The Legal Aid Commission (Commission d'Assistance Judiciaire) in Cameroon 

 

In Cameroon, the Legal Aid Commission (Commission d'Assistance Judiciaire) is the body responsible for administering the legal aid system. Its primary function is to ensure that individuals who lack the financial resources to afford legal representation can access justice. The commission evaluates applications for legal aid and decides whether to grant assistance based on established criteria.

 Key functions of the Legal Aid Commission in Cameroon include:

 1)    Assessment of Applications: Reviewing and evaluating applications for legal aid to determine eligibility based on financial need, merit of the case, and other relevant factors.

 2)     Allocation of Resources: Managing and allocating funds and resources to provide legal assistance to qualified applicants.

 3)    Appointment of Legal Representatives: Assigning lawyers to represent individuals who have been granted legal aid. This can include defense attorneys in criminal cases or legal representatives in civil matters.

 4)    Oversight and Regulation:  Ensuring that the legal aid system operates fairly and efficiently and that legal aid recipients receive appropriate legal representation.

5)    Public Awareness: Promoting awareness about the availability of legal aid and the application process, ensuring that those in need are informed about their rights and how to access assistance.

The Legal Aid Commission plays a crucial role in promoting access to justice in Cameroon by ensuring that, financial barriers do not prevent individuals from receiving legal representation and a fair trial in court.

In Cameroon, the considerations for courts to award litigation aid (often referred to as legal aid) toin litigants generally include the following:

a)    Financial Need: The primary consideration is whether the litigant has the financial means to afford legal representation. This involves an assessment of the applicant’s income, assets, and overall financial situation.

b)    Merit of the Case: The court will evaluate whether the case has sufficient merit or a reasonable chance of success. This prevents the allocation of resources to frivolous or unsubstantiated claims.

c)    Nature of the Case: Certain types of cases may be prioritized for legal aid, such as those involving fundamental rights, family law matters, or serious criminal charges.

d)    Complexity of the Case: Cases that are particularly complex and require expert legal assistance might be more likely to receive litigation aid.

e)    Public Interest: If the case has significant public interest or addresses important legal principles, it may be more likely to receive support.

f)     Vulnerability of the Litigant:  Special consideration may be given to vulnerable groups, such as minors, the elderly, persons with disabilities, or those facing discrimination.

g)    Availability of Resources: The lack of legal aid resources due to budget constraints may also impact the affordability decision. The specific procedures and criteria can vary, and applications for legal aid are typically reviewed by a Legal Aid Board/Commission or a similar authority headed by a magistrate of the bench appointed for that purpose by the president of the said court handling the case.

 The Legal Aid Commission in Cameroon typically comprises various stakeholders from the legal and judicial sectors. The members are appointed to ensure that the commission operates effectively and impartially. The composition may include:

Judges: Senior judges or magistrates who bring judicial expertise to the commission.

Lawyers:  Experienced legal practitioners, often from the Cameroon Bar Association, who provide insights into legal practice and representation.

Government Representatives: Officials from the Ministry of Justice or other relevant government departments to ensure alignment with national legal policies and resource allocation.

Legal Academics: Scholars from law faculties who can contribute their knowledge on legal theories and practices.

Civil Society Representative: Members from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or civil society groups advocate for human rights and access to justice.

 Public Representatives: Individuals who represent the interests of the general public ensure that the commission considers broader societal needs and perspectives. The exact composition and appointment process can vary, but the goal is to create a balanced and knowledgeable body capable of administering fundamental fairness or equitable justice.

The formalization and effective operation of the Legal Aid Commission in Cameroon face several challenges. Here are some of the key difficulties and potential solutions:

  *Difficulties*

Funding Constraints: Insufficient financial resources to support the activities of the commission, including providing adequate legal aid to eligible individuals.

Administrative bottlenecks: Bureaucratic delays and inefficiencies can hinder the processing of legal aid applications and the timely provision of assistance.

Lack of Awareness: Many potential beneficiaries may be unaware of the existence of legal aid services or how to access them because the arresting officer does not make them aware of this right.

Shortage of Legal Professionals: There may be a limited number of lawyers willing to participate in the legal aid system due to low remuneration or other factors.

Geographical Barriers: Inadequate infrastructure and logistical challenges can make it difficult to provide legal aid in remote or rural areas.

Regulatory and Institutional Gaps: Ambiguities or gaps in the legal and regulatory framework governing the Legal Aid Commission can create obstacles to its effective functioning.

Corruption and Mismanagement: Instances of corruption or mismanagement within the commission can undermine its credibility and effectiveness.

 *Solutions*

Increased Funding: Secure greater financial support from the government, international donors, and NGOs to ensure the commission has the necessary resources.

 Streamlined Procedures: Simplify and streamline the application and approval processes to reduce bureaucratic delays and improve administrative efficiency.

 Public Awareness Campaigns: Conduct widespread awareness campaigns to inform the public about the availability of legal aid services and the application process.

Incentives for Lawyer: Provide better incentives for legal professionals to participate in the legal aid system, such as higher remuneration, professional development opportunities, and recognition for their contributions.

