Monday, June 30, 2014

President Obiang Asks For Greater Investment in Agricultural Sector

Malabo, Equatorial GuineaEquatorial Guinea’s President, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, asked African countries to invest heavily in their agricultural sector to decrease their dependence on the developed world, ensure food security, and significantly reduce hunger in their countries. He made his remarks at the closing session of the Assembly of Heads of State of the African Union (AU).
Obiang Nguema with U.N. Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon

President Obiang said that Africa should reorient itself to ensure its independence and security of African states through the safe production of its own consumer goods. “Africa cannot be content to continue with the current dependence on the economies of the developed world. Africa is sailing upstream against a dependency that prevents them from moving toward sustainable development. Africa should rethink its relationship with the developed world to reduce as far as possible the gap that prevents access to development,” said Obiang.
“The development of agriculture can greatly reduce this dependence,” he said. “Africa can ensure food security and significantly reduce hunger in our countries. Africa should heavily invest in agricultural development to transform itself in order to accelerate growth to increase production and productivity,” said Obiang.
President Obiang proposed to the African Union the establishment of a program that focuses on the organization and exploitation of markets to promote trade and food security and to eradicate hunger, malnutrition and rural poverty. This will also reinforce the fight against climate change and agriculture.
He said that Equatorial Guinea is already investing in its agricultural sector. “As part of our diversification plan, Equatorial Guinea currently focuses on [agricultural] production to achieve these goals. It is imperative to ensure the security and stability of our states, since agriculture is the most vulnerable sector in times of instability, war and terrorism.” said Obiang
“It’s no coincidence that this session focuses on the issue of agriculture and food security in Africa. We cannot talk about the development of Africa if there is no agricultural development to ensure food security and avoid lifelong dependence on imports of consumer products.”
He noted that Africa counts on the support of organizations focused on agriculture and ways to improve the sector, and urged continued support for those organizations.
“The African Union must recognize and financially support the structures of non-governmental organizations, businesses and institutions created in Africa to support agriculture, such as the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).”
Obiang linked democratic and economic development. “Africa must contribute to a democratic development aimed at achieving economic development of society and the welfare of its citizens. It must be a democracy that seeks conflict reduction, he said.”
Obiang also urged his fellow Africans to prioritize South-South cooperation, a cooperation that respects the principles of equality.
“The last decade has marked considerable advancements of the African states. Many of them aspire to economic emergence in the near future. Nonetheless, the continent continues to be a victim of endemic diseases and insecurity that require a unified solution of the states.”
Obiang said it was a great honor for Equatorial Guinea to host the 23rd African Union Summit at “a moment that is crucial for the world nations as they struggle to find solutions to economic crises, security, hunger and poverty, and climate change that affect the world.” He said, “The participation of the heads of state and numerous guests in this summit shows the interest and commitment that Africa and its partners have to find solutions to current issues.”
A session on agriculture and food security under the slogan “Transforming Africa's Agriculture, for Shared Prosperity and Improved livelihoods, through Harnessing Opportunities” was held in the afternoon.
Source: African Press Organization

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Misaje: Traditional rulers hail Ndansi Elvis for unmatched generosity

Misaje, Cameroon—Ndansi Elvis Nukam, National Youth president of the NUDP party and an elite of the Misaje sub division has been urged to continue with his generosity towards the people of the sub division.
Traditional rulers of Misaje sub division made the call during a visit the youth leader paid to the locality on Thursday June 12, 2014.
Fon of Nkanchi-Misaje welcomes Ndansi in his palace

Speaking as he welcomed Ndansi, the Fon of Dumbu said “Misaje sub division is in your hands; you can either build or destroy it. Continue with the direction you have taken because we have realized that you are in the right direction”
The reception ceremony that took place at the Nkanchi- Misaje Fon’s palace was an opportunity for the six custodians of the tradition to congratulate Ndansi for his fulfilled promises towards the sub division.
Without mincing words, the Fons jointly condemned politics of rancor and deceit by some politicians of the area as they hailed Ndansi for always keeping to his promises.
The six traditional rulers through the Fon of Nkanchi-Misaje told Ndansi that their dream is to have a separate Misaje constituency and if in future their dream becomes reality “we will not conduct elections in Misaje sub division, we will just choose our representatives both at the council and parliament”, the traditional ruler of the Nkanchi village maintained.
 Corroborating his colleague, the Fon of Dumbu added that “we want politicians who keep to their promises; we don’t want those who come and deceive us with elephant promises but do not even come back to us”
In what sounded as a direct response to their worries, the august guest said his generosity should not be taken for a political gimmick. He excoriated that he is not in competition with any other person in the division. “I am just doing my own small contribution to the development of our beloved sub division”, Ndansi said.
Ndansi bags another traditional recognition
Conferring Taa'Shey title on Ndansi

