Dr. Nick Ngwanyam Analyses President Biya's End of Year Message to Cameroonians

On the 31^st of December, 2014, the Head of State, President Paul Biya addressed the

Dr. Nick Ngwanyam

nation and touched on pertinent key issues that affect the life of the nation. His elocutions were viewed by many in diverse opinions. Dr. Nick Ngwanyam, CEO of ST Louis University Institute of Health also listened to the Head of State with keen interest and in the following interview makes a dissection of some key aspects of the speech and proposes concrete remedies to some of the problems.

Excerpts

Dr. you are one of the elite of the North West Region and an entrepreneur. The head of State just addressed the nation. Can we have your immediate reaction?

Thank you very much. As you understand, everybody has been waiting for the Head of State’s speech and it came just in time. Despite the difficulties that we have, he looked quite relaxed and his body language was positive. Of course, we know that he as Head of State and the father of the nation has been going through a lot of stress especially with what has been happening in the North of Cameroon. He tells us that he was expecting that in 2014, we will all be embarking on correcting our economic problems and getting some growth but he sees himself and the nation taken off track to fight this insurgency. He looked quite relaxed and I guess so probably because his military tactics have paid off.

He spoke and touched a number of sectors. Which of them have been of interest to you?

The head of state dealt with two key areas. First the security issue which is mostly in the north of Cameroon as we speak and then the economics. He stated very clearly that there is no way we can have that economic growth without having peace and security. So peace and security are necessary for us to have the planned economic growth. You know, he has put in place this contingency plan to help us develop very rapidly in three years. A program for which a thousand billion has been laid aside and therefore, we are looking forward to have that growth. Even as he wishes and he makes available these facilities, I still have my fears.

You have the fears like some people who are in the opposition; they see this contingency plan as another white elephant in Cameroon.

No it is not a white elephant project. The president is just selling us some difficult to comprehend goods. The issue here is that Cameroon is not developing as far as I am concerned not because we lack the means or the people but there is something that is inherently wrong in Cameroon and it does not matter how the president feels about it or his good intentions.

It does not matter what he says, it is not about a speech. It is about the Cameroonian. To be able to develop in every setting, it does not matter how much capital you have. The human capital is the most important thing that you have to deal with. In fact, managing human beings is one of the most difficult things. If you want to grow, you must pay attention to the human person and I would want to think that in Cameroon, we have not paid attention to the human person and that is why we are failing. Countries that do not have the same potentials like us do better than us because they pay attention to the human person. Let me put it another way, if you most succeed, there are a couple of things that you ought to know. It does not matter whether you are succeeding as an individual, as a company, as an enterprise or a nation. It is the same thing. The human person is behind that success.

Therefore, attitude, behavior and character are very important. In Cameroon as a whole, the way we appoint people in the civil service or “parastatal” and so on is that we do not respect merits in this country. That is where the first problem begins.

You can have the best programs and whatever, but if you do not make sure that your personnel is well catered for and you respect merit in the way you apportion work and responsibility it will not work. If we take zombies and put them ahead and you put people who are worth their salt behind, it will never work. That is what I have been observing in our country. People who do not have capacities are put in leadership positions or are put in charge of the budget and things like that and the people who have the capacity to do it are left in the cold. Therefore, when you get people who do not have capacity sitting in there, they only play around with politics and more politics to protect themselves and do not do the technical work.

It has come to a point where we have to forget a little bit about politics and pay more attention to technical work. We are not giving merit its due and you would see this kind of lapses with the “concour” system. To get into a medical school, you see the wrong student gets there and the brightest students are left out. Polytechnic is the same and having scholarships to go abroad, you see the wrong people going. The children of villagers and paupers who are very sharp but have no backing are kept behind. This is the kind of thing I am talking about. We need to be able to make sure that we give merit its due and make sure that be it the child of a farmer or a tapper should be able to rise as long as he or she has the capacity. We must create that enabling environment.

