Nkambe Divisional Hospital to Reorganize HIV/AIDS Treatment Centers, Medic Says

Dr. Assembe Yanick

The Interim Director of Nkambe Divisional Hospital, Dr. Assembe Yanick has said that in order to ensure that all the drugs distributed to the various HIV/AIDS treatment centers get to their users, the Nkambe Divisional Hospital will carryout a systematic re-organization of treatment centers in the Division. According to Dr. Assembe Yanick, the re-organization process will be re-enforced by the creation of support groups in communities to make sure that the antiretroviral drugs do not move across the border giving that elsewhere these drugs are sold very expensive. Harping on the fact that the Nkambe Divisional Hospital remains a referral point for major cases from Ako, Misaje, Nwa and Ndu district hospitals, Dr. Assembe Yanick lamented that the poor staffing situation of the hospital makes it difficult for them carryout routine visits to these district hospitals to keep the referral system functional.

It should be noted that despite the fact that the Nkambe Divisional Hospital serves as a referral point for major emergency cases from the district hospital, it is suffering from acute shortage of medical practitioners. At the time of our visit, there was only one medical doctor who is supported by three student doctors of the University of Buea. More so, the hospital has no midwife and not to talk of a vehicle and not even a motorbike for any medic to use when he/she is called up to attend an emergency case. The lack of a vehicle for the hospital we gathered makes it very difficult for the staff to function giving that at time some emergency cases get to the hospital at very late hours and medics have no other option than to take the risk to trek to the hospital in order to save lives.

Besides, it is common knowledge in rural areas that government hospitals are free which further complicate the smooth functioning of the hospital. However, we gathered from reliable sources that ever since Dr. Assembe was appointed Interim Director, he is gradually giving the hospital a face-lift. According what we gathered, in the past could easily be likened to a pigsty, because goats, pigs and other small ruminants that were seen around hospital is now history. It is hoped that he will fight and restore dignity as many had decried the bad habit of some hospital staff lately. As Cameroon is heading towards becoming an emerging country by 2035, all eyes are turned on Yaounde to provide the Nkambe Divisional hospital with the necessary facilities so much so that people of this part of the country could live to be part of that historic event.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

How Rumours "Kill" Ni John Fru Ndi

Two weeks, rumours made rounds that heaven and hell had been wide opened to receive Ni John Fru Ndi, the Chairman of the Social Democratic Front-SDF. Rumours spread like wildfire that he was untimely called up to join the heavenly choir. But not at all! SDF Chairman who at weekend set the pace by lighting Christmas candles told journalists like his friend, (Paul Biya) he cannot be fixed on the number of years “since it is God that gives life” he (Fru Ndi ) he said will live to eat cocked corn on everyone’s grave. Some sources had alleged that he was flown abroad while others merely suspected that he kicked the bucket at his Ntarinkon Residence. Almost a fortnight ago, Ni John Fru who rumours “killed” while addressing Members of the National Executive Committee-NEC was waxing strong and in good health contrary to the rumours that emanated from Yaounde that he was no more.

It should be noted that long ago, the same rumours circulated that President Biya kicked the bucket just for him to tell his detractors that he has more 25 years to live and rule Cameroon. Not long ago, it was the First Lady that rumour mongers found solace, yet it came to passed that nothing happened. Cameroon, seemingly is governed by rumours and at every given moment a high profile personality is always the target of a group of people who are specialize in spreading false information.

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Marafa's 6th Letter Denounces CONAC Report

Former Secretary General at the Presidency of the Republic, Marafa Hamidou Yaya has written to the President of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (CONAC) Dieudonne Massi Gam in relation to CONAC latest report. In his 6^th letter, Marafa Hamidou pointed out that he is the owner of the said piece of land mentioned in CONAC report but hammers that he was never paid a penny for his land yet, CONAC states that he received undue amount of CFAF 50 million relating to compensation of landowners in the town of Kribi following the construction of the deep sea port. He agrees to be the owner of two parcels of land but denies having "seen a penny or check or transfer." Here below is the translated English version of Marafa’s 6^th letter:

Mr. Chairman,
It is with great interest that I read the "Report on the state of the fight against corruption in Cameroon in 2011" published by the National Anti-Corruption Committee.
You know the importance of first order vested in me by the mission of your structure.
Precisely for this reason, I am extremely surprise to see my name appearing in Table 12 summarizes "the amounts reaped in the compensation" in relation to the investigation carried out at the Kribi Deep sea port. '
The project in question is written on page 158 of the report: "The deep sea port of Kribi is a key issue in the development of our country .... "" According to experts, a site located between the town of Kribi and Campo perfectly meets these concerns. It is in this context that Order No. 000156N.14.4/MINDAF/D410 of 06 February 2009 declared as public utility the area between Kribi and Campo, including the district of Lokoundjé. Consequently, Decree No. 2010/323 of 14 October 2010 filed in the public domain artificial land needed for development work of the industrial complex of Kribi.  Following the Decree of 30^th November 2010, 2010/3312/PM has expropriated the landowners or not holders of land titles.
This operation, according to the report, led to "atrocities" and "crimes " described in the following terms in pages 164, 169 and 170: "The occasion being thievery, many Cameroonians from and from all walks or even foreigners, unscrupulously provided with a flair racketeering flooded the area.. Criminal networks rushed to the area in 2008 to be expropriated " "There is no need to establish that the construction of the deep sea port of Kribi sparked criminal initiatives which led to a financial conspiracy against the State of Cameroon," "never before in 2009, has this area experienced such exciting requests to obtain by all costs, a staggering number of land titles”.

