Message of Congratulations to Mr. Amougou Zambo, Tse Kevin Anye on their Election as President and Vice of CCTU

M

I Mr Fai Victor Nfor on behalf of MEDUTU (Mexam Divisional Union of Trade Unions Wishes to fervently from the depth of our heart congratulate you Mr. Amougou Zambo and Anye Kevin for you election into the high of office of CCTU as president and vice respectively.

While recognizing your vibrancy, commitment and dedication to the cause of trade unionism in defending workers in Cameroon, I pledge on behalf of MEDUTU our utter support to you as you undertake your watchdog role over workers in our great country Cameroon.

Wishing you and your families and happy Christmas and New Year forward-looking

sign

Fai Victor Nfor

President MEDUTU-Mezam

The Dilemma of Homosexuals in Cameroon

By M. Aliah Atonji           

Formukom Pael dragged into custody

It is no longer news that Cameroonians in their majority have rejected the concept of homosexuality in all its forms.  It is not simply because the law in Cameroon forbids it under article 347 bis of the Cameroon Criminal Code, but because the traditions and cultures of most Cameroonian ethnic groups regard the practice as an aberration and forbids the practise in all its forms.

The mere fact that the law and cultures of Cameroon forbid homosexuality, at times suspects are often subjected to mob justice and police harassment without proper investigations. Most often, suspects are incarcerated for weeks, months or years without any charge. The perception of the practice of homosexuality in Cameroon by a majority of the population as a taboo has made it possible for suspects to be arrested, tortured and molested by individuals or traditional authorities who still exert a lot of powers in the Cameroonian society especially in the grass field regions.

Homosexuality in Cameroon is not only condemned in the media, but also strongly opposed by religious figures. Police officers and civilians are instigated to oppress homosexuals on the misconception that homosexuals are not recognised, they do not hold legal rights. This represents a clear breach of Article 2 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, which states that the principle of non-discrimination provides the foundation for the enjoyment of all human rights.

A glaring example which took place recently here in the North West regional capital, Bamenda is the case of a lady Formukum Pael. The incident which occurred on the 30^th of September, 2015 was pathetic. Simple because she was suspected of lesbianism by her neighbours, the gendarmes swooped in and had her molested. She was not only molested but she was arrested and kept in custody for over sometime. As of now, no one knows where Formukum is being held and the family has expressed fears that she might have been killed or sent to the dreaded Kondengui maximum prison in Yaoundé. Quizzed on whether they were aware that their daughter was a lesbian. The family hinted that that she exhibited such feelings not openly until now. According to them, she has often behaved strangely towards other women which caused her the trouble she is in today. They have also launched an appeal for anyone to help inform them of her whereabouts.

Formukum Pael ar her best

This kind of stories abounds in the West and North West regions of Cameroon where traditional authorities still wield a lot of power and are completely against the practise. Another case in question is that of one Nformi Ernest Ndi of Donga mantung Division who suffered mob justice on sometimes in February for having an affair with Nigerian man. Though the Nigerian fellow escaped back to Nigeria alive, Nformi was unfortunate as he was stoned to death. Nothing has been said about him and no criminal case opened to verify the validity of the crime he was accused of.

In the few instances where cases have been taken to court and appeals against conviction are successful, the courts are reluctant in releasing written judgments. This prevents defendants involved in new actions from relying on important legal precedent. Moreover, such conduct clearly obstructs the administration of justice. Even when charges are dropped, it is often too late to remedy their disastrous impact. As the media are abused to publicise those charged, defendants find themselves “outed” to a homophobic society and are often rejected by their own families and friends.

Although sometimes in 2012, President Biya spoke of a “change of mind” towards homosexuality, he did not take any further steps towards its decriminalisation. For homosexuals to be free in Cameroon, the government has to repeal article 347 bis to ensure the dignity, rights and freedom of this class of people.

 

CPDM Party Cards Unaccounted for, Frontline Runners Boycott Event

 The team lead by Doh Jerome, secretary of State for Penitentiary administration, to supervise the reorganization process in the newly created Bamenda Ic section in Nkwen were in the Nkwen Fons palace on Saturday 17^th of October 2015 to launch the exercise.

Welcoming the guest and population that scantily turn out for the launch, the Fon of Nkwen, who has openly declared for the CPDM to the chagrin of many, expressed gratitude for the creation of the new section. Visible troubled by the low turnout, he called on committed militants to fish out more folk into the CPDM ranks. According to him, if the population of Nkwen need and want development; the only way would be through their massive adherence to the CPDM party. 

His appeal was marred by allegation that people who collected party card to sell could neither account for the cards nor the money. To this indictment, Doh Jerome sounded a note of warning and called on those concerned to concert and put their records straight before the reorganization proper begins. According to him, the CPDM was comparatively weak in Nkwen judging from past elections which the SDF has always won by landslide. This might have been because of this insolence of unaccountability which seems to have eaten deep within the CPDM in the area.  The Secretary of State further stated that no new cards would be sent to Bamenda I C legal if the missing   cards were not accounted for. The party, he said, would engage legal process because the act was equivalent to embezzlement of public funds.