Know that for any person to grow, 25% of your success depends on your education and 75% on your attitude. In our schools and families, we are not paying much attention to the attitude of our children, the attitude of our fathers and mothers, the attitude of our workers. We just think that because people go to school and get certificates; that is enough. It is not. It you want people with the best attitudes, look at Japanese, South Koreans they have got the best attitude to work, and all Asians have a better attitude to work more than us Africans. We spend more of our time wrongly and that is another thing. How do we use our time? Do we use our time effectively? That is a problem. We do not know how to use time in Cameroon so much so that you see responsible people who are supposed to be at work first; they come to work at ten AM, and at eleven o’clock AM; they are the first to leave. You will see people who are supposed to be a work who on the streets drinking beer. We do not have a culture of work in our system.

These are some of the basic things that we need to correct before we start talking about any growth. If we do not correct all these things, it does not matter how much the President wishes, it would not work.

What about the youths?

When we are talking about economic growth and all what not, it is not about the elderly. It is about the youths. We as a nation, we have to pay attention to the youths. What do we teach them? What are they studying? Are we really giving them the opportunities? That is it.

 When we are talking about opportunities to the youths, it is not about giving them 350,000 jobs in the civil service. That is not what is going to create us that growth. It is about building the capacities of the youths so that they can strengthen the private sector by creating jobs. All the companies and industries that we want are not going to be created by old people. The old people might supply the land but it is the youths that are going to make that work.

Therefore, it is time for us to lay a red carpet for all our youths in the Diasporas who are into technology to come back. We should give them the incentive and the leeway to come back and do the best for our country. It is about paying attention to the youths, changing what our students are studying in the universities today as I have said severally, our curricular are the wrong ones.

We are studying things that were laid down for us in 1960 so that we could just be able to read and communicate with the White man. The curricular for 1960 was for communication and nobody is using it today. If you go and ask the South Koreans and all the countries that have emerged, they have a curricular that has to do more with professional education, technological advancement and proper management etc. If you go to America today and find out how they are studying, you will see that when a doctor goes into a medical school, he is not only studying medicine, that is boxed mentality. He studies medicine but studies for an MBA so that he comes out as a doctor and knows how to manage.

Management is not something that we should go to ENAM to learn. ENAM has outlived its usefulness. You do not set a school apart for people to go and learn how to manage and throw their weight around. Everybody should become a technician then those technicians take courses in management. If they want to know how government runs, they are given a six months course so that they can manage state enterprises.

If you go to South Korea that has made it, to Germany and other Asian countries, they do not have schools like ENAM where you go to learn management but they have managers, real managers

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Bamali Brouhaha: Village Traditional Council Indicts Ngoketunjia Administration

Chombong Lanu after receiving treatment

The chairman of the Bamali traditional Council has accused the administration of Ngoketunjia for using Brutal invasion, ransacking, torture and looting of property at the Bamali fon’s palace and village in general by some armed forces led into the palace by Mr. Poss Alex-Francis-The Divisional Officer for Ndop Sub Division…
soldiers, police and Gendarmes to invade the village and to have tortured and looted property in Bamali village. The accusations are contained in a three-page document to the Governor of the North West Region titled:

In his report, Chombong Lanu Michael, head of the Bamali traditional council laments that on Monday December 29, 2014 at about 1:30pm, five vehicles carrying armed police, Gendarmes and soldiers drove into the palace at the moment the traditional council was holding a session.  “On their arrival at the fon’s palace, they caught, beat and ordered everybody to lie down. According to the Chombong, the raffia wine that was left in the pot was poured on them and they were as well administered snake beating. He revealed that matters came to a head when the same law enforcement officials started breaking doors and windows of the innermost part of the palace. “Even bulbs, furniture and palace artifacts were not spared. Some went up to the market square adjacent the palace and some private homes in the neigbourhood, beating up everybody they met and seizing money, telephones and other belongings”.  He reiterated in his report that the same law enforcement officials made away with all the money contributed for the “council njangi” and all the documents. He also mentioned that the fon was heavily brutalized and he (the fon) sustained injuries on his face, back and right arm. “The fon told us that the D.O Mr. Poss Alex-Francis personally seized and took away his brief case containing all his credentials and money”, he noted. The Bamali traditional council head also underlines that the queen mothers (women) were molested including a ^rd Deputy Mayor of Ndop council was damaged with bullets. “Most of the victims are still in the hospital receiving treatment while some have been transferred to Bamenda and Mbingo Baptist Hospital”.