In this context, by mentioning my name is clearly equivalent to accusing me of trying to get, in a crass speculative process at best and at worst fraudulent compensation disproportionate under my possession of plots in the area subjected to expropriation.
It is true that I own two (02) lots in a subdivision approved by the competent authorities of the State, on a private estate. Which I acquired 15 years ago, as evidenced by the title deed No. 1702/0 dated 02 July 1997. Both plots have been leading to a fragmentation issue in my favor of Deeds No. 1715 and 1716 dated 10 September 1997.
Allow me to make you known that this date proceeds nearly 12 years after the decree of 06 February 2009 declaring as public utility the area reserved for the deep sea port of Kribi.
I add that in 2003, I acquired in the same subdivision, a plot adjoining the previous two, as evidenced by the title deed No. 2559 dated 23 October 2003. Again, let me make it known to you that this date precedes nearly 6 years after the decree of 06 February 2009.
Finally, let me give you the following information on the use I made of these plots until now, and ask yourself if they are consistent with any speculative referred: I've built a wall enclosure around and equipped the garden with a water point, I went there whenever I had the opportunity with my family and friends, I have reserved the space to built a home to where I could quietly spend part of the years of retirement.
Would you tell me how these intentions are faulty?
But even if were not evident prior to significant acquisition transaction on orders expropriation and use manifestly speculative plots, you only had to consider the following crucial fact to consider not one second to question me: I have never been notified of any decision of expropriation for my parcels of land and, logically, I never received any compensation as such in any form whatsoever, cash, check or bank transfer.
Moreover, it is not certain that the development works of deep-sea port at Kribi extended to these plots. It goes without saying that if this were the case as indicated in your report, I will obviously say its a bad fortune, good heart and I will be bend to demand for the expropriation.
In summary my name features in this report, for the plots I acquired to build my retirement home many years before a decision on expropriation and it is for having received any money.
I believe that this is the result of confusion and lack of seriousness. The gross miscalculation that resulted in "Total Marafa Hamidou Yaya" appearing on page 167 is another reason to think.

Whatever the underlying intention, I am seriously slandered by this report.

I therefore ask for a correction with the necessary degree of clarity be made as soon as possible.

Please accept, Mr. President, the assurances of my highest consideration.


(D) Marafa Hamidou Yaya
Yaoundé, December 05

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Henry Njalla Quan the Hero Whom I knew

The General Manager of Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC) who died on December 13, 2012 was a true-born soldier and a patriotic individual. There is a common saying that a hero is never known in his home, but defeated that notion during his lifetime. Something I think we all can agree on, is that the General Manager of CDC, Chief Henry Njalla Quan who died a day ago was hero. His passing away is a heart wound to all of us that he was lost in service to, not just our country, but to humanity. During his lifetime, Chief Henry Njalla Quan had different titles and different official jobs, but what he did best is what they call “development”. He was rarely found behind his desk wearing a suit or tie when there is field work left undone. I remember his first trip to Donga Mantung Division and how the population showed appreciation in a way that what could not be said in speeches was sang in songs. He was always out in the field meeting people and the one constant I found in everyone who spoke of him was how friendly and incurably upbeat he was.

I knew him as one of the foremost sports promoter, development luminary, a true militant of the CPDM party, a cultural promoter and the Man who gave marathoners the best Cameroon could offer to prepare any International competition.  He was dexterous and would give his all for any action he takes.
Born in 1949 in Victoria, Henry Njalla Quan I will remember Chief Henry Njalla Quan for the achievements and new orientations he instituted at CDC since 1998 when he was appointed General Manager. Bestowed the trust to manage the company that employs the highest number of workers with approximately 20.000 workers, second only to the state, Chief Henry Njalla Quan instilled the greatest expansion force in recent years to keep CDC on top. Today, Donga Mantung, Momo, Manyu farmers were in grief when the news of his passing away was confirmed. Not just because he thought of them in his expansion programme but because of the human face he attached to his development work. Njalla Quan was very innovative to extend the oil palm component of the CDC to Donga Mantung, Manyu and Momo where he convinced individuals develop small holder scheme and even promised to set up an oil mill in Ako and in the Mbaw plain.  

Chief Henry Njalla Quan decorated during his first trip to Donga Mantung

Njalla Quan’s extension initiatives also led to the creation of the CDC Boa Plain plantations in Ndian Division and Matouke. Until his death, Njalla Quan was President of Cameroon Banana Producers’ Association (ASSOBACAM). He earned this position thanks to his ingenuity in extending the banana market to many more European buyers and by introducing the Cameroon “Makossa” label of banana which is cherished in the various shelves in the international market. Apart from the giant agro-industrial CDC which he managed, Njalla Quan was equally a sports lover and had created the famous Njalla Quan Sports Academy which today boasts as the only First Division club in the South West Region. He also sponsored other sporting events including the famous Njalla Quan Sports Academy marathon between Idenau and Limbe involving international athletes. For many years running, Njalla Quan was one of the chief spokespersons of the Central Committee of the ruling CPDM Party for his constituency in Fako Division. His vision, tact and reconciliatory character helped build bridges among political contenders in Fako Division. Elsewhere, Njalla Quan was a socialite, and a guitarist; always ready to stage at the slightest opportunity. His lyrics soothed many dancers on every floor where he entertained. He was a high-spirited orator who could conveniently keep any audience spellbound wherever he addressed them. Prior to his death, Njalla Quan had been absent from the CDC for close to six months due to illness. The shadow of the tall gait personality of Njalla Quan will remain to linger in the minds of all who knew and accosted him.