Although the two protagonist seeking the presidency of the Bamenda IC section, Ngante Joseph and Dr Ndonwi Peter were conspicuously absent to the amazement of many, the Secretary of State and his team went on to read out the rules and regulations that shall guide the reorganization process. A question and answer session was also organized to clear out some misgiving and apprehension that bothered some ambitious militants. Though the answers given by some members of the team betrayed their non-mastery of the rules and regulation of whole exercise, many went home wondering but satisfied. It took concerned youth of the CPDM like Agho Oliver to mount the rostrums from times to time to clarify or refocus the discussion.

From the turn out, the new CPDM Bamenda IC section must work hard to cover the yawning gap existing between the CPDM and the SDF here. This was the last appeal of Doh Jerome to the scanty crowd.  

                                                                                    

A Day Old Baby Discovered Dead at PC CCAST Complex

Inhabitants of PC CCAST quarter in Bambili on Saturday 17^th of October were bemused by the discovery of a day old baby abandoned dead in a ‘sac and motor’ bag in front of the Presbyterian Church, CCAST in Bambili. The baby, who from all indication was abandoned alive for some Good Samaritan to rescue, might have died some few hours before it was discovered.

When the population alerted the administration of the area about the gruesome act and they promptly arrived the crime scene accompanied by the mayor and the authorities of Presbyterian Church. After an autopsy was conducted to ascertain the cause of the death of the baby, it was finally laid to rest in a nearby cemetery.

The population that had gathered at the crime scene rather expressed indignation to the fact that the Presbyterian Church authorities in whose premises the baby was discovered rather boycotted the burial of the baby. According to them, they ought to have come and prayed for the innocent soul of that baby before it was buried. They Presbyterian Church authorities of PC CCAST Complex behaved unchristian-like, they chastised.

Investigations have been open up by the police and the hope is that the criminal should be fished out, arrested and brought to justice for taking away the life of an innocent baby. The police is said to have already started quarantining some girls for questioning.

The massive influx of students from all nooks of the republic into the area for university studies has also increased the rate of prostitution, robbery and other petty crimes in Bambili and its environs. With the economic hardship and the desperation of many female students, some of them have taken prostitution as a means to an end.

   

Bui SDO Salutes Arrival Tile Fabrication Machine in Nkar

Benjamin Ngah in Nkar

The three heavy duty new brand machine arrived Nkar well protected in three wooden boxes some few weeks ago. They were carefully unloaded at the Nkar Fon’s palace for maximum security by the teaming youth population whose hopes were rekindled to see such huge machines being unloaded in their ancestral land.

To officially receive the machine in Bui and particularly in Jakiri sub Division, where the industry for the fabrication ceramic tiles would be based, the Fon of Nkar, Jakiri municipal authorities, notables and a cross section of the population organized an occasion to this effect. The occasion which took place on Friday 22^nd of October, 2015 was presided over by the Senior Divisional Officer for Bui, Nseke Theophile.

While saluting the arrival of the machines as a dream come true, the SDO for Bui hailed the Fon of Nkar and his elite for their engagement and concern toward the wellbeing of the population. According to him, the arrival of the new brand ceramic fabrication machine marks a turning point in the economic development not only of Jakiri Sub division but that of the entire division. He hoped that in the days ahead, beautiful house never seen in jakiri sub division will start sprouting out here and there. He further cautioned the population to make sure the machines are managed sustainable so that other generations can benefit from it. While wishing that the machines were installed as fast as possible so that work can begin, he told the community to make sure some of them were well trained in order to be able to handle the machines.

It was a high spirited Fon of Nkar, Fon Moloo II who expressed gratitude to the SDO and his etat major for always being there each time they are called upon to come. According to him, this was just the beginning of many good things to come to Nkar. He said SDO would be coming to Nkar again and again to welcome many other things that would help to uplift Nkar into limelight. The people of Nkar have chosen the path of peace, respect of authority and development, he said. He further confided to journalist after the event that the machines would go into use as fast as possible and that a commission would be put in place to see the smooth running of the industry. This, he said, would only be done when one of his American based sons, the brain behind the arrival of the machines, must have come.

Other speakers including the representative of the Mayor for Jakiri and the flag bearer of Nyuydzemo’on Common Initiative group did not mince words in thanking the SDO for his timely intervention to see that the machine arrived Nkar without any further delay. While promising that the machines would be used sustainably to change the lives of many folk, they expressed the wish to see the cottage industry put in place as fast as possible.

Nyuydzemo’on it should be recalled is a CIG based in the palace of Nkar and has been very instrumental in the lobbying for the tile fabrication machines to be in Nkar. In order for the group to benefit more, the SDO also called on them to transform into a cooperative. This will help them gain visibility and attract more help even from the state of Cameroon.

