Reiki is spiritual in nature, it is not a religion. It has no dogma, and there is nothing you must believe in order to learn and use Reiki. In fact, Reiki is not dependent on belief at all and will work whether you believe in it or not. Because Reiki comes from God, many people find that using Reiki puts them more in touch with the experience of their religion rather than having only an intellectual concept of it.

While Reiki is not a religion, it is still important to live and act in a way that promotes harmony with others. Dr. Mikao Usui, the founder of the Reiki system of natural healing, recommended that one practice certain simple ethical ideals to promote peace and harmony, which are nearly universal across all cultures.
During a meditation several years after developing Reiki, Dr. Usui decided to add the Reiki Ideals to the practice of Reiki. The Ideals came in part from the five prinicples of the Meiji emperor of Japan whom Dr. Usui admired. The Ideals were developed to add spiritual balance to Usui Reiki. Their purpose is to help people realize that healing the spirit by consciously deciding to improve oneself is a necessary part of the Reiki healing experience.

According to Eyong Samuel Takang, in order for the Reiki healing energies to have lasting results, the client must accept responsibility for her or his healing and take an active part in it. Therefore, the Usui system of Reiki which Eyong Sammy uses is more than the use of the Reiki energy. It must also include an active commitment to improve oneself in order for it to be a complete system. The ideals are both guidelines for living a gracious life and virtues worthy of practice for their inherent value.

Reiki Master Explains
According the Cameroonian born Reiki Master, a Reiki healing treatment is easy to perform when you are trained. The practitioner is taught hand positions in treatment.

During a session, Eyong Samuel said, the practitioner gently places his or her hands on or slightly above you, from your head all the way down to your toes. In each hand position, the practitioner sends healing energy to your body.

“A session can be very relaxing and it is ok to fall asleep. Each reiki treatment is unique and everybody has a different experience during a reiki therapy as some may experience sensations such as warmth, tingling, cool, twitches, muscle spasm, gas, tears or gentle waves moving through your body, while the energy is flowing, it accelerates the body’s own natural healing ability.” He said and added that the intent is for healing to occur, “the energy has an intelligent of its own and knows where the healing energy has to go and what it is needed. It never does any harm. The reiki practitioner is only a channel for the healing energy.” He maintained.
Eyong said a typical initial session begins with a consultation and followed by discussion and that a reiki session can last anywhere from 1and a half to 2 hours, depending on the length of time you speak with your practitioner. “Stress and depression are one of the biggest benefits of Reiki therapy.
Sometime the result of a reiki session is not recognised until after the session, when your body has the chance to integrate the healing energy and the shift that has occurred.” He said and suggest that people pay attention to their body and mind for approximately one week following their treatment, and drink a lot of water to help flush out their system while releasing blockages and tension within the physical, mental and emotional bodies. This, he says, allows the natural flow of energy removing toxixs and waste products as the blockages leaves the body. “Once the blockages have been removed the people can then hold and store universal live energy in the body activating ones energy vibration.” He concluded.

Quizzed on if he has any plans to set up a Reiki center in Cameroon, he says he is still thinking about it but notes that it is very6 necessary for Cameroonians especially those living in stress.

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)