His work won the admiration of the Press and traditional rulers to the point that he is leaving this world with a lot of titles, which further confirms that he died as a hero leaving behind a vision for others to ensue.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

At 3rd Regional Convention of the Elderly, Gov’t Applauds Njuakom Francis

By FC Junior



Njuakom Francis



The Secretary General at the North West Governor’s office has applauded the Community Development Volunteers for Technical Assistance-CDVTA for complimenting government efforts. The Secretary General made the statement while addressing the over 15000 man-crowds at the 3^rd Regional Convention for older persons in the North West Region that took place on Wednesday December 5, 2012 at the Bamenda Municipal Stadium after the first and second conventions which took place in Belo in 2010 and Oku in 2011 subdivisions respectively.

The convention brought together older persons from Bui, Boyo, Ngoketunjia, Mezam and Momo Divisions who portrayed their best practices in the areas of livelihoods, rights and welfare percent social inclusion through the support of CDVTA.

To the Director of CDVTA, Njuakom Francis, his organization works towards the realizing the rights of older persons, celebrating the strength & positive image of Old Age, complementing Government efforts in the care of older persons, shaping the future & giving our grand-parents the dignity and respect they deserve’ so much so that they could sustain themselves in a competitive world.

The convention brought together over 340 groups ( CDVTA projects) who also used the opportunity to expose their produce ranging from craft, agricultural produce, market gardening produce etc…. In a chat with the Press, Njuakom Francis disclosed that in rural areas elderly persons in miseries and abject poverty. He also lamented that in some areas he discovered that some elderly persons were rejected by their families, however, CDVTA is gradually putting a smile on their face. He added that old age should not be a curse rather it should be blessings.



Older persons marching



It should however be noted that in some areas in the North West Region, some elderly persons are regarded as witches and wizards, whereas in normal circumstances, they are supposed to be treated with dignity and respect.  Since creation, the Community Development Volunteers for Technical Assistance considering the way older persons like in rural areas has been advocating that the government of Cameroon should put in place accommodative policies such as old age pension to every Cameroonian.



Cross section CDVTA Volunteers



Created in May 1998, CDVTA is actually a model in Cameroon and the sub region due to the magnitude of its efforts in changing the lives of the elderly. The achievements so far registered have attracted government through the ministry of Social Affairs, Territorial administration and ministry of agriculture. It should be recalled that CDVTA got a special consultative status with the economic and social council (ECOSOC) of the United Nation since 2010. Actually at the last phase of its four year action plan worth some FCFA 700 million, the results so far obtained are encouraging and flattering as it has succeeded alleviating poverty and miseries in beneficiary community groups. Through a micro credit scheme for the elderly, many groups have been able to establish income generating activities while some individuals have also set up small manageable projects to sustain themselves.

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Discovery: Budding Musician Hits Chart Locally, Needs Producer

Ngenge Denis Kanjo is a young talented musician based in Nkambe town in the North West Region of Cameroon whose raw talent is attracting a lot of public attention. The young man who started his rise to prominence by playing a hand-made guitar some seven years ago hitting the chart as his latest locally produced sound track is imposing it style in every household.

He says that as a child he used to admire musicians like John I Ray, Emile Kangue and Toto Guillaume.



Ngenge Denis Kanjo



However, Ngenge Denis has succeeded in demystifying the long established notion that being a musician was synonymous to being “magician” by winning the hearts of many, including the elderly. His latest sound track “we need development” is a clarion call to the people of Donga Mantung Division to bask hatred and blackmail for development. He says, he would certainly be a happy man if the Wimbum people of Donga Mantung can listen to the message he is passing though music. His style is unique and clearly demonstrates that whatever thing you do, if it is done correctly, it could command the attention of the world. “I am being called up every to play for all sorts of occasion, ranging from birthday parties to memorial services, public ceremonies etc” he told this reporter. Ngenge Denis also says one of his major problems is to get a producer who can refine his music for a wider audience. From Misaje to Ako down to Fonfuka, he thrills the crowd whenever he is called up. “I started music when I was still very young, by then I would always admire someone with a guitar. I made my first guitar 20 years ago, and I remember how my friends were saying that I would be nothing tomorrow” yet today Ngenge has proven them wrong. “Music has being my childhood dream and I am happy that God has answered my prayers”. His talent is seen in his ability to improvise a song at every occasion. He plays gospel and folklore.  From a guitarist, Ngenge Denis Kanjo got a mastery of the musical instrument to the point that he so perfect in playing the piano. Ngenge Denis Kanjo it should be recalled is one of those few breeds that any producer would never regret for putting in the market for a larger audience. He hails from Ntumbaw in Ndu Sub Division.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

CPJ Condems the Intimidation, Arrest and and Threat of Criminal Prosecution of Bamenda Journalist

Abuja, Nigeria, December 12, 2012--A state prosecutor in the city of Bamenda in Cameroon has threatened to file defamation charges against an editor if he does not reveal his sources for a series of articles, according to news reports. The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on authorities to immediately stop the harassment against Aaron Kah and allow him to report freely.

Kah Aaron-Editor of K24

Police arrested Kah, editor of the newly launched bimonthly Kilum 24, on Friday after the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Board, a missionary-run health institution in Bamenda, filed a complaint against him. The complaint was based on articles Kah had published in Kilum 24 in October and November that questioned the hiring and personnel practices of the management of the Board, according to news reports.

