Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Hunters FC of Wat Wins Ta Shey Frank Football Tournament for Peace in Mbuwarr

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Hunters FC of Wat Market Square are this year's winner of Ta Shey Frank Football Tournament for Peace in Wat zone (Wat, Mbaa, Kup, Chup, Nwangri and Bongom). Hunters FC crushed One Spirit FC of Ruh 2#0 to win the FCFA 500.000. The finals took place at Catholic school Nwangri on Sunday May 28, 2023 in the presence His Royal Highness the Fon of Wat and His Royal Highness the Fon of Nwangri. Before handing over the trophy to the winning team, Ntumfon Franklin Ndzi Nformi alias Shey Frank used the opportunity to call on youths of Mbuwarr villages to be law abiding, respect state institutions as well as adopt spirit of mutual coexistence. He expressed gratitude to H.E Shey Jones Yembe, Hon..Ngala Gerard and many others who have supported the initiative. He said peace is a choice for everyone given that it is only in an atmosphere of peace and conviviality that there is development. He called on the youths to adopt the spirit of fair play which is in football in their communities. "Respect your elders, parents and your friends because peace starts with respect". He lauded the organizing committee for the wonderful work. On his part the Fon of Nwangri expressed gratitude to everyone for the massive turn out. He expressed thanks to choosing his village to host the finals for Mbuwarr. He said Ntumfon Franklin Ndzi Nformi should continue changing lives positively and that peace is good for all and at all times. 

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Friday, May 26, 2023

Where there is Discrimination There is Hate Speech -Ntumfor Nico Halle

MY LITTLE TAKE ON HATE SPEECH
By Barrister Nico Halle
on 28.04.2021

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Hate Speech. What causes it and what are it's ramifications? 

This little and simple article is definitely a continuation of my almost twenty-eight years quest for Justice and Peace for our beloved country where there is everything but Love, Justice and Peace. Too bad indeed. 

The article is also triggered by the exponential upsurge in hate speech in Cameroon and beyond. As a Justice and Peace crusader, and as one who has no kind words for embezzlers and predators it is incumbent upon my humble self to situate the current situation within its proper context even if I may only be repeating myself over and over again. 

Yet, what is hate speech? Hate speech though loosely used by so many is described by others as threatening and wanton words, articles that attack particular groups especially on the basis of minority, race, sexual orientation, religion, colour, belief, ethnicity, nationality and education. Hate Speech is also any kind of communication in writing, speech, behavior, action, character that hurts or attacks, uses pejorative or selective language that makes reference to a group of people who are deprived or marginalized. The definition might be varied and various, but it stems from one thing- absence of love, Justice, equity leading to ANGER/FRUSTRATION resulting in- VIOLENCE, CHAOS AND ANARCHY. 

Truth be told, when God created Cameroon like many other Nations, He provided for His people sufficient resources for their welfare. It is true that Adam and Eve played into the hands of the devil who tricked them into violating God's strict instructions. (Spare me details). Both of them fell and sin found itself in the world. 

Despite God's anger, He, in His infinite love for His people still sent Prophets to turn things around without success. He later on sent His only begotten son Jesus Christ to transform His people. These same people rebelled against Him and crucified him even though He committed no crime.

Today we are engulfed in Hate, greed, fear, graft, embezzlement, bribery and corruption, discrimination, tribalism, favoritism, xenophobia, regionalism, hypocrisy, falsehood, marginalization, lies, human rights and liberties abuse, election rigging etc etc etc. Are these not the platform on which Hate speech thrives abundantly? The answer is a big YES. Can we who are promoters of the above fight Hate speech? The answer is a big NO. I challenge some of us; all over our country who are condemning hate speech whether we have the moral authority to fight Hate Speech! How can we condemn what we promote? This is certainly very hypocritical and impossible. If we MUST fight Hate speech, we MUST start from what causes Hate speech otherwise it would be an effort in futility. 

