Cameroon: Globus Education Systems Launches Campaign for Rapid Admission into Top World Universities.

Macellous Mbameg,Managing Dircetor of  Globus Education Systems, talking to reporters in
Molyko -Buea at launch of rapid admission into top world universities 

 By Christopher Ambe

Since February 15, the Conference hall of the Presbyterian Church Molylo-Buea has been busy with students who are interested in furthering their studies in renowned universities word-wide.

These students have been seeking and getting information on how to  get admitted into some  top foreign universities  for Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD programmes ,as well as get funded,  from   Globus Education Systems(GES), which is a network of international educational institutions.

Officials of Globus Education Systems, led by its Managing Director, Cameroonian-born Macellous Mbameg, on February 15 , launched  a sensitization and admission  campaign to that effect  in Buea ,which will ends on February 26.

 Globus Education Systems, whose goal is facilitating direct admission into top world universities, has its headquarters in Douala -Cameroon and a country office in Lagos ,Nigeria. It plans to open  branches in other countries.

 GES was incorporated in Cameroon in 2020, according to the General Manager

Mbameg disclosed that Globus Education Systems does not only facilitate direct admission of students into top world universities, but also facilitates study loans to admitted students.

 “This loan is given without collateral and no co-signer”, he told the assembly of students who on February 15 attended the admission campaign launch in Molyko –Buea.

On whether Globus Education Systems can facilitate visas for students admitted into the top universities, Mbameg quipped: “We have partnership with some embassies like India …but we cannot guarantee that we can facilitate the obtaining  of visa to the US and Canada.”   

He disclosed that since the incorporation of Globus Education Systems in Cameroon in 2020, over 500 students gained admission into foreign universities but because of COVID-19 restrictions many could not travel to study.

According to the Managing Director, “Not travelling after the students gained admission was neither the problem of Globus Education Systems nor that of the universities that admitted them.

“Hundreds of students are studying in India, where we have two partner universities”

Students applying for admission into top world varsities through Globus Education Systems are required to pay a service charge (application fee).

The Managing Director insisted that admission through GES is 100% guaranteed.

“We are university representatives (not agents).We make decisions for admission on the spot. We have gone further to get this partnership whereby students will not only be admitted but can also get funding to cover their cost of study,”Mbameg pointed out.

He added that being a Cameroonian he decided to bring this opportunity to Cameroon whereby “students can apply for admission abroad and secure a study loan for the entire duration of their study”.

Mbameg said GES is also a loan facilitator for students who have secured admission but are incapable of sponsoring themselves “The study loan is made available to the students (by a banking institution) upon arrival on campuses of the chosen universities,”Mbameg noted.

Once admitted, GES-recommended students are allowed to work while studying, the Managing Director said, noting that the costs of visa and flight are the responsibility of admitted students

GES, it emerged, is also committed to counseling students on different life options.

The Managing Director was accompanied to the launch in Buea by Shufor Zita.F, Head of Admissions and Lahmu Sandrine, its Country Manager, among other colleagues.

GES partner universities are found in : the USA,Switzerland,Australia,UK, Canada,Germany, Greece, Ireland,India ,France etc.

 

 

 

Cameroon Anglophone Crisis: Bullets Will Not Solve The Problem, Dialogue Will

 By Dr. Amos Namanga  Ngongi *

Dr. A mos Namanga. Ngongi

The months of October, November and December were in many ways a great disappointment for Cameroonians. October 1^st that should have been a day of great joy and celebration of the 60^th Anniversary of the unification of Cameroon, a diamond jubilee worthy of pomp and pageantry, was not marked in any way or form. I remember with fondness the celebration of the first anniversary on 1 October, 1962.

However, considering the fact that the date has been all but wiped out of the country’s political calendar and in the face of the ongoing socio-political crisis and being a Monday, that day was marked by deafening silence in the North West and South West Regions. I remember the great enthusiasm and hope of the population of Buea on 1 October, 1961 and the mammoth crowd that gathered at the Buea Town Green for the historic occasion. The guard of honour led by Inspector of Police Boniface Patcha, now of blessed memory, was inspected by President Ahmadou Ahidjo and the Vice President and Prime Minister of West Cameroon, John Ngu Foncha. Even the early morning drizzle did not dampen the spirits of the population. There must be hundreds alive who witnessed that ceremony and who like me were disappointed at the non-recognition of such an important event 60 years later.

Then came the 14^th of October and the gruesome killing of little Carolis by a Gendarme. The spontaneous reaction of the crowd was a powerful demonstration of the pent-up anger of the population that is living under the weight of hardships -imposed by the sociopolitical crisis. It is a pity that the little girl lost her life in such a brutal manner. I visited Caro’s grave on 1^st November and prayed that her soul be received in heaven. Of equal pity was the mob justice imposed on the Gendarme by the angry crowd. Caro’s death brought back bad memories of the Kumba massacre of 24^th October, 2020 in which seven children were killed at Mother Francisca International Bilingual Academy and 13 others injured.