Victim at Mbingo Hospital

pregnant queen mother who risks loosing her unborn baby. He further emphasizes in his report that when the troops finally left the palace, they fired bullets in the air and humiliated and tortured everyone they met on their way. “Destroying their vehicles, motorcycle right up to Mbetpaw quarters where they invade private homes, destroy property and looted some”. The same acts he underscores continued at the Bamali 3 corners where people sustained serious injuries and one vehicle belonging to one Mr. Chombong Joseph Tapenui, 3

In a pleading manner, the chairman of the Bamali traditional council wonders that even right up to the moment that he is writing the report, “the D.O for Ndop and his people have not disclosed to us the reason d’etre of their mission to Bamali nor have they asked us for any document”. He further pleads on the North West Governor to help the people of Bamali by getting from the Divisional Officer for Ndop the main reason why he (the DO) invaded their village with armies and that the Bamali people are peace-loving, armless yet were maltreated, brutalized and tortured “in this way in this country”.

Untold Facts

Nkimih Rostant with fractured leg after medical operation

When the bill on terrorism was adopted in Parliament, SDF National chairman Ni John Fru Ndi was worried that local administrators may use that law to settle scores. Barely two months after the bill was promulgated into law, the administration of Ngoketunjia is looking for a scapegoat to link to the past incident even though popular opinion in Bamali holds that the incident was masterminded by some people with the support of the administration. Some people are pointing accusing fingers at the administration of Ngoketunjia given that the SDO had some years back issued a letter to the Governor requesting 400 elements (2nd category) to help him reinstate the ousted fon of Bamali, Fon Idrisuh Nopu Sahfua. On the other hand, another opinion holds that the fon who happens to be a Gendarme officer was amongst the looter camouflaged in military uniform. It is even alleged that when matters escalidated the same administration surfaced with a letter in which allegedly Bamali village had threatened to invade Bamuka. In reaction to that letter, the Mayor of Ndop council discarded such a claim adding that “his villages will never go to war against another”. He said those who claim that some youths were being trained to invade Bamuka are telling lies. Popular opinion in Ndop holds that the issue of Bamali village planning to invade Bamuka was a fabrication of the administration to conceal the administrative error committed that escalidated into a blood bath “Where are the guns that were kept in the palace”, Emmanuel Nken one of the villagers questioned. He told this reporter that he moved to the scene and talked to the population and even cleared off the road blockages to ease the movement of commuters who were caught in the web at Bamali 3 Corners.  This reporter met 18 years  

Yeh Stephen still in pains waiting an operation

Nkimih Rostand who was just discharged from the Mbingo Baptist Hospital after a major operation on his leg. Yet it is difficult for him to move. The chairman lamented that another pathetic case is that of Yeh Stephen whose family is still struggling to raise money for him to undergo an operation. He said that even though some of the victims cannot move from the bed, the medical certificates issued to them by the medical doctor in Ndop indicates that something went wrong somewhere. “We had to seek interventions from our elite(s) before medical certificates were issued to victims”, parent of one of the victims told us. “I am suspecting the hand of the administration in this issue, how can someone whose leg has been shattered by a bullet be given only 10 days, this boy cannot walk after six months”. The brouhaha that took place at Bamali has seemingly been transformed into settling of scores.

Some of the victims who sustained injuries include amongst others: Njokeh Michael, Yombi Ivo, Nipoh Swebum, Shume Collette, Yombi Mathias, Tengang Esther, Nden Bartholomew, Che Felix, Njokang Essemont, Memo Eric, Mboh Raphael, Yefor Wilfred, Tani Nicoline, Tani Henry, Tani Collins, Tani Raymond, Tani Irene, Fomunkwain Bruno, Njingun Moses, Yann Quester, Ngong Francis, Nchowara George, Nkimi Rostand, Mbondop Raymond, Komupah Derick, Ngopuh Clovis, Puh Ibrahim, Yeh Stephen. However, the list of victims is long but we could only lay hands on the above list.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Ntumbaw Fon’s Celebration, Hope of Peace, Love and Reconciliation Ignited

  Shey Lontum Fon Yembe

The place was the palace esplanade of Ntumbaw in Ndu sub Division. The day was Tuesday Lih January 6 2015. The occasion was the end of the “celebration” of the “disappearance” of Fon Salifu Kwangsah of Ntumbaw. The personalities were diverse and numerous amongst whom were Fons; The Divisional officer  Ndu; the Lord mayor and Deputies Ndu Council;  President NTUCUDA, and many others like Dr. bamboo etc.

