At BAPCCUL AGM: Musa Shey Nfor Explains …..

By Fai Cassian Ndi

Musa Shey Nfor: BAPCCUL President

Secrecy, they say is what governs the finance sector but seemingly it may be a partial half baked endeavour in the microfinance sector. This is so because members are not only users of the numerous services but co-owners of the business. Unconditionally, they would always love to have not patches of truth, but the way their business is managed. The 40^th Annual General Meeting of the Bamenda Police Co-operative Credit Union Limited that took place on January 24, 2014 at the PCC Ntamulung Hall also confirmed this established perception. With a membership of about 25,807, members who took the pains to attend the 2013 Annual General Meeting of BAPCCUL wanted to be assured that their savings were in very quiet place since money doesn’t like noise. Judging from statistics presented at the AGM, BAPCCUL has total assets estimated at about FCFA 12,366,425,199 as of December 2013, reason why the little secrets in the microfinance section must not be kept as a shelf. But since members rely mostly on the performance analysis reports and to some extend media reports, and education meetings to be informed during the year, Musa Shey Nfor BAPCCUL President was categorical that the year 2013 was a very successful one. To him, the fact that BAPCCUL succeeded in establishing an interconnectivity service in its six branch offices, the Automatic Teller Machine, and generated FCFA 1,372,097,398 up from FCFA 1,236,494,071 the performance is perfect. Yet the un-deciphered steams out that other expenses such as league dues, ANEM-CAM dues, staff salaries, Insurance premiums consumed 21.10% amounting to about FCFA 287,421,919.   

However, the blind percentage of loan consumption as well as recovery rate leaves impressionists wondering whether saving and not borrowing and or borrowing and not paying with the grease priod wasn’t a problem.  For instance, the 2013 report states that men accounted for more than 70% of the loan contracted and more than 84% of delinquent loans. But yet BAPCCUL recorded an alarming delinquency rate of 10.35% as compared to 8.62% in 2012. After all, BAPCCUL Musa Shey Nfor said ended up the year 2013 with distinctions such as the first credit union to operate an Automatic Teller Machine in Bamenda and Yaounde. More so, BAPCCUL he revealed was also rated as the most stable credit union and above all, the first credit union with the highest rural membership.

Notwithstanding, all these explanations were roughly digested by some members who were very inquisitive during the question and answer session. In responding to one of the numerous worries in relation to newspaper articles on the infamous CamCCUL Saga, Musa Shey Nfor revealed that at one point in time, one of those who have been writing against them came to the office to ask for huge sums of money. The money he said was for the media organ to publicize the union. And in return the union was going to receive only one copy of the newspaper every week. He then proceeded to tell cooperators that he rejected the offer because he can not take members’ saving to give to journalists.  Harping on the CamCCUL Saga that ended with some credit unions withdrawing their membership, BAPCCUL Union President reiterated that the Credit Union started only with 34 members and today they are more than 200. To him, it makes no sense for a credit union member to take his/her withdrawal to the counters of the market place of information. (To be Continued)

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

Senator Achidi Achu, Senator Peter Mafany Musonge: The Judas Iscariots of Anglophones?

Biblically, the name Judas Iscariot means a lot to Church goers. To wicked-whispers, the name symbolizes

Simon Achidi Achu

hypocrisy reasons why most parents, when choosing a name for their children or soon-to-be born son, rarely choose the name “Judas”.  When one is familiar with the biblical story of Judas Iscariot, the reason for avoiding the name becomes clear. Expressionists continue to wonder whether Judas was truly a saved man who fell away or whether he was an imposter the whole time, or part of the time, he walked with Jesus and the other disciples

Whether it was ill-luck or design, it is a fact that Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus. Cameroon has a great number of Judas Iscariots who act for egocentric tendencies. Some do so to protect epileptic reasons while others do so to destroy a system thinking that they are protecting it. However, that is not our main concern for now.

