Campaign on the Imminent Ban of Non-Biodegradable Plastics Kick-starts in NWR

By Fai Cassian Ndi

Tansi Laban Bambo: NWR Delegate of Environment

Ahead of the April dateline by government banning the use of non-biodegradable plastics in Cameroon, the North West Regional Delegation of Environment, Nature Protection and Sustainable Development has launched a sensitization campaign aimed at informing and educating the population on the negative impacts of plastic bags. Speaking at the official launching in Bamenda, Tansi Laban Bambo, North West Regional Delegate of Environment, Nature Protection and Sustainable Development said that the effects of plastic bags on the environment are devastating. According to Tansi Laban its burning emits toxic gases that harm the atmosphere and increase the level of dioxins and carbon dioxide in the air resulting in ozone layer depletion. The consequences are that its lead to global warming and climate change. He said that some of the plastic bags buried in the soil would take approximately 400 years to decompose completely. Taking the North West Region as a case, Tansi Laban observed that plastic lithering is very unattractive and they block gutters and drainage facilities causing floods. He said thousands of pigs, pigs and other small ruminants have died prematurely because they ate plastic bags. He however told participants at the launching ceremony that the plastic bags banned fall within those plastics measuring less than or equal to 60 microns. In his presentation he recommended that alternative biodegradable like waste newspapers, raphia baskets, jut bags, banana/plantain leaves cement papers and cartons  are readily available and could be used so as to eradicate the pending doom. Tansi Laban Bambo concluded that the fight against the use of non-biodegradable plastics is a collective one given that the effects are local, regional and global.

Here below is a paper presented by Mr. Tansi Laban of the Management of Non-Biodegradable Plastic in the North West Region of Cameroon

Introduction: Urbanization and population increase have led to the generation of tons of waste in urban areas resulting in difficulties in management. Waste in general represents a huge threat to the environment. This threat is not related to the sheer volume of then ending up in the landfill but also to the resource needed to produce, transport and occasionally recycle them and the emissions resulting from the processes. Although they represent a small percentage of the total waste generated in urban areas in Cameroon, plastic posses a serious threat to the management of municipal waste in the North West Region-NWR.

The management of waste in the NWR has been left in the hands of the municipal councils and they are facing a lot of problems managing this waste due to the incorporation of non-biodegradable plastics as most of the waste from homes(house refuse) is not sorted before disposal. Some uncivilized inhabitants of the towns and cities evn dump it into gutters and streams resulting in the blockage of these gutters and pollution of the streams and eventually the sea and oceans. The fish and other sea animals if they could speak will testify as to the amount of plastics they receive each day.

Facts on Plastic Bags:

·         Plastic bags constitute 10% of the 6,000,000 tons of municipal waste generated in Cameroon annually;

·         Thousands of marine animals and more than 1 million birds die each year as a result of plastic pollution

·         The United Nations Environment Program estimates that there are 46,000 pieces of plastic litter floating in every square mile of the ocean

·         Plastic bags are often mistakenly ingested by animals, clogging their intestines which results in the death by starvation. Other animals or birds become entangled in the plastic bags and drown or can’t fly as a results

·         Even when they photo-degrade in landfills, plastics from single house-use bags never goes away, and toxic particles can enter the food chain when they are ingested by unsuspecting animals

·         Greenpeace says at least 267 marine species are known to have suffered

Uses of Plastics

ü  Plastics are very convenient, clean, light and easy to handle

ü  Plastics have helped to improve on the hygiene and sanitation of both cooked and raw food stuff sold on our streets and markets

ü  Plastics ease the transportation of goods from one location to another

ü  Plastics protect goods from rain during the rainy season on market days as testified by buyam-sellam and traders

ü  Plastics ease packaging of goods by retailers/petty traders such as meat sellers, rice sellers, garri sellers and beans sellers

ü  Packaging of cooked fufu-corn in parties and outdoor picnics

ü  The famous “should in case” used for leftovers in parties and other ceremonies

Effects of Plastics bags on the Environment

The effects f plastic bags on the environment are really devastating. The biggest problem with plastics is that once they have been soiled/ used, they end up in trash can, which then ends up in the landfill or is burnt. Either solution is very detrimental for the environment. Burning emits toxic gases that harm the atmosphere and increase the level of dioxins and carbon dioxide in the air resulting in ozone layer depletion and consequently global warming and climate change. Those that end up in the landfill site are held there indefinitely as part of the plastic waste problem because some need up to 400 years to decompose completely.

