What Happens as Mandate of ELECAM Board Expires

The four-year mandate of ELECAM officials expires this week. According to information gathered the four years mandate renewal expires by December 31, 2012. Fonkam Azu’u, chairman of Elections Cameroon-ELECAM public opinion holds has been up to the task and it is expected that President Biya will give him the confidence to continue at ELECAM. Confidential sources hinted that President Biya will sign the decree appointing new members before next week. Classified sources also added that out of the seventeen members left at ELECAM after Pauline Biyoung was sacked, twelve will be replaced, meaning 13 new members will be appointed at ELECAM while President Biya will renew the mandate of five old members. Information filtering say some members are under heat while others are spending time with witch doctors to maneuver so that they are maintained. Furthermore, the so called kingmakers are having sleepless nights trying to make sure that the people they proposed are maintained. 
With biometric registration of voters already in the offing, an authoritative voice at the Presidency hinted that President Biya will not appoint people with doubtful character at ELECAM.  Accordingly, our source also revealed that out of the 13 new members to be appointed, six are members of the defunct National Elections Observatory-NEO but could not reveal the names of those who have been tipped for appointment.

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Archbishop Condemns Same Sex Marriage says it Endangers Traditional Family

 Cherrylane Mbimbi

The head of the Catholic Church in Cameroon Victor Tonye Bakot, the Archbishop of Yaounde says the same sex marriage is a serious crime against humanity. In his homily to Christians on Christmas day, Tonye Bokat said that homosexuality endangers the traditional family. He wondered whether society will accept that people of the same sex will continue to adopt children to make up a family. This, he lamented endangers the traditional family. “I am particularly thankful to our local media that has been spreading this message of it as a criminality against mankind” he continued.
It should be recalled that in Cameroon, homosexuality is not only condemned by law, it is regarded in tradition as a taboo. Of late, a three-year jail sentence was slammed on a 32-year-old Jean-Claude Roger Mbede, who was found guilty of homosexual conduct because he sent a text message to another man telling him he loved him. Besides, it is even alleged that at least 12 people were convicted this year for their involvement in homosexuality. Lesbianism and gay practices in African countries constitute a crime and young boys and girls have gone into hiding for their involvement in these practices. Not only are police and gendarmes running after them, traditionalists too look at them as specie of human being that should be eliminated.  
Other African countries have seen fierce debate over anti-gay measures, which are often popular in societies where homosexuality is largely taboo but have drawn criticism from rights groups and threats of aid cuts from donors.
Ugandan politicians are seeking to pass an anti-gay law that initially sought the death penalty for homosexuals before it was watered down in the faced of opposition.In Cameroon, the anyone caught in any is slammed from minimum of five months and maximum of 5 years with penalties.

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Ndu Council Budget for 2013 Adopted at FCFA 600 Million

Tamngwa Marcel Kwalar

The Ndu council has adopted its budget for 2013. The council budget which stands at 600 million FCFA was adopted in a budgetary council session chaired by the council chief Executive councilor Nfor David Karngong on December 19^th 2012 under the watchful eyes of Ngone Ndondemessape Bernard, Senior Divisional Officer for Donga Mantung. Also present were heads of services and traditional rulers.

In his welcome speech David karngong Nfor noted that planning is necessary for any meaningful development. He called on councilors to scrutinize the budget diligently because it is through their work that Ndu council will be able to carry out development projects. He further explained that the Ndu council is closing the year 2012 with the construction of some ten (10) new stores behind the Ndu Grand stand from local collections, classrooms, community halls and water scheme through PNDP support program. These, the mayor said is to boost the economic, foster development process and raise revenue to the council.

He equally enumerated a number of projects that the council is looking forward to execute in 2013. Though many, the Mayor noted that these projects will be carried out based on priority needs and available means.

He ended by citing some of the difficulties plaguing the Ndu council. Accordingly, he said the greatest of which is tax evasion by motor cycle riders and other business men and women in the municipality. At this point the Mayor called on councilors to go back to the drawing boards in their respective villages and school their populations on the need to pay taxes.

In the deliberations that ensued, councilors demonstrated their mastery of council matters by asking interesting questions on some of the budget heads. The questions were however watered down by adequate responses from the Mayor or his deputies, or the secretary general and the municipal treasurer.

     For close to 4 hours in session, the sum of 600.000,000 FCFA was moved and seconded as the budget of the Ndu council for 2013.The budget which comprises of some 354,700,000 FCFA for Total recurrent expenditure, and 245,300,000 FCFA for Overall capital and investment expenditure represents an increase of 50 million from the 550million FCFA that was budgeted for 2012.

    At the end of the session, optimism could be read on the face of the venerated Mayor Nfor David Karngong who looks forward to 2013 with anxiety.

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Why Ndu Tops Chart in the 2012 Mini Agro Pastoral Shows

Ndu Council area has confirmed its supremacy as the bread basket for Donga Mantung Division in the North West Region of Cameroon. With over 3000 speculations exhibited at the last Mini Agro Pastoral Show that took place at the Ndu Market Square on December 17, 2012, those who took the pains to be part of this year’s farmers feast in Ndu went back home confirming the above statement.

To visitors, it was as if every harvest was brought to the show village. In fact, the 2012 Mini Agro Pastoral Show of the Ndu Council was splendid with foodstuffs of all varieties exhibited. The exhibits, from, rice, corn, coco-yams, plantains, cocoa to goats, sheep, cows, pigs, etc….. could be seen competing in the hot sun.

The mayor of Ndu Council, David Kargong Nfor, in his speech told farmers that the show was not only for distinguished farmers and breeders to win prizes, but a forum for them to exchange ideas, knowledge and experiences to improve on their farming and breeding techniques.  He added that farming is the backbone of his economy and the Ndu council would spare no efforts to promote farming and animal breeding in its entire sphere. DK Nfor did not only demonstrate his ability to promote farmers and breeders in words, he practically demonstrated it through the quality and quantity of prizes. In fact, not only the first, second and third items were awarded prizes, from the first to the eleventh position all went home smiling. The difference was clear, unlike in Nkambe where Mangoh Jones Tanko told farmers that he could not afford for prizes, Ndu Council was pragmatic. This is so because one can only compare two things.

Elated by the organizational prowess and the massive turnout, the Senior Divisional Officer for Donga Mantung Division, Ngone Ndodemesape Bernard expressed gratitude to the Ndu Council for bringing farmers and breeders to feast in grand style. He told farmers that government is doing a lot to promote sustainable farming as well as food sufficiency through numerous projects. He elaborated on the second generation agricultural policy of the Head of State, President Paul Biya and added that farmers should shy away from conflict especially farmer/grazer conflicts. To, Ngone Ndodemesape Bernard, if farmers use the services of technicians put at their disposal by government, they will improve their standard of living thus leading to quality and quantity production.

On his part the Divisional Delegate of Agriculture for Donga Mantung Division, Ncham George enumerated government support programs. He also cited some farmers groups in the municipality that benefited from government support this year and added that many more support will come in 2013.

It should be noted that Ndu council area is blessed to have all the ecological climates in Donga Mantung Division. From the Mbaw plain to the Ntaba hills, down to Mbawgong, and to Luh Ntundip and the cold hills of Ndu, all types of crops do perform well. This is in fact what makes the municipality a citadel of variety of food crops. However, one of the most fascinating attractions at the show was the locally processed Ndu tea by small holder farmers.

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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.

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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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