How can we fight Hate speech when we cannot respect the Rule of law of our land? Are we truly patriotic? 

How can we fight Hate speech when discrimination is promoted at all the echelons of our society? Where there is discrimination there is hate speech.

How can we fight Hate speech when the core moral values of love, Justice, equity, transparency, accountability, integrity, truth, patriotism, respect of human rights and liberties, credibility etc that should be espoused to constitute the platform of our daily activities are treated with levity? 

How can we fight Hate speech when meritocracy has given way to mediocrity? 

How can we fight Hate speech when some of those who receive awards, distinctions and medals are of questionable character?
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Some time ago I met with someone I know at an event who boasted that he has occupied high positions within our society and even trumpeted that he is one of the most bilingual and educated Cameroonians. I chatted with him for about twenty minutes and told him straight that I do not value his learned stature as most Cameroonians know him as corrupt and election rigger and that he had nothing to offer as he was morally bankrupt. I reminded him of his quest for power and money by corrupt means that people know. He was ashamed when I disclosed to him in the presence of another friend what he had done when he worked at one of our institutions. Can such a person fight Hate speech? Absolutely no, because he is partly responsible for those in abject poverty idling around.

How can we fight Hate speech when poverty and unemployment are our mainstay? A hungry and an unemployed person is a fertile ground for Hate Speech.

How can we fight Hate speech when elections are rigged at almost all levels of our society? About 85% of uprising in the world emanate from rigged elections. See what happens at Cultural Associations, in our Communities, our global Churches, within Political parties, within the civil society, even in the Bar Association where the Rule of law ought to be the watch word. 

How can we fight Hate speech when Religious structures that ought to be a moral force to reckon with have degenerated into despicable moral decadence? 

How can we fight Hate speech when parents do no longer bring up their children in the way of the Lord? Proverbs 22:6 
The fear of the Lord which should be the beginning of wisdom has now been transformed into the fear of money, power, position etc is the beginning of wisdom. 

How can we fight Hate speech when religious knowledge and moral education do not feature in the curriculum of our children's studies? Five "O" level papers without Religious Knowledge; or Two "A" level papers without Religious Knowledge. Are we not saying that five or two papers without God?  So how does this situation bring up the child in the way of the Lord? Answer blowing in the wind.

How can one who promotes corruption, bribery, graft, discrimination, tribalism, division, divide and rule, hypocrisy, falsehood, xenophobia, violence, bitterness, frustration, sycophancy, surrogacy, bootlicking, praise singing, idol worshiping etc etc etc fight Hate speech? All of these vices virtually promote hate speech.

Even if we are not scrupulously respecting the Rule of law of our Country let us at least ask for direction from our awesome God. This is the person whose boots we should lick daily by going on our knees and asking for forgiveness after repenting from our sins. 

Why is it that even some of the books that could even lead us into being patriotic are systematically spurned?
I have had occasion of reading and re-reading many great books on Goodness, Audacity of Hope, and Lamentation for a beloved Country, Nation Building, the Politics of Jesus, Rigour and Moralization, The Seven Habits of highly effective people. These books have inspired and molded me a lot. 

These books were good yesterday and are today still relevant for a society that wants to live in peace and harmony. If these books had been imbibed at all echelons of our body polity, we would have long emerged as Cameroon is blessed with huge natural and human resources. We would have also avoided the socio-political crisis rocking the NW/SW Regions of our country. Most Cameroonians I know are very intelligent in almost all areas of life. Unfortunately, academia that is devoid of core moral values represents almost nothing. Such academia cannot build a great Nation.

Yet, why have these books been spurned? This is because by implementing their contents embezzlers and grafters would no longer have their way. They have over the years looted and plundered the resources thereby creating poverty and unemployment. Despicable. 

These books imply that the Rule of law would be respected by all and sundry thereby curbing inequalities that are fertile grounds for frustration and of course Hate Speech. Intrigues, greed, vaulting and inordinate ambitions, unbridled quest for power, recognition and position, manipulations, lies, cover ups, and FEAR are largely responsible for most of frustrations leading to Hate Speech. 