Despite the enormous services plastics offers as cited above, they have far reaching effects on the environment and ecosystem in the NWR. They have been known to cause the following problems and illnesses:-

Ø  Plastic lithering is very unattractive and the aesthetic beauty of the landscape

Ø  Plastics block gutters and drainage facilities resulting in flooding in cities and towns when it rains

Ø  Plastics when burnt in open air, results in the production of organic persistent pollutants and greenhouse gases which causes acid rain, destruction of the ozone layer resulting in global warming and climate change

Ø  Death in pigs and goats when eaten by these animals because of the smell of good food that is usually packaged using these plastics

Ø  Plastics have a very negative effect on the biodiversity of the marine ecosystems causing death of the sea mammals who mistake these plastics for food

Ø  Medics tell us that they cause cancer in humans

Ø  Inhibit or slow down the growth of plants when their roots get in contact with buried plastics

Ø  They are non-biodegradable and as such pollute the soil making unfit for cultivation of crops and trees

Ø  Production of dioxins and carbon dioxide when burnt in open air

Ø  Easily carried away by wind and as such are seen everywhere in the cities

Ø  It has been estimated that one bag has the potential of unintentionally kill one animal per every three months due to unintentional digestion or inhalation. If you consider the number of littered plastic bags depending on the location, this equals a lot of ecosystem sustaining lives lost.

Types of Plastic Bags Banned

Ø  Black

Ø  Black and white

Ø  Yellow and black

Ø  White

Ø  Blue and white

Alternatives Recommended

There are alternatives to plastic bags are available and the search for more alternatives will continue. They following are readily available:-

• Raphia baskets
• Newspapers
• Cimencam paper bags
• Cartons
• Jute bags
• Plantain and banana leaves
• Biodegradable plastics

Actions Taken by MINEPDED on Waste Management

• Elaboration of a national strategy on the management of waste in Cameroon in 2007
• The holding of the General Forum on the Environment in 2012 and the national workshop to define a national policy on non-biodegradable plastic resulting in the ban of plastics measuring less than or equal to 60 microns by joint arête by the Ministers of Environment, and Commerce of 24/10/2012 regulating the manufacture, importation and commercialization of non-biodegradable packaging (plastics).
• Sensitization of women in markets and students in school environment clubs
• Organization of concertation meetings with economic operators in Douala in August 2013
• Signing of an agreement between HYSACAM and SABC in Douala and Yaounde on the Project “PLASTIC RECUP”
• The issuance of Environmental Permits to some 16 enterprises to manage waste

Way Forward for the Management of Plastic Wastes in the NWR:-

ü  Incineration of plastic wastes

ü  Stringent implementation of the polluter pay principle by levying an environmental tax on all non-biodegradable wastes

ü  Using plastic waste as a raw material for other ventures such as block making, jewelry and hand bags as is the case of Paradise on Earth and individuals here in the NWR

ü  Sensitization of the population to sort their waste before disposal in the garbage heaps to ease management

ü  Recycling of plastic waste by companies producing them upon reception of used plastics with a token paid to the supplier of these used plastics (environmental clubs and NGOs can help in this direction)

ü  Reusable plastic bags which are stronger and can be used for three to five times

ü  Say to when you are given these plastic bags by retailers and educate then on their damage to our environment

ü  We had lived in the past without plastics, so we can still do the sam now to save our environment

ü  Progressively all plastics should be banned in Cameroon

Conclusion

Personal action is needed to succeed in the fight against pollution by plastics bags. Sort your wste at home before disposal. This will ease management of household waste. Say no when you are given a plastic bag to put a bonbon, a chewing gum or a magi cube in your neigbourhood store and educate them on the dangers of plastics both to the physical environment and human health. It is a collective fight for the effects are local, regional and global. 

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

Titus Edzoa Opens Cane of Worms, Undresses Detractors (Full Text of his Press Briefing)

Titus Edzoa

Titus Edzoa, former Secretary General at the Presidency of the Republic who spent 17 years in prison has opened a cane of worm exploding about his political ambitions. On Saturday March 1, he was in a conclave with the media in Yaounde. Like Mandela who spent 17 years in prison and came out to be the President of South Africa, commentators contrast his release with that of Mandela. In a one-on-one with the Press at his Simbock residence in Yaounde, this is what Titus Edzoa told the Press.

On political his political engagement, membership and activism within the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM)

Titus Edzoa:  At the moment I took a step back and declined, it means silence. I learned what it means to remain mute, and silence is not a negative behavior. Please let me breathe. Obviously, it is not excluded that in the months and years to come – as I've already said - I may bounce back in politics. You know I'm a man of action. When I have decided, you know (...) I resigned from the government, but that does not mean that I also resigned from the CPDM ... its clear!

