Fire Guts New Bell Prision

On September 13, 2015, fire consumed part of the New Bell central prison in Douala. Shop owners around the prison are quoted to have said that they noticed an unusual smoke at about 6pm. According to a source within the prison service, the fire consumed the kitchen area in the women section and another quarter popularly known as Texas where criminals are incarcerated. It is alleged that the inmates themselves began fighting the fire before the arrival of firefighters. The fire was extinguished about 8 pm.  According what we gathered, part of the administrative block was also affected. News reports say four inmates sustained second degree burns as well as two firefighters. Prison officials say no prisoner has died and no one has escaped.

 

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

Kumbo Water Authority Crisis Deepens as Nso Fon Creates Nso Community Water Scheme to Takeover

Apparently, the Kumbo Water Authority has pitched uneasy calm between the Paramount Fon of Nso and the Mayor of Kumbo Council, Njong Donatus Fonyuy. An atmosphere of uncertainty looms large in Kumbo as the population is confused over who truly is managing the Kumbo Water Authority. Classified sources say a new scheme created by the fon of Nso known as the Nso Community Water will in the days ahead name a new management to takeover. Yet mayor Njong's management team is ready to challenge the authority of the new scheme. Allegations are rife at that the fon of Nso recently issued note suspending the management of the Kumbo Water Authority and he is expected to announce a new board soon. Notwithstanding, public opinion in Kumbo holds that the late Prof. Bernard Folon brought them water. But when SNEC ventured into controlling the scheme, the people mounted pressure to take it back and that is how the then defunct Kumbo Urban Council took over. Matters came to a head when the population started questioning how the resources of the water scheme are managed. A school of thought holds that the Kumbo Council merely managed water and has never exploited water management as a source of revenue. Njong detractors claim that contracts were awarded on party lines and that the council has pocketed several millions. More so, a source hinted that the Kumbo Water Authority is in court. 

(to be continued)

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

HOFNA Discusses Security Issues with Youths(PhotoNews)

 Youths of the ten regions of Cameroon have been told to be agents of peace and security. This was the outcome of a two-day national workshop on peace and security which took place in Bamenda from September 11-12, 2015. Holing on the theme "Enhancing Multicultural Dialogue for Peace and Security in Cameroon" the workshop was organized by Hope for Needy Association-HOFNA with the partnership of U.S. Embassy Yaounde,  Cameroon Women for a Change, Cameroon Zoneziwoh Mbondgulo Wondieh and Y'ems Group  Present at the workshop were North West Governor, Adolph Lele Lafrique as well as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy. According to the Chief Executive Officer of HOFNA, Christelle Bay, the workshop had as objectives to empower youths on security issues in the country and means to strive for peace.

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

HOFNA Discusses Security Issues with Youths

Youths of the ten regions of Cameroon have been told to be agents of peace and security. This was the outcome of a two-day national workshop on peace and security which took place in Bamenda from September 11-12, 2015. Holing on the theme "Enhancing Multicultural Dialogue for Peace and Security in Cameroon" the workshop was organized by Hope for Needy Association-HOFNA with the partnership of U.S. Embassy Yaounde,  Cameroon Women for a Change, Cameroon Zoneziwoh Mbondgulo Wondieh and Y'ems Group  Present at the workshop were North West Governor, Adolph Lele Lafrique as well as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy. According to the Chief Executive Officer of HOFNA, Christelle Bay, the workshop had as objectives to empower youths on security issues in the country and means to strive for peace.

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

What You Need to Know about The Award Winning HIV-Free NW/SW Project of the CBC Health Board