The socio-political crisis in the NW/SW Regions are still very pre-occupying owing to a couple of reasons. Some of the key players, call them stake holders have NEVER told the truth because of FEAR. They fear to lose friendship, they fear to lose benefits, favours, advantages, promotions, appointments or reappointments, grandeur, titles, awards, glamour, splendour and what have you! 

People have forgotten that all the above attributes no matter how we acquired them will slip off our fingers when God wills it. I have always reminded myself that there is no position or anything I possess anywhere that I cannot let go when it comes to standing for the truth and defending general interest. We have also forgotten that our live here on earth is ephemeral and that we have a responsibility to leave the world better than we met it. We have also forgotten that amassing wealth to the detriment of our brothers and sisters is a heinous crime against humanity and that we shall all be held accountable to our creator for all our deeds. We even forget that we came empty and will leave the world empty.

Some people are insensitive to the many civilians, and army that are perishing in the senseless war in the NW/SW Regions. Some of us are more interested in how much money we make on the blood of our brothers and sisters dying in their great numbers. Those countries manufacturing arms are making brisk business. Terrible. Others are making political capital of the crisis. A big SHAME to us all. There is always time for reckoning when all will be said and done. 

Finally, when the Pope's representative visited Cameroon recently he re-echoed what I have been recommending since about four years now on how we can honestly solve the socio-political crisis in the NW/SW regions: namely the creation of a Justice, Peace and Reconciliation platform. This will constitute the platform for honest, objective, inclusive dialogue to hold.  For this to happen smoothly, some preliminary measures should be taken to create an enabling environment. I still stand by this crusade and pray that God should show the people of this beloved country the right way to come out of the crisis. 

While this is the way, Spiritual and Moral Rearmament should be highlighted at all the facets of the country. Hate Speech must be tackled holistically especially at the grassroots where we find about 90% of frustration owing to the fact the people are living in abject squalor. 

Like JF Kennedy, I will always ask myself what I can do for my country and not what my country can do for me. This I shall continue to do till my Creator calls me home whenever He wishes. It is not about perfection as nobody is perfect. It is about being useful to humanity our frailties apart.

I pray and pray and pray for God’s people.


Barrister Nico Halle

Thursday, May 25, 2023

Nphifon Senator Regina Mundi Addresses Message of Solidarity Kedjom Keku Women

Nphifon Senator Regina Mundi has issued a message of solidarity to the Kedjom Keku Women in Tubah Sub Division in Mezam Division of the North West region. Here below is the message

STATEMENT FROM Nphifon Senator Regina Mundi
MESSAGE OF SOLIDARITY ADDRESSED TO THE WOMEN OF KEDJOM KEKU AGRIEVED BY THE BARBARIC CRUELTY OF GUN-CARRYING YOuTHS IN THE VILLAGE.

It is with great sorrow and consternation that we saw pictures and watched videos of women, all advanced in age, being brutalized and taunted by gun men in our village. We condemn in the strongest possible terms the barbaric and inhuman treatment to which these women were subjected. Fumbwin’s customary role as the voice and conscience of the people in difficult times is well known and respected. That young men should abrogate to themselves, the right to levy and collect taxes, without the knowledge or approval of the village council or Fon, is what these brave women went out to march against. These “crazy women” as labelled by one of the gunmen are some body’s mother, grand mother or sister. Kedjom women are known for their hard-working and peaceful nature. This attack on these defenseless women who came out to express their unhappiness with so-called “Amba” is not only cowardly and barbaric in its very nature, but a stain on the very good name of all Kedjom Keku people. These disrespectful young men have no place in our society.  We stand in solidarity with these women and call on all men and women of good-will to rally to their support.