On his "rush to make declarations" over RFI

Titus Edzoa:  Some of you thought I waited too long because my voice was heard elsewhere on Rfi. But it was more convenient and friendly way just to tell you that I'm here. You must know, I'm doing quite well. For example: before going to prison, I weighed 62 kg. Yesterday [Friday, February 28, 2014, Editor's note] by chance I weighed myself. You may be surprised: I still weigh 62 kg. So 17 years in prison did not affect my mental health or physical health.

His feelings towards those allegedly responsible for his arrest and Detention (Amadou Ali, Akame Mfoumou, etc.) and the Wiretaps phone hacking of 1997

Titus Edzoa:  I followed all the schemers that have been igniting the terrible violence. For me politics is not about that kind of stuff. Politics is not and must not be an instrument of violence that leads to conspicuous enjoyment. For me, politics is an instrument that provides opportunities for everyone to achieve an overall wellness of the human being, whether on material, mental or spiritual. That is why, although an apparent fight, I consider politics as a debate of ideas. This is what gave me great serenity after 17 years to forgive. If I meet them today, I will give them a hand shake with a smile not mocking, but with sincerity.

On the living conditions at the Secretariat of State for Defence (Sed)

Titus Edzoa:  I can tell you that this will be another book. To describe the conditions here would mean I am taking it lightly. I can just say that to live in these conditions were terrifying; I had to fight against death at every moment. And each time was different from another. You've heard the number of days: 6205 days, 17 years. That said, I will spare you all that. I do not want to appear as a victim of anyone. I just want to say that violence can not be a virtue in politics and elsewhere. That is why we must respect each other physically, mentally; respect his/her ideas, his/her thoughts even if they do not conform to ours. This will change the whole context in our country.

On the threat of new files charges against him

Titus Edzoa:  When you are in politics, if you are afraid, go into hiding. When doing politics in Africa, especially in Cameroon, we must assume. New cases there have been so many but none taken. Why? I give this message to young people. It is not only in politics, when you live, be consistent with your own conscience. This is an invaluable resource. So when you are attacked, especially when it is unfair attacks, it is with confidence that you face these kinds of things.

On personal safety

Titus Edzoa:  I am a Cameroonian, why do you think I'm afraid to walk freely in Cameroon?, especially now that I have my liberty. I even like these days go into town. After 17 years, I think things have changed a lot. And let me assure you that I am not afraid of anyone. This is not a challenge. But it is a victory to be a free man.

If he meets the President of the Republic, what would he tell him?

Titus Edzoa:  Why do you want to know? What is interesting is not necessarily good for everyone. If I had to find the president you know later. Let me have secrets. And if there were any secrets, it would be one. The President, if I were to meet him tomorrow, you'll know.

Titus Edzoa, statesman or politician?

Titus Edzoa:  Before my detention, I had a vision of a statesman and a statesman is formed. But today, I have the vision of a politician and a politician is formed. The day I resigned, I decided to declare myself as a candidate for the 1997 Presidential election that was the day I decided to be a politician. If a politician is formed, it is not overnight. It is prepared internally, externally. I can tell you, I did not want the prison, but the prison gave me a unique opportunity. I learned things that I could not learn elsewhere. So I will have all the time to share with you my political thoughts. I can already assure you that my thoughts are what they were 17 years ago but with much more powerful openings.

Is Paul Biya concerned with the message of peace?

Titus Edzoa:  When we make peace you do not choose with whom it is to be made. But it is especially to all those who had hidden agendas vis-à-vis my feelings. It is an opening. I should mention that this is not a sign of weakness. It is an opening of awareness that self and other convergent even if you do not think the same way. In politics, it is not obliged to have the same thought. It is this freedom which must be built by otherness. I come back even more convinced of this because I've had time to think and reflect over it.

Paul Biya, is he a political opponent?

Titus Edzoa:  It goes without saying that I am considered an opponent in Cameroon because I do not know what is called opponent. There are times when the word "opponent" is an insult. I have the right to have my ideas and I am jealous of my political thinking. Let me be clear. To be the political opponent of the President of the Republic does not mean to be disrespectful. We have to learn how to break up these things.

Intends to continue to work as a Medical doctor?

