NEW VICE CHANCELLOR OUTLINES BLUEPRINT

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By Tikum Mbah 

On the 29^th of July this year, Dr. Nalova Lyonga, until then Deputy Vice Chancellor in Charge of Teaching and TICs at the University of Buea, was appointed Vice Chancellor of that University through a decree signed by the President of the Republic, Paul Biya.

One of the first steps she took was to lay out her vision for the university. She did so in an exclusive interview granted to The Post newspaper.

Tikum Mbah Azonga went through the interview and put together this report.

___________________________________________

If one were to sum up the interview in one phrase, it would be that Dr. Nalova Lyonga has pledged to put the University of Buea back on the map.

One priority area is that of the BMP, or Bachelor`s, Master`s, PhD programme which is part of the new dispensation of higher education awards already applicable in European Universities. The system relates training directly to the job market whether in terms of job obtainment or job creation. Such a setup makes education more relevant, more productive and more flexible. The Vice Chancellor says henceforth, the University of Buea will closely look at the nature of teaching in the new era.

Technology, she says, must be expanded: “With technology, it will help you to reduce some of the problems of human resources”. According to her, this decongestion would also help to make transcripts available to graduates quicker and more satisfactorily.

To the vexatious problem of corruption which The Post termed, “rife at the University of Buea”, Dr Nalova Lyonga said: “An institution runs on rules and regulations. We will look at the issues and ask people what is the right way. Everybody should know what the right way is. Based on that, we`re going to go by the rules and regulations”.

Concerning claims by the Students` Union, UBSU, the Vice Chancellor said , “students need to express what they want and we are going to dialogue and find solutions to the problems”. Whatever is the case, the Vice Chancellor said, students should prioritize their work, for that is the principal reason for their being at university.

With reference to the teaching staff trade union, SYNES which had frequently been at daggers drawn with the university administration, the Vice Chancellor affirmed that SYNES members are teachers like everyone else. As such, Union members have the same problems as all others. The solution, she said, lies in sitting together and tackling the problems together.

On the whole, the Vice Chancellor held that she would redynamize the University of Buea, not all alone, but with the support of everyone. That is when, she says, the University of Buea will not only really and truly be “the place to be”, but will also find its rightful place on the world map.

________________________________________

This paper was first broadcast on Foundation Radio, Ngomgham-Bamenda on Friday the 13^th of July 2012. The Radio is an offshoot of the Fomunyoh Foundation. Dr Chris Fomunyoh recently appointed me Executive Station Manager of Foundation Radio. I am handling this alongside my full time job as Head of the Communication Division of the University of Bamenda.

sted on July 13, 2012 by WORDS FROM TIKUM MBAH AZONGA

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By Tikum Mbah Azonga

On the 29^th of July this year, Dr. Nalova Lyonga, until then Deputy Vice Chancellor in Charge of Teaching and TICs at the University of Buea, was appointed Vice Chancellor of that University through a decree signed by the President of the Republic, Paul Biya.
One of the first steps she took was to lay out her vision for the university. She did so in an exclusive interview granted to The Post newspaper.

Tikum Mbah Azonga went through the interview and put together this report.
___________________________________________

If one were to sum up the interview in one phrase, it would be that Dr. Nalova Lyonga has pledged to put the University of Buea back on the map.
One priority area is that of the BMP, or Bachelor`s, Master`s, PhD programme which is part of the new dispensation of higher education awards already applicable in European Universities. The system relates training directly to the job market whether in terms of job obtainment or job creation. Such a setup makes education more relevant, more productive and more flexible. The Vice Chancellor says henceforth, the University of Buea will closely look at the nature of teaching in the new era.
Technology, she says, must be expanded: “With technology, it will help you to reduce some of the problems of human resources”. According to her, this decongestion would also help to make transcripts available to graduates quicker and more satisfactorily.
To the vexatious problem of corruption which The Post termed, “rife at the University of Buea”, Dr Nalova Lyonga said: “An institution runs on rules and regulations. We will look at the issues and ask people what is the right way. Everybody should know what the right way is. Based on that, we`re going to go by the rules and regulations”.
Concerning claims by the Students` Union, UBSU, the Vice Chancellor said , “students need to express what they want and we are going to dialogue and find solutions to the problems”. Whatever is the case, the Vice Chancellor said, students should prioritize their work, for that is the principal reason for their being at university.
Wi

By Tikum Mbah 

On the 29^th of July this year, Dr. Nalova Lyonga, until then Deputy Vice Chancellor in Charge of Teaching and TICs at the University of Buea, was appointed Vice Chancellor of that University through a decree signed by the President of the Republic, Paul Biya.