What thrilled many was the arrival of HRH, the Fon of Nkambe and a huge entourage, of the Nwarong society and some women’s groups. The entire nwarong society of Nkambe was to occupy the entire Ntumbaw for over five hours, with the Ye Nwarong leading and the magnificent display of the Mabh Nwarong; Nkoh; and others.

It was during the speech making that signs of hope for Peace, Unity and Reconciliation were indicated. In his welcome address, the Coordinator of the organizing Committee of the ceremony, Dr. Bambo took time to make an anecdotal narrative of a family that was very divided after the death of their rich father. The elder brother who had inherited more, on going out for an international trip, instructed an engineer friend to dig a big trench between his compound and that of his junior brother, so as to keep them perpetually separated.

The engineer, on the contrary, decided to rather build a bridge linking the two compounds and this shocked the junior brother who felt and thought that it could have been on the instructions of his elder brother that the bridge be built. So, when news came that the elder brother was on his way back, he was put in the company of those to go and receive him at the airport. The Big Boy was embarrassed, shocked and frightened with the presence of his junior brother, but could not express it. When they got home, he was more shocked with the discovery of the bridge instead of the trench ( ditch) separating them. It was then that the engineer was discovered to being at the centre of the efforts to reconcile the two brothers. The love they have today is unprecedented. The story received an explosive  and thunderous applause.

The Mayor of Ndu, on his part stated that “ We can chose our friends, but we cannot chose our neighbors.” Again, there was an explosive applause.

Then came the turn of the Fon of Nkambe. He stated in Limbum that “ a ngon’ mbum, si kit fur ndi ngon’ ka’! Yu si ke tfur I ki ba ndi nsu!” ( In Mbumland, we don’t have land boundaries. What we have is farm boundaries”. And he added that no body should introduce the negative phenomenon in Mbumland that will inflame division amongst Mbum people.  They, Mbum elders will do all to see to it that neighbors and brothers live in peace and not be let to be misled to fight each other. The applause was unprecedented. In fact, when the D.O stood up to speak, he demanded that the Fon of Nkambe’s remarks be translated into English. This was done and the Fon himself, not satisfied with the translation, sprang up, seized the microphone and repeated what he had said, this time in pidgin English. The D.O then dwelt on the theme of Unity, Reconciliation and good neighborliness, promising to do all to build bridges where others had dug ditches.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Bamali Chieftaincy Crisis: Of Administrative Lickers and Village Gangsterism

Locally fabricated guns seized from the population

Chieftaincy crisis in the North West Region as proven is perhaps a “chop-pot” to some people not only those in the power tussle, but more interestingly the people of the lie (politician) and the administrators. Even though milky, it is at the same time a hot potato in the hands of administrators. Invariably chieftaincy conflicts have been notably fueled by several interrelated casual factors such as bad governance and corruption, and small arms proliferation in villages. Easy access to locally fabricated arms is gradually becoming a very huge problem given that it is a fertile ground to breed village gangsters.  

The more the crisis persists, the more the interest, benefactors and so on and so forth. It is for this reason that there are more than six villages in the North West Region with two fons. Ngoketunjia Division has 13 villages with 14 fons. Bamali village happens to be one of the villages caught in the mess with two traditional rulers (one who lives with the population in the village and another who was dethroned by the population, and lives out of the village but is recognized by the administration).

Last December 30, 2014, the Bamali chieftaincy crisis took a drama twist with the livid outburst of the administrative buffoonery clashing with village gangsters. Blood bath ensued with many sustaining major and minor injuries. The incident exhibited the ugliest side of the North West gun culture as well as the administrative licking lapses. So, it has come to past that so far as guns are allowed in the hands of idle minds, others shall witness very uncomfortable situations and as much as the milky tenets continue to strive, it must end up in an explosion.

The frequent outbreak of inter tribal wars is certainly linked either to the administrative buffoonery of the SDOs and DOs, the self-centeredness of the politicians or the gun culture.