However, as the saying goes, every dark cloud has a silver lining. The silver lining on the 14^th of October, 2021 was the unveiling of the Governor of the South West Region. He spoke as a Governor and a father, using words of empathy that would calm any angry crowd. One can only wonder what would have happened had he addressed the crowds in 2016 and 2017 in similar manner. May be we could have avoided the extremes of the current sociopolitical crisis.

The killing machine that has been unleashed on the population of the North West and South West Regions marches on. The social media is full of horrible images of heaps of dead bodies, armored cars blown up by improvised explosive devices, houses torched to the ground and villages that have been destroyed. To this carnage is added the million or so Cameroonians who have been displaced and are roaming from place to place. One only needs to visit Buea and see how crowded it has become because of its relative security. The resulting unplanned population growth and taxis, both regular and clandestine, have made life difficult for the resident population. The limited infrastructure (roads, water and electricity) has been stretched to the limits. The cost of living has skyrocketed. All of these inconveniencies are no match for the loss of life, torture and wanton arrests and imprisonment without trial that the population endures on a daily basis. As if October was not bad enough, November started with a bang.

Another young girl of 7 was killed by a Policeman in Bamenda and a school attacked in Ekondo Titi resulting in the death of four students and a teacher. These killings are in addition to the continued killing of soldiers, separatists and civilians, most of which are unreported. Then followed the explosions of IEDs in Buea. Two taxis bombed resulting in one death and the bombing of the Trade Fair Grounds that resulted in the wounding of twelve persons. The population of Buea that has lived in some security is now in shock

The only way to stop the killings, restore human rights and dignity, encourage displaced persons to return to their homes, ease the pressure on infrastructure, launch a credible reconstruction programme and revive the crippled economy in both regions is to stop the war.

The National Assembly, recently in session, did not have on its agenda an item on the sociopolitical crisis. Apparently, the crisis is not yet considered serious enough to merit a debate. However, advantage was taken during the discussion on the reconstruction programme for the North West and South West regions to express views on the Anglophone crisis. Is this case even one of “putting a cart before the horse”? The two regions are in a state of emergency and insecurity in which people are losing their lives and there is massive involuntary migration of the population to urban areas within and out of the two English-speaking regions. Instead of seeking avenues to put a stop to the emergency situation caused by the war, the talk is about reconstruction. It is amazing that organizations and countries that should be exerting pressure on the warring parties to make peace are pledging resources for reconstruction. The goodwill is appreciated but evidence from other warring countries does not support such planning. At best, it is to comfort the government to maintaining a wrong strategy.

As long as the war rages on, all plans for reconstruction and reviving the economy are fraught with failure. The Anglophone crisis has been analyzed and proposals for a solution made by many well informed persons, Cameroonians and others. What is now needed is the convening of a national conference or dialogue to discuss various options to save the people of the  North West and South West Regions and the country. There is no need for Cameroonians, be they members of security forces, separatists or civilians to be dying in a war that did not have to occur. Five years into the war it is incumbent on the government to initiate action to end it. Separatists should respond positively to invitations from the government for dialogue. Bullets will not solve the problems and end the war, dialogue will. A mediated dialogue without preconditions will chart a path to peace.

At the end of October, representatives of some of the warring factions and other stakeholders convened in Toronto, Canada, to discuss the Anglophone crisis. The stated objective was to work towards coordinated positions. Although all parties concerned were not represented, that was a step in the right direction. If there is common understanding among the various non-state actors it would make future discussions with the government much easier. It was a welcome effort on the part of the Coalition for Dialogue and Negotiations (CDN). Hopefully future sessions will broaden participation and fine-tune positions and options that can be tabled at a Dialogue. The essence should be to identify, discuss and agree on options that would allow the populations of the North West and South West Regions to have a true sense of belonging and live in harmony with the rest of the country, if possible.

Having missed the 60^th anniversary of unification for peace to return to the North West and South West Regions, I hope we will not wait until the 61^st anniversary to start the process. Let us start now with a ceasefire. At least a truce that permits discussions on modalities for a ceasefire should be declared. Borrowing from the Greeks and the truces they used to institute in respect of the Olympic Games, let a football truce be declared from 1^st January to 15^th February, 2022. It will be a bold step towards creating conditions for peace. Peace @60 is still possible. We have 9 months to the 61^st anniversary of unification. That is enough time to silence the guns and breathe the fresh air of peace.

 *Dr.Namanga Ngongi is a former Under-Secretary General and Special Representative of the UN to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Head of the Peacekeeping Mission (MONUC).

 

 

 

Cameroon President in 2022 New Year message vows to fish out "terrorists' in the country.

 Paul Biya ,the President of the Republic of Cameroon ,has in his New Year 2022  message to Cameroonians delivered on December 31,2021,vowed to  track down   perpetrators and sponsors  of criminal activities  in the country wherever they  are hiding  and prosecute them. Criminal activities such as murders, kidnappings, arson  are rife in the Northwest and Southwest regions since  the ongoing Anglophone Crisis erupted in 2016. 