Nkwen Fon’s Palace Transformed into CPDM Secretariat

Benjamin Ngah

Activities of the newly created Mezam IC section of the ruling Cameroon people democratic movement-CPDM are being monitored and carried out from the Nkwen Fon’s palace. Despite the embargo placed 1^st and 2^nd class Fon’s to stay clear of the reorganization process, the throne of Nkwen has tacitly gotten involved in the process by allocation parts of the palace to be used by the party. Observers have concluded that the aim is for the Fon to closely monitor the reorganization process in order to handpick his own choice for the presidency of Mezam IC section.

Lodging the party in the palace has not gone down well to many inhabitants of Nkwen who consider the Fon’s open declaration for the governing party as a total drift from the nonpartisan policy of his predecessor. His partisan political stand is not only causing friction amongst his elite, but is also estranging many who would have been instrumental in the development of the Fondom, some observers said.

This might be the explanation for the low pace at which militants of the party in the area are buying party cards. As of the Friday, the 30^th of October, 2015 the total number of party adherents stood at a dismal 3677. This number according to some CPDM stalwart in the area is fictitious. They claim that some party militants merely change their names in order to acquire double party cards and effect multiple voting during elections within the party.

During a meeting on Friday 30^th October, 2015 in the Nkwen Palace Hall, militants that turned out to assess the level of registration and the preparedness of the section for the impending election into the basic organs of the party were embarrassed at the figures presented so far. In fact the scene was chaotic and no one seemed to understand each other. Everyone had his or her own version of what the law says and how things should go. Since most of the resource persons from the central committee were absent, the disorder was total and militants got confused the more.

As of now, if the resource persons from the central committee headed by Doh Jerome are not constantly present to oversee the process in Mezam IC, the final situation might be unfortunate as internal strife would definitely take central stage. This would be at the detriment of a party which is barely crawling in the area.

NUDP Storms Fundong, CPDM, SDF Quake

After conquering Fundong Council from the grip of Ni John Fru Ndi’s Social Democratic front-SDF, the CPDM party of President Paul Biya is confronting a new challenger. This time the real threat to the life of the CPDM in the area is no longer coming from the SDF, but from Bello Buba’s NUDP party.

On Saturday 24^th of October, 2015, the youth wing of the party under the leadership of it National President Ndansi Elvis staged a spectacular show in Fundong which sent shock waves running down the spine of some CPDM barons. The event was the NUDP youth Conference which took place here under the theme, ‘Youth Empowerment Through Vocational Training.’

The event which brought together representatives of the youth wing of the party from all over the republic was one of its kind judging from the turnout. Hundreds of youths from within the municipality came out to demonstrate the strength of the party in the area thereby sending a coded warning to the CPDM who controls the council and the SDF the the parliamentary seat.

Speaking during the events, various speakers attested to the geometric growth of the party in the area. According them, the tremendous growth growth of the party in the area was not just because many youth from Fundong have come to understand the ideals and vision of the party for the country, but also because both the SDF and the CPDM have continually failed them in their promises.

Articulating on the theme of the conference, the National Youth President Ndansi Elvis reiterated the fact that the joblessness of the Cameroon youth was not because of the lack of jobs but because many of the lacked the adequate training to work. According to him, vocational training is that training that emphasises skills and knowledge required for a particular job function or a trade.’ This, he said, is the reason why the NUDP has decided to impact on the youths during forums like this, the skills to be able to face the job market.

Ndansi in his usual charismatic manner said, the NUDP party will never led the youth down. It  would make sure youth participate in the political life of the country, assist them to better integrate in work life and above all would help the youth to be able to fight against social ills such as drug abuse.

The event was grace by a display of music and other traditional dances.

                                                                                                      

Xenophobia Grips Nkwen: Nso Community, Others Targeted

Benjamin Ngah in Bamenda

Barely two years on the throne of Nkwen, HRH Fon Azefor the III facing one of the most precarious situations in the modern history of the area. Some bona fide youths of Nkwen, in what has been described as a premeditated action, on Thursday October 22, 2015 took the law into their hands and started attacking ‘stranger’ especially the Nso community  accusing them of wanting to buy the whole of Nkwen including their palace.

According to some of the protesting youths who spoke to this reporter, the sale of a parcel of land behind the Nkwen fon’s palace to the Nso community was a bitter pill they could not swallow. The purported sale of this piece of land, they claimed, was done with the complicity of Azefor III for the Nso community to build their cultural hall there in.

However, HRH Fon Azefor III has utterly denied the accusation. According to him, the said piece of land was given to the Nso community free of charge since the two communities have for long maintained very close diplomatic ties. He indicated that he did it out of share generosity which for now has been a boomerang. The rebellious youths said, the Fon should look for the piece for a piece of land elsewhere and not behind the ‘Nkwen Fons palace.’ 

