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Mongo Foundation International: Instilling hope, happiness in hundreds of orphans around Cameroon

National Coordinator Mongo Foundation Cameroon: Mme Wutidma Olivia alias (Ma Vatican)

This typical philanthropic organization, Mongo Foundation Int. through its activities and services to humanity in the North West Region of Cameroon is creating a lot of impact in the lives of Cameroonians in desperate situations. The Foundation never sleeps when it comes to giving hope and happiness to little children, particularly orphans and underprivileged ones. Since the beginning of the year, this Foundation has proven its worth as a source of hope and happiness to underprivileged children and orphans across the North West Region. They are moving from place to place making sure these children are at least brought to a level like those of the rich and doing so with the message that “God has a good plan for them” and that their parents are not dead yet.

In Baba I village on Friday 13^th day of April 2012, like elsewhere in Mbengwi, Bafut and Bamenda, the Foundation has generously donated some sizeable packets of assorted items to children, thanks to assistance from the “SAMARITAN’S PURSE” in United States of America through their programmed, “Christmas Child”. Hundreds of both registered and unregistered children (orphans) turned out for the sharing of gifts ceremony at the esplanade of the Fon’s Palace at Baba I despite the bad weather that characterized that Friday afternoon.

Cross-section of the hundreds of orphans in Baba I Ndop showed up for the distribution of gifts

Though the ceremony was strictly for children who have been orphaned by their parents as young as 1and 2 years olds, the ceremony also saw the attendance of the Fon of Baba I, HRH Fon FUEKEMSHI II, some village notables, elite and family members of these orphans were in attendance to witnessed the event that greatly instilled happiness and hope to children in the area.

The children of Baba I village with back home very happy with gifts (packets of assorted items like dresses, shoes, toiletries, toys, money, etc)  offered them by Mongo Foundation donated by the SAMARITAN PURSE in USA.

In the Mongo Foundation Int., the same love that the Lord Jesus showed to children in his days, are strictly demonstrated in their mission for setting up such a humanitarian organization. They are fast distinguishing themselves through their activities and services from other organizations with similar objectives in the North West Region.

Created in 2008, Mongo Foundation is apolitical and nonprofit making organization put in place for the common good. Activities of the Foundation include amongst others; distribution of books and other didactic materials to orphans in schools, giving out foodstuff, clothing and other basic needs to widows and orphans; management of empowerment centers where orphans and widows plus other underprivileged Cameroonians are empowered through training with life’s skills for survival through self-reliance; HIV/AIDS control activities; community development campaigns and human rights awareness programmes; etc.

The targeted groups of Mongo Foundation Int. are orphans, widows and widowers. Three aged groups and the underprivileged ones in society are also targeted groups in their outreach programmes. 

CEO of the organization, Rev. AB Mongo

According to the CEO of the organization, Rev. AB Mongo, the Mission of his Foundation is to let every orphan, every widow, every widower, have a reason for living and not to really feel the gap of departure of their loved ones. The Foundation is out to update the standard of literacy in the suburbs through the creation of libraries and award of scholarships to needy children as well as giving these groups their rights to good health. All these are summarized in the Foundation’s Mission Statement - “Make an Orphan and widow smile”.

To realize the objectives of the Foundation, a powerful team of coordinators have been put in place comprising of the CEO – the Rev.  Pastor AB-Monga; National Coordinator – Mme Wutidma Olivia alias (Ma Vatican) and other international coordinators.

MONGO FOUNDATION could be contacted by Tel: (237) 77 51 15 76 / (237) 33 15 45 63. EMAIL: info@mongofoundation.org

By Akamancho Ezikiel  Dotta in Bamenda

Nico Halle should be called to order for manipulation of the press against Fon Chafah

 

Listeners of CRTV Bamenda were disappointed when the Station Manager, Frederick Etta, unprofessionally and maliciously stopped an important interview over the Saturday April 7, 2012 widely listened programme, Red Carpet.

North westerners were glued to their radio sets listening to an interview between Fon Chafah and the Red Carpet anchor man, Colday Olivier, in which Fon Chafah was explaining certain issues bordering around Ntunfor Barrister Nico Halle and NOWEFU when of a sudden, music interrupted the interview and the programme ended abruptly.

Later in the day, That Watchdog Tribune gathered that Barrister Nico Halle “bought over” the CRTV Bamenda Station Manager to stop the programme where Fon Chafah was very critical about his hypocrisy. What beats the North Westerners’ imagination is the fact that the same CRTV Bamenda Station Manager a couple of days ago, gave Barrister Nico Halle 2 straight hours time to insult Fon Chafah but unprofessionally denied Fon Chafah the right to response over the same radio station.

