Publisher/Editor: OJONG Steven AYUKOGEM. Tel: (+237) 77 07 27 79. E-mail: themedianpaper@yahoo.com
Wednesday, 21 June 2017
MTN Foundation donates benches to Primary Schools of Kaélé
 |
| Symbolic handing-over of school benches |
Douala, 17 June 2017 – MTN Foundation, first corporate
Foundation in Cameroon announces that, it handed over 2000 benches to Kaélé.
The esplanade of the municipalityof this canton hosted the ceremony on
Saturday, 17 June 2017, chaired by a representative of the District’s
Divisional Officer. This significant
donation comprises 2000 new benches for the 24 Government Primary
SchoolsofKaélé, in the Far North region.
At the
origin of this initiative is the Association for the Development of the Kaélé
canton (ADECKA) which had requested the support of the MTN Foundation in 2016
to resolve certain problems faced by the schools of the canton. The schools of
Kaéléare notably faced with acute shortage of benches.
From
next school year, “our young children shall be the first to benefit positive
outcomes of this action. The learning conditionsin these schools shall be
positively impacted through respecting the 2 students per bench ratio and
“straight bust” position in order to avoid the risks of body malformation by
the students”, the representative of the MTN Foundation specified at the
ceremony.
This
donation by the MTN Foundation in support of ADECKA, seeks to significantly
enhance the daily lives of 4000pupils of the Kaélé canton.
Alarm Bells Ringing in Yaounde:
Speculations pointing to another devaluation of CFA Franc
-But MINFI says this cannot happen here and now
-Also denies rumours that the state coffers are drying up
By Ojong Steven Ayukogem in Yaounde
 |
| Finance Minister, AlamineOusmaneMey, working to stabilize exchange reserves |
The Cameroon Ministry of Finance has debunked rumours
spreading on social media about an imminent devaluation of the Franc CFA in the
Cemac zone. Authorities of the MINFI in Yaounde say even if the arguments
advanced by the proponents for devaluation may appear plausible at face value,
the situation of the Cameroon economy now, and the level of its exchange
reserves lodged in operations accounts at the French treasury are not as bad as
to warrant a devaluation of the Franc Cfa at this time.
Besides,
the MINFI authorities argue that the macro-economic indicators notably the
growth rate and the huge debt burden are not such that can favour a devaluation
of the currency at this time. For one thing, if the currency is devalued by 50%
as it is already speculated then the already huge external debt of the country
would more than double.
Any
devaluation of the Franc CFA at this time will be very disastrous for the
economy of the country. This is because the economic indicators are not such
that can favour such devaluation,” said a source at the MINFI, who noted that
it was in cognizance of the nefarious consequences of such devaluation that
President Paul Biya convened an extra-ordinary meeting of Cemac Heads of State,
in Yaounde, on 23 December 2016, to counter the arguments for a possible
devaluation, which arguments were already gaining grounds both in France and
within the Cemac Zone.
“Being
the visionary that he is, President Biya did not want Cameroonians to suffer
the disastrous consequences that such devaluation could invite on the already
suffering masses. That was why he convinced his counterparts of Cemac zone to
adopt resolutions that rather suggested alternative measures to stabilize the
exchange reserves at the French treasury and also make good the bad economic
situation of these countries. Some of these measures included notably a drastic
cut in importation, drastic cuts in public spending, stabilization of exchange
reserves among others,” noted our interlocutor, who indicated that presently
the level of Cameroon’s exchange reserves stands at slightly above 50%, up from
the 20% that it must drop to warrant a devaluation of the currency.
Curbing Unemployment:
Gov’t launches massive recruitments into public service
- Concours into ENAM, Police College, Agriculture and
Fishery Schools, Gendarmerie, Army etc launched
By Mercy Neba in Yaounde
The government of Cameroon has launched a massive
recruitment campaign for Cameroonians with certificates ranging from First
School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) through GCE O/A levels, to University
degrees.
Several
competitive exams (concours) into recruitment schools have been announced,
while physical tests for recruitment into the army have also been launched.
According
to a release issued by the Delegate General for National Security, DGSN, Martin
MbargaNguele, competitive exams have been launched for recruitment of 4840
police constables, 100 junior police officers (Officiers de police) and 71
superintendents of police.
The
release notes that the concours for police constables is open for Cameroonians
with atleast the First School Leaving Certificate and aged between 17 and 27. That for Officiers des police is
open for Cameroonians with atleast the GCE A levels or an equivalent
certificate and aged between 17 and 30 years. As for the Superintendents
category it is open for Candidates with atleast the Bachelor’s degree or its
equivalent and aged between 17 and 30 years.
Meanwhile,
there’s another concours for recruitment of 1900 gendarmes of the rank and
file. This is open for young Cameroonians aged 18 to 23 and holding atleast the
GCE O levels.
Prayer for God’s intervention, for peace in Cameroun, Africa & the world
By Barrister Nico Halle
 |
| Barrister Nico Halle |
Father of glory, we come before You with heartfelt petitions
as those who, though unworthy, have been justified and ransomed by Your grace.
Father
of peace, wethankYou for our relationship with You which gives us confident
assurance that You hear us always when we come to You in prayer with contrite
hearts.
Father
God, we praise You and declare that Your name is hallowed in all the earth and
we bless and exalt Your name for You are omniscient, omnipotent and
omnipresent- the Alpha and the Omega.
Gracious
Father, You who are thelover of all mankind,know best how Cameroon, Africa and
the world at large have been bedevilled by a series of unrest, conflicts, wars,
chaos, anarchy, misery, persecution, poverty, unemployment, favouritism - in
short, moral decadence in all its forms.
God of
peace and mercy, we confess that you are the only Guarantor of our
tranquillity, joy and existence.
God of
all consolation, You know best those difficulties thatCameroon is going
through, especially turmoil in the North West and South West Regions which has
paralysed educational activities and family activities, insecurity in the Far
North Region as a result of the Boko Haram phenomenon which has taken away so
many of your children and road accidents.