During the crises meeting that ensued and coordinated by the Divisional officer for Bamenda III, Ayuk Tarkang Walter on Friday 23^rd October 2015, the Fon defended his generosity to the Nkwen people  stating that the people of Banso are not just friends to the Nkwen palace, but do have a matrimonial relationship with the royal palace of Nkwen.  He also revealed to the youths that traditionally, the Nso people do have a palace within the palace of Nkwen indicating that they have an inseparable bond.

As matters were being laid to rest, the angry youths turned their venom to the Catholic Church at Futru Parish which they claimed has been colonised still by the Nso people. To show their discontentment, they stormed the church premises threatening to wreck it down. It was thanks to the Rev. Father Romeo Nguemteu who after contacts with his hierarchy sought for help from security forces to avert chaos.

To set things straight and to avert the unknown, the DO for Bamenda III has scheduled a meeting in the days ahead to look into the litany of grievances from the the youths of Nkwen. Many observers say that the action of the youths is already a bad omen to the Fon who is still a baby Fon. Some of the Nkwen elite who spoke on condition of anonymity opined that Fon Azefor III ought to follow the footsteps of his father who for several years ruled his people without any strain and stain.

 

HRM Fon Azehfor III of Nkwen

Nkwen Youths versus Nso and the Catholic Church

After Fon Azehfor III diplomatically brought the matter to rest, the youths then turned their attention Friday October 23, 2015 in what they described as “the Bansonisation” of a church that is supposed to be theirs. To show their discontent, the youths stormed the Futru Parish main church house where only one of the Priest Rev Fr. Romeo Nguemteu was in. In a bid to calm the youths, he requested for a conversation with five representatives but the youths rejected the request. Following uncoordinated presentations of the facts, Fr Romeo then asked that they go and send the representatives for a talk later in the day. As the youths went away Fr. Romeo explained, he then contacted the Sub divisional officer who was attending the graduation ceremony of the Bamenda National Sports School with the Minister for Sports and Physical Education present. He however contacted the Auxiliary Bishop of Bamenda His Lordship Agabitus Nfon who instructed him to put his Parish Pastoral Council together to seek a way out. Before the programmed meeting security stormed the church yard to guarantee the security of the priest following instructions from administrative authorities in Mezam. Interpreting the situation, the youths said it was a calculated attempt by the Priest to get them arrested! a claimed Fr Romeo denied saying he did not call the security forces. Before leaving the church yard, the youths promised to return on Sunday with the intention to interrupt church services should there be no appropriate response to their complaints before 7am on Saturday October 24, 2015.

The DO during the crisis meeting accepted Fr Romeo’s denial saying that the security forces where alerted by other security services with the intervention of the Mezam SDO now Governor of the South Region Nguele Nguele Felix to protect the Priest.  

Following what the Bamenda III sub divisional officer told the crisis meeting, the youths had four major complains.

·        That since the creation of the St Michael’s Catholic school Futru-Nkwen only Nkwen people have been Head Teachers until now that a Nso woman has been appointed to head the over 20years school. According to the Nkwen youths only Nkwen people should ne head teachers and no one else worst of all Banso people (people from Nso in Bui Division)

·        That all assisting staff in the Parish of Nkwen extraction have been dismissed and replaced with Nso people.

·        That a hall project to cost a good number of millions has been awarded to a Nso man just like a project in the Nazareth center they say is worth over 50million.

·        They also blamed the priests for not recruiting Nkwen sons and daughters as nurses and staff of the St Francis of Assisi Catholic hospital Ntasen Nkwen.

Responding to all of these complains Madam Theresia Taminang President of the Futru Parish Pastoral Council PPC, said the recruitment and appointment of school authorities within the archdiocese was the exclusive preserve of the Archbishop who is the proprietor of schools. To the change of head teacher to non Nkwen only the Archbishop could answer.

On the Hall project, Ngominang Kingsley member of the PPC and the project committee denied the award of the Hall project to a non-Nkwen man saying that no contract has been awarded so far. He said there was a heavily announced project committee with Nkwen people making up over 80% of the total number.

Fr Romeo while answering to the recruitment of non Nkwen as assisting staff in the parish house said “all night watchmen are Nkwen, two of three cooks are Nkwen, and for the drivers he said one was Noni and the other from the west Region. To him there was no discrimination particularly on the recruitment of Staff. On the Nazareth Center   project Fr Romeo noted that the center was currently in bad shape financially and there was no projects ongoing talk less of a project up to 50million. With inputs from Ngominang kingsly, Fr Romeo added that there was a project going on in the Piarist community house in Menteh not in the Nazareth center and “the project was handled by Brother Padro who is Spanish and contractor for the Piarist Fathers. Again he clarified that there was no project awarded to a Banso man.

Concluding the Rev Fr explained that they could not answer any question over the recruitment of staff for the St Francis of Assisi Catholic hospital Ntasen Nkwen since it is not within their area of jurisdiction.

From the submissions the DO Ayuk Takang promised to convene a meeting in his office to explain the situation to the protesting youths. 