In another vein, the same Ntumfor had earlier granted a smear interview over The Post Newspaper in which he again insulted Fon Chafah. When Fon Chafah accosted The Post Newspaper to get his own part of the story, he was again denied the right of response. This again was because Ntumfor instructed The Post management not to allow Fon Chafah give any clarification.

By the way, is Ntumfor Nico Halle a true peace crusader that the press has made him to be? Far from that. Ntumfor hails from Awing village in Santa Sub-Division of the North West Region where his village was involved in a bloody conflict with a neighbouring village destroying houses and other property. Where was Ntumfor when this happened? Why didn’t he as the peace crusader that he claims to be not have nipped it in the bud?

That aside, Ntumfor has of late, divided the North West Fons and their Union (NOWEFU) is almost splitting given his desperation of the “Ntumfor” title. Luckily, the Fons have finally understood his intrigues and are now determined not to lift the suspension slammed on him by their former President General, Fon Chafah.

Moreover, Barrister Nico Halle is giving the impression that he was feeding fat from the Ntumfor title, if not, why is he desperately in need of that title? Why is he crying for a title that he said was draining him dry of finances? Nico Halle should even close the chapter of the “Ntumfor” title. The Fons are tired of him and he is to be replaced by Ntumfor Fru Jonathan whom the Fons are confident that he can deliver the goods better than Nico Halle did. In the next general assembly of the Fons on April 28^th 2012, WATCHDOG TRIBUNE gathered from sources close to the new executive of NOWEFU that Ntumfor Fru Jonathan will be presented to the public by NOWEFU as their new Spokesman and Ntumfor. This done will automatically put an end to the noise the dismissed Ntumfor is making to discredit NOWEFU. No one will be tolerated to destroy the Union of this Region which a vast majority of the people look up to for the development of their communities, for selfish reasons. NOWEFU is the only hope that remains of a Region yearning for development.   

Why Cameroonians Survive by Corruption

 

Inertia, which seems to be Cameroon’s trade mark without any doubt, it the ingredient of the ubiquitous and rampant corruption in Cameroon. Cameroonians siphon and steal state’s funds with impurity and go scot-free. Like a man of God, once remarked; “In Cameroon, it’s like people are persecuted for out being corrupt enough”. He opined that most Cameroonians in government do not have the fear of the Lord and so they operate as if God is kilometers away from them.

Come to think of it Cameroon has for two consecutive times been rated by Transparency International as the most corrupt country in this planet, earth, yet no one cares. Remember a former famous Minister under this Regime, who was given millions of FCFA to take to the National Team and he shamelessly told Cameroonians that the bag of money disappeared while on air to the U.S World Cup. And of course, nothing has since been done to him, the spirit of Cameroonians.

And even despite the fact that Government has now waged a war against embezzlers with several members of government and civil servants in jail, corruption has continued to be on the increase.

So, why Cameroonians survive by corruption? The answer is not far fetch. To begin with, there’s this acute lacuna in job opportunities in the country and so jobseekers must bribe or corrupt to have jobs. When they succeed to get the jobs through bribery, they also demand bribe from other to make up the money they spent to get their jobs.

Today, it’s open secret in Cameroon that to get admission to ENS, candidates must bribe for between FCFA 700000 and a million. To go to ENAM, the bribe is between 2 million and 5 million FCFA. Even primary school kids are aware of these rates.

And of course, Cameroonians love flashy cars and mansions. To get these, they steal money from even corpses.

Watchdog Tribune Group Organizes ground-breaking press award in Bamenda

 

The Watchdog Tribune Group on Saturday April 7, 2012, organized a keepsake, memorable and ground-breaking Press Awards cum 10^th anniversary celebration never witnessed in recent times.

At the occasion which exceptionally took place at the prestigious State’s owned Ayaba hotel, with official authorization from the host Divisional Officer for Bamenda II Sub-Division to hold the event, the population was marveled by the colourful event which witnessed a lot of innovations.

INNOVATION:

Unlike other press awards in the country, the hostesses were all dressed in colourful white T-Shirts carrying Fon Chafah XI of Bangolan’s effigies as the WATCHDOG TRIBUNE Man of the Year (2011).

Most importantly, all the laureates were decorated with sages bearing Cameroon’s tri-colours- Green-Red-yellow which were artfully sewn. Like one on-looker observed, “The sages are so beautifully made that some Mayors would prefer to wear during important occasions while other laureates may wear them to churches and meeting houses”

Most importantly, a coloured Magazine in glossy papers titled; WATCHDOG TRIBUNE-2011 Magazine National Press Award, Winners. “A MAGAZINE FOR ICONS”, carrying the profiles of the laureates was launched in grand style.