Father
of lightwe profess that you are not the author of evil and confusion, but of
peace and goodness. Father we thank You because You delight in showing mercy
and grace that triumph over all calamity.
NgalleBibehe satisfied with progress of GCE Exams
By Boris Esono in Buea
 |
| Minister NgalleBibehe Ernest visits exam centres in Buea |
The minister of secondary education Jean Ernest Massena
NgalleBibehe last Thursday June 15, 2017 made a stop in the South West Region
to see how effectively the GCE examinations are going on.
“After
going round some of the exam centres, i can assure the population that the examinations
are going on smoothly. I am very satisfied with the organization put in place,
seeing the mobilization and enthusiasm of students as they write their
examination as law enforcement officers are also present to make sure that
everything goes on smoothly,” NgalleBibehe said, praying that “I have seen a
high sense of patriotism and responsibility amongst the stakeholders in the SW
and NWRs. I hope these examinations organized by the GCE Board will go on well
and will end well”.
From
Mamfe, the Minister's delegation made their first stop in Kumba where they
visited some schools such as CCAS Kumba, Government Bilingual Teachers Training
College (GBTTC) where they were involved in the teacher’s grade one examination
(CAPIEMP). At each stop, the minister expressed his gratitude to the various
educational heads for running a hitch free examination despite not all the
candidates answering present.
Land disputes in Kumba:
Settlers at war with indigenes in Mukonje
-Over 100 protesting settlers march on DO’s office
By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba
 |
| Police block proteasting settlers marching on Kumba DO’s Office with placards |
Some over 100 disgruntled settlers in Mukonje village have
demonstrated their anger over the non-respect of the terms of land leasing agreements
they signed with the Mukonje traditional council.
Unable
to come to terms with what they consider as total disregard for their rights,
the irate settlers last week took to the streets, protesting against what they
consider as injustice on the part of the Mukonje traditional council with
regard to ownership of land at the Mahole quarters in Mukonje. The disputed
neighborhood harbours the site that noe harbors the permanent site of the
Higher Technical Teachers Training College, HTTTC Kumba.
The
protesters on Thursday 8 June 2017 took to the streets blocking the road
leading to the DO’s office. They demanded The DO, Gilbert GubaiBaldena, to
intervene and cause the Mukonje traditional council to respect the land
agreement it initially had with them.
The
protest, The Median gathered, erupted from two major concerns; the decision by
the traditional council to evict those living and occupying land in the area
but who cannot show any documented proof of ownership indicating that they
bought the land or that it was given to them by the village and the information
relating to a demand of FCFA 1.2 million as traditional rites fee plus two
bottles of a special brand of whisky each costing FCFA 25 000.
It was
for these reasons that the disgruntled and helpless settlers who are mostly of
the Bamileke extraction stormed the DO’s office calling on him to use his high
office to come to their aide.
While
at the office of the DO, the protesters denounced the said traditional rites
fee levied on them by the traditional council. The settlers revealed that in
some decades back they used snuff,
whisky and other items to buy land from the traditional council and no original
documents were provided as demanded now by the traditional council.
Ongoing GCE Exams:
Gendarmes harass prying journalist in Kumba
By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba
 |
| Unregistered candidates were barred from writing GCE |
A Kumba-based Cameraman of Spectrum Television, STV, Likoli
Marcel Itoe on Monday June 12 was severely beaten by security officers for
attempting to get footages of the kickoff of the written part of the General
Certificate of Education, GCE Ordinary and Advanced levels at the Campus of the
Cameroon College of Arts and Sciences, CCAS Kumba.
Reports
have it that Itoe arrived CCAS Kumba early on Monday June 12 and started
filming scenes of what was transpiring on the campus before he was been
interrupted by security officials of the National Gendammerie who were
dispatched to ensure the security of the students while writing the exams.
Itoe
revealed that when he was asked while he was filming what was happening on
campus, he explained that since the GCE is a public exam he thought it wise to
cover it and report on the situation for their newscast on STV that day. Asked
by the security officials if he was authorized to cover the event, Itoe who
didn't have any authorization to cover the event pleaded for the security
officers to let him see the principal of CCAS Kumba, FONGE Julius for an authorisation.
The
Median Newspaper gathered from Likoli Marcel Itoe that the reaction from the
boss of CCAS Kumba was more than frustrated and made things worst for him who
later became helpless.
Itoe
told this reporter that the Principal turned down his request for permission to
get footages ffrom his school on the pretext that he the principal had received
instructions from hierarchy that forbids any media coverage of this year's
coverage of the GCE except for authorized media outfits.
Unregistered candidates barred from writing
By Boris Esono in Buea
The written part of the 2017 June session of the General
Certificate of Education, GCE, continues in centers across the country with
students who did not register refused entry into the exam halls. This goes
against the instructions of the MINESEC who ordered that authorities of the GCE
Board should permit any students willing to sit the exams to do so.
Subverting
the MINESEC’s instructions, some chief examiners in Buea refused unregistered
but ready candidates from entering the halls and also taking the exams. Some of
these rejected candidates left in tears. A case in point was in BGS Molyko
where this reporter visited.
“I came
to register about two weeks ago but I was told to come on the day when we are
to write and get registered. On coming to register, I was told I can not write
because I have not registered. But when I told them about my situation they
asked me to go out since I am not on the final list,” lamented a girl who said
she came all the way from Bamenda.
Another
rejected candidate said: “it is quite sad as even on the Monday morning I was
to write, it was broadcasted over the state media that students who have not
yet registered should go to various centers and get themselves registered so
they can take the examination. But coming to register so I can write, I was
told I can not register since the date to register has passed. I have no choice
than to prepare for next year”.
Despite
these short-comings, Governor Bernard OkaliaBilai still expressed satisfaction
at the way way the exams were progressing.