Our main concern is the accusing fingers towards Senator Achidi Achu and Senator Peter Mafany Musonge who have been accused of playing the ostrich on the issue of the Anglophone Sub System of Education. Did they play the Judas in jeopardizing a collective effort by Anglophone MPs? Did they also block some CPDM MP from signing the collective memo that was submitted to Prime Minister, Head of Government, Yang Philemon? The Bible as earlier stated teaches us that Judas remained committed to his own selfish plans and desires instead of following Jesus with all his heart.  In fact, it is really catastrophic that someone who walked so close to Jesus could miss the truth.  There is at least one influential message to be gleaned from what we know of the life of Judas. Could we then say that our two former Prime Ministers now Senators also missed the truth and went for the curb webbed broken teacup without looking back at what their children are lamenting every day?

Peter Mafany Musonge

My father once told me that it is possible to pretend on the outside to be what one is not on the inside.  One can act like a Christian while never experiencing true salvation.  One can also attend church regularly and fellowship with believers, but never truly be a follower of Jesus. 

 And I will add that my experience in following politicians and telling their stories has also taught me that we can commit Judas’ same tragic act today if we are not willing. To put it short that me borrow from that Biblical quotation which states that “…to present [our] bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is [our] spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1) says.

 Nothing is more precious to the Anglophones than the educational sector. It is the lone sector which young enterprising men and women are gradually transforming it into an enviable industry. But the major hindrance has been the lack of a Higher Technical Teachers’ Training College for the Anglophone Sub System. It took over 50 years for one to be created in the North West Region yet prospects for it of becoming a purely Anglo-saxon Higher Technical Teachers’ Training College is being dampened. The main problem is that some Francophone officials in the Ministries of Secondary Education and Higher Education are a tumbling block to it continued existence. Also accused are Senator Achidi Achu Simon and Senator Peter Mafany Musonge. Senator Achidi Achu Simon may price self that the GCE Board was created when he was Prime Minister, Head of Government but his critics say it was created after the Anglophones stormed the street. The question as to whether Senator Achidi Achu Simon contributed in anyway to it creation abound high.  Pharisees-like, Senator Achidi Achu and Senator Peter Mafany Musonge allegedly blocked Anglophone MPs from signing a collective memorandum decrying the destruction of the Anglophone sub system of education.  Some years back, elite(s) of the Northern Region issued a memo to President Biya requesting that all Northerners should be admitted into the newly created ENS, and it was done with immediate effect. Yet it has not being the case with the Higher Technical Teachers’ Training College-ENSET Bambili. The memorandum issued by some Anglophone MPs to Prime Minister Yang Philemon expressing their frustration at the manner at which the Anglophone sub system of education is being thwarted by some government officials could not produce a similar effect given that it was not signed by all the MPs. Even though a general cry of all the Anglophones, some CPDM MPs refused signing it. Allegedly, some MPs were held back by Senator Achidi Achu Simon and Senator Peter Mafany Musonge.  The Cameroon Teachers Trade Union-CATTU and the Teachers Association of Cameroon-TAC have been lamenting at the Judas Iscariot acts. Wicked whispers on the other hand have been wondering whether politics has transformed some Anglophones to the level blindness that they cannot see themselves in the mirror of time. ENSET Bambili as it is now known by its French acronym is apparently a detachment of ENSET Douala with majority of the lectures done in French. Senator Achidi Achu and Senator Peter Mafany Musonge are being accused of playing the game of the mastiff to gain power for themselves. As someone puts it “they are the Judas Iscariots of Anglophones”

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

Cameroon: A Country Govern by Old People

Cameroon is not only a country that is governed by very old people but above all, it is also a country where a certain category of people have been in power for over half a decade. Apart from President Biya who has been within the cycle of power for over a half a decade, there are also ministers and directors of state corporations who also enjoy such privileges. Others have gone on retirement but resurfaced back as senators and or parliamentarians. Here are the cases in point.

·         Paul Biya was born in 1933 (81 years old now) Head of state since 1982 (30 years), and had occupied officials positions since 1962 (51 years).

·         Amadou Ali (born in 1943) is the vice Prime Minister, Minister in charge of Relations with the National Assembly. He was appointed SG in the Ministry of Public works in 1974 (38 years).

·         Jean Nkuete born in 1944(70 years), presently the SG of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement-CPDM(party in Power). He had his first appointment as deputy SG at the Presidency in April 1983 (39 years ago).