Giving Up Sugar And Alcohol? What Abstaining From These Treats For Just A Month Can Do To Your Body

                                                                                                          Courtesy, Medical Daily PULSE

A Dutch TV host documents his month-long abstinence from sugar and alcohol, teaching us just how bad these foods are for our health.

We all know that consuming sugar and alcohol in excess is bad for us, but recently the Dutch online television channel LifeHunters showed us just how adverse of an effect these popular treats have on our bodies by doing the unthinkable and going without them for 30 days. Although we learn that doing this is easier said than done, the health benefits may make this challenge worth it.
Before the experiment, our host Sacha gets evaluated by a sports physician who informs him that although his overall health is good, his cholesterol is a little too high. “I’m curious what healthy eating will do,” Sacha tells the audience, eager to begin his fast. Early on in the challenge, Sacha’s enthusiasm begins to fade and we learn that part of what makes giving up sugar so difficult is that the sweet stuff is added to everything we eat. Sacha begins to suffer from withdrawal symptoms and reports that his sugar abstinence has made him constantly hungry and incredibly cranky. However, by the end of the month, not only did Sacha’s cravings subside, but he also reported feeling fitter and having more energy. On a biological level, he loses 8 pounds and his blood pressure fell from 135 to 125.
Along with being interesting, the experiment also had a deeper message. In the United States more than two in three adults is considered to be overweight or obese. Doing something as simple as adopting a diet that includes less sugar and alcohol can significantly increase one's health in a short amount of time.

U.S. Warns Citizens of The High Risk of Traveling to Cameroon

                                                                    courtsey, Washington DC – infoZine, October 01, 2015

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the high risk of traveling to Cameroon, and urges U.S. citizens to avoid all travel to the North and Far North regions of the country because of the general threat of violent crime, terrorism, and the targeting of westerners for murder and kidnappings, particularly by the extremist terrorist group Boko Haram.

There is also a growing threat in the East Region, where former Seleka and criminal elements from the Central African Republic (CAR) occasionally cross the border of Cameroon to steal property and take hostages for ransom. Because of the security situation in country, the U.S. Embassy’s ability to provide consular services in remote and rural areas is extremely limited.

This replaces the Travel Warning of August 5, 2015 to emphasize the continuing threat of armed attacks, bombings and kidnappings in the Far North region of Cameroon and Boko Haram’s aspirations to extend the threat to other parts of the country

The Boko Haram terrorist group is active in the Far North region, and has actively targeted foreign residents, tourists, and government leaders. Boko Haram’s leaders have stated and demonstrated through their actions that they are actively seeking to kidnap westerners, which may place U.S. citizens traveling to or living in the Far North and North regions of Cameroon at risk. Twenty-one foreigners have been reported kidnapped since 2013. The U.S. Embassy continues to maintain restrictions on travel by U.S. official personnel to the North, Far North, and now the East Region of Cameroon, as well as any travel north of Ngaoundere in the Adamawa Region.

U.S. citizens should exercise extreme caution when traveling within 60 miles/100 kilometers of the border with Nigeria’s Adamawa State in the North and Adamawa Regions of Cameroon, the border area with Chad, and the border areas with CAR. Violence, banditry, and military operations in border areas can quickly spill over into Cameroon. Note there are Travel Warnings for neighboring Nigeria, Chad, and Central African Republic (CAR). The threat of piracy is present in the waters of the Bakassi peninsula in the Gulf of Guinea.

Criminal activity continues to be a major concern particularly in Yaounde, Douala, and other towns. Burglaries, armed robberies, theft by intimidation, and snatch-and-grab crimes are commonplace in these areas. High unemployment and an under-equipped police force exacerbate the situation. An influx of refugees fleeing conflict in CAR and Nigeria has strained Cameroon’s economy and added population to already crowded urban areas. Road banditry, especially along the eastern border with CAR, is reported periodically.

Contact the U.S. Embassy in Cameroon link located on Avenue Rosa Parks close to the Mont Febe Golf Club in Yaounde, at +237 22220-1500 ext. 4341/4023 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Friday. After-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is +237 22220-1500 ext. 4531.

Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

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Global Action for Change 6 mins ·

Global Action For Change

Established in 2015, Global Action for Change is a non partisan driven organization that strives to support community needs in the spheres of education, health, human rights issues, the environment and a wide range of issues bordering around development.

we are committed to build bridges (relationships) with communities and educate the public on current events that have to with education, health and democracy and transparency

SHUMAS Sprays Joy in Bamenda I

Benjamin Ngah

        The Strategic Humanitarian Services - SHUMAS Cameroon on Friday September 18, 2015 in Bamendankwe once more demonstrated its commitment to accompany Cameroonian communities through participatory development toward vision by 2035 as propagated by H.E President Paul Biya. This was in the Bamenda I council area when it launched its projects in Bamenda I council area. The occasion which was presided over by the Senior Divisional Officer for Mezam, Felix Nguele Nguele witnessed the presence of the DO for Bamenda I, Mayor Bongwa Caroline, the Fon of Bamendankwe, Elite, students and a cross section of the population.