Project representative receiving the award from Pastor Maurice Tamfu

On August 31, 2015, HIV-Free North West/ South West Project was honoured at the 9^th Anniversary of The Eye Newspaper as Best All Round Result-oriented Project of The Year 2014/2015. Barely a week, CERAC also honoured the project with another award today September 10, 2015 in Bamenda for its outstanding contribution in Free Aids Holiday. The project has been hailed for being worthy in the result-orientation, transparency and outreach. This project of the CBC Health Board stood out from the madding crowd due to its outstanding efforts and skills in the delivery of psychological services to people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. The approach adopted by the Prof. Tih Pius led team in the delivery of technical and support services to community agencies that provide a range of HIV/AIDS-related services to individuals and communities affected by HIV/AIDS have proven to be commendable. The psychological services the CBC Health Board is providing to people living with HIV/AIDS (treatment and prevention, and technical and support services) has contributed largely to reducing the rate of infection in the country. The project has displayed the ability to adapt fast and efficiently to changing circumstances especially in expanding coverage and improving the quality of facility and community Based Prevention of mother to Child Transmission of HIV in the Southwest and Northwest regions of Cameroon. With a unique methodology, the project works in collaboration with service providers, the media, community leaders, religious bodies and government services. Thanks to the engagement of the fruitful partnership, the results all pregnant women go for early Antenatal care-ANC and PMTCT services. According statistics, PMTCT has scaled up its sites in the North West and South West Regions to 591(341sites in the North West and 250 sites in the South West Region). Besides, the project also trained more than 957 service providers who are actually providing PMTCT services in the two regions as well as empowered 370 peer educators, alongside 70 MCH aides, 71 church leaders, and 116 Muslim leaders  who are all in the field carrying out sensitization on ANC and following-up PMTCT clients. Approximately, 35 motorbikes were acquired to ease field activities while PMTCT coordinators were trained on supply chain management. By the end of the year 2014, 80 CD4 machines (45 in the North West and 35 in the South West) were installed and 16 facilities established for the printing of PCR results on the spot.

The introduction by the CBC Health of option B+ treatment regimen in two districts namely Bamenda in the North West and Kumba in the South West Region is great step in the health sector.

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

Back2School: 54 Schools Benefit from Minimum Package in Nkambe

Ngabir Paul Bantar addressing headteachers

 The Mayor of Nkambe Council, Ngabir Paul Bantar has called on headteachers of the 54 schools of his municipality to identify all pupils living with disabilities and special needs so much so that the council could provide assistance to them at back to school. He reminded the teachers that he dispatched circular letters to all the palaces and schools on the situation of children living with disabilities. He added that those who are not disable today can become disable tomorrow. He revealed that approximately 10.2% of the population is made up of people living with disabilities. "If we plan any development and we don't include them, we are making a mistake and we are excluding them illegally. I know there are some teachers who were trained on how to handle these children with special need". Ngabir Paul pleaded that the teachers should make sure that the data is channeled to his office as soon as possible so much so that the council can adopt a strategy to support inclusive education. He added that even classrooms should be constructed with ram-ways for the disabled "if not you are excluding them". 

Ngabir Paul Bantar made the clarion call while addressing headteachers-of Government schools in Nkambe Central. Before handing over the support worth over FCFA 8 million to the beneficiaries, the mayor called on the teachers to be vigilant during this period of the year. "The mission you have is a secret one", which is to bring up future leaders. He cautioned the headteachers not to take things for granted. "Make sure that the children you have are the regular children you have been having and watch out that they do not exhibit any signs of strange behaviour", he emphasized. He warned that nobody should take the issue of security lying down. 

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

Gov't to Disburse FCFA 6 Billion to Calm Disgruntled Soldiers

Angry soldiers

 President Paul Biya has ordered an immediate payment of FCFA 6 billion unpaid allowances to the 1300 soldiers who served in the Central African Republic under the United Nations Peacekeeping mission. Some 200 angry soldiers of the 1300 soldiers stormed the street yesterday September 9, 2015 to express their grievances. Yet Communication Minister Isa Tchiroma Bakary declared in an emergency Press Briefing in Yaounde that the African Union has been slow in disbursing the allowances as agreed. He said the soldiers were informed about the proceeds but wonders why the soldiers ignored their duties of patriotism and fidelity. Tongues are still waging in the nation's capital, Yaounde as to how 200 soldiers safely staged the demonstration without the military intelligence being aware. 

However, it is not yet clear whether the soldiers could face the anti-terrorism law for storming the street. Heads are expected roll given allegation abound that some military superiors have been blocking these allowances. (a suivre) 

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

Disgruntled Soldiers Stage Protest for Unpaid Salaries in Yaounde, Block Traffick

Some soldiers who participated in the International Support Mission to the Central African Republic (minusca) are said to have staged a strike today morning in Yaounde, to demand for the payment of their salary and other allowances. The soldiers who reportedly carried placards expressing their grievances had denounced the fact that their superiors had decided unilaterally to pay only one-third monthly salary while in CAR and that the rest will be paid back home.

Yet their claims have been falling on deaf ears reasons they had to storm the street.

