A RESOLUTION FOR US ANGLOPHONES

A RESOLUTION WE ANGLOPHONES SHOULD MAKE One of the positive changes democratization and freedom of speech have brought to Cameroon is by and large, freedom of expression. This is just as well because a conducive atmosphere for debate is vital to development. What is lacking to a certain extent, though, is the ability to accept criticism. Political parties have silenced members when they have voiced views that are contrary to the party line. Individuals have risen against individuals. Bosses have ruthlessly clamped down on their underlings and thus traumatized them. The latter have also sought to challenge the former with the results that one knows. However, it has been observed that the Anglophone Cameroonian has victimized other Anglophone Cameroonians even more than any group. We have written petitions against each other; we have slandered and blackmailed each other; we have blocked the chances of others repeatedly; files that ought to have been forwarded have been sat on and buried alive. We have told Yaounde that this or that person they are thinking of appointing to a post is not qualified, when in fact the envisaged candidate is qualified. When Yaounde has instructed an Anglophone boss to recognize another Anglophone with a position, the said boss has passed it on to someone else. This situation has become so dire that some observers have coined the phrase: “The Anglophone is his or her worst enemy.” Let us change. Let us today as a new year begins resolve to build, and not destroy; put together, and not asunder; encourage, and not discourage; pat and not slap; promote, and not demote; transmit files and not bury them; advise, and not blame; give a helping hand, and not a kick in the butt; speak, and not shout; correct and not exhibit; help and expect nothing in return; assist and not claim credit; work together and not singly. In short, let us love our neighbours like ourselves. That is the way forward.