Senator Regina Mundi Nphifon

Monday, May 22, 2023

President Biya Knights Yaah Patience Tamfu with Commander of National Order of Merit

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Yaah Patience Tamfu, an astute US based female politician and medic has been honoured with a National Medal for her services to the nation. She was awarded the Commander of Cameroon National Order of Merit, on May 20, 2023. She received the distinction from the hands of Cameroon Ambassador to the US. Talk about women who have given a human face to politics and made it an enjoyable game of ideologies, the first name that comes to mind is Yaah Patience Tamfu. She is servant leader who is serviceable, accessible and down to earth. In the past, when people think of a strong leader, many people subconsciously picture a man because of persistent stereotypes of men as commanding and goal-focused, but today the narrative has changed. Yaah Patience Tamfu is a truer illustration of the popular saying that what a man can do, a woman can do it more better. Ever since she took over the helm of the CPDM in the USA, the party has become more proactive and productive. This distinction rewards the services of a visionary leader, and heads the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement, CPDM USA Section. Puplic opinion holds that  she deserves the recognition for her contributions to peace, national unity, dialogue and evolution of politics. Back home in Donga Mantung Division, she is a household name and has made significant contributions in supporting development initiatives. She is a leader par excellence who is stepping up the ladder of politics of development

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Sunday, May 21, 2023

The Phenomenonal Mayor of Ndu Council, Abdou Borno Honoured with National Medal 


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The Phenomenonal Mayor of Ndu Council, Alhadj Abdou Borno Kanfon has been awarded a medal for his contributions and services in nation building. Alhadj Abdou Borno received the Knight of the Cameroon National Order of Valour from the Divisional Officer, DO for Ndu Sub Division, on May 20, 2023 at the Ndu grandstand.
Speaking at his residence during a cocktail he offered the population of Ndu, council executive and staff to honour the medal, Abdou Borno said he lacked words to express his gratitude for the State recognition. He said the medal will spur him to make sure that he leaves an indelible mark in fostering development efforts in Ndu municipality. He added that the medal will serve him as a source of  inspiration to do more for his municipality. 
Elected into office on February 20, 2020, Abdou Borno Kanfon is already entering into history books in great names as development luminary, the man who saw tomorrow etc for his savvy sassy tenets as mayor. He tarred some streets in Ndu town, opened and upgraded rural roads, constructed health centers, classrooms, electrified village hotspots etc. Before his election, he served as Islamic Education for the North West region for several years. And was elected National Islamic Education Secretary,   the divisional delegate of public contracts from 2017 to 2020 before the councilors of Ndu conferred in him the mayoral position. It should be noted that Abdou Borno was Islamic education secretary for northwest for 18 years a post he was to hold for six years but exceptionally extended by the ministers of education because of hard work.  He was also GCE board councillor for almost 15 years. 
Besides, he is also CPDM Section President for Donga Mantung II, Ndu and he is one of the greatest political strategists the CPDM has ever had in that Section. Ever since he took up the helm of the party, there has been a great improvement on results. Public opinion in Ndu holds that the likes of Alhadj Abdou Borno are unique everywhere. They come once in a generation and leave indelible footprints wherever they find themselves. Whenever you observe such a rare breed in your locality, pay more than a passing attention to them. 
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They have an unusual mission to fulfil in life. Everything about such unique people is shrouded in some extraterrestrial forces no mortal can adequately deconstruct no matter how much he tries. Nsame Emmanuel, third Deputy Mayor of Ndu council said the medal is well deserved. Nsame emphasized that for the first time in the history of Ndu Council, upwardly young men and women are the ones running the affairs in the municipality unlike in the past when they were mere hallelujah boys for the politicians. The old days adage that youths are the leaders of tomorrow no longer holds water in Ndu. He concluded that in Ndu youths are already taking charge of their destiny. On his part Ndzi Neville in a tweet likened Abdou Borno Kanfon to Nostradamus, the Man who Saw Tomorrow. 
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National Day Celebration: Misaje Reaffirms its Commitments in National Unity