As a reminder, the agreement signed between the United Nations and the State of Cameroon provided for the monthly payment to each of the soldiers yet they claim they were told that the rest will be received up on return. Notwithstanding, tongues are still waging as to how much was the salary per soldier. Some people say the amount agreed per soldier was 500.000 FCFA; others are talking of 700.000 FCFA while other reports say the amount was 750.000 FCFA. It is alleged that the protesting soldiers were to be received by

the Minister for the Presidency of the Republic in charge of Defence, Edgard Alain Mebe  go'o so that the matter is laid to rest. However, classified sources say the AU is still to disburse the money reasons why they had not received their remaining salary and allowances.  The soldiers stopped at the 20th May Boulevard before going to the Prime Ministry to express their anger.  850 Cameroonian soldiers have served in CAR as part of the UN Peacekeeping force. Communication Minister is expected to give a Press Conference on the issue to clarify the public on the matter.

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

Meet Ma Yaah Patience Tamfu, The Lifetime Achievement Award Winner

On August 31, 2015, Ma Yaah Patience Tamfu (the one and only Senior Ma Yaah of Donga Mantung Division) was honoured by The Eye Newspaper for doing extraordinary things in a very common way. The fact that she is the first woman to have received Lifetime Achievement Award speaks volume. In 2014, Ma Yaah Patience Tamfu was the main sponsor of A Clean Community Program, which won 2degrees Champions Awards in UK.

Ma YaahPatience Tamfu: Lifetime Achiever

If there is any area in Cameroon where the Beijing platform can be assessed, it is in the domain of politics and how effective women have evolved in supporting innovative which was in earlier times a no-go zone for the woman. Yaah Patience Tamfu is one of the few female politicians who is constantly in touch with the population all the time. Ever since this daughter of the great statesman, late Hon. SN Tamfu became the sparkling flicker and emblem of the Wimbum tradition in Uncle Sam’s USA, she has been crowned three times. This is so because she never fails to support any development endeavour in Donga Mantung Division. From soccer to development projects, innovative ideas to youth, women empowerment, her name is always written in gold. The fon of Mbot once described her as the lavender of Wimbum Community in the USA.

Besides, being a development oriented character, Ma Yaah Patience Tamfu is also a refined politician. Yet she takes politics as a game of ideas and not that of hate. So far so good, ahead of CPDM reorganization many look up to her as the ever first woman to strengthen the CPDM party in the United State of America. She has become a symbol that a woman in leadership position is worth celebrating. Hitherto considered a no go zone for women, Yaah Patience Tamfu has not only dismantled the male barriers constructed round politics but has more importantly serve as a woman emancipator. And that she is a member of the national bureau of WCPDM is a fact and that she campaigned tirelessly for President Biya to win in Diasporas during the last Presidential elections is an indisputable fact.

Abdou Borno Receiving Ma Yaah Patience Tamfu's Award

Since her election into the national Bureau of the CPDM,-Central Committee, Ma Yaah Patience Tamfu had helped a great deal in stabilizing the CPDM in the Diasporas. Even though she lives in the USA, she remains open-minded and accessible to the people back home. She talks and acts with dogged friendliness reasons why she is loved and appreciated by all the young men, elders and young women in Mbumland.

These qualities incalculably complement her multifarious roles in Mbum land, Donga Mantung Division, North West and Cameroon as a whole. Her savoir-faire in politics and the zeal she has to support sustainable actions have earned her several recognitions. It was not by error that she was voted as "Woman of Year" in 2012 by readers of The Eye newspaper. In the US where she lives, she was also recognized by her employer as well as the various communities due to her leadership skills and on August 31, 2015, her representative was handed the prestigious “Lifetime Achievement Award” at the CamCCUL Hall in Nkambe.

This is so because she is a mass of endowment, a gifted woman who lives in every other person’s problem. Hard work and efficiency have continued to be the qualities that define her. Whenever you meet her for the first time, you are taken by her mastery of issues.  Take it as arrogance and you are right for this is positive arrogance that enables that job for which she does is done correctly. Notwithstanding, she has the drive and dedication that defies any facile explanations. Born into the family of late Hon. SN Tamfu, she was brought up in close knit family in the fear of the God. In later life she could not escape to be a workaholic or become a politician par excellence, yet adopted her own approach to politics by making it bedmate to development.

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