Titus Edzoa:  I am a doctor for life. Even at Sed, I continued to work as a doctor but, in discretion of course. If something happens to you, I have the ethical duty to assist you. Maybe the dexterity of my fingers fell. I have not checked yet. It's like riding a bicycle. Do not forget: I am a doctor and I am a teacher. The contacts between students and old doctors have always been positive. To reassure you, I have been all this time the only Cameroonians be a full member of the International Society of Surgeons. Therefore medical and surgical knowledge remains fresh and it does not bother me to help young people.

About his perception of Operation Hawk

Titus Edzoa:  I had already had the opportunity to say much on it. I would remind you that, when I was thrown into prison, Operation Hawk did not exist. So I'm not part of Operation Hawk. This does not mean that I consider myself superior to those who were caught by it. Recently at the Supreme Court, I had to separate the two things by making a trivial comparison between two birds; a hawk and another, the phoenix. The hawk flies very low and catches only the chicks. The Phoenix flies high around the sun and it has the ability to constantly reborn from its ashes. Rather I am part of this universe. That is why you see me before you, I think lucid enough, after 17 years. The phoenix lives in each of us, help us through difficult tests and these tests are that I am free man. That is the philosophy of the politician I am.

How he will continue a political career with a criminal record?

Titus Edzoa:  You think the policy is less than justice? If justice had salience of politics, I would not be released. It is not clear?

On his phone call to the President of the Republic that pushed his adrenaline

Titus Edzoa:  I urge as professional that you are, you work with great respect, not on the rumor. When working on the rumor you can not imagine the impact you have on public opinion. In this case, it was a lot of fun. In 16 years how could I have the number of the president? Maybe you have. By education, I think there are times when you forget that this is a President of the Republic. We do not phone the President of the Republic. It's more complicated than that. I know whereof I speak. I think the president himself had to smile. Me in my cell, I laughed. The false information has faded itself. As adrenaline President. I phone him in secret and you see adrenaline. We call these fantasies which touts the people because he has no real information. And this work is that you must do. Because the information is not rumor.

His relations with Michel Thierry Atangana who denied being his campaign manager

Titus Edzoa:  These are details. Whether he recognizes it or not. If you noticed, we were imprisoned together. This is not because we were the best! This young man, I am the only one who knew what was his ordeal. And believe me, wherever he went, he knows who I am for him, even in silence. Send him always my encouragement. All that could be said or done, keep it to yourself. He is now a free man. 17 years will serve him to see the world in a different way. He was a son, he was a campaign manager, he was a companion in misery, I have the duty to respect.

His vision on the political future of Cameroon

Titus Edzoa:  I think we should always look to the future with optimism. Everything that happens though apparently it seems negative or tumultuous, there is always an education. For our country right now is that everyone must be vigilant and especially avoid violence. It will take anywhere physical strength. Often those who want to show they are strong and there show their hidden weakness. I am a martial, you know. It must be strong but what is important is power. When this force is set in motion, we must know the master. It is not a question of demonstrating that is stronger than the other. It was not until a move to a collective interest. This is not a clan or a group of people. That's the hope of Cameroon.

Whether there have been political reconciliations at Sed between him and the other detainees, former members of the government?

Titus Edzoa:  Isolated, I wasn’t imprisoned. I was sequestered so that I could not meet anyone. Otherwise one day going to court, we were put in the same car with some. It's not the journey that would allow us to make political alliances. It's more complicated than that. And again! What is important is that my political beliefs are beliefs for social welfare, the welfare of the other. When the welfare of the other succeeds, succeeds mine twice.

Contact with public authorities for his release?

Titus Edzoa:  At the moment I have not been contacted by anyone. As for the police, I have no orders to give them. I found my safety then at some point they are distributed. I'm free like you. I feel a free man, I'm not afraid of anything.

Whether he expects to be called up for state affairs?

Titus Edzoa:  We are growing position in our country. It is a feature of our system that I abhor. How do you think we should live while waiting to be called? That's incredible. This is why when one is appointed, whether in the right direction or the wrong direction, we take provisions that have nothing to do with the collective interest. So I would tell you exactly. I expect nothing, no post! And it does not bother me. There are a thousand ways to be useful in the Republic. If the item arrives, I can refuse or accept it but I have the duty to explain.

Whether he has forgiven his former "friend" Paul Biya?

Titus Edzoa:  A president has no friends. This means that I have never been a friend of the President of the Republic. You do me an honor to give me that title. But on the other hand, I was a very close associate, available, honest. Will I forgive him? Do not mix the President of the Republic to others. It's not about you. This is not to you that I will say that I forgive. Who am I? For others, there are many. They know that I have forgiven them.

To whom would you say thank you for your release?