Kah, who was released on bail on Monday, told CPJ that he had been summoned twice by the state prosecutor who demanded that he reveal his sources for the stories. Kah said he refused, but said he would publish a rebuttal by the Baptist Board instead. The journalist also said that the state prosecutor had told him that he had until December 28 to reveal his sources or he would be re-arrested and charged with defamation.

Local journalists told CPJ that the board had not publicly rebutted the allegations in Kah's paper. Pius Tih, the board's director, did not immediately return CPJ's calls for comment. Godwin Ncham, general secretary of the organization, refused to confirm or deny the allegations and said that Tih was out of the country.

"We condemn the intimidation, arrest, and threat of criminal prosecution of Aaron Kah as a means to force him to reveal sources of his reporting," said CPJ Africa Advocacy Coordinator Mohamed Keita from New York. "We invite the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Board to exercise its right of reply or seek redress in civil court. Kah should not be jailed for raising critical questions about the management of a public institution."

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

Chief Henry Njalla Quan (CDC GM) Passes On

The General Manager of the Cameroon Development Corporation cum promoter of Njalla Quan Sports Academy is no more. After rumours killed him six months ago, it has been confirmed that one of Cameroon's most dynamic General Manager is no more. Chief Henry Njalla Quan has been confirmed dead. The information was confirmed today, December 13, 202 by the Mayor of Buea, Mbella Moki Charles over Morning Safari. As Cameroonian mourn him,there is reported to be sadness at CDC camps and plantation as the one whom many had been looking to as the father is no more. It should be noted that before the cool hands of dead took him away, he had launched series of programmes to revamp the oil palm sector in Cameroon in areas like Donga Mantung Division and Momo Division in the North West Region, and Ebolowa in the South Region. He would be remembered as the person who brought sanity to CDC and the Man who promoted youth talent in football and made young marathoniers to dream big. He was a patriotic Cameroonians whose efforts in changing lives in rural areas have been recommendable by all.

Cameroon has lost a development luminary, a true born soldier and dynamic personality who spent his life trying to change lives. RIP Chief

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Journalists in Prison Reach Record High CPJ Says

Turkey, Iran and China among leading jailers    New York, December 11, 2012—The number of journalists imprisoned worldwide reached a record high this year, a trend driven primarily by terrorism and other anti-state charges levied against critical reporters and editors, according to a new report by the Committee to Protect Journalists. “We are living in an age when anti-state charges and ‘terrorist’ labels have become the preferred means that governments use to intimidate, detain, and imprison journalists,” said CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon. “Criminalizing probing coverage of inconvenient topics violates not only international law, but impedes the right of people around the world to gather, disseminate, and receive independent information.” The three leading jailers of journalists were Turkey (49), Iran (45), and China (32), where imprisonments followed sweeping crackdowns on criticism and dissent, making use of anti-state charges in retaliation for critical coverage. This pattern is present in most of the countries in the census. In Turkey, the world’s worst jailer, authorities held dozens of Kurdish reporters and editors on terror-related charges and other journalists for allegedly plotting against the government. Following an extensive case-by-case review in 2012, CPJ confirmed journalism-related reasons in numerous cases previously unlisted by the organization, thus significantly raising the country’s total. CPJ’s 2012 census of imprisoned journalists identified 232 writers, editors, and photojournalists behind bars on December 1, an increase of 53 from 2011 and the highest since the organization began the survey in 1990. The 2012 figure surpasses the previous record of 185 journalists imprisoned in 1996, underlining a disturbing trend of conflating coverage of opposition groups or sensitive topics with terrorism, evident since 2001. Rounding out the top five jailers were Eritrea, with 28 journalists in prison, and Syria with 15, the worst abusers of the rule of law. None of the journalists in jail in either country have been publicly charged with a crime or brought before a court or trial. In line with findings over the past five years, a little more than half (118) of those held globally were online journalists and more than a third were freelancers. “With a record number of journalists imprisoned around the world, the time has come to speak out,” said Simon. “We must fight back against governments seeking to cloak their repressive tactics under the banner of fighting terrorism; we must push for broad legislative changes in countries where critical journalism is being criminalized; we must stand up for all those journalists in prison and do all in our power to secure their release; and we must ensure the Internet itself remains an open global platform for critical expression.” All of the governments included in CPJ’s 2012 census have received letters expressing serious concern. CPJ continues to advocate for the release of four recipients of its International Press Freedom Award who remain imprisoned: Dhondup Wangchen, a Tibetan held in China, Azimjon Askarov in Kyrgyzstan, Shi Tao in China, and Mohammad Davari in Iran. In 2012, CPJ helped 58 imprisoned journalists from around the world win early release. CPJ also registered some improvement this year: For the first time since 1996, Burma did not rank among the nations jailing journalists. As part of the country’s historic transition to civilian rule, authorities released at least 12 imprisoned journalists in a series of pardons in 2012. Of the 27 countries imprisoning journalists, the top 10 jailers were: Turkey: 49 Iran: 45 China: 32 Eritrea: 28 Syria: 15 Vietnam: 14 Azerbaijan: 9 Ethiopia: 6 Saudi Arabia: 4 Uzbekistan: 4 CPJ's annual census is a snapshot of those incarcerated at midnight on December 1, 2012. It does not include the many journalists imprisoned and released throughout the year, which are otherwise documented on www.cpj.org. Journalists who either disappear or are abducted by nonstate entities such as criminal gangs or militant groups are not included in the prison census. Their cases are classified as “missing” or “abducted.”