On the sidelines of his visit to the Misaje, Ndansi was crowned Taa’Shey; recognizing him as a senior member of the “kwifon”; highest traditional society of the land.
Tantoh Ndoumba Godlove told the title holder that Misaje and particularly the palace is privileged to have received have people in the likes of Ndansi Elvis part of the village. Ndoumba, a CPDM frontliner in Misaje went on that when his hierarchy in Yaounde will hear he was present at a ceremony organized in honour of Ndansi, he may not have it easy. But according to him, his presence had nothing to do with his political leaning.
“You have sacrificed a lot to be here in Misaje, all Misaje is behind you for your good ideas, we may not belong to the same political party but our goal is development and we need ideas for this development comes through people and not political parties”, Tantoh Ndoumba said.
He described Ndansi as a God-sent not only to the people of Misaje but the entire Donga Matung Division as a whole. “Misaje must change and note that the end will be a happy one for you and we shall all be beneficiaries of your success”, Tantoh Ndoumba told the new Taa’Shey.
The Fon of Nkanchi-Misaje who conferred the title on Ndansi whispered that time for campaign is over, “it is now time to know who loves his people and in future only those who have shown such love and proven that the development of this community is their concern will have our support during elections. We are discovering these people, when I shall present them to my community in future; I am convinced they will not fail to give their support”.
'Kwifon' title holders welcoming newest member, Ndansi

Using himself as example, the Fon said he wasn’t chosen to be the leader of the Nkanchi-Misaje people because he is an intellectual or occupied a high political office.
“I am not educated but they saw skills in me that can make me their leader. Those are the kind of things we will consider in future not education or political offices”
On behalf of the “kwifon” bigwigs, former CPDM deputy mayor, Shey Nyako praised Ndansi for joining the ranks of the decision makers of the highest traditional society of the land.
It should be noted last week’s recognition conferred on the NUDP national youth president was the second after that of Tamfu (warrior) conferred on him by the wimbum community in Bamenda some two years ago.
Ndansi is the first person to have been conferred a traditional title by the Fon of Nkanchi-Misaje who is less than two years old on the throne.
By Ndi Eugene Ndi on assignment in Misaje

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Boko Haram Insurgence: Ndansi Sensitizes Border Community on Pre-emptive Measures

Sabongida village
Misaje, Cameroon—Ever since African leaders, meeting a a security summit in Paris declared war on the Nigerian Islamist militant group Boko Haram, elites and politicians especially from regions in Cameroon that share border with Nigeria, domicile of the Islamic sect, have been holding sensitization meetings to educate their masses on what to do incase of any Boko Haram suspects.
In line with the sensitization, Ndansi Elvis Nukam, National Youth President of the NUDP party also elite of the Misaje sub division has urged his kiths and keen in the border town of Sabongida, near Dumbu in the sub division that shares border with Bisola in the Taraba state of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to immediately report strange people in their community to the police.
Ndansi was speaking as he sensitized youths of the border town on Friday June 13 in Sabongida.
“Sabongida is one of those villages in Misaje sub division that shares border with Bisola in Nigeria and I think that when a country is facing a security challenge like the Boko Haram, it is the responsibility of all elite to go to their communities and sensitize them”, he said adding that the sensitization was his own way of showing concern for his people.
Ndansi addressing
 “I realized that they know there is something called Boko Haram but they have not had any sensitization on what they should do or what they should expect”
The politician took time to explain to the population of the border village that Boko Haram is not a set of people clothed in green or white. But that their responsibility as villagers is that whenever they discover any strange person with strange character in their community or some one with strange luggage, they have the right to intercept the person and ask him where he is coming from and where he is going to.
Given that the nearest police post to the community is found in Dumbu, which is some few kilometers from Sabongida and accessible only by bike, Ndansi gave some financial assistance to the vigilante group of the community encouraging them that if such situations occur, they get a bike to Dumbu and report to the police.
Responding to questions from the villagers, Ndansi said “you people here have not done anything to Boko Haram, but unfortunately Boko Haram does not kill but those who have hurt them”.
He told the villagers that Boko Haram kills innocent people to attract attention from the authorities. He encouraged them not to live in fear but to ensure that any strange person or group of people in the community are reported to the police immediately.
Ndansi with vigilante group of Sabongida
Talking to this reporter after the sensitization campaign, the politician revealed that the border town of Sabongida in Misaje sub division needs more than just security concerns.
“Sabongida needs pipe born water, schools, health facilities and other social amenities that a border village like that should have”.
Ndansi regretted that he had programmed to do the same sensitization campaign in Abuenshie, another village in Ako sub division that shares border with Abong in the Taraba state of Nigeria but due to tight schedule, couldn’t be there.
“I still plan to make a visit there and talk to the youths of Abuenshie. It is very important to sensitize these young people on this phenomenon”.
By Ndi Eugene Ndi, special envoy to Sabongida.