·         Bello Bouba Maigari born in 1947 (67 years) is current Minister of state in Charge of Tourism and Leisure. He got his first appointment in 1972 as SG in the Ministry of Defence (41 years ago).

·         Laurent Esso born on August 10, 1942 (72 years old) is currently Minister of state, Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seal. He entered in Government on May 16, 1988 (25 years ago).

·         Rene Sadi born on December 26, 1948 (66 years old) is the present minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization. He is in the inner cycle of power since the early 70s.

·         Issa Tchiroma Bakary born in 1945 (69 years old) is current Minister of Communication. He entered into government in 1992 (21 years ago).

·         Zacharie Perevet born in 1957 (57 years old) is currently Minister of Employment and Professional Training. He entered into government as minister in 1992 (21 years ago)

·         Martin Belinga Eboutou born on February 17, 1940 (74 years old) is present the Director of Civil Cabinet at the Presidency. He became the director of state protocol in 1989 (24 years ago).

·         Hamadou Moustapha, born on May 11, 1945 (69 years old) is currently Minister of Special Duties at the Presidency. He entered into government in May 1972 (41 years ago)

·         Hele Pierre born in 1946 (68 years old) is current minister of Environment, Nature Protection and Sustainable Development. He entered government in 1979 (34 years ago)

·         Hon. Cavaye Yeguie Djibril born in 1940 (74 years old) is Speaker at the National Assembly since 1992 (21 years ago) and has been in parliament since 1970 (44 years ago)

·         Ayang Luc born in 1947 (67 years old) is the President of the Economic and Social Council since June 25, 1984. He entered government on May 2, 1978 as Minister of Livestock and Fisheries

·         Adolph Moudiki, born on December 10, 1938 (76 years old) currently the General Administrator of SNH. He entered government on January 23, 1987 (26 years ago) as Minister of Labour and Social Security.

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

At Twin Celebration: HRH Fon Fuekemshi II of Baba I Applauded

By Fai Cassian Ndi

HRH Fuekemshi II of Baba I

Enthroned 25 years ago, HRH Fon Fuekemshi of Baba I (custodian of the tradition of the Papiakum people in Ngoketunjia Division) has been applauded for transforming his fondom into a citadel of tradition in the North West Region of Cameroon. Those who travelled to the Baba I palace on January 18 to witness the groundbreaking twin celebrations in commemoration of the passing onto eternity of HRH Fueshianghia III and join in the celebration of the Silver Jubilee of HRH Fuekemshi II went back home with the conclusion that the culture of the Papiakum people (Baba I) is one of the richest in the region. The cultural aspect of the twin event was colourful and full of fanfare. Masquerades display, singing and dancing as well as gun-firing were top on the activities of the day. Baba I was like a beehive with the massive turnout. Sons and daughters of the village were there to be part of the cultural fiesta. A moment which to many would remain in the annals of the Papiakum people.

VIPs

 The first observation anyone who attended had in mind was that while some fons have transformed themselves into royal beggars, Fon Fuekemshi II of Baba I on the contrary has transformed himself into a workaholic fon. The second positive note is that HRH Fuekemshi II has distinguished self as an indefatigable development luminary in all spheres. He should have defied that old established notion that the fon only sits and receives and to go to work. The people of Baba I are lucky, a stranger who was visiting for the first time murmured open seeing the palace plaza.  Within 25 years of the reign of HRH Fuekemshi, the village has registered a lot of development projects. In the domain of education, the village has move from 3 primary schools 21 schools. Thanks to the lobbying skills of the fon Baba I which had only 1 secondary school now has 7 secondary schools and in the domain of religion Muslims and Christians have been taught to co-exist without problems reasons why the village also witnessed a geometric jump from 10 congregations to 19. On improving access to water, there are 6 water schemes in the village whereas 25 years ago, Baba I had none. Baba I palace is second to none in the region given that he has transformed the antiquated building into a modern architecture without destroying its value. The twin celebration was also a learning trip to the numerous traditional rulers who travelled to Baba I. It was a pragmatic demonstration that the 21^st century traditional ruler is that one who works for his people and not vice-versa.