One of the first steps she took was to lay out her vision for the university. She did so in an exclusive interview granted to The Post newspaper.

Tikum Mbah Azonga went through the interview and put together this report.

___________________________________________

If one were to sum up the interview in one phrase, it would be that Dr. Nalova Lyonga has pledged to put the University of Buea back on the map.

One priority area is that of the BMP, or Bachelor`s, Master`s, PhD programme which is part of the new dispensation of higher education awards already applicable in European Universities. The system relates training directly to the job market whether in terms of job obtainment or job creation. Such a setup makes education more relevant, more productive and more flexible. The Vice Chancellor says henceforth, the University of Buea will closely look at the nature of teaching in the new era.

Technology, she says, must be expanded: “With technology, it will help you to reduce some of the problems of human resources”. According to her, this decongestion would also help to make transcripts available to graduates quicker and more satisfactorily.

To the vexatious problem of corruption which The Post termed, “rife at the University of Buea”, Dr Nalova Lyonga said: “An institution runs on rules and regulations. We will look at the issues and ask people what is the right way. Everybody should know what the right way is. Based on that, we`re going to go by the rules and regulations”.

Concerning claims by the Students` Union, UBSU, the Vice Chancellor said , “students need to express what they want and we are going to dialogue and find solutions to the problems”. Whatever is the case, the Vice Chancellor said, students should prioritize their work, for that is the principal reason for their being at university.

With reference to the teaching staff trade union, SYNES which had frequently been at daggers drawn with the university administration, the Vice Chancellor affirmed that SYNES members are teachers like everyone else. As such, Union members have the same problems as all others. The solution, she said, lies in sitting together and tackling the problems together.

On the whole, the Vice Chancellor held that she would redynamize the University of Buea, not all alone, but with the support of everyone. That is when, she says, the University of Buea will not only really and truly be “the place to be”, but will also find its rightful place on the world map.

________________________________________

This paper was first broadcast on Foundation Radio, Ngomgham-Bamenda on Friday the 13^th of July 2012. The Radio is an offshoot of the Fomunyoh Foundation. Dr Chris Fomunyoh recently appointed me Executive Station Manager of Foundation Radio. I am handling this alongside my full time job as Head of the Communication Division of the University of Bamenda.

th reference to the teaching staff trade union, SYNES which had frequently been at daggers drawn with the university administration, the Vice Chancellor affirmed that SYNES members are teachers like everyone else. As such, Union members have the same problems as all others. The solution, she said, lies in sitting together and tackling the problems together.
On the whole, the Vice Chancellor held that she would redynamize the University of Buea, not all alone, but with the support of everyone. That is when, she says, the University of Buea will not only really and truly be “the place to be”, but will also find its rightful place on the world map.
________________________________________
This paper was first broadcast on Foundation Radio, Ngomgham-Bamenda on Friday the 13^th of July 2012. The Radio is an offshoot of the Fomunyoh Foundation.