Thousands of commuters and travelers who used the Bamenda Ring Road on December 30, 2014, like the British High Commissioner were caught in the web of road blocks raised by irate villagers turned out to be vivid students of the confrontation; apocalypse and the wrongs of chieftaincy;. It is on record that over 71 persons sustained injuries in the scuffle. The Senior Divisional Officer for Ngoketunjia, Mr. Kuela Valerie was stoned by the same vandals who think they (administrators) licked from sides of the coin. It is even alleged he (Kuela Valerie, SDO for Ngoketunjia) sustained injuries.

The immediate cause of the confrontation that has sent many to hospital beds has recorded varied versions.

A version alleges that information had filtered out that guns were hidden at the Bamali palace. Allegedly, Bamali had the intention of supporting a neighboring village at war and were about to raise funds to send warriors out on that mission.

 Another version of the story holds that the villagers had summoned an end of year fund raising event to raise funds for development projects and that someone masterminded an obnoxious plan to set in confusion for the newly enthroned fon to be kidnapped. So when the forces of law and order invaded the village, they feared the troops had come to kidnap their ruler especially as it was rumoured that they were accompanied by the ousted fon.
More so, the third version holds that troops upon return from the Baligansi/Bamukumbit conflict zone were intercepted by the Divisional Officer for Ndop. He took them to the palace where the village traditional council was holding a meeting. Up on arrival, all phones were seized when the members of the council could resist the fact that their fon was being flocked publicly. Those who attempt to react were flocked and one courageous man who ran out of the palace immediately alerted the villagers that their fons was kidnapped and was being taken away.
 Yet public opinion in the North West is confused as to which of the three versions is true. As days go by, the hidden faces behind the mask may soon come to daylight. However, it is not yet clear whether the guns allegedly hidden in the palace were uncovered or not. But what is evident so far is that some of the guns used by the population to attack law enforcement officials and the administration were taken away. The gun incident in Bamali is thus becoming a myth given that in the North West Region, each family has at least a locally fabricated gun which formerly was used in death celebrations. The issue of guns in the hands of idlers has also been a nightmare given the rampant high way robbers. It has been noticed that graziers on the other hand also own some of them but since they are not officials, once stolen, they stay mute and the next day; headsmen use them to set road blocks and steal from helpless travelers.

Traditional haters have often used this opportunity to stir troubleas was the case in Bamali where allegations abound that seven guns were seized. Five of the seven guns it is alleged were from the palace and two others siezed from a certain Mbele who the villagers claim they do not know him and have never heard of.

The case of Big Babanki where a military officer was killed and the ousted fon burnt to ashes is still fresh in memories in North West. Barbaric indeed!

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Thousands Join Hon. Awudu to Pay Homage to Departed Fon of Chup-(PhotoNews3)

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Former Student Leader Donates Big to Own Community at Xmas, New Year

Tata Mbinglo: The exemplary Philanthropist

There was brightness on the foreheads of orphans, widows and the entire Christian family of  Fuh Baptist Church in Ndu Sub Division on December 28, 2014 as former student of the University of Buea, Tata Mbinglo ignited hope in the orphans, widows and the entire community by donating big at end of year feast. The gifts which were handed to population by his personal representative based in Ndu, Massa Ernest were made up of bags of rice, cartons of savon and cash were handed to the congregation in mode full of fanfare and enthusiasm. It was as a pacesetting event.  

Before handing the gifts Ernest Massa delivered a message from the donor, Tata Mbinglo who is living in Thailand. In the message, Tata Mbinglo stressed the need for the population of his village to remain united for a common goal, which is development. He also highlighted that being far off from the village doesn’t mean that he has forgotten his village reasons why he decided to share with them at this particular time of the year. Sharing, he said is part of his life given that “the glory of giving goes to God for teaching us how to give”. 

Tata Mbinglo in his message to the population of Fuh also used the opportunity to make clarion call to youths and parents on the importance of education and community development. “I have decided to dedicate my earnings to the widows, orphans, underprivileged, and the poor” he told this reporter in an on-line chat. Flattered and marveled by the Thanksgiving to the CBC Church by the former student leader, the pastor of CBC Fuh called on the Almighty to blessed the hand that giveth, from a Biblical quotation, the pastor reminded the congregation to always pray for the young man. “This is a great mark of honour, humanity and patriotism”, he remarked. 