Yaounde: Fake Superintendent of Police Nabbed

Martin Mbarga Nguele, Police Boss
Yaounde, Cameroon--A special unit of the police on routine patrol in Yaounde on June 14, 2014 unmasked a fake superintendent of police.
Evina Yves Marcelin had succeeded to insert his name on the list of graduating students from the national police academy in Yaounde, the national radio reported today.
Since the news was made public, Yaounde city dwellers have been questioning how someone could have inserted his name on the list of graduating students from the police school without the complicity of school authorities....à suivre

Monday, June 16, 2014

Nkambe: New Council Administration Wants Former Mayor, Municipal Treasurer, Probed

Nkambe, Cameroon—The 2013 administrative and management accounts of the Nkambe council has been adopted. The adoption followed a heated plenary session of the council’s administrative and management accounts that took place at the weekend in the conference room of the council town hall.
Though the finance committee of the council which is headed by councilor Musa Shey Nfor had taken two days to examine the accounts that were being discussed in the plenary, some disparities in the latter sparked debates putting management of the former executive to task.
Councilors were of the opinion that the audit bench probes into the accounts before it could be adopted following a plethora of disparities in figures and nomenclature as x-rayed by the finance committee.
From the report of the finance committee, it emerged that millions of CFA francs were allocated some projects at the council which as of now have not been realized; though the money had already been spent.
Besides, councilors questioned why so much money was allocated for the mayor and temporary council staff.
New administration was installed on Dec. 7, 2013
With the aforesaid disparities amongst others, the councilors were of the opinion that the accounts be audited by a competent body like audit bench before adoption.
If this were to happen, the former mayor Mangoh Jones Tanko and the municipal treasurer; Mgbatta Sammy would answer querries.

SDO intervenes

As supervisory authority, the senior divisional officer for Donga Mantung, Ndode Mesappe Bernard cautioned the councilors to adopt the accounts as presented saying “if there is some bad faith exercised some where, only the audit bench could probe in later”.
He reminded that councilors that the accounts were jointly managed by the former and current administrations of the council.
The former administration that was headed by Mangoh Jones Tanko managed the accounts for nine (9) months while the current administration headed by Ngabir Paul Bantar managed same accounts for three (3) months.
The Donga Mantung chieftain announced that a training workshop will be organized for the councilors in the days ahead as all deputy mayors will also have functional offices. He also revealed that a credit card of CFA 30Million has been allocated to rehabilitate the Mbot - Chup road and wished the Nkambe council should grow from strength to strength.

Achievements of new executive

Speaking earlier, the first assistant mayor, Shey Emmanuel Yunwe said the new council executive that was elected on the CPDM platform has not been to slumber. He cited some of the achievements of the nine months old administration among them roads construction and ongoing tarring of some streets in the municipality, demarcating of council properties, construction of two markets worth 40million and eminent construction of Nkambe main market.
The new council town hall constructed by the out gone administration, the first deputy mayor announced will soon be equipped thanks to FIECOM funds.
In addition to the aforementioned and without being exhaustive, the mayor cited the acquisition of new vehicle and modern equipment for the Donga Mantung Community Radio (DMCR).
The session also saw the adoption of the PNDP/state budget of the Nkambe council for 2013.