Titus Edzoa:  In the political context things are complicated and it is very difficult to always dichotomies. Certainly, there were interventions from the outside besides, I can not control. These interventions are the compassionate field. As for the president himself, it is in a rational context and amazement. But the two areas are not opposites, they were complementary. Some people tell me "You say thank you from the outside, but do you say thank you to the President of the Republic?" The president does not need gratitude because politics does not like genuflections, whatever you think. Must remain dignified, respect the president because he had not authorized my arrest, I would never have been the prisoner. On the other side if he had not signed a decree, I would not have been released. It is not a question of friendship, loyalty ... Stop it! It dishonors not only the president but also our political context.

What has become of the Committee for the Support of Titus Edzoa?

Titus Edzoa:  Those who have read my book have seen that in the acknowledgments, the Committee for the Liberation of my person was reported with much support. Because at that time, there were not many who were willing to appear. God rest his soul, Mr. Mongo Beti took my party. I had never met before. That's the great souls who live by the values. One day he came to visit me at Sed, he was dressed in jeans and a sweater. When I leave the cell, I see an unusual visitor. He gets up immediately. He said, "Ah! Dear friend. I came to shake your hand. You had the courage to fight in Cameroon. The only thing I regret is that I did outside. But our beliefs meet. " Who was I next to this icon? This occurred in five minutes. When jailers realized it was Mongo Beti, they told him they regretted that maintenance could not continue. This is the last time I saw this great man. I do not know what became of this committee. But I will contact them to say thank you. I will send an invitation to Ms. Odile Tobner [who prefaced his book "Meditations of jail," Editor's note], the wife of Mongo Beti to say thank you.

On his property that were confiscated

Titus Edzoa: As regards justice, I always prefer to refer to my lawyer. You remember there was some confusion. Sentenced to 15 years, sentenced to 20 years. Some said that 15 + 20 = 35. But you should always go to the bottom when you do not understand. It was an unspeakable aberrations. If you've been looking for the bottom, you would realize that you made the conviction of 20 years from a charge of 3 July 1997. It was the first. It is this conviction that I have been referred. So it was not even a question of a merger since the sentence of 15 years was high and I had already consumed. It was a bit like Russian dolls. In fact the steamroller was a beautiful lie to circumnavigate the world; the truth has time to tie his shoes.

On the conformity of release receipt from prison with the presidential decree on the question of "influence peddling"

It is not because we are being accused that we are guilty. The indictment of influence peddling was moot. It was beautiful to see what happened in court because that court then I explained the facts. I think you followed those events. And the right is the facts. That is why remission of sentences handed to me all my rights. Not only for me but for you. So you know that this man was innocent. The problem was not legal. It was the crossbred political righteousness. What would happen happened. You read the decree, it was not legal. Even those who accused me know that the man before them can not divert. For young people, I repeat: politics is not haggling equipment which is beyond that. So do not play with it because in the end the truth always triumphs.

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

Latest Gossips from Camer: Like Titus Edzoa like Madiba?

Titus Edzoa

Country people, how was your weekend. In fact I was contemplating over the 5^th anniversary of the February 1998 strike. Thank God it came and passed without any noise. However, i am back in the boot again after a stressful week with our "royal beggars" not leaving my phone to rest. I hope you all heard what Ntumfor Nico Halle said concerning Anglophones. The man said that Anglophones are not each others keepers because they are the first and the worst enemy. I first thought that Ntumfor is becoming a problem and not a solution but just few days after Popol left Buea, it came to passed that Ntumfor was as accurate as a mathematician. As God would make it, before your Writam-pen could call Ntumfor to explain why he said so, our “royal beggars” were already at each others’ throats because of gombo. The South West Chiefs Conference went incomatoes with Fako Chiefs bagging out of the South West Chiefs Conference. Popol just throw so few grains of corn on them and a serious fight erupted. Fako Chiefs say they are being marginalized. I hear Popol gave them 1000 batons and they ignored Fako Chiefs in the sharing. When your Writam-pen contacted Fon Fontem, President of South West Chiefs Conference, he said that he has not received any official notification on the issue.

North West fons on the other hand are on each others throat after the gift handed to Popol by Fon Teche. I hear, they almost exchange blows the other day when fon Teche insulted his SG as a “frustrated idiot”. Don’t you see that Ntumfor was right to say that Anglophones pass their time fighting each others?  