SNAPSHOT OF BUEA AS IT AWAITS PAUL BIYA

The capital city of Buea in particular and the South West Region as a whole are in a mood of heightened expectancy as they prepare to receive President Paul Biya for celebrations marking fifty years of reunification. STAY AWAKE AND KEEP WATCH As things stand, though, the precise date is really still a matter of speculation as the authorities are tight-lipped about it. It is not unusual though, considering that usually when the president has to make a one-off public appearance at a national event, the exact date is kept close the to the heart like a trump card during a match of cards, until at the last moment, literally. This is the type of scenario that characterizes the annual football championship finals usually presided over by the Head of State. SHOOTS OF SOMETHING NEW As Buea holds its breath for the impending arrival of the august guest, residents of the locality are also heaving sighs of relief because their city has been so transformed that some of them can hardly believe some of the tell-tale signs. Street lighting has been provided for the main road arteries. This is the aspect that grips any night time traveler to Buea. There are beaming street lamps from Mile 17 into Buea town and from Mile 17 right down to beyond Mile 16. Similarly the same phenomenon can be observed from Mile 17 to Muea and beyond. The major roads have been cleared of vending containers. All the unsightly houses that had stood by the roadside, either serving as business premises or private residences and were earmarked for demolition have been brought down accordingly. Either the owners destroyed them voluntarily or the Council did so forcefully. The large hue and cry that broke out when demolition work began has now given way to a silent acceptance of the inevitable. In fact, landlords have found a way of now systematically putting up new buildings that are more attractive than the previous ones. ALCOHOL-FREE JUNCTION Roadside bars have been closed down and for once, the university junction is now void of the boisterous drinking spree groups that used to be commonplace in the vicinity. I once witnessed the Mayor of Buea, Mbella Moki Charles, giving bar owners at the junction a talk about the need to move their businesses away from the university areas. Although his interlocutors did not appear to agree with him and offered some resistance, the task became easier when the Head of State made it known he would be visiting Buea. WHERE PEOPLE DISAGREE One aspect of the visit that annoys observers is the fact that the built-in lane that separated the two streams of traffic on Buea`s main road – the one from Mile 17 up into the town – has been demolished. The argument of objectors is that it was there in the first place for security and safety, so that a vehicle on one side avoids swerving into the other lane and thus causing a major disaster. The fact that the long island of safety has been removed is perceived as an open invitation for vehicles to change sides abruptly with the effect that everyone knows. The question being asked now is whether now that the safety valve has been removed because the Head of State is coming, it will be put back after he has come and gone. NEW LOOK MILE 17 AND A SELLER`S MARKET Mile 17 has been refurbished with new storey buildings now adorning the commercial part of the locality. Even fruit vendors and butchers now have their own purpose-built stalls. Away from Mile 17 and the spots where buildings were demolished, new buildings are still springing up here and then in Buea. Whether they are for business or private use, they always inevitably have tenants lined up to pay their rents even in advance and move in. So the problem is not that of tenants, it is that of finding a house to rent. The issue of accommodation is so acute that often, while a house is still being built, tenants have already reserved it by paying rents in advance, in order to quicken finishing by the landlord . THE CAMPUS RUMPUS At the University of Buea where there was some unrest emanating from student protests recently, calm has returned on campus and the impression one gets is that of business as usual. However, some days ago, the Students` Union published a statement on internet claiming one of the students held in detention had died and was secretly buried. Even so, no evidence of such a death had been made available at the time we went to press. A MAN WHOSE TIME HAS COME One of the main actors of the current facelift in Buea is undoubtedly its Mayor, Mbella Moki Charles, also Senator of the Republic and Section President of the ruling CPDM party. After being elected Senator, he will no doubt be expected to step down as Mayor of Buea Council. In his own words, he says he has delivered the goods he was called upon to deliver when made mayor. Now that the mission has been accomplished, he feels strongly it is time to move on. It will be recalled that when the newly-elected senators met in Yaounde for their first session, Mbella Moki was an instant centre of attraction on account of his youthfulness, his nice looks and above all, his achievements as mayor of Buea. THE SEPTEMBER 2013 ELECTIONS AND AFTER President Paul Biya has picked the 30th of September 2013 as the date for council and parliamentary elections to be held nationwide. If the president`s visit to Buea takes place before that date, Mbella Moki will welcome him as mayor. If the president comes after the date of the twin elections, he will be welcomed by the new mayor, whoever that will be. But Mbella Moki will still be at the grandstand as a senator and Section President. Undoubtedly, henceforth, the history of Buea cannot be written without giving Mbella Moki a place in it. __________________________________________________ FOOTNOTE This paper was first broadcast on Foundation Radio (The Voice of the Voiceless) news , Mile 6 Ngomgham, Mankon-Bamenda, on Monday the 15th of July 2013.