Friday, June 13, 2014

Misaje: Secret Society Honours NUDP Youth Leader, Ndansi Elvis

Misaje, Donga Mantung--'Tamfu' Ndansi Elvis, National Youth President of the NUDP party and elite of Misaje subdivision of the Donga Mantung division has been honoured by a secret society of the land, the "kwifon". The messenger of the secret society, the "mabu" has just announced a ceremony in honour of the politician who arrived his native Misaje subdivision from Yaounde on Thursday. (See pictures below)

'Mabu' welcomes Ndansi
'Mabu' displays infront of Ndansi
Ndansi respects tradition, offers a fowl to 'kwifon' messenger

'Mabu' brandishing fowl from Ndansi
Society member joyous expressing joy with Ndansi donated fowl
Messenger happily going back to report the "good news"
From our special envoy to Misaje Ndi Eugene Ndi.

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Opposition Walks out of Parliament in protest against visiting Ivorian Assembly Speaker, Guillaume Soro

Yaounde, Cameroon—Members of parliament of the leading opposition party in Cameroon, the Social Democratic Front (SDF) on Wednesday June 11, 2014 staged a walk out of parliament in protest against visiting former warlord and current speaker of the National Assembly of the Cote d’Ivoire, Hon. Guillaume Soro.
SDF walk out is a show of advanced democracy-Soro
“Guillaume Soro is not a good example that Cameroonians or African youths should emulate. That is the man who destabilized his nation, up to this material moment we are talking, over 100.000 people are on exile, over 1000 still in prison including their opponent….”, Hon. Awudu Mbaya, SDF member of the national assembly told this reporter as he and his colleagues walked out of the hemicycle.
However, the presence of the former Ivorian rebel instead received a standing ovation from CPDM Members of the National Assembly.
Cameroon’s national assembly speaker, Hon Cavaye Yeguie Djibril who expressed disappointment over the walk out revealed that he spent two hours with the opposition lawmakers persuading them not to disrupt the plenary session. But as soon as the speaker acknowledged the presence of his Ivorian colleague, the SDF MNA left the hemicycle immediately.
“The speaker first told us that Soro is not going to take the floor; after he said Soro is going to read his speech half way, and later said again that the president of the republic has ordered that since Soro is already here, we should allow him to make his speech in order not to cause a diplomatic incident”, SDF MNA, Hon. Awudu explained.
The SDF MP and bureau member of the lower house of parliament expatiated that as the peoples’ representatives, they are doing what is good for the people and not what someone dictates on them.
“So the action we took is in the interest of the people. We are convinced that the action we took is in the interest of the people who elected us”.

SDF walk out is show of democracy—Soro

Addressing members of the national assembly of Cameroon, Ivorian assembly speaker, Hon. Guillaume Soro described the walk out of the opposition MNA as a show of advanced democracy.
Soro revealed that he wasn’t disturbed by the walkout as his 42 years on earth has not been a bed of roses.
The 42 years old politician said he was happy to be national assembly speaker of the Cote d’Ivoire and join the club of African assembly speakers where Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, Cameroon’s house speaker is dean after spending over 44years in the hemicycle.
“Apprentices like us have a lot to learn from our dean”, Soro said.
Hon. Soro said he is Cameroon to tighten parliamentary relations between Cameroon and Cote d’Ivoire and also to share his true pan-African philosophy.
He questioned whether those Ivorians who massacred their Burkinabes and Malians brothers were pan- Africanists.
Coming back to the October/November 2010 presidential elections in Cote d’Ivoire, the national assembly speaker vehemently said Gbagbo did not win the elections. He explained that there are three big political parties in his country and it was not logical for Gbagbo to claim victory when two of the three big parties merged and stood against him.

SDF calls for release of Gbagbo


In a release signed by the SDF parliamentary group leader, Hon. Joseph Banadzem after they walked out on the Ivorian house speaker, the SDF called on the Ivorian assembly speaker to immediately and publicly take position by calling for the immediate liberation of all Ivorian political prisoners at the Hague and in Cote d’Ivoire and especially president Laurent Gbagbo “against whom the international Criminal court has been unable to build a case”.
The SDF described the visit of Guillaume Soro as an attempt by the CPDM regime to legitimize through the representatives of the Cameroonian people, “the architect of the emanation of political violence in Cote d’Ivoire in order to continue to maintain thousands of political prisoners and shy away from genuine reconciliation and peace”.
The SDF in the release rejected Soro’s rise to power and his method of government which they say consists in the imprisonment and exiling of his political adversaries.
“We therefore refuse the attempt to project Mr. Soro as a model for Cameroonian and those of Africa in general”, the release reads.
“If you read his profile from when he was a student up to this material moment, he has been a rebel. So he is coming to Cameroon to teach our youths how to rebel against a stable and duly elected government. SDF had the option to do this in 1992 but we did not do that because we don’t want to put our country into blood shed. When you start, it is very difficult to repair and we do not want to start war in our nation”, Hon. Awudu Mbaya told this reporter.
By Ndi Eugene Ndi in Yaounde