************************** Read full speech below:

Fellow Cameroonians,

My Dear Compatriots,

This year, the coronavirus pandemic has yet again featured among the major causes for concern worldwide.

The disease has not been eradicated despite significant efforts by the scientific community and governments.

It is noted that the virus tends to adapt to our environment over time, as evidenced by the emergence of new variants, thus making control of the pandemic particularly challenging.

Unfortunately, it continues to plunge families into mourning, disrupt social life and create economic distortions.

Should we then despair and yield to pessimism? Obviously NO.

We learn from history that this is not humanity’s first epidemic, and it is undoubtedly far from being its last.

By the way, I am confident that we will overcome the coronavirus in the same manner as previous epidemics.

For my part, I will spare no effort in ensuring that the requisite measures to stem its spread in our country are actually implemented.

The response strategy implemented by the Government is yielding excellent results. Over the past two years, it has helped to save lives and to curb the spread of COVID-19 in our country.

Accordingly, it should be continued and, as appropriate, improved to better adapt to the mutations of this dangerous virus.

Hence, the need to stay alert and to continue observing the rules of hygiene and preventive measures such as wearing a mask in all public places or physical distancing.

However, given the virulence of the virus, vaccination is definitely an additional preventive measure.

In many cases, a full vaccination course helps to avert severe complications of the disease, which are generally fatal.

That is why I urge each and every one to get vaccinated and not to pay heed to the conspiracy theories that abound on social media about the coronavirus vaccine.

Indeed, combining preventive measures with vaccination will enable us to break the chain of contamination of this virus and return to normal life more speedily.

My Dear Compatriots,

Notwithstanding the persistence of the COVID-19 pandemic-related health crisis, we have remained focused on the target we set within the framework of our National Development Strategy for the 2020–2030 period.

Despite its adverse impact on the economic fabric, we have relentlessly continued implementing our transformational projects, thanks to the sustained mobilization of non-oil revenue, the implementation of domestic budget consolidation measures and support from our development partners.

Fiscal reforms, particularly in the taxation and customs sectors, have boosted our capacity to mobilize funds from the international financial market.

 

The credibility of Cameroon’s signature thus helped to successfully refinance the Eurobond and to conclude a new Economic and Financial Programme with the International Monetary Fund.

Thanks to financial resources mobilized both within and outside the country, substantial investments have been made to complete the first- generation transformational projects.

These include:

completion of the first phase of the Yaounde-Nsimalen, Yaounde-Douala and Kribi-Lolabe motorways. They have been operationalized under public-private partnerships;

construction of 914 kilometres of asphalted roads;

extension of the health map with the commissioning of the Ebolowa and Bafoussam referral hospitals, as well as the completion of that of Garoua;

implementation of projects to achieve energy self-sufficiency through continuation of construction work on the Nachtigal dam and completion of the hydropower transmission line from the Memve’elé dam.

Works are ongoing to interconnect the Northern and Southern electrical grids. The implementation of this project will contribute to a sustainable reduction of the energy deficit in our country’s northern regions. 

At the same time, there was a need to continue ensuring private sector competitiveness in a macro-economic environment severely disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is common knowledge that the pandemic has led to rising sea freight costs, thus directly increasing the price of essential goods.

Aware of the huge sacrifices made by national economic operators to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic, I instructed the Government to reduce by 80% the sea freight transportation cost to be included in calculating customs duties.

The Government must also continue discussions with the private sector to identify further measures that can be implemented.

By the way, if we have to meet the growth challenge, we must strive to reduce our imports and increase the volume of our exports by boosting domestic production.

In any case, it behoves us to create conditions for more robust, sustainable, inclusive and employment-generating growth, particularly for our youths who are and will remain the primary beneficiaries of ongoing reforms in various areas.

Considering the measures taken, we have reason to be optimistic about economic recovery and an uptick in our growth rate to 4.2% in 2022, from 3.6% in 2021. This positive outlook is consistent with that of a global return to   growth as announced by the relevant international bodies. Our country has the capacity to make the most of this situation.

My Dear Compatriots,

Despite the challenges faced by our country, we continue to be respected on a global scale.

The trust Cameroon enjoys among our partners is the result of our constant efforts to ensure that the country remains the haven of peace and stability that it has always been.   

To this end, we have stepped up our efforts to maintain peace and security nationwide. 

Boko Haram’s sporadic incursions into the Far-North Region in recent months have been met with stiff resistance from our defence forces. Once more, I wish to pay them a well-deserved tribute for their courage, commitment and professionalism.

I take this opportunity to commend the full mobilization of the nation’s lifeblood, the population and vigilante committees, that are contributing decisively to the success of our popular defence strategy.

I am pleased to note that a large number of our compatriots who had joined armed groups have accepted my peace overture.

