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| Ateh K Thomson Pepeah: The Future of Cameroon Politics |
If there is anyone who is actually demonstrating that politics is a way of life, it is Ateh K Thomson Pepeah, PAP Parliamentary candidate for Bamenda/ Bali. Born on June 6, 1986 in Mezam Division
of the North West Region, Ateh K Thomson is the youngest candidate in the
upcoming Municipal/Legislative elections. Commentators have averred that the young
dynamic rising politician is an icing youth who has exceptionally
distinguished himself as an extraordinary politician. If there is any candidate in Mezam that the SDF fears most, it is Ateh. Ateh K Thomson’s
trappings in leadership positions make him a fit, Expressionists have confirmed.
The very school of thought holds that his candidature should not be neglected
because since politics is the art of the impossible, PAP’s candidate for
Bamenda-Bali could spring surprises. Although Ateh is still very young, he is
one of the rarest candidates who has been questioning government actions. Talking to this reporter in Bamenda ahead of
Sunday’s official opening of political campaigns, Ateh K Thomson said the
reasons that pushed him to run for Parliament are multi-dimensional.
Accordingly, he revealed that the pivotal reason is to vote better laws
including the complete revision of the supreme law- the constitution as well as enable him to
better control government actions. Harping on how his candidature is one of
hope and seeks to inspire future leaders, Ateh added that “it is no doubt that after
so many years, Cameroon’s democratic process is still creeping”, and there is
the need for it to grow stronger. This he said can only be effective if
youths take part in politics or have their voice heard. He added that there is
need for Cameroonians to reflect over the present politico and
socio-cultural diversity and this could only be done when youths participate in politics. To Ateh, there is an urgent need to carryout
educational reforms that would meet the 21st century challenges job
market and the digital world.
The
Pacesetter for Youths
In his arguments, why it is primordial
for youths to take part in decisions making by voting, protecting their votes
from the hawks, Ateh Thomson said that youths have greater stakes than the
elders given that the future belongs to them. That tomorrow, he emphasized
begins with the upcoming September 30, 2013 Municipal/Legislative elections in
Cameroon. “Our tomorrow is Now”, he added. The said the need therefore for
broader youth participation in political and electoral process is
unquestionable. Accordingly, he also reiterated that Cameroon is increasingly
becoming like the pre-Gorbatchev Soviet Union whose entire leadership is made
up the infirm, senile and walking dead of the politbureau. A situation which he
said has kept the gerontocracy to effectively succeed to maintain a firm grip
on the power, and systematically side-stepped the youth in critical policy and
decision making process.
When quiz why at his age he decided to
enter into active politics, Ateh revealed that it is about transforming the
mindset of youths, “ a youthful parliamentary bid such as mind would
resuscitate youths’ interest in politics”, he said.
It should be noted that Ateh K Thomson
though very young is rich in expedients when it comes to politics. He has been
the Organizing Secretary of the People’s Action Party-PAP, Member of the
Council of the Wise of PAP, and co-founder of Cameroon Youth for Change.
His leadership qualities could be traced
when he was student leader, University of Buea Student Union-UBSU where he held
the position of Deputy President. He was also the President of University of
Buea Economic Society and chairperson of University of Buea Social and
Management Postgraduate Student Association and student representative of the
Student Representative Council, etc. Besides, he holds a Masters Degree in
Political Economics from the University of Buea after haven obtained a Bachelor
of Science in economics. Ateh K Thomson is a candidate to watch closely in the
North West Region.
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa
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