Conflicts, Wars: Ntumfor Calls on God to Look Down on the World With Pity


WORLD REDEMPTION PRAYER
By Barrister Nico Halle
Unfathomable God,
Your children the world over in agony
Come before your throne of grace
With broken hearts bleeding profusely
Having observed and experienced
 With disgust, shock, consternation and deceit
The conflicts/wars that are ravaging the lives
Of millions of your children.
All of these are as a result of
Greed, hatred, power and all forms of manipulation.
Merciful Lord,
We come before you and condemn in the hardest of terms
The recent abduction of nearly 300 school girls
In our neighbouring Northern Nigeria
By a group of religious fundamentalists.
Also, the recent kidnappings in the Northern part of Cameroon
Of some men of God and foreigners
Creating an atmosphere of fear and insecurity.
We also bring before you Lord
The floods, road accidents, disease, poverty and unemployment
That are taking away the lives of millions of your children in African in particular
And the world in general.
Similarly, the level of moral decadence
Corruption, embezzlement, greed and wanton waste of natural resources,
Creating more suffering is brought before your throne of grace.
Is Africa not the richest of the Continents in the world, O Lord?
Why are your children O Lord
Wallowing in total or abject poverty
While a few are immersed in arrogant opulence?
We call on you oh Lord to look down on us with pity.
Gracious Lord,
We learn of mass killings and maiming of your children,
To which the world has given a deaf ear and even fueling them.
Dear God,
We hear of Peace, but peace is a scarce dream.
Merciful Lord,
Your children in Central African Republic, Sudan,
Libya, Syria, Ukraine, Iraq, Palestine, North Korea,
Northern part of Nigeria, etc. are presently witnessing untold blood bath.
All-merciful Father,
We have asked several questions without answers:
Who is manufacturing arms and who is buying them?
Are the arms manufactured meant to kill animals or your children?
Our God of Justice and Peace,
We invite you to cause the destruction of arms in the entire world;
To halt the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
We pray for your love to reign in the world.
With the presence of your Love, there would be Justice
With Justice, there would be Peace
With Peace, your children will live in Harmony,
Loving one another and exploiting the huge resources
 You have blessed them with for their common good.
Eternal God,
Teach world leaders to be humble and to fear You
As this is the beginning of wisdom.
Teach them how to build Peace, how to share Peace,
How to preach Peace, how to be reconciled with one another,
How to forgive one another and how to live in total harmony with one another.
Prince of Peace,
Come to our hearts.
You said in Your Word in 2Chronicles 7:14
That if your people who are called by your name,
Seek your face, pray and confess their sins,
You will hear their prayer, forgive them and heal their land.
Lord, may You hear our prayer and heal the world.
We pray that the Clergy, Laity and all your children
Should get on their knees, come to you with contrite hearts
And call upon You to heal the world.
Our Loving Father, we are equally sick to see huge resources
That could be used for the good of your children
Wasted in the purchase of arms and the recruitment of armies in Africa.
Lord, please change this order.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Our Alpha and Omega,
Teach your children to understand
That no one has the right to take away lives.
We know that You will bring everything under control
As nothing can ever be above You.
If You are for us, who can be against us.
Lord, we are waiting for your transformational grace
On us all in the world.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Amen.

Monday, June 9, 2014

“African Lawyers Cannot Stop Illicit Financial Flows from Africa”—Akere Muna

Yaounde, Cameroon—Barrister Akere Muna, out gone President of the Pan- African Lawyers Union (PALU) has said Africa is owed twice the money the continent receives as development aid from western countries. The senior advocate revealed that though Africa receives development aid from western countries to the tune of $ 2 billion dollars annually, over $ 50 billion dollars is illicitly transferred from Africa to western banks annually.
We are at the very bottom of the ladder- Akere Muna

