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| Kelly Ngyah: CEO MAHSRA |
By Fai Cassian Ndi
The Chief Executive Officer of the Modern Advocacy
Humanitarian Social and Rehabilitation Association-MAHSRA, a Cameroon based Human Rights Organization with consultative status with the United Nations has lamented that on
two consecutive occasions, members of his organization who were designated to
participate at the Open Working Group for Sustainable Development Goals-(OWG/SDG) have been refused
US non-immigrants visas due to administrative procedures. The CEO of MAHSRA,
Kelly Ngyah told journalists in a Press Conference on January 11, 2014 in
Bamenda that the most recent decision by the Yaounde based US Consulate for not
permitting MAHSRA’s representative to travel to the United States of America so
as to present their side event on “the
Community Health Unit’s Database Networking Systems for Sustainable
Technological Growth, Healthcare Delivery Equality an Broader e-governance
implicit measures in LDCs". Hear him "I believe there is a strong need to address the US’s
visa issuance policy with regards of UN meetings decisions in New York in order
to build a concordant tie with their government’s support for the participatory
rights of the civil society”. He wondered how the US would grant immigrant
visas for tens of thousands of persons of no particular reasons but based on “chance
lottery games” yet the Consulate officers stick on procedures and deny
non-immigrant visas to designated and UN confirmed participants to meetings who
carry a major and greater goal for global objectives that are even glaringly
supported by US foreign policy.
He told journalists that on the first occasion, two persons
applied for visa appointment but one was granted entry while the other was
refused. He said after that happened, MAHSRA addressed a cordial letter of
inquiry to the Ambassador with regards to such non-supportive act against the
development prospect of LDCs (Cameroon)
but the mail service he added after a careful study collected but
refused to discharge it. Kelly Ngyah insisted that his worry and that of MAHSRA
is that the visa processing time at the US Consulate including administrative
procedures of 30 and 60 days is well too long for certain assessed issues such
as has been the exemplary case of the Sixth Session OWG/SDG side events of the
United Nations which were selected within three weeks before the session. “Should
the decisions of the United Nations follow national policy priorities or should
it seek national consent before being taken”, he asked in rhetoric. Quoting Article
50 of ECOSOC resolution 1996/31, Kelly Ngyah said it states that “in
recognition of the intergovernmental nature of the UN Conferences and
preparatory processes, the participation of accredited non-governmental organizations
are non-negotiable”. He also wondered whether there isn’t a peculiar need for a
better US visa facilitation processes for the participation of organization
from developing countries at UN meetings in New York adding that less
developing African nations ought to be taken into consideration and especially
youths.
He also lamented that even in Cameroon; there is much neglect
of youth potentiality by the leadership of the country. He cited pathetic case
of occurred in May 2012, when MAHSRA requested to offer peace studies in the
University of Bamenda and it was appreciated but when a similar request was sent to the University of Buea, the source was
undermined by the school administration. He also disclosed to journalists that in July 2012, his
organization made another request to the Cameroon Government to carryout a
voluntary PhD research program against corruption to some four ministries and
the request was undermined on grounds that youths cannot handle sensitive
issues.
In his conclusion, the CEO of MAHSRA outlined that " there is need for leadership to understand that, a simple appreciative note or word of encouragement directed to a youthful endeavour is enough to boost three time the efforts of that youth and the better development prospects of the nation". He furthermore more emphasized that " the time for public authorities to be responsible for their duty commitments and obligations is reached". Leaders he added need to understand the reasons why they are where they are. "They are where they are because of the will of the people who put them there and as such should act according to that will. If the will of he who puts you where you are is to respect the greater participation and concern of the Civil Society then you ought to do so; and if such a will is from an electorate requesting representation, then you should do so in full. A public office is neither a private nor an individual freewill job prestige but a dedicated and acknowledged privilege to serve the people before oneself. Those who do not posses wills" he warned "should not aspire for public leadership offices in a country like Cameroon that needs total dedication for general rather than personal development options. In the course to empower the civil society participation in both national and international development processes, MAHSRA will leave no stone unturned and will stand below no unlawful heights towards achieving its purpose".
In his conclusion, the CEO of MAHSRA outlined that " there is need for leadership to understand that, a simple appreciative note or word of encouragement directed to a youthful endeavour is enough to boost three time the efforts of that youth and the better development prospects of the nation". He furthermore more emphasized that " the time for public authorities to be responsible for their duty commitments and obligations is reached". Leaders he added need to understand the reasons why they are where they are. "They are where they are because of the will of the people who put them there and as such should act according to that will. If the will of he who puts you where you are is to respect the greater participation and concern of the Civil Society then you ought to do so; and if such a will is from an electorate requesting representation, then you should do so in full. A public office is neither a private nor an individual freewill job prestige but a dedicated and acknowledged privilege to serve the people before oneself. Those who do not posses wills" he warned "should not aspire for public leadership offices in a country like Cameroon that needs total dedication for general rather than personal development options. In the course to empower the civil society participation in both national and international development processes, MAHSRA will leave no stone unturned and will stand below no unlawful heights towards achieving its purpose".