### CPJ is a New York-based, independent, nonprofit organization that works to safeguard press freedom worldwide.

Note to editors: An analysis of CPJ’s 2012 imprisoned census is available along with detailed accounts of each imprisoned case at www.cpj.org. The report is also available in Arabic, French, Russian, Turkish, and Spanish. Video: An overview of journalist imprisonments around the world, including an interview with Swedish journalists who had been jailed in Ethiopia: http://cpj.org/awards/2012/free-the-press.php

Media contact: Nancy Sai Communications Associate Tel. +1.212.300.9032 E-mail. nsai@cpj.org

 

 

 

 

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US Magazine Classifies Me Alice Nkom Among 8 Most Fascinating Africans in 2012

Me Alice Nkom

Me Alice Nkom, has been rated as one of the most fascinating Africans in 2012 by a United States based Magazine "The New Yorker". Top on the list of the most fascinating Africans is Namibian President Joyce Banda, followed by Me Alice Nkom of Cameroon,  the Kenyan David (Tosh) Gitonga, from the small town of Nanyuki,Tanzanian female lawmaker Al-Shaymaa Kwegyir, Proscovia Oromait the nineteen-year-old Ugandan college student who became the youngest MP, South African political analyst Justice Malala, he captivating musical duo P-Square and Rwandan President Paul Kagame .

This is what The New Yorker says of Me Alice Nkom: It is rare enough to find vocal gay-rights advocates in West Africa, but the Cameroonian lawyer Alice Nkom takes it one step further: she has devoted her practice, the Association to Defend Homosexuals, to protecting L.G.B.T. citizens in a country where homosexual acts are illegal. As a result, she has been repeatedly threatened with disbarment and arrest. (One Cameroonian lawyer went on local television with a Bible, advising that Nkom be put to death for promoting homosexuality.) Sixty-seven years old and grandmotherly looking, the lawyer called attention to an “anti-gay crackdown” last year in Cameroon, in which at least ten people had been arrested on charges of homosexuality, including one man who was sentenced to three years in prison for sending a text message to another man, and numerous incidents of homophobic violence. She refuses to close her practice. “Someone has to do this,” she says.

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On the occasion of the 30

th Anniversary of your ascension to the supreme magistracy, we the militants, elite and well-wishers of our great national party, the CPDM of Donga Mantung III Section, Ako celebrating today 6th November, 2012 the 30th year in leadership of our nation under the anniversary theme "The New Deal Heading Towards Emergence".

*Recalling that 30 years ago and precisely on November 6, 1982, through an oath of office before God and humanity, you swore to serve our nation diligently, a promise you have respected thus ensuring peace, national unity and development.

* Considering that with scores of political formations in our country, you have been practicing democracy within the period in view, you have not only been a role model, but a traditional blazer in words and deeds,

* Appreciating your courage in the fight against poverty, misery and thus putting the country on the right track through your Vision 2035,

* Thanking you for the numerous development projects already realized in our Sub Division, and those being envisaged in the domain of road infrastructure, education and health in keeping to your policy of fair distribution of the national cake,

* We the CPDM militants of Donga Mantung III Section hereby congratulate your Excellency on this 30
th Anniversary and wish you God’s guidance, protection, good health and King Solomon’s wisdom so that you continue to pilot the affairs of our great nation.
Happy Anniversary Mr. President!Done in Ako this day November 6, 2012

Signed

Hon. Ntoi Joseph

(Section President, MP Ako/Misaje Special Constituency)

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Youths, Elders, and Women Hail Barrister Eyong’s Bid for Mayorship

Axcel Mii

Barrister Eyong Elvis Eyong

The ruling CPDM is reported in panic as youths, women and elders have endorsed Barrister Eyong Elvis Eyong’s bid for mayor in Mamfe Central. According to information gathered, Barrister Eyong Elvis Eyong candidature is creating panic and pandemonium to his opponents especially CPDM bigwigs. Youths we learnt have declared him as their candidate and a sure bet for the position of mayor come 2013. At week end we gathered that PAP’s Barrister Eyong Elvis Eyong already enjoys a lot of support from the masses. And many already look up to him as messiah, to put it short, someone who will disenclave Mamfe Central giving his leadership qualities. Besides that, young dynamic aspirant’s supporters have vowed to oust the CPDM from Mamfe Central for once and for all.

According to the hint, when he made his declarations for the position of mayor, both youths and elders hailed shouting ""The man of Hope, a visionary leader, with him we Cope, without him we Mope. We want him... We need him...we love him... We the people of Mamfe Municipality need you to ensure our Security, Peace, Development and Progress, Educating and Empowering our Youths. With you our future is secured our ABLE HUMBLE SERVANT LEADER.......... BRAVO LORD MAYOR". As a matter of fact, public opinion in Mamfe holds that the village of Besongabang has been producing mayors and it is time for Okoyong village as well to make it own contribution. And that Barrister Eyong is the right person Okoyong from Okoyong village.