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The 51st National Day Celebration was celebrated in Misaje in an atmosphere of serenity and conviviality. The celebration which took place at the newly constructed magnificent grandstand was attended by massive crowd estimated at  more than  15.000 people. At about 7 am, the population started gathering at the grandstand. It was at 10am that the chief celebrant arrived at the ceremonial ground. Frutumah Martin Mbuh, the Divisional Officer for Misaje sub Division was received on arrival by the 1st Deputy Mayor of Misaje Council and other members of the constituted corpse. After the singing of the National Anthem,  two dynamic persons were decorated for their savvy sassy contributions in nation building. Nji Enoch who works with Inspectorate of Basic Education and Mabuh Paul, worker with the council were the happy recipients of the medals. 
When the chief celebrant, Frutumah Martin Mbuh took his seat in the newly constructed grandstand with capacity of 1000 seats, everyone in the grandstand stood up in respect. The March-pass started with the military, followed by the Gendarmerie, and the police. More than 30 nursery and primary schools followed. The children on their numbers sang patriotic songs to testify the importance of the day. Government Bilingual High School Misaje led the March-past for secondary schools. The students carried with them the map of Cameroon indicating that Cameroon is one and indivisible. The equally carried placards expressing gratitude to H.E. President Paul Biya. 

CPDM Show of Political Strength 
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An estimated 10.000 to 14.000 colorfully dressed militants of the CPDM took part in the March-pass in Misaje to portray their numerical strength. It took over 1hr 53 minutes for the last line to cross the grandstand. Grassroots militants expressed gratitude to Prof. Fuh Calistus Gentry, Interim Minister of Mines, Industries and Technological development for his political strategies and development endeavour as well as mobilization strategies. " We thank our minister Prof. Fuh Calistus Gentry for everything put in place for this great success. It is written on the sands of time that once upon a time, ANDP tried but was really humiliated." Political pundits had predicted end of time for the few pockets of ANDP militants.Tanjong Gideon says "ANDP was buried today forever". Analyzing the numerical strength of the CPDM in Misaje sub Division, Lon Ernest said it is the demonstration of political force and control situation. According to Lon Ernest, in Misaje, the CPDM is not a political party but a political movement anchord on conviction. Militants and sympathisers of the CPDM in Misaje are of the opinion that in 2025, the CPDM will not need to do campaign anymore. They are asking whether it will be necessary for a party which has linked Misaje to EAS National grid with concreted poles, achieved the programming of FCFA 17 billion for the stretch of the ring road Nkambe-Misaje, mega road project to link Nigeria through Misaje-Dumbu-Sabongida, and has provided potable water in all the 12 villages etc. These projects they say will do the campaign for them in 2023. 

Inauguration of Ultra Modern Grandstand 
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May 20, 2023 entered into history as the first day that the population of Misaje started using the magnificent grandstand with the capacity of 1000 seats. It is the first time that the ultra modern structure with an underneath hall with a capacity of 1000 seats and well furnished was put to use. To many, this is exceptional and one of it's kind in the North West region. At the end of the official ceremony, everyone took time to admire the structure and its beauty. Impressionists were of the opinion that the Misaje people have a strong reason to come out in their numbers to reaffirm their commitments to a one and indivisible Cameroon, and to thank the New Deal Government for the development prowess as well as thank President Paul Biya for the appointment of their son Prof. Fuh Calistus Gentry. 

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Wednesday, May 17, 2023

What if the crises in the South West were coming from "The People We Don't Like."

The Colbert Factor:



"If anyone says "I love God" and hates his brother, he is a liar, for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen" (confer 1 John 4:20). 

Inferring, politicians and elite from the South West Region cannot be shouting on rooftops about how they "love" President Paul Biya (whom they hardly see or only hear about through "High instructions), his national unity and integration policies yet; want the heads of the settler population (the persons whom they have seen and whom they live with). But, truth be told: The just-held South West Peace and Development Conference was the best thing that ever happened to the survival of that historically welcoming and hospitable region (that can be said to be more sinned against than sinning), and that has made some of us what we are today.