Who said Popol is not a very smart fellow. Popol has again outsmarted the Iyebos on the Titus and Thierry Atangana saga to graduate the two personalities from Youma. Titus told RFI that his graduation was thanks to France’s Sakor and Hollando. I hear him on RFI. The man back paddled and is pouring all the panegyrics on earth on Popol. He even organized a press briefing yesterday and I am asking who may have concocted it?  Poor Mouchipou is out of youma too. I watched him over CTV praising Popol for the clemency just like Titus. I don bad for Camer here. Titus now says that his arrest was political motivated. So what about Thierry the French man?  Is Titus stepping to Madiba’s shoes as the acclaimed prisoner? Now what about the gombo that they pocketed? While Titus’ home is being guarded by Bees, his partner in crime Thierry boycotted his family home and slept at the French Embassy. He left for France the next day where he was given a heroic reception. Titus and others concocted a press briefing in which he told Cameroonians that he is a cock and that sparrow hawk flies too low and only catches chicks. A suirve!!

Popol I hear has suspended the signatures of his cabinet ministers. Seemingly, Popol will break the inertia this week by appointing a new cabinet. Will he maintain Yanki or replace him with a woman to enable women celebrate women day in grand style. But who will Popol appoint pioneer female PM, Mafor Yaah Ama, Ema Lafon, Regina Mundi, Dorothy Djeuma, Hon Lifaka or Mafor Achidi Achu Judith? O halala!! Vivre la femme!!

Country people, this week is going to be another kaba week. You know March 8, is around the corner and some feminists would be asking their husband to cook for the family. Scarcity of women rapper has been emitted and if you haven’t got one for your baby, do it before it becomes late. Let’s only put it into prayers that our wives will return home that day. As for me, I have just told my wife to start cooking for that day the day before because if she thinks that I will cook for the family, I may surely send her back to the mother to teach her manners. I saw a mayor of the West rgion who bought over 300 rappers and shared to the women. That man is a real gentleman. How will these women not vote him back to the council? Bravo lord mayor.

Do you know that late CPDM critical mind, the young man who lived and died to the dictates of his conscience left a list of CPDM gurus that should not attempt to participate in his funeral celebration? Masanga, has promised to reveal the list of names Charles Ateba Eyene declared persona non-grata at his burial. There is panic in Ngola ahead the publication of the list.

Balikumbat is on the news again. Your Writam-pen git classified info that tension escalidated again this week between Bambalang and Balikumbat villages in Ngoketunjia. Remember some years ago, the two villages clashed and it resulted to untold damages including human lives. Sadi Rene I hear may make a trip to the disputed piece of land between Bambalang and Balikumbat this week. 

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

An Anglophone is an Anglophone’s Worst Enemy-Barrister Ntumfor Nico Halle

 By Fai Cassian

Ntumfor Barrister Nico Halle

Barrister Ntumfor Nico Halle, the acclaimed peace crusader, CMF National President and the renowned outspoken barrister at law has described the much talked about marginalization of the Anglophone as a form of virus that emits from diversified angles. To him, amongst the Anglophones there is an acute marginalization. According to Barrister Ntumfor Nico Halle Anglophones have earned “PHDs” Pull Him Down certified diplomas due to the fact that they concentrate in fighting their brothers and sisters. The Biblical notion of “love your brother as yourself is completely absent” amongst the Anglophones given that the fact that they spent time fighting each other has lead to hatred, jealousy and valiancy.  Quoting from Chinua Achebe’s Arrow of God, which states that “lunatics might be outnumbered but they own the place” Ntumfor Nico Halle added that to say that Anglophones are not marginalized would be gross hypocrisy.

Accordingly, Ntumfor Nico Halle emphasized that “a kingdom that is divided against itself can never stand”. He lamented that it is strange that Southwesterners and Northwesterners should be fighting and that “as we are fragmented, the stranger comes in and takes advantage”. He quoted instances of elite(s) fighting among themselves, traditional rulers fighting each other, and traditional rulers fighting elite(s) and so on and so forth. This tearing apart has made some Anglophones good players in the game of falsehood, empty-praise singing and also playing the underdog only to feed on residues. He also cited the example of the North West Region where everything NOWE…etc. has sunk into the doldrums. For example, NOWELA, NOWEDA, NOWEDO, NOWEPCO, NOWEDEP, NOWEF etc  etc all died prematurely due to the racket-tearing.

To him, reunification celebration should be the avenue for Cameroonians to chart a way forward through dialogue so as to make the country more conducive for everyone to live in unity, peace and harmony. “We must stop corruption, bribery, embezzlement, election rigging, tribalism, homosexuality, inertia, laxity, favouritism, Machiavellianism, etc that have threatened and ruined our unity”.