In a report, the World Bank accused African lawyers and accountants of facilitating the illicit financial flows from the continent.
But Barrister Akere Muna argues that they (African lawyers) cannot stop illicit financial flows from Africa as they are at the bottom of the ladder and do not have the advantage of seeing the big amounts of African wealth in foreign banks.
Barrister Akere Muna spoke to News Watch Cameroon at the end of the general assembly of the Pan-African Lawyers Union that held in Yaounde from June 5-7, 2014. Excerpts
NWC—Barrister, can African lawyers really make a difference in the fight against illicit financial flows from Africa?
Muna—I think any citizen can make a difference in his country, you know who said that? , Michael Jackson in the song, the man in the mirror. I am looking at the man in the mirror and asking him to change his ways. If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at your self and make that change, so anybody can including lawyers. In illicit financial flows yes, because we are accused of being those who are in the background with accountants figuring out technically how you can do that. May be lawyers but i don’t think African lawyers. We are at the very bottom of the ladder and we are struggling to survive. The lawyers who might have the advantage of seeing the big amounts are those are in different countries not in Africa. So I think if we can make the link between developments, a demand of 50 billion dollars a year, we lose from Africa in financial flows. That is an under estimate because that only money which is recorded from transfer pricing, under pricing, for services which are fake. For example you write to somebody to send you a bill of 2billion that you sent him something which you didn’t send. You send him the money and when you go on holidays, you find the money on the other side. That is the kind of thing we are talking about. So development aid to Africa is 22billion, this means that twice over with some change are still owed money, so i think it is important. So if you seal the leaks, it will be better for you and me.
NWC—If African lawyers cannot solve the problem, why did you bring it to general assembly?
Muna—Because the World Bank in its report says that the vectors and facilitators of illicit financial flows are lawyers and accountants. So we are answering the question. If we are, what can we do about it? And I hope our final communiqué will help.
NWC—You are handing over the baton to Elijah Banda, what legacy, what is it to retain about your tenure?
Muna—Well, I think I am founding member of this organisation. I was founding member when I was chair of the Cameroon bar association. And we have grown from strength to strength. From when we couldn’t have a guest speaker to when we have had. For the last time we had Mo Ibrahim, now we have Thabo Mbeki. This shows that we are gaining in respectability. We cooperate now with the African Union in many commissions. So I think that I have hope for the future and the future is built from the past.
Thabo Mbeki, Paul Biya and Akere Muna
NWC—By bringing President Thabo Mbeki to Cameroon, giving an award to president Paul Biya what is Akere Muna looking for?
Muna—Hmmm, a good question, the Pan-African Lawyers Association made a prize for peaceful resolution of conflicts. At that time the Bakassi dispute had been settled. Don’t forget Cameroon won the case in court, so we could have taken a decision that we have won the case we execute; Nigeria get out of our land, we execute. But Biya decided that the execution be by settlement, by talking-and had witnesses. And it was settled that way; that is a great thing and that is what we are saluting……as a matter of fact president Biya delayed till the process was completely over. Don’t forget it is only last year that Nigeria completely forfeited the chances of  attacking that decision and then the African Union in January made a declaration in which it saluted the efforts of Cameroon and Nigeria and Koffi Annan for settling that dispute in a friendly manner, that’s great. Look at what is happening in Bangui, in Mali, conflicts are not good because those who suffer are the poor of the poorest. So I think we should start looking at cases where people do things in the interest of their citizens.
Barrister Akere Muna was interviewed by Ndi Eugene Ndi

Saturday, June 7, 2014

Africa: Why Should Our People’s Wealth Migrate Abroad?

Yaounde, Cameroon—In a sonnet titled “Africa Crying”, former Mauritius Culture Minister and current member of the African Peer Review (APR) Panel of Eminent Persons, Joseph Tsang Mang Kin questions why our (Africans) wealth is stocked in western banks whereas the people who own the wealth are languishing in hunger, poverty….see sonnet below.
Dr. Joseph Tsang Mang Kin


Africa Crying!         
Africa! Africa! You are a continent
With savannas, forests and lakes bubbling 
With animals, birds, fruits and a belly
Packed with riches enough to feed the world. 

Africa! Africa! Unnamed, faceless millions
Displaced by floods and drought, hunger and wars
Diseased with malaria, HIV, you name it
No job, no money no future! Written off!

How can some sleep and the most go hungry?
While most will drown under poverty line
Why should our people’s wealth migrate abroad?
Where it grows fat in private bank accounts

Can somebody tell us what’s wrong with you?
Is there no one to want to change all this?