If today I can claim to have gone to some of the best schools (including St.Bede's College Ashing-Kom, and skipping by an inch to go to the Catholic University of Central Africa (UCAC), it's because the soil-rich South West Region opened its welcoming doors to my beloved hardworking late uncle, Yindo Akem of mainland Abuh-Kom, Boyo Division,  North West Cameroon. Although Kom's rich and beautiful culture had an affinity for uncles taking more interest in their nephews (being their potential successors), the land lacked what people elsewhere (including the South West), take for granted-rich soils. 

Immediately after I was declared successful in my Common Entrance Examination into Secondary School in 1982, my uncle pegged my going to college on accompanying him to the South West, commonly referred to in those days as the 'Coast', and precisely to Munyenge in Muyuka Subdivision, in Fako Division. Not that I could have refused to accompany him to the coastal zone we had read a lot about in our primary school history and geography books (including Sanda Eba's plantation accounts). Going to the coastal zone for youths in Kom and other parts of the North West was a matter of "do or die", in much the same way people from Yaounde and Douala would insist on going to France. Hence, Howard Storm' book: "Voir Paris et Mourir."

For my three months in Munyenge, I accompanied my uncle to the thick bush every day, including Sundays. We would set out to the farms by 5 a.m., and by 6, we are already cutting and flattening the thick bush, and only returning home by 5 p.m., just in time to fetch water, prepare food and catch some sleep in preparation for the next day. Even at the tender age of 14, I was already given to work 11-12 hours each day, so I have a sigh of relief when September came and my uncle had to take me back to the village to prepare for college. On our way, we stopped at Muyuka, and with the help of the book list in Form I that I was given following my admission, all my books and other school-related materials was purchased. 

Despite the challenges involved in the bush clearing, given the calories lost to such a labor-intensive job, I would always accompany my uncle to the coastal zone for most long holidays.  For one or two Sundays that we returned from the forest early,  I had to sneak into the Muyenge village school field, without the knowledge of my uncle who would consider my going to a football field as a form of laziness. There, I discovered that lots of the indigenous youths in my age group spent most of their holiday time on the pitch, while I was tilling and toiling the soil. 

Like myself (and my uncle, Yindo Akem), most grass fielders have had a startup in life by tilling and toiling in the cocoa farms of thousands of indigenous coastal people. They have had to work for long, unending hours and nine-long months year-in, year-out. Originally,  "immigrant" laborers set out only to work and receive wages at the end of the cocoa farming season and rush back to their communities and show off how their lives had changed.  As time went on (and armed with their hard work and honesty), the indigenous people introduced the culture of "two-party". 

This allowed the indigenous farmers to stay back home while the settler population did all the farm work, including cocoa harvesting and weighing), and the locals only showed up at the cooperatives on payday. This "two-party" culture was soon to cement fruitful relations with laborers and local farmers, who themselves started making suggestions to immigrant laborers about the possibility of them owning their pieces of farmland,  alongside the two-party arrangements. 

And that's how it has come about today that almost eight out of every 10 workers in the agricultural and forestry industry are settlers. If in those days, indigenous people never saw the arrival of grass field "immigrant" laborers as a nuisance it was simply because "the harvest was plentiful and the laborers were few". It was also because clearing off the thick bushes was too labor-intensive and needed people with dogged determination and extra doses of energy. As "immigrants", the laborers could work on riskier jobs as the Mexican immigrant worker does in the United States of America, thereby allowing the natives to shift into safer jobs in the city centres and other towns, or go on one leisure trip, further study, or another. Today, settlers have improved workplace safety for indigenes.