Many Boko Haram members have laid down their arms and are being catered for in Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Centres in the Far-North Region. The same holds true in the North-West and South-West Regions where many members of armed groups continue to surrender.

However, many of our compatriots remain within the ranks of armed groups. They continue to engage in criminal activities, increasing attacks with improvised explosive devices and murders of unarmed civilians.

The recent assassination of three students and a teacher of Bilingual High School Ekondo Titi added to their long list of abuses and atrocities.

I would like, once again, to reiterate Government’s firm determination to restore peace in the regions that are under security threats.

It should be clearly understood that wherever the perpetrators and sponsors of such acts are hiding, they will be relentlessly tracked down and will face the full force of the law.

In this fierce fight against barbarism, I urge the Cameroonian people to step up collaboration with our defence and security forces in order to neutralize the fanatics of armed violence and to preserve the integrity of our territory.

Many of our compatriots have fallen in battle while engaged in this lofty civil and military defence task. May our determination to keep up the fight bring solace to them as their sacrifice for the Republic will not be in vain.

They are role models for our youths, whom I urge to shun indoctrination attempts by secessionist groups.

In this fight against terrorism, we plan to enlist the support of a wide range of partner States by debunking falsehoods about our country’s human rights situation propagated within international circles by some of Cameroon’s detractors.

My Dear Compatriots,

True to our commitment to peace and tolerance, we have continued to demonstrate openness and readiness for dialogue in order to call a halt to this crisis that has wreaked far too much suffering on our populations.

 

Thus, after holding the Major National Dialogue, we have continued to accelerate and deepen decentralization.

 

Regions, as regional and local authorities, were set up this year and are beginning to find their feet.

 

The North-West and South-West Regions have been granted special status to reflect their cultural and language specificities.

 

Overall, regionalization is being implemented countrywide and contributes towards increasing our fellow citizens’ participation in the management of local affairs.

 

These democratic strides very clearly demonstrate that our country is irreversibly and resolutely engaged in the methodical perfection of its democratic process, in order to further meet the legitimate aspirations of the Cameroonian people.

I am fully aware that some people would prefer that we move faster in this area. However, we must avoid any kind of haste that may undermine our country’s unity and our republican ideal. Surely, we will carefully and patiently do whatever needs to be done.

In all circumstances, we must promote constructive and regular dialogue between the various sociological components of the Republic in order to mobilize them for our country’s emergence.

My Dear Compatriots,

Lately, we have witnessed an upsurge in unpatriotic behaviour, the proliferation of hate speech and the posting of violent, obscene and shameful videotapes which have shocked the nation’s collective conscience.

 

The persistent publication of “fake-news” in the mainstream or social media has contributed towards sustaining falsehood, thus preventing many of our fellow citizens from getting the right information on key issues.

Therefore, I appeal to your sense of individual responsibility and urge each of you to promote the culture of peace.

I call on the Government to step up efforts to raise awareness on the responsible use of social media by all social classes.

We must remain a patriotic, united and supportive people.

We must cherish peace and seek harmony at all times.

Let us resolve to actively ensure that these values promote living together to which our people as a whole deeply aspire.

Fellow Cameroonians,

My Dear Compatriots,

We are faced with specific challenges at the dawn of the new year. Our country will host the Africa Cup of Nations from 9 January to 6 February 2022.

 

In the run-up to the tournament, we have all witnessed the profound transformation that has taken place in the cities that will host AFCON 2021 matches.

The preparation of the tournament has helped to accelerate the infrastructural development of many of our cities.

Urban roads have been constructed or rehabilitated.

The technical capacity of existing health facilities has been upgraded. New hospitals with state-of-the-art equipment have been built in our regional capitals.

Ultramodern hotels have been built to accommodate official delegations, special guests and tourists who will visit Cameroon during the tournament.

We will continue implementing this investment programme by reducing the infrastructure disparities existing between the regions of our country in various areas.

It is unacceptable that some regions should feel forsaken, while others are progressing.

That is why I decided to create State universities in the three regions of our country that do not yet have one, namely the East, North and South Regions. Other infrastructure will follow, particularly in the airport, industrial and road sectors, in order to make each region a real development hub.

To that end, we must enhance public finance management governance by fighting corruption and embezzlement of public funds.

Therefore, all those found guilty of financial malpractice or illicit enrichment will face the consequences before the competent courts.

My Dear Compatriots,

As we prepare to celebrate African football, I urge Cameroonians to mobilize massively to make AFCON 2021 the most beautiful football jamboree ever organized on our continent.

We want it to be a great moment of brotherhood. It therefore behoves us to extend a warm welcome to the 24 sports delegations, officials and all those who will be staying in our country during the tournament.

 

Let us offer our guests the rich cultural diversity that has earned our country the nickname “Africa in miniature”. Let us extend to them the hospitality they rightfully expect from us, and which is part and parcel of our traditions.