By Joseph Tsang Mang Kin
Member of African Peer Review (APR) Panel of Eminent Persons

Thursday, June 5, 2014

“Going to harvest in the US to plant in Cameroon"-YALI Fellows

Yaounde, Cameroon—After a pre-departure orientation meeting in Yaounde recently, Cameroon YALI (President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative) finalists have again converged on the nation’s capital to meet with semi-finalists, other unsuccessful applicants and the public at large.
The encounter will hold at the conference hall of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Civic Education and will feature experience-sharing by finalists, presentation of other opportunities in the US and an exchange on salient issues affecting the Cameroonian youth.
Fellows Pose with Gregory Thome, US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires (C.I.N)
Four of the twelve fellows selected from Cameroon were today on the CRTV morning talk- show program, morning safari.
Talking on phone, Gladys Viban of the US embassy in Yaounde and YALI 2014  fellow said the initiative is to groom future African leaders at a time most African countries just celebrated 50th anniversary of independence.
In Cameroon, over 2000 youths applied to take part in the YALI program, 80 were shortlisted and 12 were eventually selected who to represent the country.
“We met a lot of many outstanding Cameroonians who would have qualified, but we could not take all. But those who applied will still form a network back home where there will be sharing ideas”, Yaah Viban said.
One of the fellows, community activist, founder and director of the Bamenda-based NGO; Hope for the Needy Association (HOFNA) Cameroon, Chongwain Christelle Bay said Cameroonian youths should shun questioning what Cameroon has done for them. She urged that youths should ask what they have done for Cameroon.
“In that way you will start doing something in your own way that will create great impact”, Chongwain advised.
According to her, youths have to stand up and start doing something.
“If you don’t say I am here, no one will know you are there, so they have to start doing something, even if it means just planting one pawpaw tree somewhere, don’t say it is small”, Chongwain said.
Questioned whether they will return to Cameroon after the six weeks stay in the US, HOFNA director explained that “when you have love for your country, brethren and humanity, you want to serve humanity and you’ve already been doing something like this, you wouldn’t want to go stay in America and let it go. You will want to come back to your base so that you make your impact properly felt”.
In the Northwest region that has two of the twelve YALI fellows, Chongwain Christelle and Hilda Bih have since their selection been organizing radio talks to sensitize the population on the YALI program and also meeting with other interested youths who applied but were not selected.
“We had to meet with them to start forming the YALI network, which is made up of other young people with whom we are going to be working when we come back”.
“We did a radio program with Hilda; ‘Women on the Move’ through which we sensitized women on the program”, Grace one of the fellows added.
Christelle and Hilda in a meeting with unsuccessful Applicants 








The twelve Fellows were selected for participation in one of three designated tracks: Business and Entrepreneurship, Civic Leadership, and Public Management.
The president of the Cameroon National Youth Council (CNYC), Jean Mark Afesy Mbafor said he is going to the US to benefit mainly capacity building.
 “I will be doing civic leadership, and America is far advanced in that domain. I know I will tap a lot that will that will be useful for me as the president of the Cameroon National Youth Council”, Mbafor said.
An entrepreneur, Mbafor says he chose the civic leadership not business oriented track because he needs to build his leadership capacities to lead Cameroon youths.
According to Gerald Afadani, another fellow from Tiko, upon return, they will mainly focus on dissemination of information from the YALI program and mentoring other youths.
During their stay in the USA, the fellow will have a three days summit with the US president, Barack Obama.
“We want to know what young Cameroonians would tell President Obama in 35 seconds, which is why we are inviting all of them to the town hall conference at the ministry of youth affairs this afternoon”, Christelle said.
Below is a list of  2014 YALI Fellows from Cameroon
1. Charlie Wandji, Business and Entrepreneurship, Yale University
2. Regina Zoneziwoh Mbondgulo, Civic Leadership, University of Delaware
3. Christelle Chongwain, Civic Leadership, Tulane University
4. Rose Marie Kouo, Public Management, Morgan State
5. Brice Stève Sime, Business and Entrepreneurship, Clark Atlanta University
6. Muluh Hilda Bih, Civic Leadership, UC Berkeley
7. Gerald Afadani, Public Management, Howard University
8. Kizita Forgwe, Civic Leadership, Arizona State University
9. Jean Marc Mbafor, Civic Leadership, University of Virginia
10. Violet Fokum, Public Management, University of Arkansas
11. Micheal Tchenga, Public Management, University of Arkansas
12. Roland Bonko, Business and Entrepreneurship, Northwestern University
By Ndi Eugene Ndi in Yaounde