On Peace, Ntumfor said that he has always been emphasizing on peace because it is the greatest gift every nation can have yet it doesn’t means the complete absence of physical, emotional and material war. He said he was elated to be part of the fiftieth anniversary celebration in Buea. Quoting Ecclesiastes 3, he added that some people may think it was delayed but he thinks God was in control. Drawing his inspiration from the Green Tree Accord, Barrister Ntunfor Nico Halle said that it was a locus classicus where H.E Olusegun Obasanjo and H.E Paul Biya shelved their pride, self interest and ego for peace.” They didn’t go for guns”.

On the Head of State speech, Ntumfor said it was befitting and above all, he was marvel by the fact that Buea was given a face-lift.

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

Tribute to Statesman Dr. Solomon Nfor Gwei: One of the Architects of Reunification

Dr. Solomon Nfor Gwei

The old Nkambe Division played a very vital role during the 1961 Plebiscite that led to reunification. One of the key actors that worked very hard in the North West Region was no other person than Dr. Solomon Nfor Gwei. He was a frontliner that saw no reason why the then Southern Cameroons should gain its independence by joining the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Born on August 22 1935 in Ntumbaw, Nkambe, North West Province, Dr Nfor Gwei received education from Cameroon Protestant College from where he graduated in 1956 with a secondary school leaving certificate. He then moved on to the Baptist Theological Seminary in Louiseville (USA), where he studied from 1958 to 1961. He also studied Theology in Ogbomosho, Nigeria where he obtained a Bachelors degree in the discipline. 

Dr. for Gwei returned home and worked in the pastoral ministry before taking off once more for further studies in 1964 in Switzerland where he enrolled in the International Baptist Theological Seminary, Reshlikon in Zurich. His 2-years study programme in Switzerland earned him a Bachelor of Art degree in history. 

He later decided to study for a Master of Theology degree in Princeton Theological Seminary, New Jersey, and USA. His quest for knowledge also led him the University of Michigan where he obtained a Master of Art in education in 1968 and a P.hD in education in 1969.

Dr. Nfor Gwei has served Cameroon in various capacities. He taught in the University of Yaounde and the Advanced School of Education in Bambili. In 1979 he was appointed Vice Minister of Agriculture. He also served as Secretary of State for Agriculture following the 24 August 1985 cabinet appointments. Prior to his death, Dr. Solomon Nfor Gwei was among those who was fighting for the reunification of Cameroon. He also occupied the post of Chairman of the Cameroon Human Rights and Freedoms Commission and that of the Secretary General of the Cameroon Chamber of Agriculture.

He was among those who worked hard for reunification to take place. He was the first President of the National Human Rights Commission. Born in the family of Gwei Muyoh and Gwei Libuh, Dr. Nfor Gwei rose from a pastor to a university don and later a statesman. This great son of Donga Mantung Division has remained in the minds of his people as the greatest philanthropists and a politician who had conscience and character. He died on June 30, 2002.

With inputs from camer.be 

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

Reunification Fall-outs: South West Chiefs Conference Splits over Presidential Largess

An atmosphere of uncertainty now looms in the South West Region after the departure of President Biya and wife, Chantal Biya. Information filtering into our indicates that Fako Chiefs have stormed out of the South West Chief Conference-SWCC headed by Fon Senator Fontem. According to the hint, Fako chiefs are angry over the fact that they were sidelined in the distribution of money President Biya gave them. It is also alleged that the Fako chiefs had demanded that the South West Chiefs Conference should tell Biya to release Inoni but the motion was rejected. Coupled with the fact that Fako chiefs were poorly treated by their peers during the sharing of the booties President Biya gave to them, they have decided to quit SWCC for good. It is aired that a sum of 100.000.000 FCFA was handed to SWCC after the audience with President Biya and that chiefs from other areas sidelined them in the sharing. More so, Fako chiefs are also angry that they were not also selected in the delegation that met President Biya.   

An insider hinted The Eye that the chiefs are threatening to all register and become SCNC members if Chief Inoni is not freed. A school of thought holds that the sharing of money only came to add more flames to the long accumulated grievances and the marginalization of the Fako fons. The fon of Fontem who is the President of the South West Chiefs Conference is actually on a hot seat given that he is been tele-guided by some CPDM gurus. 