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa
8 comments:
What a bold and interesting leadership zeal perceived in the CEO of MAHSRA. Is this guy a Cameroonian? If he is then, the Country has finally found that one person which it needs for a true change. I can feel it deep in my Spirit... Wherever this guy is, his people should keep him with care and caution for he bears the will of change and the aspirations of several millions of underprivileged persons all over the world
Angel
What a bold and interesting leadership zeal perceived in the CEO of MAHSRA. Is this guy a Cameroonian? If he is then, the Country has finally found that one person which it needs for a true change. I can feel it deep in my Spirit... Wherever this guy is, his people should keep him with care and caution for he bears the will of change and the aspirations of several millions of underprivileged persons all over the world
Angel
True there is strong need to revise this undermining attitude of public authorities. This case of the US consulate undermining the decision of the UN by me is a clear case of abuse of authority even if such a decision was made based on US policies. US policies should adjust to suite UN decisions except for extreme globally understood reasons. This is not a good example of the all-powerful and Ideal America I dreamt of. However, the problem of Cameroon is a very pertinent one that I think MAHSRA should face with might and furor. The leaders of this country will kill us with countless number of abuses. I think people should use this opportunity and comment on their worries here so that MAHSRA should be aware of them.
Healer
I'm happy by the level reasoning and vision the CEO has. but on the issue of US visa, i will like to call his attention that candidate did not meets the requirements to be granted a US visa at the time. the consular will issue visa to any body that meets this requirements with out looking were the person come from or what his last name sound like. Talking about the US immigrants visa, which he says its granted to them on no good reason but base on a common lottery. The frame work under which the lottery was created is of greater positives impacts to US from economy to nation building which is by far greater than your delegation attending seminars in the US. that why they winners are always the educated ones with nothing less than A/L US is great country today because on immigrants. if you want to make your case, don't question the state document immigration policy, go and look for that document you were missing or May be your candidate could not explain clearly to the officer his US mission which is possible because u said on the first time, one was issue and another not. u have have to educate them, they have to know why they are going and the interest of those that they are representing.
thanks
Brown
Particularly, as for me, I believe there have been a real need to address the US visa issuance policies in Cameroon. I have been to that consulate a number of times but it never seems good enough even with all the requirements that Mr. Browns has emphasized on. However, concerning the case of US visa lottery, if the US chooses mostly AL candidates and above, then that means a gradual depletion of the possible development intellect within poorer countries. This does not sound funny. Also, with what I understood in the CEO's worry, he said one his persons was granted entry while the other was refused but none was granted a visa based on their administrative procedures. From the notes above, I read that, there was a request for non-immigrant visa with the implication of greater goal confirmed by the UN and even supported by US foreign policies. Doesn’t this ring a bell?......I wonder again, again and again..
Still, Mr. Brown talks of a 'greater positives impacts to US from economy to nation building which is by far greater than your delegation attending seminars in the US'. This is understood, but what about the development opportunity goals of poorer nations and the participatory rights of the civil society? This is the clear case which the CEO of MAHSRA is putting up. Should the rights of the lesser persons or goals be ignored because of other national priority concerns? Development which is pursued with undermining of the rights of those it sorts to address is empty. Still in the CEO's worry, it is written that he addressed a cordial letter of inquiry but the acknowledgement of such a letter was refused by the mail service. Is this an ethical practice? If actually that was the case, why would there be such a refusal? This proves that something might not definitely be right.
By the way, I still do not yet understand the meaning of a side event which the UN had confirmed for the presentation by MAHSRA's designated representatives but I still have much questions on the reasons why such an event was not done if it was in the interest of less developing countries.
Standing on a fair and clear ground, I believe there are more reasons to the CEO’s worries than has been elaborated within this press article. The man’s discuss, seems rather very particular from a great ‘within-pain’ which has been carefully studied and calculated before being aired in such a diplomatic manner that tactically avoids blames but is made for people to see reason and move towards a change. This is what I term ‘diligence’ and for the fact that it direct focus on the youths and less developing countries, I personally would recommend a further press conference session to listen to what this man has deep within and probably dissipate his ideas to world leaders.
Also, with regards the former two comments by Healer and Angel, you guys need to go slow on the man, he is not some sort of a messiah, I believe he needs more of your support than you need of him. My brief analysis determined that, the CEO of MAHSRA is more of a ‘victim’ than your aspirant ‘solution’ especially within your country. I think he needs your combined support than your elusive aspirant needs.
My own point of view
The Analysts
In my comment above, I actually meant disseminate rather dissipate
as in 'I personally would recommend a further press conference session to listen to what this man has deep within and probably dissipate his ideas to world leaders'. I perceive a strong issue of the value international law over national ones.
Also, the fact that, the CEO presents a case of his organization wanting to do a major high level research in combat of corruption with the support of the Cameroon government and this was undermined, there my questions are raised even further. What was it that would make the authorities of corrupt country like that to undermine such a development course? more questions and questions and questions.
The entire issue above has intrigued me so much this night that I had to download and read the ECOSOC resolution 1996/31. I recommend every other person who needs a better inside to do same. Within, it I found some very interesting paragraphs which has redirected my thoughts into asking the question whether, do consulate officers have a sound background on what it means to be a designated representative an organization with a consultative status? With what I found out, I perceived that, member States ought to be more supportive for the participation of accredited organizations at UN's international conferences. Now I begin to see why the CEO of MAHSRA is worried... will study the document further and keep in touch . The issue is getting more interesting than I thought...
Mr Kelly Ngyah and his team at MAHSRA are definitely the beginning of a revolution that will cause positive changes within several foreign diplomatic operations in Africa.
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