REPONSE A MONSIEUR MARAFA HAMIDOU YAYA

Bonjour, l`Ex Secrétaire Général de la Présidence du Cameroun et ancien Ministre d`Etat Charge de l`Administration Territoriale, a affiché le message suivant sur son site FACEBOOK :

« 

Marafa Hamidou Yaya

Yesterday at 10:09am ·

• NON VOILENCE RÉVOLUTION
  
  J'ai toujours considéré moi-même, en premier lieu, comme un patriote camerounais. Je suis un prisonnier condamné qui dessert vingt cinq ans de fausses accusations politiques contre moi (1). Tout d'abord, je tiens à dire que l'idée que la lutte menée au Cameroun est sous l'influence du peuple ne va pas. J'espère alors que la vie peut m'offrir l'occasion de servir mon peuple et ma... ke mon humble contribution à leur lutte pour la liberté. Le nationalisme au Cameroun que pour l remarquable est le concept de liberté et de respect pour le peuple camerounais sur leurs propres terres. Le document politique le plus important jamais adopté par notre indépendance par nos maîtres coloniaux est « notre liberté ». Il n'est pas un plan directeur pour un pays libre. Elle appelle à des emplois pour les jeunes, mais pas la nationalisation par ce président ; Il prévoit la liberté des taux d'imposition pour les entreprises, importation, exportation, banques et industrie du monopole, parce que les grands monopoles sont détenues par vous uniquement et sans cette nationalisation domination ethnique pourrait se perpétuer.
  
  Immédiatement, j'avoue que j'étais une des personnes qui ont contribué à former son gouvernement. Je nie que j'ai été responsable de plusieurs lois qui manifestement ne relèvent pas la politique du gouvernement. Tous les moyens légitimes d'exprimer l'opposition à ce principe avaient été fermées par la législation, et nous avons été placés dans une position où nous avons eu à accepter un état permanent d'infériorité ou de défier le gouvernement. Nous devrions choisir de défier la Loi. Certaines choses ont dit jusqu'à présent à la Cour sont fausses. Je ne nie pas, cependant, que j'avais prévu de sabotage. Je n'a pas prévu cela dans un esprit d'insouciance, ni parce que j'ai tout l'amour de la violence. J'avais prévu elle par suite d'une évaluation calme et sobre de la situation politique qui a surgi après des années de tyrannie, l'exploitation et l'oppression de mon peuple par ce président.
  
  Aujourd'hui, je suis attiré par l'idée d'une société sans classes, une attraction qui vient en partie de notre lecture des pères fondateurs et, en partie, de mon admiration pour la structure des sociétés au Cameroun au début. La terre appartenait à la tribu. Il n'y a aucun riche ou pauvre, et il n'y n'avait aucune exploitation. Nous acceptons tous la nécessité d'une certaine forme de développement pour permettre à notre peuple à rattraper les pays les plus avancés de ce monde et de surmonter l'héritage de l'extrême pauvreté. J'ai acquis l'impression que l'autre parti politique considère le système parlementaire de l'Ouest comme réactionnaire. Mais, au contraire, je suis un admirateur. La pétition de droit et de la déclaration des droits sont des documents conservés dans la vénération par les démocrates du monde entier. J'ai beaucoup de respect pour les institutions britanniques et pour le système judiciaire du pays. Je considère le Parlement britannique comme l'institution la plus démocratique du monde, et l'impartialité de la magistrature ne manque jamais de susciter mon admiration. Le Congrès américain, que la séparation du pays des pouvoirs, ainsi que l'indépendance de la magistrature, suscite en moi des sentiments similaires.
  