However, critical minds are of the opinion that it is wrong for the chiefs of Fako to withdraw from the South West Chiefs Conference given that Fako chief did not register as a group. Besides, the treasurer of the South West Conference is from Fako. Dark clouds loom as to whether it was the treasurer that shared the money that has torn SWCC apart. However, when contacted Fon Fontem debunked allegations that Fako chiefs have decided to quit SWCC. He said he has not yet been notified officially and that to him, the SWCC is united and indivisible. He also revealed that chiefs were selected from all the division when they were going to meet President Biya. "I am not the one who selected those who were received by the head of state, it was the job of the executive", he continued. On the 100 million FCFA scandal, Fon Fontem said he doesn't have any idea that there was money to be shared and others were treated unfairly. To him, the South West Chiefs Conference is the most organized and should serve as a model to others nationwide.

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

Donga Mantung in Tears as Lone Pilot Pa Shei Sammy Njamnshi is Laid to Rest

By Tamngwa Marcel Kwalar

Late Pa Shei Sammy Njamnshi

Grief there was and disapproval too as hundreds stormed Mbiyeh-Ntalah village to pay homage to the departed Wimbum hero. In fact, the untimely departure of Pa Shei Sammy Njamnshi took the entire Donga Mantung Division like a bombshell. The crying was much that it could only be compared to the monasticism theory: that tears are both a gift from God and a tribute to him. What transpired during the burial of Pa Shei Sammy Njamnshi could only be contextualized through St. Anthony, the father of monasticism who in a letter to his disciples wrote that they should weep in the sight of God. Not only were tears one means of prayer, according to Benedict, they were the only pure form: "We must know that God regards our purity of heart and tears of compunction, not our many words." This apocryphal story shows the extent to which tears were shed over the departure of the lone pilot from Donga Mantung Division and the entire Wimbum land.

It was last Saturday February 22, 2014 that the first ever pilot of Mbum origin Pa Shei Sammy Njamnshi alias Pa Pilot was laid to rest in his Mbiyeh home town Ndu Sub Division, Donga Mantung Division. The highly profiled Pa Shei Sammy Njamnshi a former Amexian and alumnus of Hellenic Air Force Academy, Athens Greece where he trained as an Aeronautical Engineer returned home and served as a staff sergeant with the Cameroon Air Force before resigning from this position.

In 1980 after emerging first in a concour launched by the Cameroon government to recruit flight engineers, he under went training in the USA (San Francisco, aviation school). He returned to Cameroon in 1953 and served with the Cameroon Air Lines (Camair) where he played a dual role that is flight engineer and pilot. However he soon ran into conflicts and misunderstandings with his superiors at camair. A thing that caused his departure from the arena in the 90s. He was later called back to Camair but in a lower position and he turned it down and remained unemployed till the day he breathe his last. 

The late Pa Shei Sammy Njamshi was a devoted Christian as well as development luminary who was always at the beg and call of the Tallah Abi, wimbum cultural and development association and his Mambanda neighborhood in Douala. He became bed ridden since the 8th of March 2009 until last February 1st 2014 at 2:00p.m when he passed into glory. He leaves behind a wife, 5 sons, family members and friends who in various occasions during his funeral family and friends took turns to describe him as a strong, principled and man who was a perfect example of a family head. 

A perfect example indeed but what is happening to the old guards of Mbum extraction: is the worry of this reporter. Adieu Pa Shei Sammy Njamnshi, Adieu Pa Pilot.

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

24000 Prisoners Benefit from Presidential Clemency, Titus Edzoa, Thierry Atangana Freed

Communication Minister, Issa Tchiroma Bakary has declared that over 24.000 prisoners will benefit from the Presidential clemency by President Paul Biya. In a briefing with the Press, communication Minister confirmed that former SG at the Presidency of the Republic Titus Edzoa has been set free alongside French citizen Thierry Atangana.  According to classified sources Thierry Atangana was spotted at the French Embassy while Titus Edzoa returned his residence in Yaounde. It should be recalled that the two individuals were accused of siphoning a billion FCFA which was deposited in an account which they were co-signatories.   

A school of thought holds that Cameroon government had succumbed to pressure from France and the UN to release Thierry Atangana and Titus Edzoa. Yet President Biya while inaugurating the Reunification monument in Buea declared that the clemency was part of government efforts to give a multi-dimension feast to the celebrations marking the 50th Anniversary of reunification. Questions have been raised about the plight of other state officials who were arrested and detained within the framework of operation sparrow hawk. The lawyers of Gerard Odong Ndong, Zachs Forjindam, Munchipou, Chief Inoni and other high profile personalities napped for embezzlement are reportedly analyzing the text to see how and where their clients would benefit as well. It should be noted that the anti-corruption drive in Cameroon has been criticized as a state machinery aimed at pinning down those who nursed political ambitions against the Biya regime. Others say it is more to settle scores and not pick white-collar gangsters.  

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