Mabonji near Kumba:
Family buries teenage girl killed by Minister’s convoy
By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba
 |
| Mininster of Basic education |
The 8-year old child, Anthonia Beckley Tigu, who was knocked
down by the convoy of the minister of basic education has been buried at
Mabunji, Kumba.
The
Technical Adviser No. 2 at the MINEDUB, Akemda Eric Achankeng, comforted the
family on behalf of the minister, who was unavoidably absent. Akemda handed a
package to the mother of the child. But the contents of the package were not
disclosed to the public.
The
burial was also attended by Meme SDO, and a cross section of CPDM militants in
the division.
Mayors schooled on Hygiene & Food Safety
By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba
 |
| Council officials at CAMCO seminar pose |
Municipal authorities of the two Anglophone regions,
Northwest and the Southwest alongside their hygiene and sanitation experts have
been schooled on better ways of handling food safety in their respective
council areas. This was at a seminar cohosted by the Cameroon Toilet
Organization, CAMTO and the EJED Higher Medical Institute, Kumba at the Kumba
City council under the theme “food safety education, a path way to an emerging
nation’.
Speaking
at the seminar, CAMTO National president, Dr. Jacob Mbonteh pointed out that
the seminar will seek ways to close the gap in food safety and dialogue of food
safety inefficiencies. Dr. Mbonteh revealed that the objective of the seminar
is to see into it that those who are trained make maximum use of the training in
their various municipalities by improving public health through the activities
they will coordinate at the level of the councils.
CAMTO
CEO, Dr. Mbonteh revealed “it is gratifying that the land mark training covers
a great deal of topics directly affecting councils and what their hygiene and
sanitation department ought to be doing to meet up with current trends” adding
that “the current regulations on sanitation does not adequately address the
sanitation the situation as it pays less attension to local communities in
terms of resources” Mbonteh revealed.
Quizzed
on the future plans of CAMTO on the aspect of hygiene and sanitation, Dr.
Mbonteh revealed that the organization looks forward to extending its
activities to the other regions since training has been done in both the
northwest and the. He added that in the days ahead, CAMTO will embark on the
training of drainers’ workshop for councils to handle hygiene and sanitation
for various council areas, experience sharing visit to Konye council.
To rehabilitation alma mater:
PHS Kumba ex-students raise FCFA 16M
By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba
Former students of the Presbyterian High School, PHS Kumba
under the Kumba Presbyterian High School Ex-students Association dubbed KUPEXSA
have finally seen the urgent need to rehabilitate the dilapidated structures of
their alma mater and also provide it with basic amenities like water.
The
resolve of KUPEXSANS to give a facelift to their alma mater could be seen from
the huge number of members who converged on the school’s campus for a fund
raiser organized for the purpose. A total of 16 million FCFA in cash and
pledges was raised.
Speaking
to reporters on the sidelines of the fund raising, the KUPEXSA National
President, Napoleon NyakeBesong said the decision to organize a fund raiser was
taken when his exco met in session recently. Nyake revealed that during the
meeting they came up with an action plan which gave a time frame for activities
they intend to carry out.
“We
have started by contributing money through this fund raiser. Though we could
not raise as much as we projected, we are at least encouraged by the enthusiasm
of KUPEXSANs and what we put together today,” Nyake said, adding that “we look
forward to embarking on activities that will improve on the livelihood of the
students on campus by providing modern toilets, a good refectory, good
washrooms, boreholes, pipe borne water and build an ultra-modern library.”
He
noted further: “We equally want to make it a tradition that every year
meaningful prizes will be donated to meritorious students. The scholarship
scheme is intended to donate things to laureates so as encourage other students
to be excited to want to be amongst the best. We really want to give excellence
a place in PHS Kumba”.
Mysterious bees send Kumba-based lawyer on exile
By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba
A Kumba-based lawyer, OkoleVerkline, has vacated his
residence and sought refuge in Douala after all attempts by fire fighters to
drive away mysterious bees that engolfed his residence last week failed.
Sources
said the Barrister was forced to abandon his home and seek refuge elsewhere, when
the bees returned barely a day after they were sent away by elements of the
firefighting brigade. The marauding bees came back forcefully and
engolfedOkole’s residence after rendering it incommodious for human
occupation..
Barrister
OkoleVerkline is also a former Mayor of Mundemba, Ndian Division.
As the story goes, Barrister VeklineOkole discovered the bee
hive beside his house during the early hours of June 9. Okole is said to have confidently left the
house for work thinking that the bees will surely disappear the next day but
contrary to his thoughts the unexpected happened.
Video referees are "the future" says Cameroon's Siani
Cameroon's Sebastien Siani believes video assistant referees
(VAR) will improve football after seeing them in action at the Confederations
Cup.
The
African champions lost 2-0 to Chile in their opening match on Sunday in Russia
but only after their opponents had a goal ruled out by the VAR.
The
Belgium-based midfielder says players want to see new systems that make the
game fairer.
"If
we can make it a little bit faster it will be good for football," he said.
"It's
the future. Sometimes we need technology and this can help."
Chile
ultimately took the points with two late goals and the second strike was only
confirmed after a video review.
However
some of the crowd were left confused after the scoreboard at the Spartak
Stadium in Moscow flashed up a message saying "incident under review"
even thought the referee had validated the goal.
TembengAbenego joins Portuguese Top Flight Side CD Tondela
The Portuguese PrimeiraLiga side have secured the services
of the 25-year-old Cameroonian midfielder in order to boosts their midfield
compartment.
This
information was made public on the club’s website after the player completed a
successful medical to cement the move. However, the transfer fee has not been
made public regarding the move.
AzonghaTembengAbenego
has signed a two-year contract with PrimeiraLiga side ClubeDesportivo de Tondela
that will run from June 2017 to June 2019 after leaving Algerian champions ES
Setif.
This
new move will give the midfielder the opportunity to have a taste of European
football for the first time since he started his professional career.