  La plainte des camerounais (5), cependant, est non seulement qu'ils sont pauvres et les puissants sont riches, mais que les lois qui sont faites par les puissants sont conçus pour préserver cette situation. Il existe deux façons de sortir de la pauvreté. La première est par l'éducation formelle, et le second est le travailleur acquiert une compétence supérieure à son travail et donc des salaires plus élevés. Camerounais sont concernés, que ces deux avenues d'avancement sont délibérément réduites par ce président. Le gouvernement a toujours cherché à entraver les Camerounais dans leur quête de l'éducation (2). Environ 60 % des enfants du Cameroun dans le groupe des 7 à 14 ans ne fréquentent pas l'école. Pour ceux qui le font, les normes sont très différentes de celles offertes aux enfants riches. C'est sans doute conforme à la politique de l'éducation. Les gens qui croient en l'égalité ne sont pas enseignants souhaitables pour les autochtones. Quand mon ministère contrôles native education il va savoir pour quelle classe de l'enseignement supérieur originaire est montée, et qu'il aura une chance dans la vie d'utiliser sa connaissance.
  
  Les peuples camerounais ne faisaient pas partie du gouvernement et n'ont pas fait les lois par lesquelles ils étaient régies. Nous avons cru dans les mots de la Déclaration universelle des droits de l'homme, que « la volonté du peuple doit être le fondement de l'autorité du gouvernement » et pour nous d'accepter l'interdiction équivalait à accepter le silence des camerounais à tout jamais. Réponse du gouvernement a été d'introduire des lois nouvelles et plus sévères, afin de mobiliser ses forces armées et d'envoyer des véhicules armés et des soldats en cantons dans une démonstration massive de force conçu pour intimider les gens. Le gouvernement a décidé de régner par la force seule. Quels ont été, nous, les dirigeants de notre peuple, de le faire ? Nous avons n'eu aucun doute que nous devions poursuivre le combat. N'importe quoi d'autre aurait été abandon abject. Notre problème n'était pas si se pour battre, mais concernait la manière de poursuivre le combat. Mais la dure réalité qu'aucune révolution de 50 ans a porté le peuple camerounais rien mais des lois plus répressives et les droits de moins en moins. Il y avait eu violence en 1992 après l'élection présidentielle ; Il y avait la violence en 2008 pour la situation économique ; Il y avait la violence dans les universités pour les frais d'éducation des sommets. Chaque perturbation a souligné la croissance inévitable entre les camerounais de la conviction que la violence était le seul moyen de sortir - il a montré qu'un gouvernement qui utilise la force pour maintenir son règne enseigne les opprimés d'employer la force pour s'opposer à elle. Je suis venu à la conclusion que rester tout à fait dans ce pays était inévitable ; Il ne serait pas réaliste de continuer. Cette conclusion n'était pas facilement est arrivée à. C'est seulement quand tous les autres avaient échoué, lorsque tous les canaux d'été à l'intérieur l'homme qui avait été prescrite pour moi, qu'il a été décidé d'embarquer dans des formes non-violentes de lutte politique. Je peux seulement dire que je me suis senti moralement obligé de faire ce que j'ai fait.
  
  Mon combat est contre les difficultés réelles et non imaginaires, ou, pour reprendre les termes du procureur de l'état, « soi-disant difficultés ». Fondamentalement, mon combat contre deux caractéristiques qui caractérisent la vie camerounaise au Cameroun et qui font partie de la législation. Ces caractéristiques sont la pauvreté et le manque de dignité humaine, et je n'ai pas besoin du président ou du soi-disant « juges » de m'apprendre au sujet de ces choses. Mais c'est une terre de contrastes remarquables. Le puissant profiter de ce que peut être le plus haut niveau de vie dans le monde, tandis que l'impuissance vivre dans la pauvreté et la misère. La pauvreté va de pair avec la malnutrition et la maladie. La tuberculose, la pellagre et le scorbut apportent la mort et la destruction de la santé. Mon combat est véritablement nationale. C'est une lutte du peuple camerounais, inspiré par leur propre expérience et de leurs propres souffrances. C'est une lutte pour le droit de vivre. Pour le reste de ma vie je vais me consacrer à cette lutte du peuple du Cameroun. J'ai lutté contre la domination du président (4) . J'ai chéri l'idéal d'une société libre et démocratique, où toutes les personnes vivent ensemble en harmonie et égalité des chances. C'est un idéal qui je l'espère à vivre et à atteindre. Mais s'y a besoin, c'est un idéal pour lequel je suis prêt à mourir.
  
