PCC Moderator calls on gov’t, internet providers to reinstate the internet in the NW, SW

-Says presence of armed forces in schools can only scare students

By Njodzefe Nestor in Bamenda

The Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, through its moderator the Rt Reverend Samuel FonkiForba has called on the government and internet providers to reinstate internet connections in the Northwest and South west regions as a measure to guarantee an emerging economy.

                In a press statement on January 28, 2017 presented on behalf of executive committee of the PCC in consultation with the board of trustees, the Moderator called on the government to grant amnesty to all those who have been arrested and are detained for their political ideologies from the north west and southwest regions and comply with the resolutions arrived at during the last teachers Ad hoc committee meeting that held in Bamenda.

                He added that all cases of arrested persons from Bamenda and Buea detained in Yaoundé should be transferred back to their towns of origin for fair trial so that they should have the right to be cared for by their families, adding that it shall demonstrate government’s seriousness in having a good will in ending the crisis.

                The message as presented by the moderator lauded the creation of the bilingualism committee describing it as a vehicle that can bring about national and social cohesion and potential in creating a climate of mutual understanding and patriotism amongst Cameroonians.

                The church through the moderator called on all stake holders to take measures that shall facilitate the prompt resumption of schools and an end to ghost town operations, pleads for the discontinuation of continuous arrest in the two Anglophone regions.

                Quizzed on the role of the church so far in the Anglophone crisis as a mediator, the PCC Moderator said several memos have been forwarded to the PM carrying suggestions on how the church can solve the crisis

                “As the first Vice President of the National Council of Protestant Churches, we have written to the government asking that she can use the churches in bringing about a lasting solution to the problems. At the level of the PCC, we call on all our Christians to intensify prayers for Gods intervention”, he said.

                As to when Presbyterian schools shall open their doors for resumption, the PCC moderator pointed that he did not initiate the strike action and cannot call it off.

                “Unfortunately I did not call for schools to close. If you look at the report cards of students who went on Christmas break from our schools, they all carried when schools shall start. If schools have not started, it’s not the problem of the PCC. The biggest proprietor of schools in this country is the state of Cameroon. If her schools are unable to start, I don’t see how those of the PCC can start and it’s all about fear. We can’t pull out students from homes or go around convincing each parent to send child to school. The stakes are too high and the problems are glaring for all to see” he observed.

                Responding to the availability of security, much preached by the government, the moderator said teaching and learning cannot take place in the presence of security forces.

                “If a child reaches the gate of their school and sees armed police officers, they will be frightened and they will turn to go back and they will not feel happy to sit in a classroom when they know they are guarded around. The only solution is dialogue and the children shall be given their right to education back to them” he said.