Fon Fuekemshi with visiting fons

It was the Senior Divisional Officer-SDO for Ngoketunjia, Kuella Valerie Norbert who described HRH Fon Fuemeshi as a brilliant leader, promoter of culture and tradition and a developer. The SDO for Ngoketunjia also praised the fon of Baba I for instilling peace in his fondom. To Kuella Valerie, other fons of Ngoketunjia need to come closer to the Baba I fon to learn his ways and manners in order to change lives in their various villages. He concluded by prescribing that the people of Papiakum should continue to serve as model examples to the entire Ngoketunjia.

On his part the President General of the Babi I Development and Cultural Association-BADECA said 25 years have gone since the passing away to eternity of HRH Fon Fueshianghia III. To this he added that the twin celebration is to pay homage to the departed lion as well as salute the innovative 21^st century achiever, HRH Fuekemshi II. He said Fueshianghia III during his reign placed the people of Papiakum(Baba I) into an order of peace and hard work where they continue to excel under their present ruler. BADECA President General Nganjo Mama also applauded the 25 years of reign of HRH Fuekemshi II, thus describing him as the lion of Baba I, the developer and peace promoter. He said within 25 years, HRH Fuekemshi has reconciled the people of Papiakum among themselves. He expressed gratitude to the fon for his maturity in enabling a fair terrain for all political parties and ensuring that politics is practiced with fairness and not brutality. Papiakum sons and daughters he applauded have registered a spectacular leap-forward in politics, government cycles, civil society, judiciary, media and private sector etc.

Message of Thanks from HRH Fuekemshi II

Moh Sylvester in a typical traditional outfit as member of kwifon

Taking to the rostrum, the fon of Baba I expressed gratitude to the over 5000 man-crowd for the massive turnout. “We are here because 25 years ago, my father, Fueshianghia III travelled to the other world. His footprints are quite memorable and that is why this village enjoys total calm and progress. I am happy that you have joined me to honor him”. He also used the opportunity to express gratitude to the people of Papiakum, elite both at home and the Diasporas as well as BADECA executive for their contribution towards the development of the village. He highly praised the administration of Ngoketunjia for being kind. HRH Fuekemshi catapulted President Paul Biya whom he described as an advocate of peace and sustainable development.

Speaking to journalists at the end of the ceremony, HRH Fuekemshi said that the priority for his village is education and that he would spare no effort to eradicate illiteracy from his village. “It is easier to communicate with an educated population” he emphasized. Harping on why he is the custodian of the culture and tradition of the Papiakum people, he reiterated that “with no culture, we are no people” and that it is the identity of the people.

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

ENSET Bambili: Teachers' Trade Unions, Parents, Teachers, Politicians, Civil Society to Stage Endless Strike

The recruitment of Anglophone candidates into the Higher Technical Teachers' Training College commonly known by its French acroynm as ENSET is generating heat among English Speaking Cameroonians. Classified sources hinted that a mighty storm is gathering momentum ahead an endless strike against obnoxious plans by the Minister of Higher Education Prof. Jacque Fame Ndongo to frustrate the Anglo-saxon sub system of education. According to the hint Anglophones are worried that Prof. Jacque Fame Ndongo has transformed the Bambili Higher Technical Teachers' Training College into a branch of ENSET Douala. Our informant also revealed that the Anglophone community is aghast that majority of the lectures are in French and not English.

The majority of the student teachers according to what we gathered at ENSET are Francophones which to many is not helping in anyway to solve the Anglophone problem of the lack of a Higher Technical Teachers' Training College rocking the Anglophone technical schools. It should be recalled that ENSET Bambili was created following pressure from the Cameroon Teachers Trade Union-CATTU with the support of some key Anglophone politicians. These litany of problems we have been informed has led to the development of the intention to take to the streets. Teachers Association of Cameroon-TAC and Cameroon Teachers Trade Union-CATTU have been very bitter at the interferrances. Yet blames have been aportioned to Senator Achidi Achu Simon and Senator Peter Mafany Musonge for blocking plans by the representatives of the people to address a memo to the Head of state reasons why many say the only anwser is to take to the street. 

 

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