  Marafa H Yaya”

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MA REPONSE A MONSIEUR MARAFA

Monsieur Marafa, vous pleurez trop et pour rien. Vous n`avez pas pu laisser vos avocats faire leur travail. Vous parlez trop. Condamné que vous êtes ? Alors, purgez votre peine en toute tranquillité et en toute sérénité. Au fait, de quoi est-ce que vous vous plaignez à longueur de journée ? N`avez-vous rien de mieux à faire ?

Vous avez passé beaucoup plus de temps aux côtés de Paul Biya quelconque Secrétaire Général. C`est une grande marque de confiance de sa part. Vous éprouvez de l`amertume contre lui ? Vous avez des choses à lui reprocher ? Alors, trainez-le aussi devant le tribunal. Vous lettres ouvertes ne signifient rien car ce ne sont que les aboiements d`un ancien qui a perdu son fil conducteur et son poste, et surtout, son pouvoir. Aujourd`hui, vous prenez à témoin le peuple camerounais. Mais pourquoi si tardivement ? Leur pensiez-vous hier lorsque vous étiez en haut ? Sûrement le peuple camerounais ne sera jamais dupe.

Monsieur Marafa, il y a deux faits que je vous reproche : lorsque vous étiez Ministre d`Etat à l`Administration Territoriale et à la Décentralisation, vous avez convoqué la presse pour venir témoigner et immortaliser la remise de matériels électoraux aux candidats au portefeuille de Président de la République. Nous sommes en 2004. J`ai été horrifié et révolte lorsque vous avez d`abord fait entrer dans la salle, votre Ministre Délégué et le Secrétaire d`Etat. A votre arrivée dans la salle, tout le monde s`est levé, y compris les deux ministres (!), pour vous accueillir. Moi je me suis dit : « Que c`est minable et indigne! » Il s`agissait des Ministres Emmanuel Edou  (si je ne me trompe) et Adrien Kouambo. Vous pouvez vérifier! Par contre, il me souvient que lorsque le Ministre Kontchou Kouomegni Augustin était aux Relations Extérieures, il arrivait et partait toujours accompagnés par ses deux Ministres Délégués, l`un à sa droite et l`autre à sa gauche.

Excellence, dans votre texte que j`ai cité ci-haut, vos prônez à haute voix, voire à cor et à cris, les valeurs de moralité. Ces valeurs passent aussi par la paternité. Mais vous semblez ignorer que lorsqu`un homme digne de fois fait un enfant, il doit assumer ses responsabilités et les assumer pleinement au lieu de fuir, de dénoncer et  de tout renier. Lorsque votre sang coule dans un autre Être humain en raison du processus de  procréation, cet individu devient partie intégrante de vous. Mais je ne vous apprends rien là.

Certes, je ne suis pas l`avocat de Monsieur Paul Biya, encore moins l`avocat du diable. Mais parlons peu et parlons vrai : Monsieur le Ministre, souhaitez-vous vraiment vendre votre « ancien » maitre aux enchères  au plus offrant et à la place publique ? Vous avez côtoyé Paul Biya pendant des années. Et c`est un grand privilège que de le faire. Vous et lui, vous vous connaissez à fond. Vous vous êtes plusieurs fois rendu chez lui, même à Mvomeka. Vous connaissez toutes ses chambres privées. A force d`avoir été l`un de ses plus proches collaborateurs et pendant si longtemps, vous le connaissez peut-être mieux que son épouse. Et subitement, d`un revers de la main, vous balayez tout ? Vous faites tout voler en éclats. Vous faites bousculer et basculer tout. Vous bougez tout. Etes-vous donc devenu le Canard Déchainé ? En moins de rien ? J`ai lu vos propos avec la plus grande attention. Dans ces propos, je n`ai discerné aucun mot de gratitude adressé à l`endroit de Paul Biya, encore moins à son illustre épouse dont vous avez sûrement plusieurs fois mangé la nourriture et bu l`eau. Que dites-vous à cette dame aujourd`hui ? Que vous ne la connaissez pas ? Paul Biya ne vous a donc jamais fait aucun bien ? Aucun ? Etes-vous un ingrat, Monsieur Marafa ?