        The SDO’s convoy which crisscrossed Bamenda I council areas went through four project sites to lay the foundation stone of several projects in the domain of education, health and water.  In GSS Bangshie, the school which basically existed in terms of infrastructure benefitted from 3 classrooms, a toilet block and equipment for a school garden. GTHS Bamendankwe, a technical school just by appellation benefited 2 workshops, 6 tables and assistance for a school garden program. In the domain of water, a 15m3 water tank, 2 stand taps, 900m pipeline and 2 valve chambers was offered to the mobang community in Bamenda I. The Bamendankwe integrated Health Centre benefitted hospital equipment and the extension of potable water which hitherto was nonexistent. 

        At the Bamendankwe Fon’s palace where the population came out to say “thank You” to SHUMAS, the General Coordinator Ta Nformi Stephen Ndzerem and the entire staff of SHUMAS, the Mayor speaking on behalf of the people did not hide her delight. Labeling SHUMAS as a veritable partner in development, she called on her population to cooperate with SHUMAS and make sure that they fulfill their own part of the bargain. The timely intervention of SHUMAS, she said was a dream come true as many lives would be touch by this gesture. She rejoiced that her municipality would never be the same again because of the projects SHUMAS is bringing in. 

        Other speakers including the principals of the two schools reiterated their indebtedness to SHUMAS and thanked her for the list of projects announced in the municipality. While Mm Banga Rose of GTHS rejoiced that SHUMAS has “removed [their] students and teachers from under the sun and rain…and has served them from travelling to GTHS Nkwen for practical part of their final year examinations for lack of workshops,” Mr. Abongwa Eric A of GSS thanked SHUMAS for “the indelible works of philanthropy to be carried out in Bamenda I.”

        The General Coordinator of SHUMAS Ta Nformi Ndzerem Stephen in his allocution stressed on the fact that SHUMAS’ approach to development is participatory and believes in the impacts of integrated development activities for communities instead of isolated actions. To achieve this he said, “SHUMAS has eight interconnected axes of intervention namely; health, water and sanitation, social welfare, education, women empowerment, agriculture volunteering and environmental protection.” This is done with the aim to “improve lives, reduce poverty and empower people to meet their needs without compromising the needs of posterity.”

        The Director of SHUMAS also clarified that any beneficiary community of SHUMAS Projects must show proves of their commitment to participate in the realization of any projects in their area from conception to implementation. This is through the provision of local material like sand, stones and gravel by the local community while SHUMAS provides industrial material for the project. By so doing, it would enable the community to feel and be real owners of the projects and as such take better care of the projects when realized.

        The success story of SHUMAS despite numerous challenges ranging from the dependence of volunteer who leave after receiving training, lack of operational cost since project are funding-orientate and  insufficient means of mobility, has been in her determination, perseverance and commitment towards her objectives. It is through this determination and commitment that SHUMAS can boast of 800 classrooms constructed by her in the country, equipping of 30 health centers, more than 50 rural communities benefiting from potable water and many more in different fields.

        He expressed gratitude to her partners Market Makers and Building Schools for Africa, the Bamenda I council and above the Cameroon government for providing an enabling environment for NGOs to strive. 

        Felix Nguele Nguele, the SDO for Mezam reaffirmed government’s commitment to work hand in glove with SHUMAS for the benefit of communities in his area of command. According to him, only a liar would say he was not happy seeing what SHUMAS is doing. While challenging the population to work hard and in partnership with SHUMAS to see all the projects to fruition, he expressed gratitude to SHUMAS for bringing in project that would help improve the living condition of the people.

SHUMAS A Great Friend of Mbiame

        After the Bamenda I municipality on Friday September 18, 2015 where SHUMAS launched its projects for the 2016, the entire dedicated SHUMAS team headed for Mbaime let by it General Coordinator, Ta Nformi Ndzerem Stephen on Monday the 21^st of September, 2015. Here unlike in Bamenda I where the projects were launched, it was a-dream-come true as several projects were being handed over to different communities within the Mbiame community.

        After moving across the Mbiame community to officially hand over the realized projects, the convoy settled at GTC Mbiame for the official ceremony to take place. Here the jubilant population as well as students and pupils had gathered.   

The occasion presided over by the Senior Divisional Officer for Bui was massively attended not only by local authorities and council authorities but by a cream of traditional rulers headed by the Fon of Mbiame.

        Articulating on the good works of SHUMAS in the Mbiame municipality during the past years, Mayor Fonyuy Fidelis expressed gratitude referring to SHUMAS as 'a great friend...who has been with them in times of need.' While assuring SHUMAS that he would personally make sure the projects being handed over would be jealously preserved, the mayor called on the population to make maximum use of the projects to better their living conditions.

        The General Coordinator of SHUMAS thanked all stakeholders who made sure the projects were realized in due course. while expressing the wish that the projects be well taken care of for the benefit of future generations, he expressed immense thanks to SHUMAS parteners such Building school for Africa-BSFA UK, market makers, the Mbiame Council and other stakeholders for their contributions in the realization of the projects.

