Stubborn ‘Ghost’ reappears in K’ba, M’fe,
Buea, L’be
-Bamenda also crippled by the ghost ahead
of Varsity games in UBa
By Boris Esono&Doh Bertrand Nua in
Buea&K’ba
The ‘stubborn ghost’ reared its ugly head
once again last Monday in most parts of the South West region, rubbishing
demonstrations calling for its disappearance. Many shops and market stalls
remained closed for most part of the day on Monday, barely days after the
populations took to the streets to bar the way to ghost towns and violence.
In
Buea, Limbe, Tiko, Kumba, Mamfe and other peripheral towns of the South West
region, the streets remained partially deserted, and devoid of the normal
hustle and bustle.
In
the metropolis of Buea, Kumba, Tiko-Mutengene and Limbe, only some few taxi
drivers and motor-bike riders braved the odds and continued plying their trade.
The situation was more serious in Kumba, where the populations cursed the
Government delegate, accusing him of “lying” to the wider public that Kumba had
decided to bar the way to ghost towns.
In
the chief town Bamenda, like in the rest of Prime Minster Philemon Yang’s NW
region of origin, the ghost was omnipresent and took total command and control
of the pace of affairs. Persons who had to commute from one location of the
town to another had no option than to ‘pedest’ (go on foot).
The
ghost that left Bamenda on Monday evening, resurfaced on Friday morning, with
aim to frustrate the University Games that were to start on Saturday at the
Bamenda University.
Down
in the South West region, the ghost was simply defying the sustained and
repeated calls by the authorities and a segment of the population, for it to
return to where it came from. The calls that were initially through threats and
intimidation by the authorities, this time took a more light-hearted and cheerful
garb, with the authorities coming down from their pedestal to meet and commune
with the masses, and marching together as a way of barring the way to the
ghost.
So,
after Limbe and Kumba that held earlier marches and chanting anti-ghost town
rhetoric and also calling for the effective resumption of classes, it was the
turn last Monday of the population of Buea to also perform the ritual.
Led
by the emblematic and fire-eating Mayor, Ekema Patrick Esunge, denizens of “The
Town of Legendary Hospitality” came out massively on Monday 17 April 2017, to
bar the way to announced ghost towns.
But
however good the mayor’s initiative was, the outing on Monday did not witness
the expected success in terms of massive participation. This was because some heady cab and bike
owners and shop promoters still heeded the instruction of the ghost and stayed
out of activity for most part of Monday.
But
Mayor Ekema Patrick did not miss the opportunity to thank all those who have
seen the need to join him in fighting the ghost.
“I
want to sincerely thank you all for the high sense of maturity and patriotism
that you have demonstrated ever since we launched this fight. You were here
with us when we held a similar manifestation way back on 30 November 2016 to
bar the way to ghost towns and violence in our municipality; today you have
abandoned your day’s activities to join us again, as we continue to fight this
enemy that has invaded our community. I seize this opportunity to say you have
all been so wonderful, and I say thank you. Your massive presence here assures
us that the population of Buea is mature in its thinking and action. I also
want to thank the parents and most especially the traditional authorities, who
have continuously made sure the ghost does not reach their localities,” Mayor
Ekema said, noting that “tough times do not last but tough people do.”
“We
have summoned the traditional authorities and dance groups you see here to
cleanse the path we are about to tread up to the governor’s office because some
unknown forces might have spoiled the path, to prevent us from walking,” Ekema
said, noting that “some time ago, bike riders were the ones spreading
information to the public about ghost towns. But today they have joined us to
face the ghost.”
During
the march past from Bongo Square to the governor’s office, marchers carried
placards bearing messages such as: “The population of Buea denounces violence,
intimidation and ghost town.”… “We are for effective resumption of schools and
other activities”,….“Unity and peace are priceless assets to the people of
Buea”…“Cameroon is one and indivisible”… “We want to go to school and secure a
brighter future”,….“No to ghost towns, no to violence” amongst others.
Welcoming
the ghost town hunters at his office, Governor Bernard OkaliaBilai remarked:
“we are reassured by your actions and behavior towards the fight against
terrorism and violence and ghost towns. Buea is called the town of legendary
hospitality, a town which does not tolerate violence and hatred. You are only
protecting your town and institutions and the others who are against you have
been misled by unknown sources. Let them come back as together we can build our
region which is blessed by development such as roads, stadia amongst others”.
Governor Bernard Okalia concluded by saying that “this remark should not end
here. Go back to your various quarters and villages, carry out door-to-door
campaigns to sensitize people not to fear and that they should send their
children to school because it is a crime to prevent a child from going to
school.”
The
Mayor of Buea used the occasion to hand jackets to bike riders’ unions in the
municipality to help them in their business.
At
press time yesterday we learnt that Mamfe also staged her own anti-ghost town
march. The march did not however attract the expected huge participation. The
about 50 persons that marched from the Mamfe grandstand to the SDO’s office,
presented a memo to the SDO in which they are calling for an end to ghost towns
and also urging parents to send their children to school.
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