Thanks to the virtues of our people, particularly their courage and selflessness, we have not only overcome the ordeals encountered during this year that is ending, but we have also continued to forge ahead.

As a Nation, we have the duty and opportunity to remind the world that we are a united and indomitable people, capable of displaying this fighting spirit that has enabled us in the past to win great battles.

Before I conclude, I would like to call on our Beloved Indomitable Lions to do their utmost to ensure that they end this festival in grand style on the evening of 6 February 2022.

Let us rise to the challenge and remind the world that we are a great Nation.

Happy and prosperous New Year 2022.

Long live the Republic!

Long live Cameroon!

 

 

Cameroon:"Two-state Federation Is Best Solution to Anglophone Crisis"-Hon Emmanuel Yoyo, Outspoken former MP

 Hon. Emmanuel Yoyo, aged about 70, is a former (SDF) MP for Ngoketunjia Division. He served in Parliament as questor for eight years. In Parliament his fight for social justice earned him both admirers and enemies.

 But as an ex-policeman, Hon.Yoyo kept ‘policing’ administrators and MPs to ensure they worked for the common good.

 Since leaving Parliament, Hon.Yoyo is more into business and employs hundreds of Cameroonians. He is also a renowned philanthropist.

  Hon.Yoyo, who is a catholic, has built three churches and offered to the Catholic Church, as well as contributed hugely to the realization of other community projects such as water and bridges

 The outspoken MP thinks that a two-state federation as was in 1961 is the best solution to the Anglophone Crisis. Hon. Yoyo blames the eruption of the crisis on mishandling of little problems by government officials.  

 He was interviewed in Bamenda for AFRICA EXCELLENCE by Veteran journalist, Philip Bawe.

Hon. Emmanuel Yoyo

Excerpts:

Honorable Yoyo, you are an accomplished politician and a man of integrity. In Parliament, you served for years as a questor. What pushed you into politics?

I wish to first of all thank you for your decision to interview me. Thanks for the good impression you have about me.

I was first a police man, and enjoyed the police service very much but certain things pushed to join politics.. When I was in Douala, then in the Immigration Service, that was when the SDF was launched and a few things provoked me to leave the police for politics.

There was the 1992 presidential election, which Fru Ndi was said to have won. I remember our Provincial Chief (one mam from Obala) invited all the commissioners for a security meeting, during which he asked me who I voted for. I also asked him who he voted for. He said Paul Biya. I said Fru Ndi.

 He asked me why I voted Fru Ndi, I also asked him why he voted for Biya; he said because Biya was the one paying us. But I told him it was not Biya paying us; it was Cameroon, the country paying us. My colleagues were surprised at the way I spoke to the Provincial Chief. I found his question irrelevant so I got angry with him. And that made me think that tribalism in the country was on the rise, so I decided to leave. Another incident: another Provincial Chief who came was one Pepe Ebenezer, nicknamed Pepper because he was a very ruthless policeman. This guy, during the ghost towns era, impounded taxis of striking drivers in Douala and brought many of them to the Provincial Service. He sent a policeman to tell me in my office to remove my car so they could park impounded vehicles there. I asked the policeman if he was sure the Provincial Chief sent him to me with that message. He said yes and I asked him to go tell the boss to rather remove his own car and park one of those taxis there before I would remove mine. Less than five minutes after I said this, the Provincial Chief, escorted by 8 police men stormed  my office  and asked if I was  the one  who sent the police man  to  him with such  message. “What message? If you are talking about the policeman who came and told me to go and remove my car so that you could pack taxis there, then you may be right,” I replied.

He stared at me, said in French “On va voir” and left. This man had been sent to Douala by Jean Forchive,then Delegate General for National Security on a special mission to crack down on promoters of  ghost town. So every policeman thought I was going to be sacked in the evening of that day, but a week passed, nothing happened .Two weeks later, there were transfers in the police but I was not touched. People were very surprised. I never asked anybody to intervene for me; after that I still stayed in the Immigration service for four years.

Such incidents prompted me to think of leaving the police to politics especially as Fru Ndi’s message and that of the opposition were very convincing and very relevant at the time.

On leaving the police, I had in mind to do politics; I retired from the police 14years before the required time. In addition to politics, I was doing other things such as cattle breeding and large-scale farming

Few people know that you served in the police force. What explanation for that?

 You could hardly see me in police uniform. Up to this day you won’t see any picture of mine in the police uniform in my house to show that I served as a policeman.

One Mr.Ndi from Wum, then an inspector of police, caused me to join the police.

 When I left secondary school   St Bedes Secondary School in 1970 it was very easy to have a job. Then, people in government services used to come to ask to employ us, and so it was easy to have a job for those who had the right qualification.. When I left St Bedes there were opportunities for me -one was even a scholarship to do wildlife studies in Kenya; I also passed the exam to go to the paramedical school in Bamenda and I passed to go to the school of agriculture.