MORCEAUX CHOISIS DE MARAFA

1.     « Je suis un prisonnier condamné qui dessert vingt cinq ans de fausses accusations politiques contre moi. »

Ma Réponse : C`est le tribunal qui décide de la fausseté des accusations. En cas de désaccord, vous devez toujours vous recourir à la loi et non aux injures, aux affronts, aux avanies et aux railleries.

2.     « Le gouvernement a toujours cherché à entraver les Camerounais dans leur quête de l'éducation. »

Ma Réponse : « Toujours », dites-vous ? Et sciemment ?

3.     « Mon combat est véritablement nationale. »

Ma Réponse : Celui de qui ne l`est pas ? Vous considérez-vous donc seul et unique ?

4.     « J'ai lutté contre la domination du président. »

Ma Réponse : Le président vous a-t-il vraiment dominé, donc ? En quoi faisant ? En vous nommant Secrétaire Général de la Présidence de la République ou en vous hissant aux  rangs des plus gradés du RDPC ?

5.     Vous faites allusion à « la plainte des Camerounais ».

Ma Réponse : Qu`est-ce que vous en savez ? Après tout, vous avez  vécu  dans une tour d`ivoire.

CONCLUSION

Monsieur Marafa, vous dites être « un prisonnier condamné ». Cela veut dire que votre destin est entre les mains de la loi. Je crois savoir que votre seule sortie de secours réside également dans la loi. Faites prévaloir la loi et défendez-vous en bonne et due forme. Le Cameroun est un pays de droit. Même s`il ne l`est pas, le reste du monde l`est. Le cas échéant, faîtes recours au système juridique britannique qui vous passionne tant. N`avez-vous pas affirmé ceci : « J'ai beaucoup de respect pour les institutions britanniques et pour le système judiciaire du pays. Je considère le Parlement britannique comme l'institution la plus démocratique du monde, et l'impartialité de la magistrature ne manque jamais de susciter mon admiration. »

TIKUM MBAH AZONGA

Un autre Camerounais

THE LOUD SOUND OF SILENCE

BY TIKUM MBAH AZONGA When shall the cock crow So, finally, when shall it bloody crow? Is it when the lights are turned off? Is it when Obama flies over Kenya and lands in Tanzania? Is it when Cameroonians in Maryland Massively migrate to Texas to swap their green cards? Is it when Paul finally invites Victor to Unity Palace? Or is it when the Prophet suddenly steps forward Alone, single-handed, unprovoked, not pushed And announces that he has found the rope with which Judas Iscariot hanged himself And that all Cameroonians in the Diaspora Must within forty eight hours return home Or face the wrath of Uncle Sam? Then what will happen to Endeley`s good old bow? Shall it metamophorsize into a new crow Or shall it blossom into another bouquet for Schwarzkopf? Where shall that leave age-old Azania? In tatters and adrift, like the wrecked ship, or on solid land? Will that old Cameroonian in D.C. hurriedly auction his lards? Quickly pack his bags but forget his choicest lace? What if everyone calls him a coward Unable to wait for the president’s return because he was hushed? Is each one of us a saint or a witch? Finally, are we a library or an empty book shelf? Let us take a look at ourselves and determine whether it’s mighty America Or this little Cameroon we call home At the end of the day, It’s Uncle Sam or the tam-tam.

APPOINTMENT OF SECRETARIES GENERAL

By Tikum Mbah Azonga

The post of secretary general is a significant one in Cameroonian administration. We find secretaries general in ministerial departments, governors` offices and universities, to name those. Even so, the phenomenon is not a Cameroonian invention. That is why we also had them at the Organization of African Unity (OAU) at the time of that organization, and today, the African Union (AU). We also find the portfolio at the United Nations.