The
former Les Astre of Douala midfielder, expressed his joy as he will be plying
his trade in Europe during the 2017/2018 footballing season.
HamariTraore:
Mali defender joins French club Rennes
Mali international HamariTraore has completed a move from
second tier Stade Reims to French Ligue 1 side Rennes on a four-year deal.
The
25-year-old defender was part of the Mali squad at the 2017 Africa Cup of
Nations and played 32 times for Reims last season.
"This
is a big step up for my career and I thank God for the opportunity,"
Traore told BBC Sport.
He
joins several Africans at Rennes including compatriot YacoubaSylla.
Monday, 12 June 2017
Transfer of Magistrates:
Epuli Mathias is new President of Judicial
Bench of Supreme Court
 |
| Chief Justice Epuli Mathias |
Super-scale judge, Epuli Mathias Aloh, is
the new president of the judicial bench of the Supreme Court. Chief Justice
Epuli returns to the Supreme Court from the anti-corruption commission, CONAC,
where he has been serving since 2011.
The
humble, effaced yet very jovial paramount ruler of the Baskossi people of
Kupe-Muanuguba division of the SW region, returns to a house he masters only
too well, haven served there before as head of the Criminal Bench and as
Interim President of the Administrative Bench.
A
super-scale magistrate of the 1st category, chief justice Epuli joined the
Supreme Court in 2000. He served in several capacities at the court until 2009
when CONAC solicited his experience to help the institution combat a festering
and deep-rooted corruption that has been rocking the country. But Epuli only joined CONAC in 2011. He has
stayed there until his appointment Wednesday.
He
thus becomes the first Anglophone ever to occupy the exalted position of
president of the judicial bench of the Supreme Court. The bench was created
following the reorganization of the Supreme Court in 2006.
Perhaps
this was why chief Justice Epuli used the first opportunity granted him by the
press to first thank God for keeping him alive and for making the appointment
possible. He aslo thanked President Paul Biya for renewing his confidence in
his “modest person”.
Supreme Court:
Inoni&Mebara to face the Judge Tuesday
- EbongNgolle& Charles Metouck also
queue up at TCS
 |
| Former PM, Ephraim Inoni |
After four years (exactly 40 months) of
impatient wait, the former PM, Thomas Ephraim Inoni and former secretary
general of the presidency SGPr, AtanganaMebara may finally know their fate.
Inoni and Mebara are expected to appear before the judge of the special section
of the Supreme Court in charge of cases of embezzlement of state funds, on
Tuesday 13 June 2017.
Their
lawyers were served the summons from the Supreme Court on 19 May 2017.
Inoni
and Mebara had earlier been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment, by the special
criminal court in Yaounde. They were sentenced on 2 October 2013, after they
were found guilty of embezzling state funds.
Despite
the court’s judgment, Inoni and Mebara have insisted on their innocence. Reason
why their lawyers appealed the judgment at the Supreme Court.
Though
the law gives a maximum period of six months for the Supreme Court to open
hearing of such appeals, Inoni and Mebara have had to wait patiently for over
40 months (2 October 2013 to 13 June 2017) for their appeal case to be called
up.
Be
if as it may be, Inoni and Mebara are now sure to know their definitive fate in
the days ahead that is, once the Supreme Court rules at last and final
instance.
During
the initial trial at the Special Criminal Court, Inoni and Mebara pleaded not
guilty of jointly and severally embezzling over 287.4 million FCFA, being money
they allegedly pocketed in the process of awarding a contract to Aircraft
Portfolio Management (APM), the company that was contracted to audit Camair’s
leasing contracts way back in 2003. Thus the promoter of the London-based APM,
Kelvin walls, was the principal accused in the matter, while Inoni and Mebara
were co-accused.
EbongNgolle& Charles Metouck awaited at TCS
 |
| Hon. EbongNgolle will have to defend his honorability |
As Inoni and Mebara are expected at the
Supreme Court Tuesday, so too will EbongNgolle, board chairman of SONARA, and
Charles Metouck, former SONARA GM, will be bracing up to appear before the
judge of the special criminal court, TCS.
This
is because the examining magistrate (Juged’instruction) of the TCS has closed
her investigations into the Sonara embezzlement file and has submitted her
findings to the judge for eventual hearing.
It
should be noted that Mrs. Annie NeêlleBahounouiBatendè, used the 18 months
required by law to complete here investigation. The investigation was opened on
30 October 2015.
By
virtue of the investigation report, only six of the 12 persons initially
concerned in the embezzlement allegation, were inculpated. It is these six
persons that will have to face the criminal judge in the weeks ahead.
But
the principal accused in the matter is Charles Metouk, former Sonara GM, who is
already serving a 15 year jail term following an earlier matter.
Metouck
will have to answer to charges of embezzling about 60bn fcfa from Sonara
coffers between 2007 and 2010. This amount was arrived at following a control
done by the following state auditors - Mrs. Kane Ebanga Fortune (now SG of the
Consupe), Kadladak Pierre (now DG of Campost) and Ojong Martin Ewo.
The
audit report indicted Charles Metouck of financial, administrative and
accounting irregularities in his management of Sonara.
It
noted especially that as GM of Sonara, Charles Metouck failed to respect the
laid down code for the award of public contracts; he paid out money to
administrators of the company in excess of what they were due; raised his
salary by over 50% without prior authorization from the board; awarded himself
excess and undue bonuses and advantages; falsified receipts; siphoned revenue
accruing from the sale of crude oil; made payments for crude oil that was never
supplied; double payments for contracts executed among other accusations. All
these brought the money unaccounted for to about 39.4 billion Fcfa.
Amid calls for ghost towns in NW & SW:
2017 GCE begins in calm & serenity
 |
| NgalleBibehe Messina, secondary education minister |
Candidates trooped into examination halls
in Bamenda, Buea and throughout the country Monday, 12 June 2017, as the
written part of the 2017 GCE exams kicked-off hitch-free
By Boris Esono and Nestor Ndjodzefe
The written part of the 2017 GCE exams have
kicked-off in Bamenda and Buea in calm and serenity. Candidates trooped into
examination centres on Monday ignoring calls for boycott by leaders of some Anglophone
activist groups in the diaspora. The Anglophone “facebook activists” had called
on candidates to boycott the exams and instead observe ghost towns.
