Elderly Persons Challenge Cameroon Senate & Parliament

The 4th regional convention of the Elderly persons in the North West Region of Cameroon has ended in

CDVTA Volunteers

Kumbo with a clarion call on Senators and Parliamentarians to look into the problems of elderly persons in Cameroon. Meeting in Kumbo under the umbrella of the Community Development Volunteers for Technical Assistance-CDVTA, elderly people drawn from Boyo, Ngoketunjia and Bui Divisions of the North West Region lamented that Cameroon doesn't provide social security measures for the elderly. Harping on the necessity for them to live happily at their ages, they called on the Senate and Parliament a vote a law that will protect their rights and guarantee their livilihood given that it is a stage in life reserved for everyone except otherwise.  The 4th Regional Convention of the Elderly that took place on December 12, 2013 was another opportunity for the elderly to commune together ahead of Christmas and New Year. 

Speaking at the 4th Regional Convention at the Tobin Municipal Stadium, the Director of CDVTA, Njuakom Francis re-echoed that CDVTA was created to respond to the call of the United Nations. According to Njuakom Francis, it is the wish of the elderly persons that their rights are given them. This he added could become true only if Parliament vote laws that puts government to task in promoting a national policy for the elderly. The issue of the elderly he emphasized should be debated in Parliament and the Senate. Accordingly, Njuakom Francis called on the elderly persons to be shinning examples in their communities. He applauded President Biya as well as the Ministry of Social Affairs for doing much for the elderly persons. Harping on how the welfare of the elderly persons has evolved since 1998 that CDVTA was created, Njuakom Francis noted with statisfaction that  CDVTA has introduced alot of income generating activities to sustain the them. These activities he said range from organic farming, small livestock rearing, setting up corn mills and cassava mills. Besides, he also revealed that CDVTA also help in the acquisition of Identity cards amongst others.

On the other hand, the SDO for Bui Division, Nzeki Theophile appreciated the efforts so far put in place by CDVTA in promoting the activities of the elderly. SDO Nzeki Theophile also applauded the elderly persons for the part they played in the reunification of Cameroon and reccomended to all the young men and women not to neglect and or abandoned.
It should be recalled that last year elderly persons constituted themselves to present New Year wishes to government. That was barely a month after the December 5, 2012 3^rd National Convention of the Elderly people in Cameroon staged at the behest of the Community Development Volunteer for Technical Assistance, CDVTA. This body headed by Francis Njuakom Nchii stands as the undisputed leading crusader for the rights of the elderly people in Cameroon. The strive of CDVTA has been acknowledged by varied personalities in Cameroon, including the Prime Minister Philemon Yang and Bakang Mbock, Minister of Social Affairs respectively. Last Wednesday January 16, 2013 therefore when CDVTA led a delegation of elderly people to present New Year wishes to Minister Bakang Mbock, it was a pointer of the body towards reinforcing its commitment and partnership with government, to alleviate poverty  the plight of the elderly in Cameroon.

It was Wilfred Mundama, the Program Manager of CDVTA at the head of the delegation to Yaounde. The venue was the City Council Hall. Traditionally, the presentation of New Year wishes is limited to handshakes for a few seconds with the minister. But then, with Mundama led CDTVA team, the scenario was different.

Minister Bakang Mbock took over 10 minutes to receive New Year wishes from the CDVTA and the elderly. This was in fact a special delegation as a bouquet of flower and a special gift was presented by CDVTA to the minister. She was visibly thrilled by the group and exchanged of pleasantries with them. 

 

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