Nonetheless, the focus of the present political commentary is the recent appointments by the President of the Republic, of secretaries general in ministerial departments. Holders of the portfolio play a key role in the running of government ministries. In a ministry that has a Secretary of State, the Secretary General is third in command, after the Minister and the Secretary of State respectively. This is the case with ministries such as the Ministry of Basic Education, the Ministry of Secondary Education and the Ministry of Finance. In ministries where there is no Secretary of State, the Secretary General is automatically next in command to the minister. Such is the case with the Ministry of Water Resources and Energy, the Ministry of the Arts and Culture, the Ministry of Communication, and the Ministry of Tourism and Leisure Activities, to name those.

The recent appointment of Secretaries General affects a total of 18 ministries. Among these are those who have been appointed to that post for the first time. They include Felix Mbayu, a super scale minister plenipotentiary who was acting Secretary General in the Ministry of External Relations, following the appointment of his predecessor, Ngoh Ngoh Ferdinand as Secretary General at the Presidency of the Republic in the last cabinet reshuffle. Felix Mbayu has thus been confirmed Secretary General in that ministry.

Other first time appointees comprise Jean Tchoffo, a super scale civil administrator who becomes Secretary General of the newly created Ministry of Public Contracts. Paul Biya created this ministry after it was realized that the Public Contracts Regulatory Board (ARMP) alone could not handle problems concerning the award and execution of public contracts. Tchoffo is a square peg in a square hole because he was one of the think tanks of public contracts who in addition, played an active role in defining what was later to become the Ministry of Public Contracts.

The new Secretary General in the Ministry of Higher Education, Ngomo Horace Manga is an Associate Professor of Applied Chemical Engineering. Thanks to his appointment, Professor Ngomo returns to what may be called his Ministry of origin. Prior to the appointment he was Technical Adviser Number 1 at the Prime Minister`s Office. Ngomo obtained his PhD from the University of Lagos in 1990. The new Secretary General replaces Prof André Mvogo who remains Pro-Chancellor of the University of Bamenda.

One other official who heads her own ministry of origin is Prof. Sinata Koulla-Shiro, a specialist in infectious diseases. Prof. Koulla-Shiro practiced at the Yaounde Central Hospital. She takes over from Prof. Fru Angwafor III who had previously been appointed Director of the Gyneco-Obstetric Hospital in Yaounde.

The Secretary General in the Ministry of Secondary Education is another professor, Paul Gerard Pougoué, an agrégé in law. He takes over from Prof. Ivo Tambo Leke who moves over to the Ministry of Basic Education in the same capacity. Prof Tambo will certainly not feel a stranger in his new ministry because he is an educationist by profession and orientation.

The new Secretary General in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is Ahmadou Sardaouna, a civil engineer with a PhD in Project Management. Before his appointment, he was Regional Delegate for the same ministry in the Littoral Region. The new post holder in the Ministry of Social Affairs is not just another woman but one who has been appointed to serve under a woman minister, Catherine Bakang Mbock, The Secretary General is Dr. Rosalie Louise Aboutou, a medical doctor with a specialization in ophthalmology.

Other appointees are Mouhtar Ousmane at the Ministry of the Arts and Culture; Nasako Fritz Gerald at State Tenure and Lands; Ebang Mve Urbain Noel at Finance; Ngambo Fondjo Pierre Vincent at the Public Service and Administrative Reform; and Moussa Aoudou at the Ministry in charge of the Promotion of the Woman and the Family.

One significance of the appointments is that they follow a pattern. Not so long ago, President Paul Biya signed another decree appointing regional governors. If logic is any paradigm to go by, then a cabinet reshuffle is to be expected. The reasons are two-fold. Firstly, it would be a logical follow-up to the appointment of secretaries general. The reorganization of some ministries, obviously lends credence to this theory. Secondly, it is very likely that since municipal and legislative elections are just round the corner, the President of the Republic may very well want to pick the crack team he needs in order to secure a victory for himself. All eyes are now on President Paul Biya to see what will be his next move. And the world is watching.

Footnote

This paper was first broadcast on Foundation Radio, FM 100, Ngomgham-Mankon, Bamenda, Republic of Cameroon, on Friday the 21^st of September 2012. Foundation Radio is one of the wings of the Washington-based Fomunyoh Foundation whose CEO is Dr Christopher Fomunyoh.