Speaking at the eventful Christmas Thanksgiving, Shufai Njilangotong, described Tata Mbinglo as an agent of development and a young man who always looks back to others. He called on other young men and women to emulate the good example of Tata Mbinglo who has proven that a community can emerge from the doldrums if there is love, unity and solidarity.  

Before leaving Fuh, Massa Ernest said that Tata Mbinglo is a pacesetter and that development is not only in the domain of infrastructure but rather people starts with a change in mindset. This, he added has been clearly demonstrated in Tata Mbinglo's gesture in donating to the Church and the underprivileged.  

some of the items

Thanksgiving led by Ernest Massa in white representative of Tata Mbinglo

Youths listening to the message from Tata Mbinglo

Shufai Njilangotong appreciating the donation

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

President Biya's Message to the Nation

Fellow Cameroonians,

My dear compatriots,

President Paul Biya

It was our hope, following a period of intensive political activity, that as 2014 was not an election year, we

would be free to devote ourselves primarily to reviving our economic growth which, as you are aware, is a prerequisite for improving the living conditions of our populations.

Such was not exactly the case owing to the escalation of attacks against our national territory by the Boko Haram sect. Besides this, there were the criminal activities of armed gangs on our border with the Central African Republic.

Initially, the Boko Haram terrorist organization carried out raids to seize isolated hostages or loot public or private property.

Buoyed by their grip on north-eastern Nigeria, the so-called “jihadists” launched major attacks on the Far-North Region of our country, for instance, the attack on the workers’ camp of a Chinese company at Waza and the raid on Kolofata, resulting in several deaths and the abduction of many hostages.

This could not be tolerated. We therefore set up a response and prevention mechanism which quickly proved its worth. Since then, Boko Haram has suffered heavy human and material losses in each of its attacks. It is hoped that they would learn their lesson.

At this juncture, I would like to pay glowing tribute to our defence forces whose valour has been demonstrated in recent fighting.

I have had occasion to say that the Nation as a whole ought to mobilize and rally behind its defence forces.

Such seems to be the case by all accounts from our regions. I have most particularly appreciated the stance of our Muslim compatriots. They, like all the other Cameroonians, have clearly understood that this war is by no means based on religion. They have clearly understood that it is a response to external aggression by a terrorist organization that does not subscribe to the values of a fraternal society.

My dear compatriots,

The growing threats on our borders have prompted us to take measures to safeguard against their effects on our internal security. Such is the purport of the law on the suppression of terrorism which Parliament recently passed by a large majority. It is far from serving as a pretext for restricting civil liberties, as claimed by some ill-intentioned people. Besides, the instrument is very clear on this point.

Furthermore, faced with an upsurge in terrorist activities, most leading democratic countries have in recent years passed new laws to prevent terrorism. By so doing, they have complied with the recommendations of international organizations, particularly the United Nations and the African Union. Such is what we deemed appropriate to do. Therefore, our objective is to safeguard against any terrorist-related risk as far as possible. Every State not only has the right, but also the duty to protect its citizens. I am convinced that the vast majority of our compatriots do understand.

I would also like to recall here that Cameroon is not the only country facing this threat which knows no boundaries. Some of our neighbouring countries, namely Benin, Chad, Niger and Nigeria, are collaborating with us to form a united front against Boko Haram.

The United Nations Organization and several big powers, particularly the United States of America, Germany, France, Russia and China, also back us. I will be revisiting this issue before long.

It goes without saying that mobilizing the required resources for our defence means additional spending. As you are aware, the situation in the Central African Republic also warrants our vigilance on our eastern border. We are forced to host tens of thousands of refugees from this brotherly country. I take this opportunity to commend the valuable assistance we are receiving from humanitarian organizations. It is clear that our duty-bound solidarity has an impact on the budget. But, we must also understand that security has a price.