A young man whose name we got Thomas Tambe told this reporter a fortnight ago that " for over thirty years, we the people of Mamfe and Manyu as a whole have been looking for a competent who has us at heart. In fact we have been longing for someone who will drive the development of Mamfe". He regretted that for many years, Mamfe Central has always had deceit politicians " we have been very unlucky that every time we vote someone, he/she becomes incommunicado and we only see them back only during another election". To Thomas Tembe, Barrister Eyong Elvis has proven that he is a rare specie of politician " But with Barrister Eyong we have seen in him the values which we have been looking for. We discovered his leadership qualities when on May 10, the combined military forces of Law and Order invaded Besongabang. I am convinced that view the way he intervened, we will rely on him to transform the wrangling discords of Mamfe and Manyu at large into a beautiful brotherhood". To him, Barrister Eyong is the person who can bring transformation to Mamfe Central and Manyu Division as a whole."WE ARE SOLELY BEHING YOU LORD MAYOR BARRISTER EYONG ELVIE EYONG" he concluded.

On his part, John Mbi added that among all the aspirants, on one is fit for the job of mayor more than Barrister Eyong Elvis Eyong. "We will invest our votes for development because for many years now, we have been living on promises. Eyong is our candidate for mayor and we will all accompany him to foster development in our municipality. We have been longing for young men like him and thank God that finally we have had one on whom we can lean" he concluded.Who is Barrister Eyong
Born into the families of Eyong Manje in Okoyong village and late Pa S.E Assam of Besongabang village, Barrister Eyong studied law atMadonna University and graduated in 2007. The quest for more knowledge took him to the Nigerian Law School in Abuja where he was a member of Student Representative Council. Even though a foreign student, he stood elections as the President of the Nigerian Law School Government and finally emerged as the 2nd runner-up. After graduating in flying colours from the Nigerian School of Law, he worked in Nigeria as Administrator of the African Business School-Abuja. While back in the country, he is currently practicing with Etah-Nan & Co, a firm of Attorney based in Douala as an associate. It should be noted that Barrister Eyong is a Member of the Nigerian Bar Association and Cameroon Bar Association as well.

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UNVDA, FCFA 11 Billion and The Deficit In Rice Production (1)

By Fai cassian

The culture, attitudes, norms, values, mind settings and needs of local people are some of the important factors that must be taken into deliberation before any development project is launched. This is true both at local and national levels. Indeed, it is one of the major reasons behind our underdevelopment and why government funds allocated for development usually end in private pockets. Every subject has its own requirement of money. A budget doesn’t decide the fate of a structure. Exaggerated budgets don’t guarantee any success at all. During the last Board meeting of the Upper Noun Valley Development Authority-UNVDA that took place recently at the Ayaba Hotel in Bamenda, it management was trying to make it budget appear like a virtue.　

Yet Prime Minister Yang Philemon told MPs last week that government is relying on SEMRY and the infamous UNVDA of Ndop (Northwest) as well as small rice producers at Tonga in the West Region to double rice production by 2015 from 100 000 tonnes to about 205 000 tonnes. But yet, this dream could be far fetched if all the necessary monitoring tools are not put in place, one MP told this reporter on phone.

When Prime Minister Yang Philemon made this statement on Monday, November 26, 2012, at the National Assembly, technicians of the Ministry of Agriculture have already started producing rice in their offices on papers just to embezzle state funds.

It is really pathetic that rice, which has become one of the most consumed foods in Cameroon, is mainly imported from China, Pakistan and even the United States of America.

The results of the balance of payment in 2010 published earlier this year by the Ministry of Finance, show rice imports have cost 600 billion FCFA in Cameroon that year, approximately 1/16 of the national budget. What a shame!!

It isn’t because experts have proven that for a programme to succeed especially in rural areas there is a need for a strong story at the core and everything else is secondary. However, a critical judgment analysis shows that big budgets become unmanageable when it targets larger investments and that is why rice farmers in Ndop may doubt the sustainability of such a vision. And here, the UNVDA management is a case in point. This is an urgent situation, particularly as far as state funding is concerned for the coming fiscal years.

If UNVDA should choose a different direction, rice farmers deserve to know what this new direction will be, and they need to know sooner rather than later their roles.

With much money available on UNVDA plate, and in no particular order we believe farmers should be at the top of the structures to-do list for the next three years which seemingly is not the case.

UNVDA, we gathered is already suffering a culture where access to deeper secrets conveys higher status. This phenomenon as we learnt is already putting board members on the other end and management at the other end. Indicators are rife at UNVDA that some people have already classified themselves as the "get ahead" in the culture of secrecy in order to use it for personal advancement and riches. Some tribes have been selected and are being treated as priorities while others have been reduced to second class.

Knowledge is power; they say and for many insiders access to classified information is the chief source of their power which is making some board members to raise doubts on the colossal 11 billion FCFA voted despite the fact that they might face the tide. It is not surprising that secrecy in management may eventually lead to corrupt practices, giving that corruption is a progressive disease and it diffuses from person to person. One of the most important impacts of corruption from secrecy is on the making of major technical decisions like the development of rice farms, acquisition of heavy duty equipment and the well established network between the Ministry of Finance and Agriculture that almost disappeared with 600 million FCFA earmarked for UNVDA some years ago. Thank God PM Philemon Yang intervened and the so-called middle man was arrested in one of the hotels in Yaounde.