But when I visited a friend  who was a police constable in Tombel  whose boss  was Mr. Ndi (police inspector) in Tombel, and I saw the way  Mr. Ndi  was  being honored by his elements  I developed interest in the police force. A police inspector then had more dignity, more respect in the society than a police commissioner today.

 So whenever Mr.Ndi had to travel to Kumba, then headquarters of the police in Meme Division, a police man or even two would go to the road (because their barracks was near the road) and  stop a vehicle for him; and when he stopped it, the inspector would be escorted by a police man to the vehicle. When I witnessed this I considered Mr. Ndi as a very important man in society; he was a proud and clean gentleman.

So while I was still with him, the police competitive exam was launched in 1971 for the recruitment of police inspectors into the national police force- because West Cameroon police had just been integrated into the national police force. I had the required qualification .My friend (the Constable) encouraged me to sit for the exam, that if I passed I would be like Mr. Ndi . I then wrote the exam. About 1000 applicants in the country sat for it. Just seven of us passed and I was the first ( Major). That’s how I got into the police.

It seemed one of the things that brought honor to the police then was when a policeman sat on the front seat of a vehicle on every journey. Did you enjoy that?

In those days, it was difficult for a police man or somebody to own a car; so we used to travel by public transport. But I never sat on the front seat as many police men used to or as drivers wanted them to do. Drivers expected policemen to sit in front so they would pass police checkpoints without being controlled.

 But I always paid my fare and sat behind and the drivers would be very angry with me.

What happened after you passed the police exam?

When I passed that police exam and went to Yaounde, I was just 19 years old. But the required minimum age was 21 years in the Police in the country .I had not taken note of this requirement before I registered for the exam.

During our orientation, the Chief of Service for recruitment rushed into the hall and told the Director of Administration and Finance, one Mfou Mvondo, that there was a problem: that one of the candidates named Emamuel Yoyo recruited had not attained the age of 21.  But I was the person who took the first position in this exam. The Director said they could not send away the major- and asked that the age requirement be ignored. That was how I joined the police and was the youngest police man in the country. I did not look at the waiver by the Director of the Administration as a any favour to me and consequently did not even thank him for it.

How long did you stay in the police?

For 23 years and I took anticipated retirement. I was the first police man to take an anticipated retirement; others used to take study leave with the intention of coming back if things never worked the way they expected. So my file was the first to be treated in the Delegation of National Security for anticipated retirement.

  Did you try your hand at politics for long before you won your first election into parliament?

 I left the police in 1995; in 1997, I was a parliamentarian for Ngoketunjia Division and in 1999 I was a questor in Parliament, chosen by my party (SDF).

My party first chose Hon.Akonteh Andrew as  one of the questors, but after  two years when he had problems with the party and they removed him ,the party   chose me as questor to represent the SDF in parliament. When I was proposed as questor of the SDF I refused  and instead  proposed Hon Akam Amua fom Wum, who  was bilingual and  had a PhD in economics…but I was surprised that my name was  still maintained, so I accepted it.

What does the job of questor entail?

Questors are in charge of the administration and finance of the National Assembly (NA);they prepare the budget; all financial transactions have to  be validated by  them; they are very important people in the NA and in the Bureau they are called resident members . The Bureau has resident and non-resident members. The resident members are the Speaker, Vice -Speakers and Questors .The non-resident members are the secretaries. So, a questor is supposed to live in Yaounde. 

Questors oversee administration of the NA; if there is a problem with administration, they discuss it with the speaker.  For example, at one time  I realized that the Secretary-General (SG)of the NA ,Samson Enam Enam was too powerful, according to the Standing Orders of the House.  He sometimes ignored even the questors. .

In the early part of my eight years career as a questor,I realized that Anglophones were poorly represented in the administration of NA . When it came again to those occupying positions they were very few; so I asked the then Assistant Secretary- General (Dr.Nzo Nguti) to give me  personnel statistics ;I wanted to know where they came from, their qualifications and positions; when  he brought  them I realized  people from the Grand South & the  Grand North constituted 85%  of the personnel of the NA ,and  the other 4 regions- Littoral, West, Northwest, Southwest was only about  15%  ; and then, the Northwest and Southwest in particular was only about 7% ; so I took the matter to the Speaker because one thing I hate is to be undermined or intimidated when given a position. When I showed the statistics to the Speaker he could not believe his eyes; but he  asked me whether  it was  not my brothers Muna and Fonka Shang who held the position before him and why did they not correct the error.

He however asked me to propose 15 Anglophones for recruitment. We had preference for those who did law, finance or had a bilingual degree;  I searched for applicants from every part of the Northwest and Southwest and  asked them to bring their documents ; I finally got but 20 names in the two regions. To my greatest surprise, the Speaker approved all for recruitment, of which only two at the time came from my division .Some  of them are directors today.

Then, the Standing Orders empowered the secretary-general to propose up to deputy directors for appointment and the Bureau would appoint directors & technical advisers; but such proposal had to be validated by the bureau; when I looked at the list of appointees I found only very Anglophones on the list and I protested against its validation.

