CATTU Distances itself from Ghost Towns

-Semma Valentine mandated to “head” CATTU as Wilfred Tassang escapes into hiding

By Njodzefe Nestor in Bamenda

The Cameroon Teachers Trade Union, CATTU, one of the unions that organized the ongoing teacher’s strike initiated on Nov 21, 2016 has said they are “not party to the call for ghost towns operations that have paralyzed economic activities in the North West and South West regions of Cameroon.

                Meeting in an extra ordinary enlarged executive meeting on Saturday January 21, 2017 at the unions headquarters in Bamenda, they regretted “the unfortunate and unpleasant incidences that interrupted the smooth observance” of their strike action and “the pain and losses on families and innocent children”.

                In statement made public after the meeting signed by the National Secretary for Communication and Propaganda of CATTU, Jeff NgaweYufenyu of which The Median secured a copy, the union thanked the government for the efforts made to hold successful Ad Hoc Committee meetings to diagnose the problems affecting the English Sub-system of education in Cameroon, acknowledging the receipt of the unsigned Ad Hoc Committee resolutions arrived at which they say totally reflect the aspirations of the English Sub systems of education while expressing hope that government will implement these resolutions as per the set deadlines.

                The union frowned, condemned and disassociated itself from “unfounded and deceitful messages” circulating about CATTU and its National Executive Secretary Tassang Wilfred Fombang.

                They however, appealed to government “to release their leaders in detention and to stop the pursuit of CATTU’s Executive Secretary so that he can assume his full responsibility within the Anglophone Teachers Trade Unions, continue dialogue with other unions and government in view of resolving the crisis so that the strike could be suspended or called off”.

                While asserting their status as a strong and veritable partner to the state in matters of education, they decried the high-handedness of some government officials in reaction to the strike action whose approach they say “furthers the prejudice towards Anglophone children who cannot go to school because of the generalized atmosphere of insecurity and uncertainty”.

                The enlarged EXCO called on the members of the union to remain steadfast to their code of ethics and encouraged the union’s leadership to pursue dialogue with the other Teachers Trade Unions and government to ensure better educational options and national unity.

                At the end of the meeting, Semma Valentine Kuah was mandated to represent CATTU in the ongoing negotiations with the other Teacher Trade Unions and the government.

                This move to some extend confirm romours making rounds that the National Executive Secretary of CATTU Tassang Wilfred Fombang who doubled as the Programs Coordinator of the now outlawed Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium, CACSC has taken refuge in one of the embassies in Yaoundé for fear of being arrested like other leaders of the consortium.