Before the award, the Watchdog Tribune 10^th anniversary celebration cake was a major highlight of the occasion. Only decoration of the cake moved the Mayor of Bangante, Mme Ketcha Courtes, to cough out FCFA 300,000.

The Publisher / Editor of Watchdog Tribune, Akamancho Ezikiel Dotta, explained that he first introduced press awards in Anglophone-Cameroon in 2003 and was celebrating only 6^th edition because he suspended the award in 2008 “as other newspapers wrongly copied them. He said he has re-instituted it in a more powerful way because they want to remain pacesetters in award.

Big names like the former Minister of the then Youth and Sports, Philippe Mbarga Mboa, then Minister of Basic Education, Haman Adama, Chantal Biya Foundation, President Paul Biya, Fon of Bafut, Ntumfor Nico Halle, Fon Chafah of Bangolan, Fon of Baba I, Minister of Transport, Late Nsalai Christopher, African Institute of Computer Science (IAI), Cameroon and now Ibrahim Mbombo Njoya have all received the Watchdog press awards.

The Saturday April 7, 2012 Watchdog 10^th anniversary celebration was covered by both international and national press in the likes of BBC, Canal 2, CRTV, and the Print Media among others.

Cross section of laureates after decoration with sages

Fon Chafah(Man of the Year 2011) and Mme Courtes (Mayor of the Year 2011)

How Mayor Ketcha Courtes was decorated Best Mayor in Bamenda

 

Mayor of the Year 2011: Mme Ketcha Courtes

The Watchdog Tribune 10^th anniversary celebration came and passed at Ayaba Hotel conference hall on Saturday April 7, 2012 but tongues are still wagging in Bamenda and its neighbourhood about the highlights of the occasion.

Although Fons, Mayors, Principals and Businessmen who matter were among the laureates, one distinguished Mayor called the shot. This was nobody else but the Mayor of Bangante Council of the Nde Division of West Region, Mme Celestine Ketcha Courtes. Her arrival at the premises of the Ayaba Hotel tickled all and sundry-given the unceasing chanting of the Bangante sons and daughters based in Bamenda.

For those who thought Mayor Ketcha Courtes and her powerful Delegation were to make their entry to the ceremonial hall for the event, they got it all wrong. North-West Fons numbering over a score, invited Mayor Celestine Ketcha and her Delegation to Fon Chafah XI of Bangolan’s Palace at Foncha Street, Bamenda to show case her importance.

After a brave communion with the Fons, the Fons ushered Mayor Ketcha and her entourage among whom was her French-born husband, to the Ayaba Hotel ceremonial hall for the occasion proper.

The triumphant entry into the hall was again greeted by a standing ovation, cheering and chanting most especially by hundreds of her Nde elite in Bamenda who turned out in their numbers to cheer their award winning Mayor.

As if the population was waiting solely for Mayor Ketcha Courtes to kick-start the occasion, the National Anthem commenced when Mayor Ketcha et al, were about to take their seats. Needless to stress here that the long wait by the population after all, did not bother the cream of laureates at the occasion when The Watchdog Tribune Publisher/Editor, Ezikiel Dotta, disclosed the caliber of Mayor, Mme Ketcha Courtes is especially her connections with Cameroon’s First Lady, Chantal Biya. Her introduction was again greeted with another standing ovations and cheers.

Another highlight at the occasion was when Mayor Ketcha Courtes was specially decorated by former Minister, Bochong Francis Nkwain, with a sage carrying the tri-colours, as The All-Round Best Mayor of the year in the West Region.

That Groundbreaking National Press Award Paper Presentation of Hon. Bohchong Francis Nkwain

 

 

A TALK DELIVERED By H. E. Francis Nkwain Bohchong AT THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF “THE WATCHDOG TRIBUNE” ON APRIL 7, 2012 AT AYABA HOTEL, BAMENDA

When the Publisher-Editor of the Watchdog Tribune approached me on Monday, the 27^th of February 2012, to give a talk on “Cameroon towards an emerging economy: The major role of the press in the fight against corruption in Cameroon,” many obviously disturbing questions rushed through my mind; but one thing was very clear to me, and it was that, nobody would expect me to present a scientific paper on such a topic. As such, I accepted to give this talk, knowing fully well that I was going to be conversational, as I share both my take on this incisive subject, as well as my experience of Cameroon, as a frontline political actor.

It is for this reason, that I shall be conversing with all of us gathered here today, on what an emerging economy is, in relation to Cameroon’s option for such a transformation, and the role of the media as a whole, in the fight against corruption, the major challenge to such an evolution.

Generally, emerging economies are those regions of the world, which are experiencing rapid transformation, under conditions of limited or partial industrialization. These are, mainly, economies with low to middle per capital income, considered as emerging because of their developments and reforms.

Hence, even though China is deemed one of the world’s economic powerhouses, it is lumped into this category, alongside much smaller economies with a great deal less resources, like Tunisia. Both China and Tunisia belong to this category because both have embarked on economic development and reform programmes, and have begun to open up their markets and “emerge” onto the global scene. They are, therefore, fast-growing economies. Such economies are transitional, meaning that, they are in the process of moving from the close economy, to an open market economy, while building accountability within the system.

As an emerging market, a country embarks on an economic reform program, which will lead it to stronger and more responsible economic performance levels, as well as transparency and efficiency in the capital market. One key characteristic of such an economy is an increase, in both local and foreign investment. A growth in investment in a country often indicated that the country has been able to build confidence in the local economy. Moreover, foreign investment is a single that the would has begun to take notice of that country’s emerging market.

It was from this promise, that President Paul Biya declared on national television that, and I quote:

“We will make Cameroon and emerging country, that is, a country with strong democratic institutions, enjoying strong and sustainable growth… We are going to transform out country into a vast construction site, which will provide job opportunities for young people and create wealth that can be redistributed equitably.” End of quote.

Furtherance to this, President Biya promised to build roads, power plants, and a deep sea port, and he is seeking to attract more investment to the country’s agriculture and mining sectors, with the goal of securing emerging market status for Cameroon by 2035 – thus, putting Cameroon in the same bracket as countries such as Mexico or Malaysia.

From every indication, our option in Cameroon is to strive for the wellbeing of both the nation and its people by the year 2035. This, of course, is an option for the system of good governance, which works for the good of all our people, especially of generations to come. Indeed, this is an option to build on the future, our future. This means that, the wellbeing of our nation and our country as a whole, should not necessarily be judged on the strength of the CFA franc as against the Dollar, Euro or Pound; or whether our shares do well on the world’s stock markets; but should be judged on its most important commodity – its people, the most precious of all our natural resources being our children.

Unfortunately, and very sadly too, we are failing drastically to secure the future of our nation that of our children, and that of our children’s children, because we remain positively numb to the effects of corruption and crime as a whole! As a nation, have we simply become desensitized to the negative effects of corruption and crime, or do we, as a society, just accept these as part of our lives?

 To say the least, we owe it to one another; we owe it to our children, and to the people of this country, to take up the good fight and to make our voices heard. The fight against corruption    will not be won by policies and procedures; it will be won by many individuals, uniting in the common goal and drive to eradicate the negative effects that corruption has. As Transparency International tells us, and I quote:

“Fighting corruption requires more than tools and programmes; it requires role models who inspire; role models who have demonstrated a commitment to their values and beliefs by their courageous actions. Integrity awards winners provide a sense of hope and empowerment-they demonstrate that it is possible for ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Integrity awards winners are the heroes of the fight against corruption.’’ End of quote.

Are we individuals, who stand for integrity and honour? Are we individuals, who are committed to our values and beliefs? Your answer is as good as mine. But one thing stands out very clear: in the words of the chair of Transparency International for the Solomon Islands, “the quality of leadership and good governance is determined by the quality of the media.’ This is even more so, because the media is the only entity providing any sense of balance to the all-powerful and monopolistic nature of government; and the American founding father, Thomas Jefferson’s statement, that he would rather have a free press without a government, than a government without a free press, speaks of why the press was made the fifth independent branch of a functioning government(after the constitution, legislative, judicial and executive branches), through its institution in the first amendment. As such, to stifle the press is to stifle the nation; and that is why when we talk of the power of the press, we mean the power of what the press can do, namely:

1.      Give expression to public mind.

2.      Influence public thinking.

3.      Explain government policies.

4.      Provide us with varied news.

This leads us to the role of the media in the fight against corruption, in a country that has opted for an emerging market economy. In such an economy, corruption is the responsibility of the media to expose. If corrupt leaders are being constantly exposed by the media, they                would start thinking twice before doing it again. However, we are all aware that there is no specific definition for corruption. Rather, there are many definitions, all of which agree that, it means going against the law, in order to achieve personal goals, or the bad use of authority by a person holding power, in ways that are considered a waste of public money. As such, there are many forms of corruption, but it is all the same in its harm to the community, and the restriction of its development.