 The Speaker later called for me to his office on the matter and I proposed a solution. I told him that it is the Bureau that adopts the Standing Orders of the House and we should reduce the powers of the Secretary-General; that the only appointments the secretary-general was entitled to make should be that of Chiefs of Bureaux and that  questors  propose for the rest of the personnel up to the rank of director and technical adavsiers . He accepted.

 So I discussed it with other questors and we made the proposal and the Speaker called a meeting of the Bureau and it was adopted. 

The SG (Samson Enam Enam) was  mad about it but could do nothing.

When we prepared the budget of the NA, questors were paid an allowance for that.  Questors received about eight million Fcfa yearly. In the first year, I realized other workers in that department involved in preparing the budget received nothing. I said we could not be having so much and they had nothing while we prepared the budget together. In the end, we adopted that all the other personnel of that department should be paid some allowance like the questors and it was adopted. It obtains this day.

 Your constituents so admired you for making good use of your micro project grants. What is your reaction?

When I went into parliament, I realized my predecessors never made people know that there was some money given for micro projects.  So during my home-coming reception, I announced to them that I was entitled to eight millions Fcfa yearly for small projects in the constituency.  I formed two micro project committees in the two sub-divisions, which constitute my constituency. Whenever the  money came  I  shared it to my  people , who decided what to do with it, with my  approval.

A critical Hon Yoyo could not have been in the Assembly without stepping on people’s toes. Did you have any such incidents?

 I remember two such incidents. Had a problem with late Mme Francoise Foning, who was the Vice Chairperson of the CPDM and ranking as questor and therefore a resident member of the Bureau.She was entitled to have a residence paid for by the NA; but if you didn’t have a residence - because you could not find one, you were entitled to 500 thousand Fcfa monthly allowance. But Mme Foning as I knew had a residence at Omnisport and the NA was paying 1.5million Fcfa for that residence.

So one day, after being in Parliament for three years, with Mme Foning in that position, I received a document to sign for the allowance of resident members of Bureau who were not given houses.  And I found Foning’s name on the list; I had not signed that particular document before; they used to send it (may be intentionally)  to my CPDM colleagues ; I asked the Director of Finance to bring me past documents my colleagues had been signing to  that effect and I discovered that, for   three years Mme Foning had been receiving but 1.5million Fcfa.

I took exception to it and caused her to reimburse the excess money she been receiving for years.  It was a scandal in the house and she was very angry with me.

  Adjibolo was Vice President in NA and also appointed President of Chambers of Agriculture; by rule, he had to give up one position; there were five of such cases with double positions.  I wrote against them and they were so annoyed with me.

What of Members of Government? Can you remember one case?

I left Parliament prematurely. I was not ready to leave at the time, although I have never regretted leaving. One of my reasons was my disagreement with Members of Government. I remember Marafa Hamidou, former Secretary-General in the Presidency, Minister of Territorial Administration was angry with me because I accused him of seizing people’s land seizing in the North. Some people who feared to challenge him brought this report to me and I questioned him in the NA; he was very arrogant and I told him that,  I suspected his arrogance was because  news was going round that he was scheming  to be  next President of Cameroon ; and in that kind of open arena he was very angry with me  and never forgave me. There was also the issue of ex- Minister of Justice   Amadou Ali who thought that I was doing everything to remove his friend, Fon Doh of Balikumbat, from Parliament and to send him to jail; Fon Doh had reportedly ordered the killing of the SDF District Chairman John Kohtem in Balikumbat. I challenged him on that and also on the arrest of a Cameroonian lady in Bamenda. I asked the Minister to enlighten us on the allegation that the arrested woman had been taken to the US for having committed a crime.  But the Minister claimed ignorance of what had happened.  That exposed his inefficiency as Minister of Justice; so he was not happy with me.

 My inquisitiveness made them very angry and their own prayers and wishes were only that I shouldn’t return to parliament.

Since you left parliament how have you been keeping yourself busy?

While in Parliament and even while in the police, I was simultaneously rearing cattle. My family is engaged in cattle-rearing; my finances while a police man were directed towards that.

When I left the NA, I added to it agriculture, even when I left the police before becoming MP I already got involved in agriculture. So I have been in agriculture and I am a cattle breeder.  This is the way I have spent most of my time after Parliament; my wife, is a contractor and her company is specialized in water projects. I have been assisting her also and doing other private things

Your businesses & projects make you a significant employer. How many people have you employed?

We have many permanent and temporary workers. The permanent workers are mostly engineers; we have engineers we have paid sometimes, by virtue of their qualifications up to 1.5million Fcfa as salary; some months one million Fcfa, some months 500,000 Fcfa and so on .In addition, we have support staff but the majority of are  temporary workers.  There are times we have up to 300 people. At times, less than 50 when the volume of work is reduced.

The Anglophone crisis is on-going and a lot of people have left their areas but Hon. Yoyo seems to be comfortable in his constituency. How are you coping with the crisis in Ndop?