But
determined to obtain their certificates, candidates both registered and
unregistered, ignored the boycott calls and rather took to the examination
halls Monday.
Leave our GCE kids alone, Mark Bareta and Tapang Ivo
Dear Mark Bareta and Tapang Ivo,
 |
| Franklin SoneBayen |
Come let us reason together. I should have
said this on CRTV Press Hour where I was invited yesterday, but I was held down
with other engagements.
Listen
guys, any actions we take against the GCE, eg. ghost towns, be they
"ManchoBibixy ghost towns" or "AgborBalla ghost towns" or
"NebaFontem ghost towns" or "TilariousAtiaAzohnwi ghost
towns" or "Amos Fofung ghost towns" or "Tim Finian ghost
towns", or "#AllOurDetainees ghost towns" they will only be half
measures.
GCE
will be written and it wll be marked. Francophone exams are being written even
in our homeland, we haven't raise a finger. Why are we enjoying this
self-inflicted punishment?
Some
kids, or all who seek to, will write the GCE, come what may. Some kids in the
homeland and a multitude of our kids in the other regions will smart into their
uniforms tomorrow and go to exams centres.
Nothing
will obstruct the GCE for the kids of English High School, Oxford, etc in
Yaounde whom I have seen wearing clean, well ironed uniforms, anglo-saxon ties
to march with their skirts and trousers and waist-coats throughout this
academic year going to school unperturbed by the upheavals in our homeland and
the tribulations we have plunged our own children into. Most of them are our
own kids.
In
all this, some or all of the scripts will be marked, come what may. Some kids
will pass the GCE, come what may. Those we seek to obstruct from writing will
be the victims. They won't smile at us.
If
you want to show someone your anger, through stool at his door, not at yours.
Look
guys, it hurts to see the heroic ManchoBibixy turn up for trial looking as
haggard as he was. It also warms the heart to see my secondary classmate
Ebenezer D. M. Akwanga looking so jolly, celebrating life, the progress of a
son he mght never have seen, after the tribulations he went through where
Mancho is now. (Not even half Akwanga's tribulations have been narrated).
We
are in this fight to hold our own. We won't let up until we get our due – a
decent existence for our people here. The road is long. There are many ways to
do it. One-track thinking is like driving a train on rails, no room for
maneouvres.
Bole Bakundu:
Man ‘sleeps’ with his sister’s daughters
By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba
A man in Bole village in Mbonge sub
division of Meme division had been letter heavy fines by the traditional
council council of Bole for making love to two of his nieces. The Median Learnt the man has been fined to
pay goats, pigs, wine and other items for using his manhood
indiscriminately.
As
the story goes, the man with two wives is said to have made love to the
daughter of his elder sister and to the daughter of his elder brother in the
village. Following the incident, there had been panic and fear in the entire
village that with such an appetite for sex by the said man female children in
that locality may risk been raped in the near future by the same man.
News in brief
By Numh Rogers
Kah Walla fires her Vice President
The Vice President of Cameroon People’s
Party (CPP) Roger Gerard Ndebi has been dismissed. KahWallah’s number 2 was
shown the door for contravening the decision of his party not to participate in
this year’s National Day parade.
The
decision was taken during a meeting of the CPP’s National Council which held in
Douala last June 5. Ndebi was conspicuously absent at the meeting.
Ndebi
had been charged with public non respect of CPP decision on the
non-participation of the party in the May 20 2017 parade. The party gave as
reason for this boycott the irony of celebrating national unity when some
regions of the country were in a state of chaos. Other political parties
notably the main opposition Social Democratic Front SDF also boycotted the
national event.
Slow decentralization process:
NW mayors harass gov’t
Mayors of the 34 councils in the North West
region who constitute the North West bureau of the United Councils and Cities
of Cameroon have expressed worries over feet dragging by some government
ministries as regards the effective implementation of the decentralization
process.
This
was during the 9th ordinary general assembly meeting of the organization in
Fundong, Boyo Division on May 30th 2017.
The
Mayors frowned at Ministry of Public Contracts for failing to ensure the
functioning of tender’s boards in councils despite a Prime Ministerial decree
that ordered that Tender Boards be created in Councils and the non-payment of
contracts with credits from the 2016 decentralisation fund.
“You
can’t imagine mayors were told to go ahead and execute the projects and at
moment, creditors are on our necks whereas this money hasn’t been paid till
date. These are things that are slowing down the decentralisation process and
putting us the mayors in very difficult situations” bemoaned Mayor Khan Elroy
Moses of Santa and President of UCCC North West.
He
noted that although some Councils have created these tenders boards, their
members are yet to be appointed. He wondered why the Minister Public Contract
is not taking the necessary measures to salvage the situation.
Moreover,
the UCCC president revealed that for two months running, the Mayors have not
received their salaries, questioning whether the government always wants
citizens to go on strike before they listen or react.
Despite
these challenges, the elected municipal authorities singled out the Ministry of
public works for praise in its greater strive to ensure the implementation of
decentralisation through the yearly allocation of funds to councils for road
maintenance and rehabilitation.
Promising days for livestock and electricity:
World Bank accords Cameroon 260bn for
investments
By Numh Rogers
 |
| The MINEPAT, Louis Paul Motaze, exchanges books with WB Official |
Cameroon’s livestock and energy sectors are
set to experience a boost following the obtention of separate loans amounting
to 260 billion CFA Francs from the World Bank to invest in livestock and
energy. The agreements were signed in Yaounde on Wednesday June 2, 2017.