However, the present state of affairs of UNVDA continues to make one to wonder whether sitting in an air conditioned room at a distant office and prescribing policies could influence rice production in anyway. But what is so tough to include farmers in designing what they are suppose to be key actors instead of convincing them about the importance of the program. Why is it that incorporating their views worrisome? Nonetheless, the most interesting thing is that a total sum of 11 billion FCFA was budgeted to improve rice production for three years and we are aware that in the next few months more groups will be fabricated by the same people who siphoned maize support grants to farmers for their pockets. Accordingly we gathered from a member of the Board that during the board meeting some board members even questioned their role as board members when some information is hidden from them, "I am shocked that as member of the Board we do not have access to some information. I believe we are members of a Ngomba and it is our duty to know everything and every detail" he argued. Yet the general manager Chin Richard Winkar said there are possibilities of increasing farm land from the presence 2532 hectares’ to 7.500 hectares. UNVDA he claims has prepared over 3.000 hectares’ and is expected to produce about 15.000 tons of paddies. As to how the 11 billion FCFA budgeted by UNVDA still keeps it as a secret because an action plan has not yet been developed. One wonders how a budget of 11 billion FCFA was established without an action plan for three years. Necessity as they say is the mother of invention, so we are not very far from concluding that the figures were concocted and invented since it was very necessary.

However, for farmers to enjoy the sweat of their labour and for consumers to savour the flavor of Ndop as well as government vision to be sustainable, there is an urgent need for a mechanism on budget tracking to be put in place to check excesses at UNVDA. If not in the next three years the Biya regime would have invested in to private pockets again. Thus making Prime Minister Yang Philemon the utmost wounded person and laughing stalk for being unable to meet up with the target of producing the expected results.

Up Next: Inside UNVDA the Untold story……

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

Gov't Puts Millions At Disposal of Small Businesses

Cassimanga I

A project to support the modernization of production tools has gone operations. The project which is intended to reduce costs of access to production equipment in order to enhance the competiveness of Small and Medium Seize Enterprises-SME as well as reduce employment rate in the country was launched recently in the North West Region. Launching the project a forth night ago, the Secretary General at the Governor’s office pointed out that the idea is that government providing favourable mechanism that will facilitate access by SME’s to equipment through leasing. He also in a bid to get the best out of Law No 2010/020 of 21 December 2010 organizing leasing in Cameroon, thereby reducing cost of funding facilities to enterprises, Government in collaboration with CAMLEASE, initiated a reflection which led to the production of mechanism to support the modernization of production tools. Leasing it should be noted is a funding process by which firms can obtain the use of production equipment such as furniture, computers, industrial machinery, commercial vehicles etc …..

In order to eligible for the funding, promoters of must be operating in the formal sector in the following sectors: Timber, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, mining, industry, tourism, cotton, textile and clothing. Besides that, any project requesting funding must show proves of return and must fulfill one of the following requirements, implementation of a transformation process, possibilities of creating employment opportunities for youths, and the contribution to the implementation of major structuring projects under subcontracting.

Minimum/ Maximum Amount

The amount to be granted to any SME/SMI shall range between 25 million to 250 million FCFA with an annual interest rate of less than 10%. The average term of the loan shall expand within a period of three years. SME/SMI’s own contribution shall be 15%. Promoters may submit their files to three financial institutions namely: SGBC, ALIOS-FINANCE and or Africa Leasing Company-ALC. The collection of application files, selection of files, provision of credit lines, collection of payments are ensured by the above mentioned financial institutions in accordance with COBAC’s prudence ratios.

Requirements

The lease contract shall contain the following documents:

·The contract proper (appellation of lessee and lessor, name of supplier, description of assets funded, price of the acquired assets from the lessor to be rendered to the lessee, the terms of the lease, number and period of tenancy, the value of the purchase option at the end of the leasing period, various clauses on the reciprocal obligations)

· The table of rent payments (including, where appropriate, the first adjusted payment) indicating the amount as distinct from the VAT;

· Possible additional gurantees

· The "good for supply" note signed by the lessor ad handed to the supplier,

· The delivery slip by the supplier signed by the lessor who accepts the requirement as it is

· Assignment of the insurance underwritten by the lessor

This project it should be noted is placed under the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning, Economy and Regional Development.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

Public Opinion Barks at CONAC for Indicting Hon. PC Fonso

SDF

Member of Parliament for Mbengwi Central, cum Eldest Member of Parliament has become headline in the news of late after the publication of the 2012 report by the National Anti Corruption Commission-CONAC. CONAC report indicted Hon. PC Fonso for receiving an undue balance of 750.000 FCFA as a member of the inter-miniserial comission in the ministry of forestry. In fact, as Hon. Ayah Paul puts it: Hon. PC Fonso and Ngolle Ngolle" are victims of negative regional balance". However, a school of thought holds that PC Fonso is a victim of the Machiavellian scores settlings that have characterized the Biya regime. Public opinion holds that CONAC has been transformed into a perfect sinkhole for character assassination and a slaughter-house where all those who have proven to be tough with the regime are slaughtered. Accordingly, allegations are rife at that some CPDM bigwigs have infiltrated CONAC and are using it as a political tool to destroy their opponents, with Ngolle Ngolle Elvis and PC Fonso being the latest victims. In other words, Hon. PC Fonso, we are aware is paying the price of being too critical of the system. As a member of the Inter-ministerial Commission in the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife, Hon. PC Fonso and one other Members of Parliament were representing the National Assembly in that Commission.

When contacted on phone to get his own side of the story, Hon. PC Fonso told this reporter that he was shocked and flabbergasted with CONAC report. Hear him: I was not the one controlling the budget of the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife, so i signed what was presented to me but today i am been told that the amount i sigbed for was much. I am disappointed with CONAC, I am really angry because my name is featuring in newspapers here and there that we signed undue allowances. Anyway, I should be grateful if CONAC could tell Cameroonians how much we are supposed to receive and they should blame the Ministry and not us.  PC Fonso does not control the budget. I am not guilty. I want CONAC to investigate well and by so doing the Prime Ministry should be part of the investigation. They should stop blaming PC Fonso. What are they talking about? I know elections are coming and they want to destroy me. I have even read newspaper articles talking about my immunity being off-lifted. Please the Press, do not destroy PC Fonso" he concluded.