For quite a long time, the settling of particularly North Westerners in the sister Region of the South West has remained a contentious issue amongst South West elites and politicians. It has become a source of friction since the escalation of the armed conflict between central government forces and separatist fighters in the two English Speaking Regions, especially given that although the main reason North Westerners migrated to the South West, was for economic reasons, some who started feeling themselves South Westerners by the influence they hold around, started indulging in some dishonorable behaviors.  

According to The Colbert Factor estimations, as of 2022, people of North West extraction in the South West accounted for nearly 40% of the total settler population, followed by the West Region with 20%, the other eight regions, with 20%, and ibos taking up the rest. Of the 20% from the other eight regions, 10% control the critical services and industries (including SONARA), capable of releasing resources that could develop the South West to be second only to New York. There's no gain saying the fact that the settler population has worked tirelessly, rolling off their sleeves and burning the midnight oil to encourage a tremendous increase in trade and investment in this lovely and God-blessed region. 

Like the Mexican immigrant workers in the United States of America (who work for long hours and in extremely difficult conditions to help their families and loved ones back home), North West settlers and their descendants in the South West could be found in most of the industries. Because they are a source of low-cost labor, ingenuity, and above all, honesty, they are found in virtually all the sectors and villages, as confirmed during the just-ended South West elites Confab by outspoken Senator Mbella Moki. 

They are into construction, agriculture,  forestry,  hunting, leisure and hospitality,  quarrying, oil and gas extraction, transportation of utilities, wholesale and retail trade, professional and retail services, manufacturing, education, and health services, financial activities, and information and communication. Beyond the construction, farming, and forestry services where the settler population occupies nearly 60 % of the labor force, they have below 27% representation in the other services named above.

In the inspiring work: "People We Don't Like: When Others Push Our Buttons", Lori Deschene, the U.S author and co-founder of "Recreate Your Life Story", recounts how much she hated her neighbor to the point of almost going for her head, only to realize that the one thing necessary in society was a systematic framework on how to settle differences. 

The peace and development conference convened by the South West Regional Assembly, unfortunately gave birth to the subculture of "The People We Don't Like." This was expected given that the ambers of such a subculture have been lurking for a long time, due more to the fundamental difference between the North Westerner and the South Westerner. 

George Ngwane, promoter of the Africaphonie Foundation, was after all right some years ago when he captured the fundamental difference between the South Westerner and the North Westerner in temperaments. Following his assessment, North Westerners were innately radical while South Westerners were fundamentally docile. For the same situation, while a North Westerner would be singing a dirge, a South Westerner would be singing a lullaby. The beautiful conclusion was that the two would express the same feeling and frustration differently. These dispositions added much-needed ingredients to the Anglophone subculture. And that only a systematic framework for resolving the differences was needed to make life better in our society where we are fated to live together before we pass on to eternity.

The good news today is that despite South West elites giving to understanding at the conference that people are still prisoners of history and geography and that once settlers vacate their lands, life would be full of milk and honey, the restless younger generation are not bound by geography and history. With modern advances in technology and bitcoin as a means of exchange,  they are being farms and minting money from any part of the world. 

And for the particular concerns about insecurity in the two English Speaking regions, the solution lies with speaking truth to Yaounde authorities to accept the Canadian mediation as a recent The Guardian Post editorial suggests, rather than accusing the helpless and defenseless "people we do not like."


Colbert Gwain is digital space immigrant, author, radio host and content creator @TheColbertFactor WAIT! BEFORE YOU GO about your daily activities, ask yourself: How likely is it that the content you just consumed would have been created by a different news outlet if The Colbert Factor hadn't done it? The Colbert Factor is committed to being a citizen-owned meduim void of private/corporate or government interests, and freely challenging the boundaries of conventional thinking. We work to fruitify your understanding of the fact that the 'barrel of the pen is far mightier than the barrel of the gun' ? There's no gainsaying the fact that the kind of content we create not only helps in putting the right information in the hands of many, but is also necessary for democracy. It emboldens you to uphold your freedoms and inalienable rights. Every story we publish aims to change the world by bringing injustice to light. In such challenging times as we live in, a truth-seeking and informative local news organization like The Colbert Factor is essential. It's a solution-oriented, non-profit content creation medium. But, truth be told : it's not an easy, cheap or profitable task. We don't have paid adverts and we are independent of private and government interests. You can help us continue creating more investigative, balanced, fair, reliable, credible and educative content, by donating your widow's mite through MTN momo number: 677852476. Information not delivered today because you delayed in supporting this project may cause us millions in repairing the damage tomorrow. Just donate right now...And you would be contributing to a free press.