        Some of the projects realized in Mbiame include; 2classrooms, an office and a toilet bloc for GNS Ntoh. GTC Mbiame also benefited 2 workshops

, toilets and assistance for a garden program. In PS Rifem, the school was a happy recipient of 2classrooms, provision of modern wash hand facility and some garden tools.  In the domain of potable water, Lam Road Community was a beneficiary of 15m3 tank, 1.5 pipeline and two stand taps. Njanawa community also has 1.8km pipeline and 4 stand taps. Integrated Health Center Ngorin was provided with beds, chairs, drip stands, test strips, health equipment and the construction of a toilet block.

            SHUMAS is an NGO that has been granted special consultative status in the United Nations Economic and Social Council. SHUMAS works toward the achievement of the Cameroon government's Growth and Employment Strategy as well as towards goals such as the Millennium Development Goals and the recently heralded Sustainable Development Goals.

Thwarted Bamenda 20th May Terrorist Attack Was Blackmail-SCNC

SCNC National Chairman, Nfor n Nfor

The Southern Cameroon National Council-SCNC has described claims by some security agents to have foiled a planned bomb attack by SCNC activists on the 20^th of May in Bamenda as a scam to make gains and gain favors typical of the system. According to Nfor N Nfor, Chairman of SCNC (an outlawed secessionist movement seeking the independence of Southern Cameroon), this allegation by government and the incarceration of these people is a form of Blackmail the regime in place has been using over the years to chicken out and silent Southern Cameroonians. “For many years, they have used such blackmail to give the SCNC a bad name and hang it,” he said.

          The SCNC has not sidetracked from its original stands to gain independence through peaceful means, he stated. Most of the people who purportedly were caught with bomb making material, if that is true are not SCNC activists though they are Southern Cameroonians, he said. “In 2012 before the advent of Boko Haram when Philemon Yang was in London, a kind of fraudulent document was produced to incriminate the SCNC as having links with Boko Haram. We replied and gave the UN and Yaoundé a copy. We have no links with Boko Haram and have nothing to do with terrorism or any terrorist group in the world. Southern Cameroonians are peace loving and would not indulged in any violent act. What is happening now is mere blackmail” Nfor N Nfor declared. Asked to know whether he has visited those who have been incarcerated and charged with terrorism, Nfor N Nfor said, “No Southern Cameroonian who has been detained for seeking self determination has been abandoned. We have visited them and have done a lot to prove their innocence. We have taken lawyers on their behalf. The SCNC is the father of the liberation movement in Cameroon,” he underscored.

         Going by the declarations of the National Chairman of the SCNC and the circumstances surrounding the arrests in Bamenda, it is obvious that a lot needs to verify to establish the validity the arrests.

          Although Mbarga Nguele, The General Delegate for national security was in Bamenda to reward the officers who claim to have thwarted such a planned attack by SCNC, many people are of the judgment that some people want to use the volatile situation in the country caused by Boko Haram to make gains and benefit underserved promotions.

Prof. Abety Threatens Court Action against Mbarga Nguele

          Mbarga Nguele's mission to Bamenda, the capital of the North West Region was to congratulate and reward some police officers for their heroic act in averting a well-planned terrorist invasion into the region on the 20th of May 2015. Though the officers, Tawe Alfred, Eteme Joseph Noah, and Elondou Vincent were the happy recipients of epaulets for their prowess in foiling the planned macabre, many Cameroonian children who wrote the competitive examination into the police core are in pains and yet to understand why the result is still pending.

          This explains why the Interim Secretary General at the Bamenda City Council, Jude Waindim in his welcome address mustered the courage to ask the visiting police boss what has become of the examination. Mbarga Nguele as if to play Pontius Pilate, unconvincingly declared that it was because of lack of logistics for training. According to him, the Police Training Centre under rehabilitation in Babanki-Tubah was poorly done by a contracting firm owned by a 'Son of the soil' referring to Prof. Peter Abety.  The poor job done and the non-completion of the center according to him is part of the problem that has delayed the publication of the result of an examination written almost close to a year ago.

          When this reporter got to Prof. Peter Abety, a former minister and the current Chairman person of the Cameroon GCE Board to react to his indictment by the Delegate General for National Security, he was quick to point out a number of issues to rubbish the pronouncement by the DG for National Security, Mbarga Nguele.