When the crisis started people were running away for fear of attacks. My house is by the road side and I knew   stray bullets could get me but I did not understand why anybody should be angry with me. What problem do I have with any of them? So I decided to stay but knew I was running a risk; even now I know I am taking   a big risk.  If anybody attacks me or accuses me of something, knowing that I have no skeletons in the cupboard I will answer him. The fact that I speak my mind makes it easy for me to accuse or appreciate anyone in t public; so there is nothing one would come and be asking me which probably I have not told them in public. I have my thinking about this crisis. To me, it all started because there are a few arrogant government officials who when problems are brought to them instead of examining properly, they think they are so important, and that those bringing the problems don’t matter.

I was taught in the police school that a revolution can start from a small thing. The Arab Spring started with a small incident, but see what it brought to the world. If you are an administrator know that every problem that comes to must be examined critically; don’t minimize any problem; big revolutions start from small events and this is what some administrators fail to understand.  When teachers started complaining about simple things that could have been easily resolved, some government officials felt that the complainants were not important.  When the lawyers also brought their problems they were also ignored; this is what started this crisis. But what surprises me is that all those who [provoked] the crisis were never sanctioned to appease the protesters; some were rather promoted.

I remember in the time of President Ahidjo university students were protesting   and Ahidjo did not minimize them; he called the students’ union leaders and asked them what their problem was .They told him their problem and he reportedly said “I’m your father and you have a problem like this you do not tell me but you are in the street. Why? Leave the streets and I would solve your problem” The students understood the President was willing to solve their problem and they returned home; by the time they got to their campus, the Minister of Education had been dismissed - and that ended the problem because the students saw that the Father of the Nation recognized their problem and dismissed the Minister.  I think the crisis we are having is the result of mismanagement of little problems

Is it late now to really do something about this crisis?

It is never too late to solve a problem. What the authorities have been singing is a one and indivisible Cameroon.  But this one and indivisible Cameroon should come from the love of the people to stay together, not from force. If military force is used now and some separatists are overcome that won’t end the problem; it may only be postponed and those who will escape may fight back some day. You cannot continue to manage a country of unhappy and un-united people, for it will be too expensive. So the best way is  a peaceful solution. When this problem started the protesters were asking for a return to a federal system of government. To me, a genuine two-state federal system of government is the best solution to this problem. So going back to that federal system will be justice, especially as the constitution at the time of reunification, said that the federal aspect of the nation should never be tempered with ;a  two-state federal system will leave Cameroon one and indivisible, but at the same give  opportunities  to   the other people not  to feel  marginalized.

What is your reaction to the Special Status accorded Northwest & Southwest regions?

It has brought no change .It has no meaning as far as I’m concerned.  Why not give what is good so that people can live in happiness. I know some elites in the Southwest have tried to manipulate their people to say that, they don’t want Northwesterners because the latter were marginalizing them.  I think the present Northwest and Southwest should remain regions within a state -and there can be a power-sharing arrangement between the two regions inside the state. Any other arrangement will be trying to divide and rule.

I recently heard a member of the Regional Council from my area rubbishing the Regional Council .I heard one SW chief saying the same thing. But some of us had earlier said that Special Status and Decentralization as under stood by the the CPDM Government   was nonsense.

Why are people afraid to go to the negotiation table? The separatists want to cut off completely, the Government wants decentralization.  Two-state federalism is in the middle.  A real federal system would make Anglophones comfortable.

Consider issues of development, investment and budget.  Why not say, for example, in an instrument creating such a federal system that Anglophone state shall have 20% of the investment budget in their favor yearly, since they are said to be 20% of the population. And this 20% must be invested in their area.  When I was in Parliament we found that the investment budget of the South region -a small region was often more than that of Southwest and Northwest added together.

Contrary to what some people try to propagate Anglophones and Francophones have no problem- even in the midst of this crisis. Francophones and Anglophones love themselves but it is some self- centered people trying to   pit them against at each other to protect their own interesst.

Honorable, you are looking always so young. What’s your secret?

It is discipline!  Discipline in several fields: you don’t drink too much and you don’t refuse to drink either because you are part of society. Don’t condemn drinking and don’t take it as if it were the beginning and the end; you have to feel happy; not allowing problems  weigh on you can keep you young.  You have to be useful to your society, for when you do that, you feel very happy and secured; when I know that I’ve been useful to my society; when I know that somebody is happy because of me; when I know that not only family and friends are benefitting from the little I have but many other people,I am happy.

I understand that your brother is not the one who came from the same womb or family with you; your child is not  the one that you brought to this earth; your child could be somebody you met just on the road but who respects you as a father. Being good to people is one of the secrets of my successes.  Sometimes, when I look at people and think they can be useful to the community, I assist them so they can contribute their quota to nation-building.

Courtesy: AFRICA EXCELLENCE Magazine,Cameroon(Sept-Oct ,2021)