My dear compatriots,

As I said at the onset, we were obliged to prioritize the defence of the national territory, for, there can be no peace without security and no development without peace. Nonetheless, we have not relented in our efforts to revive growth. Now that our democratic institutions are fully functional, growth is the focus of our policy. As I stated earlier on, our growth is a prerequisite for a strong economy and, hence, our capacity to roll back poverty and progress towards emergence.

A quick evaluation of our economic programme shows that our first-generation major projects are either completed, nearing completion, or on track. Such is the case, in particular, for the Kribi Gas-fired Plant and Port, dams and hydroelectric power plants, as well as some road and various infrastructure projects.

Thanks to these projects, there is renewed activity in various sectors of our economy. The impact on employment and the improvement of living conditions is also visible. The year 2015 should therefore be characterized by the launching of second-generation projects in the energy, water, road and highway and transport sectors.

My dear compatriots,

Most of the major undertakings announced in my address on 31 December 2013 have been fulfilled.

1.We celebrated the FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF CAMEROON’S REUNIFICATION last February in Buea with all the necessary pomp and solemnity. The town of Buea, which has been provided with various infrastructure, has been completely transformed. The impact of this celebration was also felt in neighbouring towns. This key moment of national unity is a milestone in our history.

2.I also promised substantial improvements in the health domain. These are now realities. Malaria treatment for children aged below five is now free. Our health map now comprises three new referral hospitals: the Yaounde National Emergency Centre, the Douala Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Paediatric Hospital and the Sangmelima Referral Hospital.

3.The employment spin-offs of our growth policy which I referred to a while ago have been confirmed. In 2014, 283 443 new jobs were created against 250 000 projected, as you would recall.

4.You would also recall that I underscored the need for Cameroon to have a viable emergency plan for the coming years. This announcement as well has been translated into reality. The said plan was adopted and launched during the Council of Ministers meeting held on 9 December. I will come back to this later.

My dear compatriots, 

Should we be content with these results which can objectively be considered positive? Substantial progress has been achieved as confirmed by the recent triennial appraisal report on the implementation of the Growth and Employment Strategy Paper. That being the case, I will simply say that we can and should do even better. I am convinced, as I pointed out last year under the same circumstances, that we must increase our growth rate at all costs. Are we sure we have done all we can? 

Take the case of investment for instance, which has so far been largely initiated by the State and reserved especially for anchor and social projects. Public Investment Budget allocations have increased considerably in recent years. In 2014, they represented about one-third of the overall budget, or approximately CFAF 1 000 (one thousand) billion. This is commendable. However, in terms of execution, there are hurdles and project implementation is often slowed down. I decried such under-utilization of budgetary appropriations. As you know, our needs are obvious and urgent. I am pleased to note that this year, there has been a marked improvement in contract execution rates which should increasingly match commitment rates.

Although in 2013 the public authorities, through Parliament, adopted major incentives for private investment, the latter still seems unable to take over from the State. 

However, there seems to be progress in this direction among local and foreign entrepreneurs thanks largely to awareness-raising campaigns by investment promotion bodies. This is proven by the recent signing of 13 agreements in the Ministry of Industry, worth CFAF 180 billion. 

I want to believe this is just the beginning. We do need an ambitious industrial policy. There can be no great country without industry. Even agriculture, which I love to say is the principal source of our wealth, is also expected to go “industrial”. 

It is understandable that the implementation of our major iron and bauxite mining projects, whose ultimate goal also is industrialization, is dragging as such projects are complex. Conversely, there is no plausible reason for our slowness in developing industries to process our agricultural commodities. 

Besides the benefits we could derive in terms of value added and employment, local processing will contribute towards rebalancing our foreign trade which is showing a structural deficit. 

In fact, our trade balance is characterized by a significant import surplus against exports which largely depend on the sale of three or four commodities whose prices are unstable. Our imports, for their part, mostly concern manufactured products, notably capital goods for our major projects. Obviously, it is difficult for us to restrict our purchase of capital goods. That, we understand. On the other hand, we should be able to limit the importation of the commodities we are able to produce. 

These remarks which I am compelled to make once more reflect the difficulty we are facing moving from a State-dominated economy to a more liberal system which is now the rule. The situation is such that sometimes we suffer the disadvantages of both systems. This, to me, explains the resistance to structural reforms which is stifling our growth revival efforts.