Cameroon’s Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development Louis Paul
Motaze signed for the government while the Director of Operations of the World
Bank in Cameroon ElisaberthHuybens signed for the World Bank.
The
first loan of 60 billion CFA Francs will go to the livestock development
project. The second which amounts to 200.3 billion CFA Francs will be used to
boost Cameroon’s energy supply through the Project to Refurbish Electricity
Transmission Networks and the Reform of the Sector, a project which will run
for five years.
Petroleum sector:
Oil production drops, as gas production
climbs
By Numh Rogers
The National Hydrocarbons Corporation (SNH)
has reported a 20.8% drop in oil production for the first four months of 2017.
The report was presented to board members on Tuesday 6 June 2017.
Oil
production for this year up until April 30 stood at 9.74 million barrels.
This
fall is in line with a calculated move by OPEC countries to scale down on
production in order to increase the price of crude oil which has fallen sharply
in past recent years, affecting their economies negatively. Their goal has been
achieved, with a steady rise in oil prices.
The
ripples of this decision in Cameroon have been a reduction in the production
budget of SNH. Another reason for the fall in production is the progressive
drying up of oil wells which are presently being exploited.
Meanwhile,
gas production is up by 1.29 % compared to same period last year. First quarter
production stands at 4341.7 cubic feet.
President BIYA chairs higher judicial council
President Paul BIYA on Wednesday 7 June
2017 presided over a solemn session of the Higher Judicial Council during which
some new members of the 9-man council were sworn-in.
Seven
cases of indiscipline in the magistracy were examined during the in-camera
deliberations.Recommendations for the promotion and appointment of magistrates
were also submitted for the Head of State’s appraisal and signature.
Forest, Wildlife conservation:
Stakeholders condemn indiscriminate
poaching at Korup Park
By Boris Esono in Buea
Actors involve in the running and
management of the Korup National Park say the rate of illegal activities such
as poaching, agricultural encroachment, oil companies acting inside the
protected areas are leading to the depletion of some protected flora and fauna
species.
This
message was made known, Tuesday June 6, 2017 during the regional validation
meeting for the revised management and business plans of the Korup National
Park which is at its 3rd session. The first management session ran from 2002 to
2007, with the second from 2009 to 2013 depicting a life span of five (5)
years.
To
Fotendong Ferdinand, a conservator, illegal activities are hampering the
development of the National Park couple with the bad roads that surrounds the
area. “If the road could be rehabilitated or upgraded, tourism will boom in the
area which will go a long way to bring more money in the state’s couffers”.
Fotendong went further to say that “despite some of these challenges witnessed
so far, some achievements have been recoreded with some defaulters arrested,
seizure and auctioning of their products”. “If we do not stop the rate of
illegal activities taken place within the national park, some protected flora
and fauna in some years to come will be extinct” He added
To
the Deputy Mayor of the Buea Council, Emmanuel MotombyMbome, Korup national
park is the oldest in the SWR, richest and diverse, hence its importance to the
region. “This meeting is very essential as it enables us to look at various
ways in which the park can be improved and maintained”.
Meanwhile,
to the representative of the Governor, the importance of the Korup national
park cannot be underestimated. “It is very important as it habours rich
resources”. He went further to assure the various stakeholders especially
conservators of governments unwiting support to facilitate their work in terms
of providing material support.
Interview
Crisis in Anglophone Cameroon:
The buck stops at President Biya’s desk
– Prof. WillibroadDze-Ngwa
*Prof what is your take on the crisis that
has been rocking the two Anglophone regions for over 7 months now?
 |
Prof. WillibroadDze-Ngwa has researched
extensively on the Anglophone problem. His Master’s & PhD
theses were on
the Anglophone problem and National Unity respectively
|
Thank you for coming to talk with me on the
Anglophone problem which I think is a Cameroonian problem. You want me to say
what I make of the crisis. Well the crisis only came to show that Cameroonians
as a reunified people have some differences. The present crisis only helps to
create more awareness because the problem did not start today. You may want to
know that my Master’s Degree dissertation was on the Anglophone problem and
that was done some 20 years ago. My PhD was on “National Unity and National
Integration in Cameroon- Dreams and Realities.” So the Anglophone problem has
been articulated long before now. You also recall the All Anglophone
Conferences in the early 1990s and the Memorandum of Anglophones in Douala. So
I should say the crisis has been there since for many years now. It has only
gotten to its peak today. So I should say the current crisis has only created
more awareness about the Anglophone problem and has made many more Cameroonians
to know that there is an Anglophone problem in Cameroon.
*When the crisis erupted in October 2016,
some government ministers dismissed it, saying there was no such thing as an
Anglophone problem in Cameroon. Some said it was the agitations of a few
misguided individuals who were being teleguided to revolt against the state.
But President Biya later recognised the problem and promised to look into the
“genuine grievances”. What was your take on this double-speak of the government
about the problem?
I should say the president of the republic
came in with wisdom. Without trying to throw flowers on the president, I think
the president was a bit more calculative. You recall that in the 1990s during
the advent of competitive politics in the country, some ministers and elite of
the CPDM went all around the country marching and saying no to multiparty
politics. But in his characteristic calculative style, the president came out
and asked his supporters to prepare for competition. It was thesame thing that
happened when the ongoing crisis erupted. While his ministers were saying there
is nothing like an Anglophone problem, the president stayed mute and was
calculating. Then in his end of year message on 31 December 2016 he made a fool
of his ministers by recognizing the problem. The president admitted that errors
had been made in our drive towards leaving together and that these errors needed
to be rectified. It was only after then that some people started back-tracking
and also admitting that there was an Anglophone problem, with some even
apologizing for what they had said earlier. So my reading into this is very
clear and it is that the one single solution that has been provided since the
start of this crisis is the open recognition of the Anglophone problem by the
highest authority of the country - President Paul Biya.
*President Biya has signed several decrees
bearing on measures aimed at solving the crisis. He has also ordered the
government to take a long line of measures in view of solving the crisis. And
from the look of things the president still has much more in store for
Anglophones. Reason why some people are already saying the president is
somewhat of a messiah to the Anglophones. Are you also of this view?