          According to him, he did the job perfectly well and it was well received sometimes last year. He questioned why they received it if the job was not well done just to turn around a year after and condemn it. Prof Abety thinks there is a mixed up somewhere and that he is ready to challenge Mbarga Nguele in Court for tarnishing his image and that of his firm. Hear him;

         ‘I think there is a mixed up somewhere because he received the job a year ago and i was fully paid for it. The company, TRAP intended it for a work camp and they built it in 1991 when they were constructing the Bambui-Fondong road. These were not structures that were intended to last for twenty years because every company would want to maximize profit in everything that they do…

          It is well over a year that the work had been received and left again to run down.  When you live in a house, you take care of it , keep it warm and the environment clean so that may not run down. The structure was a dormitory with no classrooms or open space where people could learn except for a small dining hall intended only for a few workers…

          For that structure to have been rehabilitated twenty years after it was abandoned and ransacked by thieves needed a careful job which we did successfully. We did the best that could be done...

          Even if they wanted to start the school, they needed to build classrooms, dormitories and other facilities because these were apartments for senior TRAP workers...

          In this year's budget, the delegate had put out a budget to build classrooms, construct a field which he has not done. He cannot turn around to blame us. In fact if you look at that budget head you would see classroom and other infrastructure which has not been done. It is better for him to say that the classrooms and other structure in the budget have not been done than to say that the rehabilitation work has not been done and giving me negative names over what i think was the best of bests…

          I will take time to go and meet him personally. I may have to sue him for giving my company and my person such a negative publicity.'

          This is not the first time the police competitive examination has ended up in drawers after candidates had spent huge sums of money either to register, do fitness tests or displaced themselves to the examination centers.

         The delay in the release of the result has been a cause for concern in many quarters. Some people think and truly so that the delay only provides fertile grounds for 'lips to be oiled' or for brown envelopes to exchange hands. When the result will finally be published, many must have died, gone for greener pastures, fallen sick, gotten other jobs or would be above age. The cacophony would therefore give the opportunity for the powers that be to fit in their kin or god sons and daughters who might not have written the examination into the police force.

          In launching the competitive examination into the police force, the government was quite aware of the kind of infrastructure at its disposal. They placed the cart before the horse. Abety contracting firm should therefore not be held responsible for a job duly done and received. Mbarga Nguele should look for pretexts elsewhere and should be able to tell Cameroonians what has become of the budget to build classrooms and other infrastructures as stated by Prof. Peter Abety.

Anyi Judith Grabs the Princess Award

Benjamin Ngah

          The former President of AziCCUL and current president of RECCUCAM, Mme Anye Judith Bih was on Saturday August 27, 2015 one of the top fifteen Cameroonians that were distinguished and awarded by  False Labels Inc. ( a US based Non profit making organization that seeks to fight injustices, promote gender equality and healthy practices in society.)

          The award, captioned The Princess Award which was in its maiden edition witnessed the presence of dignitaries like Melissa Beningam from the USA, The NW Delegate of Women Empowerment and the Family, the Fons of Bafut and Nkar, and a cross section of the population.

          Anye Judith Bih who won in the category of Leadership and Democratic Practices was credited for her clairvoyant, astute and relentless service during her occupancy as president of Azire Cooperative Credit Union Ltd- AziCCUL and her current service as President of Renaissance Cooperative Credit Unions- Cameroon- RECCUCAM. During the voting process carried out through several media outlets, the internet and through SMS, voters congratulated her for handing over power at AziCCUL in perfect tranquility when her tenure was over, her work to put in place RECCUCAM to check fraud, mafia and embezzlement that has eaten deep in most credit unions and her level headedness in doing all these. Voters also singled her out for her resilience in the face of blackmail, witch hunting and intimidation. Her struggle to put sanity, honesty and the practice of democratic principles to protect the poor’s meager savings from white collar pecuniary warmongers in the credit union movement in Cameroon has been a daunting task yet she has not relented. 

          Speaking after receiving the Award, Mme Anye Judith who said she was overwhelmed by such a distinction dedicated the award to God and those who work hard to see that truth and honesty prevails especially in the management of people and their resources. He secret of success is the respect of basic rule and regulation and playing by the law. According to her, the credit union which her had served and is still serving is not a forum for people to enrich themselves but for people to service and to make sure that the poor farmer, “Buyam sellam,” small income earners savings are secured and maximum benefits accorded them through cheap loans and other assistance.

          Other winners of the Princess Award include the Fon of Bafut for his vision toward education in his community, the Fon of Nkar for fighting for the rights of widows and orphans, Dr Nick Ngwanyam for his service in the health domain, Gwain Colbert Fulai for his fight for gender equality and human rights, and others from other parts of the country for their service for humanity.

          Speaking during the event, the CEO of False Labels Inc. Kuja Marie-Claire said the aim of this award was to encourage those he considers as the silent heroes. According to her, these heroes need to be encouraged and brought to limelight so that their story could be a catalyst to others. She underlined the need for a change in the way things are done here in Cameroon and for Cameroonians to understand that development will only come through them and by doing small things in big ways.

        The chairperson of the award ceremony, Mr. Tangie Suh Nfor called on all the fifteen laureates to continue being the torch bearers of their various communities. He challenged them to push ahead in doing what is good despite numerous wedges they might witness in the course. According to him, this award was a plain acknowledgement and encouragement of service to humanity by the laureates and should be taken as such for more to be done.