Some of these reforms concern our governance, particularly public finance. Significant progress has been made in this area and needs to be consolidated by ensuring budget sustainability, reducing subsidies as much as possible and reviewing the tax base. On the whole, our administration would stand to benefit by streamlining its procedures and, as I said recently and instructed, cutting down on its spending. 

My dear compatriots,

To jumpstart our growth, I have instructed the Government to implement a three-year “emergency plan”. Its objective is to achieve visible progress and measurable improvements in vital areas such as urban development, health, agriculture, roads, energy, low-cost housing and security. I expect the said plan to meet the most urgent needs of our populations nationwide.

This initiative is different from our Growth and Employment Strategy which will continue to be implemented by the Government. About CFAF 1 000 (one thousand) billion will be allocated to the plan. The implementation of this plan will determine whether we are capable of meeting the challenge whose outline and timeframe we have ourselves defined.

Of course, it is crucial for our country to meet this challenge. We have the wherewithal. 

My dear compatriots,

In a few hours, you will be happily celebrating New Year’s Day.

However, before that, let us spare a thought for our soldiers who have fallen defending our Fatherland. Let us spare a thought for those securing our borders, their grieving or anxious families and our compatriots who are suffering physical and psychological pain.

I would now like to extend to you all my best wishes for good health and happiness in the New Year.

Happy and prosperous New Year 2015!

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Population Go on Rampage over Chieftaincy Crisis, Soldiers, Civilians, Wounded

An atmosphere of uncertainty now looms large in Bamali village in Ngoketunjia Division of the North West Region as some 71 persons are said to have sustained injuries in a scuffle between the population and law enforcement officials. The story goes that last weekend; the administration of Ngoketunjia stormed the village at the time a fundraising was going on. The presence of Gendarmes and police, accompanied by the ousted fon Idrisu created fright and disorder especially when the population noticed that some people were allegedly fluked.  The situation became uncontrollable when information circulated in the village that the newly enthroned fon of Bamali was being taken away.  Road blocks were set. From about 2 pm to 11 pm, those who were moving to Bui, Donga Mantung Division and Ngoketunjia were caught in the web at Bamali junction as more than three road blocks were mounted by the irate population of Bamali. It was after the intervention of the BIR that the population dispersed.

It is said that some 71 persons sustained both minor and major injuries. The Senior Divisional Officer for Ngoketunjia, Kwela Valery is also said to have had a bitter experience as well as the newly enthroned fon of Bamali. Soldiers, police, Gendarmes and civilians also sustained injuries during the brouhaha. It is aired that some 17 law enforcement officials have been hospitalized and one evacuated to Douala for medical attention.  

The population is however pointing accusing fingers at the ousted fon of Bamali for masterminding the ploy. Yet it is not clear whether he (Fon Idrisu) masterminded the incident to pin his successor. Notwithstanding, a school of thought holds that Forces of Law and Order stormed the palace on grounds that guns were hidden there.
More so, allegations abound that forces of law and order got a hint that guns were acquired and kept in a secret place in the Bamali palace in order to support another village at war with it neigbour. According to the hint the forces of law and order also got another hint that the Bamali village traditional council was raising funds to support the warriors. And the moment they stormed the palace, some rascals were caught at the palace esplanade waiting to move into action. 
It should be recalled that some years back when the new fon and his subjects were traveling out of the region, a gun was planted in the supposed car that was to transport the fon but unfortunately, the fon had changed the car. Its occupants were later picked up at the Bamenda Upstation by elements of the Gendarmerie. Yet it was Rev. Kisob Bertin who testified in court that he spotted someone planting the gun before the matter was discharged. This is the second incident. The question as to who is masterminding the planting of guns to victimize the fon of Bamali abound high. This is so because the guns allegedly kept in the palace were not seen either. Whether they disappeared into the wilderness remains another mystery. 

Calm is said to have returned after North West Governor Adolph Lele Lafrique visited Bamali village even though with the presence of troops. 

NW Governor inspecting guns seized from locals

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Thousands Join Hon. Awudu to Pay Homage to Departed Fon of Chup (PhotoNews1)

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Thousands Join Hon. Awudu to Pay Homage to Departed Fon of Chup -Fon Omer Yembe(PhotoNews2)

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)