Mr.journalist, you are pulling my leg.
Biya, a messiah? to Anglophones? That is an over statement! Why is he a
messiah?What has he done to deserve that sobriquet? Is he doing a favour to
Anglophones? Has he giving something to the Anglophones that they dids not
deserve? Are Anglophones photocopied Cameroonians?Please, please, President
Biya is no messiah to Anglophones! Rather, those who think he is a messiah to
Anglophones are rather insulting the Anglophones. Can you site some of the
things he has done to be considered a messiah? I think the president is merely
playing his role as president of all Cameroonians and as father to al the
children of this land. Are you saying that if the people of say Mora in the Far
North are aggrieved and the president provides a solution to their worries he
would be called a messiah by the people of Mora? I think the president has done
well to recognize the Anglophone problem and is doing well to progressively
provide some solutions to the crisis. Bit to say that he is a messiah, I don’t
think I share that view.
*Despite the “salutary measures” taken by
government the crisis is still ongoing, and there seem not to be an end in
sight in the near future. There are still cases of arson and armed attacks on
individuals in Bamenda, while ghost town calls are also fully respected in some
towns. Is this because the solutions provided are inadequate or that
Anglophones are asking for too much?
Some of your questions may push me to think
that you the journalist is complacent about this problem. In fact you put me
off when you say Anglophones are asking for too much. I really don’t know how
to answer to this. But to attempt an
answer I should say the strike is continuing because no solution has yet been
provided to the crisis. We should not have solutions canalized from top to
bottom. Solutions can only come through dialogue. We need representatives from
both sides to sit on the table and seek what is good for the people. I also
sincerely think that any concrete solution to the problem should be a
legislative instrument. So long as there are no legislative dispositions and
you say too much has been given to Anglophones, i say no. What have they provided?
Tell me Mr. Journalist, what have they done concretely? The creation of
BilingualismCommission; special recruitment of Anglophone magistrates and all
that, are these what you call conceding too much to Anglophones? I say no.The simply correcting the errors she committed
and I think Cameroonians deserve an apology for this. I think they should even
pay reparation to the people that they have marginalized for so long. To say
that they have provided too much for Anglophones or that Anglophones are asking
for too much is intellectual dishonesty. Anglophones need a fair share in
governance. For example, you cannot have seven ministers in the domain of
education and none is Anglophone. I think a solution to this problem can only
come through frank, sincere dialogue with representatives of the Anglophones. I
also think that keeping the leaders of the strike in jail is
counter-productive. These people should be released. I think the first thing in
the right direction is to release all those arrested in connection to the
crisis, beginning from those who were arrested in Wum. The incidents in Wum are
part of the crisis. The people of Wum simply manifested their discontentment at
the excesses of some public administrators out there. It was the same thing the
teachers and lawyers were saying. So, all these people should be released. I
believe the president is wise enough to see the need to grant these people
amnesty and then engage in frank dialogue.
As traders are getting impatient:
Who is blocking elections at Kumba main
market?
By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba
Traders of the Kumba Main Market have begun
asking questions to the Meme administration as concerns elections into the
executive body of the Kumba Main Market Traders Welfare Association. The
anxious traders who have waited for close to three months since the abortive
election into the market was cancelled at the 11th hour say they are running
out of patience.
The
traders revealed with the coming of the new Meme boss, they knew things will be
regularized in no distant time for elections into the market to reorganize.
According to some of the traders who spoke to this reporter on the basis of
anonymity, they have waited patiently for the SDO to organize elections into
the market’s welfare association and it appears the Meme boss is rather
comfortable with the eight-man caretaker committee that he put in place two
months ago.
Following
the abortive election that was organized to the Kumba Main Market Traders
Welfare Association, the Kumba main market was in total disarray and confusion
without anyone to handle issues related to wellbeing of traders and their
security in the market. This situation was lay to rest by the Senior Divisional
Officer for Meme, Chamberlin Ntou’ouNdong when he created an eight man
caretaker committee to handle the affairs of the traders in the market.
In
a prefectoral order dated April 6, 2017, Chamberlin Ntou’ouNdong appointed an
eight man caretaker committee with all of the members been neutral from the
three camps that contested the abortive election into the market which ended in
a sham after been cancel at the 11th hour.
According to part of the order The Median
procured two months ago “pending the organization of election in view of voting
executive members of the Kumba main market traders’ association, the following
persons were designated as members of a caretaker committee to the Kumba Main
market welfare association: EyoMbone as chairperson, Mr. AgienChrysantus as Vice
chairperson, Mrs. SiehMalah as Secretary, Mr. AbuahDiuedonneIbiatoh as
treasurer, Mrs. Monya Rose Tambe as financial secretary, Mrs. MbolaMarthia as
1stadvicer, Mr. KovalchouNgassa as 2nd adviser and Mr. TchindaHogus Alexandra
as 3rd adviser” read part of the order.
Articulating Anglophone crisis:
K’ba broadcasters cautioned against
inviting “ignorant panelists”
By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba
 |
| Chamberlin Ntou'ouNdong, Meme SDO |
Meme SDO Ntou’ouNdong Chamberlin has urged
broadcast journalists and other media men in the city of Kumba to put much
thought into their choice of people to constitute discussion and debate panels
on radio programmes. This was done during a recent meeting which was attended
by journalists, administrative authorities and the Forces of Law and Order in
the commercial hub of the South West region.
The
SDO said that a thorough investigation of radio programmes had revealed that
most panelists did not master the issues they were called to analyze. Referring
to such people as hunters, he regretted that they kept showing up as experts to
enlighten listeners on sensitive topics which they hardly knew or understood.
He further said that tracing such people was difficult since they did not have
any regular jobs in Kumba.