Friday, May 12, 2023

Nkambe: HOFNA, German Embassy Engage Community Leaders in Trauma Healing and Psychosocial Support


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Organized by Hope for the Needy Association-HOFNA, with support from German Embassy, the training brought together 100 community leaders, including traditional rulers, Ardos and municipal councilors. HOFNA training workshop aimed at empowering 100 trainees on Trauma Healing and Psychosocial Support focuses on ehnacing peace building, treating mental stability and ensuring a gender based violence free community. It’s unquestionable that a tremendous number of people in Donga Mantung Division have experienced horrendous violence and/or some kind of loss or witnessed gender based violence. Adrresing participants today May 12, 2023, at the two-days training workshop, the mayor of Nkambe council, Musa Shey Nfor applauded HOFNA for the laudable initiative to consolidate peace in Nkambe. 
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Nkambe, the mayor said is defined as peace. Harping on the role of women in trauma healing and pyschosocial support, Musa Shey Nfor reiterated that "when you teach a woman, you have taught the whole world". He added that gender based violence is not woman violence bit rather it is what affects the family. He reminded participants that trauma can come from all places such as markets, schools, palaces, ardorets, job sides etc. He called on participants to use the opportunity offered by the training workshop as the gate to forgiveness. "Let's learn the good things to delute bad ones inorder to serve as lights of peace" he continued. He expressed gratitude to the German Embassy and HOFNA for their efforts to build peace. 
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Talking to participants via zoom, the Executive Director of HOFNA, Ma Ngwang Nfor Bay Christelle told participants that the training workshop is very vital given that they have chosen their own meaning to peace. Trauma she continued affects societies, it could be a child who wants to go to school, or one who has been sent home for school fees etc including localized violence, dehumanization such as child labour, child trafficking, prostitution which have emanated from circumtances where some people faced after being displaced from their communities because their villages have been invaded. 'Part the training" she emphasized "is to take us out" of the disrespect for the sanctity of life. Ma Ngwang Nfor Bay Christelle used the opportunity to inform participants that Nkambe is the birth place of HOFNA and that the organization also implemented it first project in Nwangri village, in Nkambe council area. She expressed gratitude to the mayor of Nkambe council for the frank collaboration. 
In her opening remarks,, HOFNA Programme Manager, Mbuteh Florence the training workshop is a collective efforts to recognize and confront the realities of trauma which entails treating mental stability, brainstorming and ensuring a gender based violence free community. According to Madame Mbuteh Florence, enhancing community peace through trauma healing and pyschosocial support leads to peace and eradicates it from becomes deeply embedded in the fabrics of the society. She revealed that few days ago, HOFNA through it's Economic and Skills Acquisition Program for IDPs, trained and supported 100 start-up businesses. 
It is worth mentioning that during the two days, participants will be empowered in a range of psychosocial, trauma recovery/healing, and peacebuilding concepts and practices to provide information and tools for use in their community psychosocial support work. Other keynote speakers included Bakah Derick, Linda Judith, Yaah Viban and main trainer, Dr. Terence. 
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At the end participants including traditional rulers and Ardos will be equipped to identify in an inclusive and participatory manner the roots of conflicts in their communities, and using an integrated and gender- sensitive approach, support the communities to effectively prevent, manage and resolve conflict in a non-violent manner.