HOFNA Cameroon Stretches Hand of Fellowship to Needy

Mme Christelle Nfor Handing textbook to needy

The population of Nwangri village in Donga Mantung Division of the North West Region have expressed appreciation to Hope for the Needy Association-HOFNA Cameroon for extending a hand of fellowship to their community. The population expressed the joy and elation last weekend, when HOFNA Director, Christelle Nfor stormed CS Ngwanri to donate books, jerseys, balls, writing material and other school didactic materials to the school administration and needy pupils. Created in 1982, C.S Nwangri is one of the mission schools that has trained many youth Cameroonians of integrity. More so, the school is noted in scoring 100% in both FSLC and Common Entrance, yet it has never received such a visitor before that day.

Fon of Ngwangri

 In a welcome message to the August guest, Nducho Ancella, the head teacher said some of the difficulties of the school included leakages of the roofs, none cemented floor, lack of chairs for teachers, no book shelve and  no window shutters in classes and the head teacher’s Office. She expressed gratitude and thanks to HOFNA delegation for the timely gift which she said will go a long way to sustain the school.  Confidence Lamptang, PTA chairlady revealed that for over 25yrs since creation the school has never received such a support from an individual or group. She said HOFNA will be remembered for the initiative by generations. On his part, the Youth President of Ngwangri Cultural and Development Association, Ngwayi Marcel Ngwayi congratulated HOFNA for the gesture and added that he was touched by the timely mark of recognition.  On the other hand, Fon of Nwangri Village appreciated the love of HOFNA to his people and that fact that the delegation took the pains to move on the bad roads to equipped the school which is so much in need. He challenged other NGOs emulate the good example of HOFNA by being practical on the field.

The Director of HOFNA Christelle Bai Nfor said the support to C.S Nwangri is part of her organization’s effort in fostering access to education dubbed “Making Education Realistic (MER)”. Before leaving CS Ngwangri, Mme Christelle Nfor encouraged pupils to be steadfast in bookwork because it is where the future lies. She said in that in the past parents showed love to their children by building houses, planting colanuts trees  etc but HOFNA is offering kids with a legacy that nobody will fight it or take it away from them, which is improving access to education facilities. She calls on Parents of Nwangri village to send their children to school especially the girl child.

It should be recalled that HOFNA has as mission to help people to achieved lasting positive changes in their lives.

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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.

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