8 Seminarians “vow” to stay with Mill Hill Missionaries
Some eight seminarians have made known
their intentions to continue their training as Mill Hill missionaries in
bamenda. The eight seminarians took their temporary oath June 3 at mill hill
formation house, Foncha street bamenda.
In
a solemn church service officiated by the Rector of the formation house, Rev
father Richard Njoroge alongside Mill Hill formators, the 8 Mill Hill aspirants
took their temporary oath of becoming mill hill missionaries. It marked their
completion of one year basic formation and three years of philosophical studies
at the Catholic University Bamenda.
Speaking
at the event, Rev Richard Njoroge, Rector and Country Representative of Mill
Hill Cameroon, made it clear that though the students could not complete their
last year philosophy because of the current Anglophone crisis that have
paralyzed schools in Cameroon, CATUC Bamenda inclusive, they had to specially
recommend them for further studies.
Contraband on the rise:
K’ba police indicted, as ZoaZoa floods
street corners
By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba
 |
| Zoa-zoa trafficking is flourishing in Kumba |
After close to three months that the First
Assistant SDO for Meme, EpoulewaneVerklineMbua launched a crackdown on the sale
of illicit fuel in Fiango, Kumba, confiscating over 5000 littres of the illicit
fuel, "Zoa-Zoa", dealers on
the illicit fuel have gone underground.
The
booming and flourishing trade on illicit fuel The Median gathered has been with
the help of uniform officers in kumba who are in constant underground business
deals with the dealers of the illicit fuel. The dealers have device new
strategies and methods of delivery of the product other than the usual method
where it was brandish on tables beside road sides.
This
reporter equally learnt from the dealers of the illicit fuel that they have as
well change the name of the product from Zoa-zoa to "easy booster"
meanwhile the only containers known to users, mostly bike riders and taxi
drivers are displayed beside the road.
After
investigations The Median learnt that there exist a strong link between dealers
of the illicit fuel and elements of the police force in kumba. According a dealer
of the illicit fuel who pleaded for fhis identify not to be revealed for
obvious reasons, the cost of operating in the zoa-zoa business has increased
over time. He revealed that prior to the
police crackdown in the month of March, they paid FCFA 5000 to some uniform
officers for protection in the business from Mondays to Saturdays. He added
this fee was accompanied by an extra amount for those who sell on Sundays.
Our
interlocutor, an illicit fuel dealer
went further to say many changes have been noticed in the business "at
first we use to pay our protection charges to these security men beside the
road but now they come right to our individual houses to collect this
money" revealed the fuel dealer.
Our source revealed that since the crackdown, the uniform officers have increased the
protection charge levied on them to the sum of FCFA 10000 on a weekly basis.
Crackdown on highway Criminality:
14 suspected highway robbers arrested in
Muyuka
By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba
Uniform officers in Fako Division precisely
in Muyuka have apprehended 14 bandits from the gang of highway hoodlums who
were constantly harassing passengers and other road users at the Mile 29 hill along KumbaMuyukaBuea
road highway.
The
men of the underworld were arrested recently after the uniform officers boarded
a passenger bus with civilian attire and embarked on the early morning journey
like business persons heading to Douala in the littoral region to buy goods.
The hoodlums stopped the bus thinking that they were only passengers not
knowing that they were heavily armed uniform officers on board the passenger
bus.
To
their greatest dismay the bus had heavily armed uniform officers who were able
to arrest two of the hoodlums on the spot while the others ran into the bushes.
During
the early hours of that faithful morning the uniform officers with the help of
the two arrested bandits ended up arresting 14 of the young men who have been
harassing and terrorising passengers and other road users around the Mile 29
vicinity. Most of the arrested young boys are said to come from Muyuka and
Ekona. They are presently helping the police in investigations.
It
should be recalled that the crackdown on the highway bandits comes after the
bandits had recently attacked the Mayor of Konye municipality, Dr. Barrister
Musima George Lobe along the same road axis. Musima was attacked in the early
hours around Ekona while he was travelling from Kumba to Yaounde on a business
trip.
Minister lures teenage hawker to school with cfa 5000
By Doh Bertrand Nua in Kumba
 |
| Higher Education Minister, Prof. Jacques FAME Ndongo |
The Minister of Higher Education who
doubles as the Chancellor of Academic orders and visitor to the university of
Buea, Prof. Jacques FAME Ndongo embarked on a personal gesture to encourage a
school age young boy to return to school and resume classes despite the ongoing
Anglophone impasse that has crippled schools and businesses in the NW/SW
regions of the country.
In
a personal action Minister Fame Ndongo stopped his convoy with close to fifty
cars to offer the some of FCFA 5000 to a young boy at the Mahole Street, in
Mukonje village in Kumba. The Minister made the gesture when he while in his
car spotted the young boy putting on a school T-shirt bearing the name of
Cameroon College of Arts and Sciences, CCAS Kumba.
Wildlife Trafficker Arrest
 |
| Leopard Skins trafficker arrested with samples |
A wildlife trafficker was arrested for
illegal possession of a leopard skin and
41kg of pangolin scales which he brought from Douala to Yaounde to sell. As he
alighted from the bus late in the night of June 8, 2017,, he was immediately
arrested by the police who were waiting from him. .
The
operation was carried out by the Centre Regional Delegation of Forestry and
Wildlife in close collaboration with police officers from the 10th Police
District in Yaounde and with technical assistance from The Last Great
Organisation - LAGA. The operation involved tracking wildlife traffickers
through social network and this quickly proved successful as a
partner of his was found
advertising several wildlife
species including leopard skins and pangolin scales. He would travelled from his base in Douala to Yaounde
where he intended to meet a client for business and was arrested.. .
Wildlife
traffickers are taking advantage of the new communication world, increasingly;
they are using the Facebook, WhatsApp and other communication tools to
adverstise, contact and conduct business with clients all over the world. The
opportunities are wide and varied with scammers, wildlife traffickers and other
kinds of criminals making the most of these open communication channels. .
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