Reacting to the report, Teche Nyamusa SDF Parliamentary Aspirant for Mbengwi Central said that CONAC is not serving the genuine interest of Cameroonians. According to Teche Nyamusa, any information from CONAC is subject to verification. He challenged CONAC to investigate into the 100 billion FCFA scandal involving Frank Biya and Pius Ndeh on his part said the CPDM just want to use CONAC to frustrate PC's candidature because he is the eldest member and the regime is not comfortable seeing him presiding as an opposition MP. "that is why they are after him".


When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

Girl Wanted for Involvement in Lesbianism

By Chumua Jerry Geh

In Africa, homosexuality is considered as a taboo. Being a homosexual is not only considered as a sacrilege by tradition, it is also punishable by law. Cases are bound that many young boys and girls have been harassed, tortured and some are even alleged to have disappeared under mysterious circumstance. A pathetic example happened in September 2010, when Nontsikelelo Tyatyeka a young 21 year old lesbian disappeared in Nyanga Township, Cape Town. Her body was found in the trash a year later. The circumstances of her death were horrific. While Lesbians and gays suffer injustice from the population, the laws in some African countries are also very hard.

In Cameroon, Section 347 of the Penal Code states: "whoever has sexual relationships with a person of the same sex shall be punished with imprisonment from six months to five years and a fine from 20.000 FCFA to 200.000 FCFA". Beside that, it is a common phenomenon to hear that somebody has been harassed and more to that suspended from moving with anybody or banished from the village because he/she identified herself/himself as a lesbian or gay person.　

In November 2011, two young men were sentenced to five years simply for being gay in Cameroon. Human Rights activist Me Alice Nkom, is quoted to have said that "violence against gay people in Cameroon has skyrocketed to unprecedented level". The situation she added is quickly becoming a crisis. Many young Cameroonians have suffered for practicing homosexuality.

One of the latest victims wanted by police for practicing lesbianism we gathered is a certain Lang Emerencia Wai. She is alleged to have encouraged her schoolmates and youths in the practice of lesbianism. Close family sources hinted that the police have launched a search for her. Her parents, we gathered have been placed under duress by police. The fact that she also disappeared from her parent’s home further complicate the situation. More so, her former principal is also alleged to have informed the police that her activities in the school campus made students not to concentrate in their studies, which has made many parents to look at her as a dangerous element.

Even though her where about is unknown, a close family friend hinted that they are afraid because most of her friends practicing lesbianism were arrested and it is alleged that one died. Lang’s case is just one in a million of others that have caught between the law, tradition and Human Rights in Africa.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

CPJ Condemns Criminal Convitions of 3 Cameroonian Journalists

In Cameroon, journalists given suspended prison terms New York, December 6, 2012-The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns Monday's criminal convictions of three Cameroonian journalists who tried to investigate a purported government memo that suggested corruption in the management of a state oil company. One of the defendants said he was tortured in custody, while a fourth journalist accused in the case died in custody. A judge handed a three-year suspended prison term to Harris Robert Mintya, editor of the weekly Le Devoir, and a two-year suspended prison sentence to Serges Sabouang, editor of the bimonthly La Nation, on forgery charges, according to local journalists and news reports. A third journalist, Simon Hervé Nko'o, a former reporter for the weekly Bebela, was sentenced in absentia to 15 years in prison, the sources said. The judge also ordered the journalists to each pay a fine of 119,421 CFA francs (US$238), and told them they had 10 days to appeal, Sabouang told CPJ. Sabouang said he would appeal. It was not immediately clear if Mintya and Nko'o would appeal. The case stemmed from a complaint filed by former presidential adviser and current Justice Minister Laurent Esso in 2010 who claimed that the journalists had forged his signature in a document purported to be a leaked confidential memo to Adolphe Moudiki, executive general manager of the state oil company. The memo supposedly ordered secret payouts of 2 billion CFA francs (US$3.9 million) to oil company managers, news reports said. The defendants had sent Esso a series of questions along with a copy of the memo. Esso denied that the document was authentic. In February 2010, police detained Mintya, Sabouang, and Nko'o. Nko'o told local media that he had been tortured in custody and fled into exile. Mintya and Sabouang were charged and remanded into pretrial detention at Nkondengui Prison, but released on bail in November 2010. Germain Cyrille Ngota Ngota, an editor for the Cameroon Express, was also detained with the journalists in 2010, but died in jail due to inadequate medical care. Authorities blamed his death on ill health. In July, Esso publicly denied any wrongdoing or responsibility in the journalists' arrests or Ngota's death. "Cameroon is punishing journalists for handling a document obtained from government sources and for asking questions of a top public official instead of investigating the content of the memo or bringing to account those responsible for the death of Germain Cyrille Ngota Ngota," said CPJ Africa Advocacy Coordinator Mohamed Keita. "We call on the appellate court to reverse this decision, which is a mockery of justice."   ·         For more data and analysis on Cameroon, visit CPJ's Cameroon page here.

### CPJ is a New York-based, independent, nonprofit organization that works to safeguard press freedom worldwide.

Contact: Mohamed Keita Africa Advocacy Coordinator Tel. +1.212.465.1004 ext. 117 Email: mkeita@cpj.org

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa