SONARA Spends 56 Million Frs On Workers' Children Toys

Cameroon’s lone National Oil Refinery Cooperation, SONARA has awarded a contract worth 56.236. 396 million Frs CFA (some $112000) to a Douala based company named Toys Center Sarl.

An award of contract notification dated September 19 2016, from the Director General of Sonara, Ibrahim Talba Malla, gave the supplying company  two months to deliver the toys.

Though it is not precise which event Sonara would be hosting with toys worth some 56 million frs cfa, it is suspected that it is in preparation for end of year festivities.

As the publication of the tender went round social media, a heavy debate was sparked off on how a company in a country hit by unemployment, lack of energy and water and roads could be spending such an amount for toys.

“What has Sonara done for the city of Limbe where it is based? Cape Limbo cannot boast of roads, portable water and or a health facility erected by Sonara. 

SONARA GM 

How many Anglophones are working with Sonara by the way,” fumed a chief of Limbe I subdivision who preferred not to be named. 

Other compatriots argued that it was important to observe that petroleum companies have certain standards when it comes to the treatment of its workers.

Sonara was created on March 23, 1973 and now has a capital worth 23 billion frs cfa.

Michelle Nkamankeng Becomes Youngest Published Author in Africa,10th on the Globe

Michelle Nkamankeng, a grade 2 learner at Sacred Heart College in Johannesburg, has made history as she becomes the youngest published author on the African continent and also the 10th youngest in the world. The South African National TV, SABC spoke to the bright eyed 7 year old who narrates where she drew her inspiration among others….Watch and Listen to Michelle…Amazing

When Mr Biya goes to his Village...Convoy of 14 cars...

Cameroonian President in one of his journeys to his village of Mvomeka, Centre Region....watch 

PEOPLE: Literary Luminary, Prof BOLE BUTAKE Passes On…

PROF BOLE BUTAKE 

The prolific Cameroonian academic and playwright, Bole Butake is no more. The Professor of Literature died, October 1 2016 at a Yaounde hospital. 

"He has been suffering from (...) complications for about six of seven years. I am told by his wife that she hurried him last Wednesday to the reanimation ward of the CHU where he died," said one of Butake's friends and former student of his. 

We gathered that after his retirement form teaching in several Universities in Cameroon and abroad, Bole Nazarius Butake got a job at the Christian University of the PCC in Bali but complications would not allow him stay long in Bali, away from his family in Yaounde. He finally had to retire home where he shuttled between his residence and different health facilities, until his death at the age of 69. 

BOLE BUTAKE, THE MAN

BUTAKE (L) AND NIGERIAN WRITE NIYI OSUNDARE 

Bole Butake is from Noni land in the North West Region of Cameroon. Described as very intelligent, he attended Sacred Heart, a leading Catholic College in North West of Cameroon the the prestigious CCAST Bambili, 

the then lone High School in West Cameroon before moving to the University of Yaounde and then left for the University of Leeds in England. On his return, he taught at the University of Yaounde until his retirement in 2012.

BUTAKE (WHITE) PAYING TRIBUTE TO A COLLEAGUE

In all his plays, Butake takes sides with the downtrodden, the wretched of the earth, the deprived and the underdogs.  His ‘attacks’ on rulers through his plays were scathing. 

He even turned down an appointment to accompany a CPDM delegation to the South West for campaigns in the early 1990’s, an act which put him at logger heads with the Yaounde regime.

In his own words: “my troubles really began in 1992 when in early February, I was appointed, without being consulted, as ‘chargé de mission’ for the ruling CPDM party during the first multi-party legislative elections to some part of the country. I wrote a damning disavowal… A week later I was replaced. 

A year later I would begin living the consequences of my deed because the new Chancellor of the University banned all theatre performances on campus and unleashed a war of harassment against my person,” he said

Butake argued that many get into politics just to enrich themselves, throwing their consciences to the dogs. “It is really disgusting how people can abuse their consciences and allow themselves to be manipulated by Machiavellian political leaders,

because they want to be appointed to high administrative offices where they will be in control of budgets and so can serve themselves generously from the tax-payer’s sweat,” he had said.

HIS WORKS

More than an academic, Butake distinguished himself as a playwright. His repertoire and rich legacy of plays include: The Rape of Michelle (1984), Lake God (1986), The Survivors (1989),  And Palm-wine Will Flow (1990), Shoes and Four Men in Arms (1993), Dance of the Vampires (1995), Zintgraff and the Battle of Mankon (2003), Family Saga (2005, Betrothal Without Libation (2005), Cameroon Anthology of Poetry (2010) .

Butake is also remembered for starting The Mould, in 1976; a literary magazine that greatly brought up University Students with creative critical instincts. 

Again, Butake, alongside Hanzel Ndumbe Eyoh, created the Flame Players, a drama troupe at UniYao that staged and thrilled Anglophone drama.Bole Butake is said to have also been very influential in the creation of the Anglophone Cameroon Writers Association, ACWA 

along side the Bate Besongs,Ndumbe Eyoh's,Kitts Mbebohs, Nalova Lyongas, Edward Akos, Tala Kashims, Tangyie Suh-Nfors, Tah Protuses, The Bumu Martins etc.

TRIBUTES

“Butake quits the scene on a very significant October 1 day, a day Southern Cameroonians consider as their independence day. Bole used his arts skills to denounce the wide marginalization of Cameroonians of English speaking origin in all sphere of public service in Cameroon.” Keneth Toah Nsah, (Nsah Mala) Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, France

"Prof was soft spoken, amicable and sociable. Cameroon has lost a great genuine intellectual who shunned the trappings of power and self aggrandizement in our sick community. 

His status as voice of the voiceless might not have been noticed like the Bate Besongs, but what he chose to do during his active life like sensitizing women in the SW Region showed him as an intellectual with a inevitable grassroots sparkle. 

That he refused joining the pillaging and plundering of the Anglophone heritage - was baited to become the first Minister from His Noni community but turned it down, preferring to continue forming young Cameroonians. By his death Anglophone Cameroon has lost lost a formidable gadfly, one whose silent legacy speaks with enviable eloquence." Tameh Valentine Nfon, President of Teachers Association of Cameroon, TAC

With additional reports from The Post print edition no 001354 of July 2012

BREAKING: 16 Injured After Bamenda Food Market Accident

COMMOTION AFTER ACCIDENT

At least 16 people are reported to have been injured, some seriously,

 after a road accident which occurred this September 29 2016 at Bamenda Food Market, North West Region of Cameroon. 

CAR IN FOOD MARKET MARKET 

Majority of the victims who were rushed to the Bamenda Regional hospital and other health establishments are said to be pedestrians and business people who were in their shops at the time of the incident. 

The car owner who was reportedly a lady was also reportedly injured. No death was reported amid fears that some lives may be lost given the gravity of some of the injured persons.

The cause of the accident could not be immediately established. Witnesses said a Rav 4 vehicle with registration number LT 640FF that was driving in from the Old treasury street,  left the tarmac and hit pedestrians, commercial motorcyclists and their bikes. 

CRUSHED BIKES 

Food items were also smashed. Other witnesses blamed the accident on a reported brake failure of the car that that was involved.

Bamenda City Council officials and some policemen are said to have rushed to the scene to control traffic which was grounded for hours. Other commuters rushed to the market to check if the loved ones were injured. 

OPINION : Blame Yourselves for Stealing, Embezzling, Not Biya or Colonial Masters - Dr Rexon Nting

Dr REXON NTING 

By Dr Rexon Nting

Not in the name of Paul Biya, CPDM system, France, Great Britain and Germany (our colonial masters). Do your work diligently and as a patriotic citizen and stop looking for excuses.

If you are a minister in Cameroon, instead of diligently doing your work, you are busy creating fictitious companies and issuing contracts to your relatives and acquaintances, you are busy collecting bribes and giving contracts to people who are not going to execute the work, you are directly responsible for your own actions and cant blame it on Paul Biya even if he appointed you there or any other system.  

If you are a tax official in Cameroon, you go to your office, instead of collecting taxes and passing it over to the treasury for the money to be used to build schools, hospitals, roads, etc, you are busy collecting bribes and issuing fake certificates to people, you are directly responsible for your own actions and cant blame it on Paul Biya even if he appointed you there or any system.

If you are a police officer, instead of going around arresting criminals, you are focused on collecting bribes, you are directly responsible for your own actions and can’t blame it on Paul Biya.

If you are a medical doctor in a state hospital, instead of doing your work diligently, you and your administrators have organized teams that sells drugs (like HIV antiretrioval druges) and services that were supposed to be given to patients for free, you don't really care but people are dying carelessly, you are directly responsible for your own actions and cant blame it on Paul Biya even if he appointed you there.

If you are a rich parent, you are going around, bribing officials in government institutions like ENAM, EMIA, CUSS, etc to gain admission for your kids at the expense of other qualified candidates, you are directly responsible for your own actions and cant blame it on Paul Biya or any system.

PAUL BIYA: ARE YOUR HANDS CLEAN?

If you are banker and instead of granting loans to those who are genuinely qualified, you are collecting bribes and granting loans only to a selected group of people who can't pay it back without thinking of the risk of default and the impact of that on ordinary depositors, you are directly responsible for your own actions and cant blame it on Paul Biya or any other system.

If you are a Pastor, you are misinterpreting the bible, manipulating your subjects, always talking of tithes, offerings, first fruits and the blessing that follows these things, and collecting money from them, without showing any interest in their actual spiritual and personal development, you are directly responsible for your own actions and cant blame it on Paul Biya.

The blame game must stop. We should all stand up and learn to be responsible for our individual actions. Time for us to wake up and work, and stop blaming Paul Biya's system, colonial system, etc. We are responsible for our individual actions and all of us should own up to it.

BOOKS & PEOPLE : Seven Year Old Enthusiastic About Her Book Launch in Johannesburg

Seven year old, Michelle Nkamankeng 
author of  Waiting for the Waves  
says she is very enthusiastic about the upcoming 

launching of her first book. 

The first launching has been slated 
for the 21st September 2016 at Old
 Chapel Theatre of Sacred Heart College,  

Campus Johannesburg, where she is a grade two 

learner (Class 3 in Primary School). 

The Second launching takes place at the Wits 

University Education campus on October 1 2016.

The South African citizen told the South African National Broadcaster’s (SABC) official radio station, SA FM, recently that, she is keeping manuscripts of 3 other books.

MICHELLE (R) HEADS FOR SCHOOL

She said she drew her inspiration to write  Waiting for the Waves  after she visited the beach with her family in South Africa. 

Seeing the waves rising and falling, she believed that she was encouraged not to fear the waves which are figuratively used to mean life’s difficulties.

In one of the cover pages of the book, it is explained that  Waiting for the Waves  is about a little girl, Titi, who loved the ocean and the big, big waves. 

She also loved spending time with her Uncle Joe, who encouraged and inspired her to overcome her fears. 

MICHELLE AND TEACHER 

Her fascination and love for the big waves also underscored the law of polarity of both love and fear. 

Ultimately the love of her uncle and family helped her conquer her fear of the big waves. 

AFRICA's YOUNG AUTHOR

“This story highlights the contradictions of emotions: ultimately, by freeing oneself from fear, you give yourself permission to truly experience the beauty of nature,” wrote the Head of Sacred Heart College, Colin Northmore, in a forward of the book, published by  LANSM Publishing Ltd.

Michelle Nkamankeng’s who does ballet, plays netball, gymnastics and swimming and music is described by her mother as a little girl who always follows her dreams. 

MICHELLE AND MUM AT SA FM

“She’s caring, passionate and smart; she never lets anyone get in her way,” says her mother Laurentine (Lolo) Nkamankeng.

Her father Paul Nkamankeng said through her daughter, he now has an idea of what it takes to publish a book. 

“As a parent, my main role was to give advice, encouragement and financial sponsorship to make this a reality. I just learnt that publishing a book is a very expensive exercise!” he said. Michelle is the third child in a family of four.

ASEED Enhances Education of Needy Kids with Books, Financial Help

By Aaron Yancho Kaah*

ASEED, ASSISTING NEEDY WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION

Mbuyonghe Helen- a teenage girl was particularly in good spirits like the rest of the 19 other needy kids and pupils from some 6 primary schools in the close knit mountain village of Belo North West Region of Cameroon. 

On September 4^th 2016 they received assistance of school needs and had their fees paid by an NGO -Action for Social Empowerment and Economic Development (ASEED).

Shortly before receiving her gift of hope as a good will endowment from  ASEED's  Patron, Waindim Timothy Ntam, Helen a pupil, of Government Bilingual School Belo sat dejected and looked slightly older than her age. Her long legs seem to stretch her in to a world of her own. “This pair of worn out blue gown I am wearing and sleepers where offered to her some years ago by a Good Samaritan” Helen said. Barely incapable to answer any further questions, this child had also faced severe malnutrition in the near past.

Explaining Helen's predicaments her head teacher Chiakou Jacinta remarked that her fate was not actually hers.  But what happened? Helen unlike many other kids in this community is a  product of a wedlock teenage relationship “born by a child with a child, " as Jacinta will further explained. “The misery in this family made this child to go through life like a ghost,” Jacinta said.  A misery that saw them fending or living on next to nothing. Yet Helen had a daring will to pursue her education, an unperturbed will that have seen her attending school almost every year without books, fee or learning aid.  

“This rocked on for years and caught our interest,” Jacinta recounted. Jacinta's quest to know more about this 10 year young pupil shocked her to the bones. ‘Helen was not only born out of wedlock but her 19 year old mother who was nursing a set of twin. Because of limited resources and illiteracy within their family lineage it was difficult to survive  ,” Jacinta lamented.

ASEED's BENEFICIARIES

 Most parents in this community dig the soil for corn and beans but the harvest was not enough to source income for emergency needs or good education for their children.When the good news arrived,

  that ASEED will be helping deprived kids in this municipality, Jacinta saw this as a golden opportunity to help Helen and others like her in difficulty , by enrolling them in the ASEED funding project, for the 2016 academic year.

Helen's story provides a   picture of the kind of kids and pupils who bagged home ASEED gifts last September 4^th.  They were  pupils and kids  born of struggling mothers and absentee husbands , or children born of corn and beans desperate farmers, or albinos neglected by family and friends or children orphaned or disabled . Bowing to these gifts, one after the other collected school bags stocked with books pens and pencils as well as test books. These special kids laughed and smile with a look of pure joy in their faces to the cheers of their parents and community members.

Speaking to the invited guest, the parents and beneficiaries and their families, ASEED's Patron, Waindim Timothy Ntam said their initiative which was not only aimed at   fostering academic excellence in Belo Sub Division, but also the wish to extend a hand of love to the needy in memory of his deceased wife and founder of ASEED Madame Waindim Dorcas. Recounting a series of events that led to the donations and the wish of the founder to better the lives of the vulnerable in society, Mr. Waindim added that the task of keeping this good will gesture of his angel wife could only be possible if all hands were on deck. 

MADAME WAINDIM DORCAS : ASEED FOUNDER 

‘You are our force and you must join us to keep this flames alive,” he exalted the audience. Mr. Waindim in a moving and loving memory to the founder of ASEED, explained that the capacity of the deceased to change the world transcends wonders and no matter how hard the road was tough for ASEED to go, he and the other board members were poised “to trod that tortoise path in making a better world for the needy as she wished,” he added.   

While pledging continuous and immediate help to the growing number of albino kids in that community,  ASEED Patron,  promised to establish some ten birth certificates to some underprivileged kids and pupils before the end of this school year. 

The Benjamin of the Waindims, Ian -a form 2 student of Sacred Heart College Mankon, while handing over a distinguished gifts on behalf of his deceased mum to one of the orphans from far away Konene  area called on the beneficiaries to settle for nothing less than good results. “Don’t disappoint my mum,” Ian added to the applause of all. Other speakers like Dr Ngam Confidence and elite of the Sub Division and board chairman of ASEED urged the parents of the pupils and the kids to take up their own responsibilities in ensuring that the gift were fully put to use and that the education of these children was a priority.

WAINDIM TIMOTHY NTAM: ASEED's PATRON 

 “It is now left for you to complete the wish of ASEED" Dr. Ngam ended. The Sub Divisional Delegate for Youth Affairs for Belo, Nsom Genesis while acknowledging that they was a real physical evidence to proof that the beneficiaries merited the gifts , further thanked ASEED  and its founders for making the education of the poor a priority. 

“Our hands and hearts are open to your support each time you think of these needy kids,” Genesis said.

The event was attended by traditional dignitaries, university dons, NGO experts, the elite , media and politicians. Action for the Empowerment and Economic Development is an NGO that was created in 2008 to promote human rights, economic development, and sustainable livelihoods in response to the plethora of challenges faced by exposed youths, girls and women in today’s world.   

*Aaroon Yancho Kaah, Bamenda, Cameroon based Journalist and guest writer

United Support For Peace, USP,(NGO) Encourages Talents In Bonavada, Buea

An international USA based Non-Governmental Organisation, United Support For Peace, USP, which is helping to promote youth activities in communities and fighting for peace in different war torn areas around the world, has stretched its activities to the Bonavada youths, a community in Buea Sub Division, South West Region of Cameroon.

BONAVADA YOUTHS DISPLAY 

USP in August 2016 supported the Bonavada University Graduate Association (BUGA) in organising two scintillating events 

dubbed ‘Bonavada Got Talents to Show’ and the other event named ‘Mister and Miss Bonavada.’

Bonavada University Graduate Association (BUGA), a Community Development Association was formed in 2016, under the guidance of Dr. David Makongo, an elite of the community, an international business lawyer and philanthropist. 

DR MAKONGO: GIVING TO COMMUNITY IS MY PASSION

He has also been donating scholarships and paying school fees for youths of communities in Cameroon and has facilitated the studies of many others in different universities and higher institutions in Cameroon and Africa.

Between 23^rd of July to the 20^th of August 2016, BUGA, brought together all youths in Bonavada for the ‘Bonavada Got Talent to Show and the Miss and Mr Bonavada competitions, sponsored by the USP founded by the Makongo Family in the USA. There was a cash price of some 300, 000 Frs Cfa amid other awards.

For close to one month, the youths of Bonavada were engaged in singing, poetry, comedy, dancing and the display of the rich and incredible Bonavada culture. 

DISPLAY OF TRADITIONAL WEARS AND DESIGNS 

With the project “Bonavada Got Talent Show Mister And Miss Bonavada”, the Bonavada University Graduate Association through a fashion parade, gave an  opportunity,

for both local and international stylists to display their designs by using those who took part in modeling competition. 

Designing and  modeling according to the BUGA executive is  a profitable alternative to young people who could otherwise turn to harmful  activities in order to make a living.  

PARTICIPANTS AT BONAVADA  TALENT SHOW 

At the end  Peter Johnson Molute finally won the Mister Bonavada competition while Marie Crescence Mbella emerged as Miss Bonavada. Other winners included Fanny Josso Ekongolo who displayed her musical and singing talents. 

Other youths like Andrew Nango also mesmerized the jury. “We are very grateful to United Support for Peace and especially its founder, Dr David Makongo and family for engaging the youths and keeping them busy throughout the summer holidays.  

FASHION PARADE

The event was a great success and everyone in our community remains very happy. We do hope to have more of such opportunities as we the youths constitute the future of our community our country and continent,” BUGA President Freddy Esuka said.

 “ We are committed preserve  the rights of the Bonavada Youths in particular and the Bakweri young scholars in general by trying to propose solutions that improves the livelihoods for young graduates in the BONAVADA community and the entire country. 

BONAVADA YOUTHS 

As a group, the youths are putting hands together try and address the issues of unemployment, poverty, sanitation, health and education. 

The youths must be busy always not only during their long summer holiday,” Dr Makongo said. 

“It is my own way of giving back to the community, my country and the world,” he added.

Freelance Writer Launches ‘Celebrity Profile Show’ September 2 2016

A freelance writer and social critic, Daniel Richard Assako, popularly known as Don Chaele on social media is due to launch on September 2, a program dubbed The Celebrity Profile. The show is to be powered by sound cloud and shared via facebook every Friday as from 4:00 pm.

DON CAHELE: MORE TO COME!

According to the host and creator of the show, Don Chaeule, it would not be  limited just to actors, models, designers, artists and bloggers but everyone who is making an impact in their communities whether a teacher, doctor, businesses men, authors, photographers, pastors, politicians etc. 

Don Chaele said the show with tagline Arise and Shine, seeks to showcase the celebrities of the world.

DON: THE SOCIAL CRITIC IN ACTION

The University of Buea, journalism graduate has already shortlisted celebrities in the likes of Goretti Egbe, Renata Ndisang, Mark Bareta, Krysten Enem and Jovynuy Joybert  and would be interviewing them to enable the public share their experiences.

“Questions would be very professional but intriguing. There is a slot called 'Question of the Month', a common question mainly on societal issues which the celebrities are expected to answer," Don said.

Don Chaele who is also an MBA in Finance graduate from the University of Gloucestershire in UK where he is based, is also an estate agent and private tutor and has a strong passion for the entertainment industry.

PEOPLE : LIFE IN USA SO FAST, STRESSFUL...YOU COULD GET LOST IN THE SHUFFLE – ACCDF CHAIR, MS JUSTINE MBIANDA

Ms Justine Bachu Mbianda is one of the Cameroonians speaking for a United African diaspora. Her desire to serve her compatriots caused her to be elected first Chairman of the All Cameroonian Cultural and Development Foundation (ACCDF), a powerful umbrella organization for all Cameroonian groups in the Washington Metropolitan and USA. She handed over the batten of command to a new chair at the end of her mandate in 2015.

MS J.  MBIANDA : WOMEN SHOULD NO LONGER DEPEND ON MEN

Holder of a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications (Broadcast Journalism) and a Master’s Degree in Instructional Systems Technology, she has worked for several U.S. Governmental Agencies, including the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and currently the U.S. Department of Labor. 

 She is also a nurse in good standing.  From her position as Chairman of ACCDF, Ms Mbianda, a Sakerette, who moved to the USA in 1981, explains that life is fast and stressful in the USA, so much so that one could easily be lost in the shuffle.  

In this interview she makes an assessment of her mandateas Chairman, difficulties in bringing Cameroonians together and urges women not to anymore depend on men. Read on…

How did you get to the USA and was integration that easy in those days?

MS MBIANDA @ AN ACCDF EVENT

Ms Mbianda: While attending Saker Baptist College in Limbe, my late sister’s husband was appointed the Chief Financial Officer at the Cameroonian Embassy in Washington DC, U.S.A.  Soon after graduating from Saker, my sister visited Cameroon and informed me that we would be leaving for the US together. 

 So, on August 12, 1981, I boarded the plane for the United States and have been here ever since.

The U.S. was not the bed of roses most people outside the US have in mind. The drastic change in culture, the food, the language, transportation…in short, live was very difficult. Bear in mind that, I was received by my family. 

Imagine how hard it was for those who arrived with no family members. With time though, I gradually picked up. Life here is so fast and stressful that if one is not careful, they could get lost in the shuffle.   I had to re-invent myself, so I returned to school. 

ACCDF MEMBERS

I was very interested in broadcasting because when I left Cameroon there was no Television. I saw a TV set for the first time here in the United States of America. So, I wanted to be amongst the first TV reporters as soon as that was possible in Cameroon. Unfortunately, that dream never materialized and it was not easy breaking into the American media either. 

I later took classes in Computer Science and have been in the Information Technology field for quite some time now. I am also a nurse in good standing. The beauty of this Great country called America is that the possibilities are endless, if you are hardworking, honest, and humble and focused.

You are the first lady, ‘Chairman’ of the All Cameroonian Cultural and Development Foundation (ACCDF) ACCDF. What is this ACCDF all about and how did you get there?

L-R : FON LUCAS, LADY KATE & HUSBAND,  MS MBIANDA

The All Cameroonian Cultural and Development Foundation (ACCDF) is the powerful umbrella organization for all Cameroonian groups out here in the Washington Metropolitan area and by default the United States. 

  Created 15 years ago and named the All Cameroonian Cultural Festival Foundation (ACCFF) the mission is to use Cameroon’s rich and diverse culture to unite or bring Cameroonians in the US together. 

The ACCFF began with annual Festival of Cameroonians from different regions showcasing their cultures some in traditions dance , others in poetry, fashion show and then with live music-Bikutsi or Makossa. As time went on, our population exploded and our cultural groups began taking on development projects in various regions of Cameroon.  Some brought water to their villages; others constructed roads, while containers of medical supplies were shipped annually by yet others.

 SANGO ALLOTEY & EXCO DIRECTOR, R. MBAKOP

Some groups even considered building Funeral Homes for their dearly departed.  Some of these groups ran into difficulties with their projects and needed assistance. The ACCFF being the umbrella organization   stepped in and facilitated these projects. 

Today this great organization does not only use our culture to galvanize our people but facilitates a lot of Development projects by various cultural groups. Hence the names changed from ACCFF to ACCDF. The word “Festival” was replaced by “Development”.

What would you say ACCDF  achieved throughout your entire mandate?

I was the Chairman for four years. People wonder why I am called Chairman and not Chairlady. Well, the title of “Chairman” is not designated for the person but the position. So, whoever holds that position is referred to as the Chairman. It feels good though to have been the first female 

ACCDF FESTIVE MOOD

Chairman.One of the other great achievements of the ACCDF is the Community Calendar. Because our population has grown so much, there tend to be multiple events on the same day. The ACCDF came up with the “Community Calendar” to manage community events and minimize schedule conflicts. Associations inform us of their upcoming event. 

The event is published on the Calendar for all to see. In this way other groups do not use this same date for their own event.  Also, the ACCDF is doing great with information dissemination. We have a huge database of all these Cultural, Faith Based, Alumni and other associations. 

These organizations are registered on our listserv. So with one click from the ACCDF, information reaches the entire community. You could visit our website by clicking http://www.accdf.org/home.php

ACCDF WOMEN

Another big achievement of the ACCDF is the creation of Cancer Awareness in our community. In 2013 the ACCDF in partnership with two other organizations travelled to Cameroon for a medical mission.  Four members of the ACCDF including myself were part of this mission. The delegation included several Doctors, Dentists, Nurses, Pharmacists and a Surgeon. Dental procedures were performed on countless Cameroonians at the Limbe Regional Hospital, Cottage Hospital, Tiko and two other hospitals in Buea and Kumba. 

Till this day, I feel emotional when talking of that trip. It feels good to give back to community!!!  Every year, the ACCDF organizes some cancer related event, be it a round table discussion, Breast Cancer screening, or partners with other organizations for an event.

PIONEER ACCDF CHAIR, SHEY CHRISTMAS EBINI 

The ACCDF ensures that Cameroonians are taken care of and are well represented in all facets of life. The ACCDF stepped in when Pius Njawe on a visit to the U.S. suddenly died in a car crash and organized the funeral for this great man. The ACCDF did the same for Mr. Soul Bams, Lapiro de Mbarga and recently, Jacob Nguni.  

We actually rallied the community, rented a bus and travelled from Washington to Buffalo New York for Lapiro’s funeral. Upon our return the ACCDF organized a big “Cry Die” with the community here in Washington Metropolitan Area. ACCDF is Community Servant. Is it nice to know that Cameroonians here have a One Stop Shop for all Cultural and Development related issues.  Some people even call on the ACCDF for family related matters. The ACCDF also plays a big role in conflict resolution. 

L-R: FORMER CHAIR TASONG, MS MBIANDA, OTHERS 

This is key, as legal fees run into thousands here, (thousands of Dollars). In short the ACCDF has been very instrumental in holding our community together. Thanks to the solid foundation laid by the Founding Members. The first Chairman of the Organization is Sessekou Shey Ebini Christmas then Mr. Ivo Tasong . Due to the success of ACCDF; tons of other organizations have sprung in the community. What can I say…God is good. 

ACCDF must certainly have  its own challenges?

It is very difficult to head an organization such as the ACCDF which caters for the entire Cameroonian community. Everyone’s problem is the ACCDF problem. Every organization’s problem is the ACCDF problem. Cameroonians are a great people. We are very lucky in a lot of ways. We have a very high literacy rate. 

PHILIP TAZI (CENTER): CURRENT ACCDF CHAIR

We are big on community affairs, hence a plethora of social meeting groups, Alumni Associations, Faith Based Association  such as CWA, CWF; Cultural groups, including leadership groups like the Ekpes and Sessekous from Manyu, the Mbekems from Lebialem and the North West Fons Council from the North West Region of Cameroon.  The ACCDF has to stay current with all these groups.

You can only imagine how hectic the weekends are as members of the ACCDF have to go from one function to another to support these groups. The support is not just physical but financial as well. At times you did not get home until about 2:30 am. Sometimes members of ACCDF have to split up into groups to ensure that all community activities are covered. Believe me, it takes a toll!!! But it feels good serving the community.

ACCDF CREW

How do you blend the activities of the ACCDF and family life?

I am a mother of two wonderful young men, Serge Tzeuton 22 and Jean-Claude Tzeuton 21. Serge graduated from the University of Maryland from the Pre-med program and Jean-Claude is looking forward to graduating. In addition to my sons, my Darling mother now 89 also lives with me and has done so for the last 22 years since Serge was born. One must be generous in spirit, genuinely a people lover, of kind mind and very considerate to be a member of this great organization, especially the Chairman. 

You must truly care for the community. Especially that our efforts are all voluntary. No one is paid for their time or effort in this great organization. It helps that the organization has some diehard members who will do anything, sacrifice of themselves to ensure that the community is served. 

ACCDF PANAFRICAN FESTIVAL  2010

Off course like with any project, most people, groups and associations are very grateful and acknowledge the ACCDF support anytime. But there are always those who would complain, which is expected as one cannot please everybody all the time. Our decision to serve makes us to always create and sacrifice the little time we have for our communities.

You must have faced challenges being a woman ‘chairman’ of ACCDF?

I truly cannot say if being a woman affected the way the organization was run. What I can say is that it helps to be surrounded by GREAT, SINCERE, CARING, HONEST, and LOVING and GOD FEARING people. 

ACCDF PANAFRICAN FESTIVAL  2010

It has been an experience of a lifetime and I will always be grateful for it. Are there still women who depend on men? I think they should no longer depend on men.I believe this is on a very steep decline. With education and exposure women are realizing that they can do whatever men can. They can head board rooms like they can do in dining rooms. No profession is set aside for females anymore and I think this is wonderful. 

Yes, there will always be those who grew up in the male dominant environments and who have a hard time transitioning with society. Culture also plays a big role in this. All I can say is, the train has left the station, these women either jump on it or they will be left behind. I think I did just what ACCDF asked me to, by virtue of the powers conferred to me as chair. 

PHOTOS: ACCDF SITE/SANGO ALLOTEY EMMANUEL