The role of the media is, therefore, a very big one. The media provides the means where information about corruption can be relayed worldwide. The public needs to be warned on a regular basis, about the harmful effects of corruption in an emergin economy; and this role is not only to inform the public about facts and statements, the media should also be active in public education and in the effective support in the fight against corruption. The media can play the role of being the watchdog, the agenda setters and gatekeepers in society. Through investigative journalism, irregularities both within the government and the private sector can be uncovered.

However, our media is far from being a group of angels. Like in other organizations, our media faces professional and administrative corruption. Those working in the media are like any other people, and can be persuaded in many ways such as bribes, patronage and receiving personal gain through their authority or work. They can use their pen to blackmail people or for the advantage of people they favour.

Today, we live a daily situation whereby, corrupt people try all that they can, to get the media on their side, either by threats, buying them or other ways, until the media sometimes falls into their racket. Some may argue that this is as a result of the low income of most journalists; but for one thing, corrupt people will never fight corruption, and if corruption is spread through media outlets, society will lose one of the most important weapons in the fight against corruption.

It is also true, that in spite of the global policy of freedom of the press, many journalists and media foundations still face problems accessing information. It is even truer, that the media’s efforts to gain people’s confidence fails because of the contradiction and corrupt behavior of high ranking figures in society, who loot public monies and go free, unquestioned. Thus, we need confident media and credible people to deliver the message of fighting corruption.

In recent times, the arrests of supposed corrupt public officials, has conjured a syndrome of hope amongst Cameroonians. 20.7% of our population hold that exposure of corrupt individuals is the best way for the media to fight corruption. This response is due to the widely held ideas that only a public shaming system can ignite the much-expected change.

Today, it is irrefutable that corruption has become a pandemic in the Cameroonian society. There is, therefore, need to eradicate this cankerworm, which has significantly contributed to hamper the socio-economic and political development of the nation. This fight can actually succeed, if the government works in alliance with the media, which stands as the main agent against the fight. This could be achieved by giving the media increased access to information, especially from the administration and the courts.

Conscious of the fact that the private media has been described as the most active sector in the fight against corruption, the government supports their efforts by providing substantive subsidies to the private-owned media in the form of tax breaks on newsprints and electronic equipment. But until the media frees itself of corruption, it can hardly report convincingly on the issue. Receiving bribes is a common practice among journalists. It has become part of officialdom, that journalists receive “brown envelopes” after the coverage of an event from the organizers. These envelopes largely influence the outcome of their report.

Press freedom should be respected, so as to enable the media to report freely on corruption. It has been realized that though a plethora of press laws exist in Cameroon, the media still operates with a high level of self-censorship, because their hands are tied by bonds of bribery and corruption. Until this issue is properly addressed, the media shall be largely ineffective in the combat against corruption, even if it remains the most active advocate in this crusade in Cameroon. This confirms the media’s role as the watchdog of society. It is important for both government and civil society to create an enabling environment for the effective use of the media to fight corruption in all facets of Cameroon national life.

At this juncture, a request of genuine self-examination must be addressed to the journalists, of both the public and private media, who are supposed to be watchdogs of society, but who, unfortunately demonstrate a more disheartening dimension of corruption.

Professional ethics of journalism are violated with impunity, and journalists enmesh themselves in the mud or payola, commonly called ‘gombo’ or ‘makapati,’ without remorse. They run behind individuals and institutions for money, to either sing praises or publish manufactured information at the detriment of empowering information. At the end of it all, the greatest loser is the citizen, who, in the absence of credible and useful information in the media, seeks solace in entertainment. The result has been an asphyxiated civil society, and an uninformed citizenry, incapable of holding officials to account, for misused of office or public money.

Finally, and as a take-home message, we call on the media, within the context of Cameroon moving towards an emerging market economy by 2035, to bear in mind that:

1.      The public has to be warned, on a regular basis, about the harm of corruption.

2.      Corruption undermines the moral standards of society, endangers democracy, deprives citizens of their rights, and blocks development.

3.      The role of the media is not only to inform the public about facts and statements; it must take an active role in public education and in the support for the fight against corruption.

4.      It is important for media organs to cooperate with NGOs and other institutions in the fight against corruption. Special emphasis has to be laid on establishing a network of information, knowledge, understanding and cooperation between various professional associations and public institutions.

Thank you for your kind attention

Hon. Francis I. W. Nkwain

Bohchong of Isailah-Njinikom,

Boyo Division.