Improved Infrastructure: Invest in infrastructure and logistics to enhance access to legal aid services in remote and rural areas, possibly through mobile legal aid clinics or digital platforms.

Legal and Regulatory Reforms: Clarify and strengthen the legal and regulatory framework governing the commission to eliminate ambiguities and ensure effective governance.

Anti-Corruption Measures: Implement strict anti-corruption measures, including transparency and accountability mechanisms, to prevent mismanagement and build trust in the system.

Addressing these challenges through a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach can help improve the formalization and efficacy of the Legal Aid Commission in Cameroon.

 

                                                           By

*MAGISTRATE METIEGE DIVINE NJIKANG*

Biden-Trump 1^st Presidential Debate by Albert A. Motale

There is expectation and the reality in life; our expectations may differ but the Realities may be similar. Presidential election debates are media events, Candidate’s performance at Media debates do not significantly have an impact on outcomes of elections. People are going to vote based on the bread-and-butter issues, their economic situation, policies, interest and partisanship.

 It was evident that Biden was already trailing at the polls even before the Presidential election debate on Thursday night and, his performance at the debate was poor and those raising the most concerns are the democrats themselves. The Democrats understand the stakes, and no democrat would wish seeing the return of Trump to the White House.

 The USA has been able to elevate their Presidential elections into a spectacle of global event and it is always a delight to watch and other countries have been trying to fashion their elections based on its style. Nigeria has been the only country able to do the same by equally elevating their Presidential election into a global event. All other elections including that of UK, France, Germany and South Africa have not been able to generate similar media and global tractions.

The US Presidential debate between Trump and Biden had the usual expectations and realities. People tend to vote on media events, especially on Presidential debate outcomes based on their expectations and not only the realities. If Real Madrid (iconic team) of Spain plays against my favorite team-Bendel Insurance (known by a celebrated-few) of Benin City, NIGERIA, the expectations shall be different. If the match ends in a one all draw, Bendel Insurance supporters shall celebrate, but the supporters of Real Madrid shall look at the scoreline as cataclysmic disaster and would not celebrate, as their expectations might not have been met. That is the feeling of the Democrats in the aftermath of the Presidential election debate. They could not hide how they felt during and after the debate was over. 

 Biden might have scored or graded low by millions of viewers based on their expectations of expecting a better performance from him. He disappointed! Trump was more audible than Biden, but the reality is that, Trump was usually off topic and did not impress either.

 The expectations of most US voters were to see and expect a better performance of Biden as we saw during his heydays at the VP presidential debates and his first debate against President Trump which he demolished Governor Serah Palin (2008 Vice Presidential race) and President Trump (2020 Presidential race). So, the anticipated expectations were not met. The reality is that, while Biden performance was below expectations, Trump also did not provide any direct clear answers to most of the policy questions asked. The voters are left wandering with no clear choice to cast their votes.

 Both Trump and Biden are very old men and too old to be President of the USA in 2024. The USA is not an ageing state like Japan but a country of young people that should have been spoiled for much-younger candidates. They are too old and not suitable for a country like USA. Unfortunately, the US has been plagued with two bad choices in Biden and Trump. Both displayed forgetfulness and both could not give direct answers to questions as they were constantly reminded to answer the questions. Biden appears to have a grasp of the issues better than Trump and could enumerate the issues by even counting 1,2, 3 but forgetfulness took the better part of his concluding sentences. Trump was, at most times, completely off topic as he focused more on rebuttals. Trump could not define any policy issues rather, he insisted on labelling Biden as the one using the judicial arm in persecuting him, which is horrendously false.

The presidential debate reinforced yet again the insignificance of Africa in US politics, trade and diplomacy. There was no mention of Africa throughout the debate whereas the Middle East and Europe were prominently mentioned. Even though we have Africa defining US Citizenship as African Americans. Africa is never a feature in US Presidential election debates. So, why are Africans concerned about the US election that has nothing to do with Africa?

What are the Trade values between USA and Africa?

Africa is being suffocated by a Dracula, World Bank and IMF policies, EU, US capital trade policies are destroying Economies of Africa, yet weaponizing immigration. Illicit financial flows from Africa are killing Africa and the US needs to address these cancers by EU and USA companies stealing from Africa at a US Presidential Debate Platform, which they failed to do.

 The US- Africa trade values are on the decline.

 What are USA policies geared towards promoting trade, development and African businesses in Africa? What the US is pushing more in Africa is the legalization of same-sex unions and not economic rights, prosperity and wealth creation. The USA is more concerned with setting up military bases in Africa for their strategic interest than helping Africa’s economic interest. This is why African nations value China’s presence in Africa.

Both Trump and Biden never visited Africa as Presidents.

African voters should be looking for candidates whose strategic policies favor economic development in Africa akin to that of Chinese - Africa cooperation and development partnerships. Sadly enough, both men were not asked question about Africa in their 90-minutes debate period. 

The issue of senility falls within the remits of the USA Constitution.

Both Biden and Trump are just too old. Age would have been a factor in the western media, if any African aged 79 was running for Presidency. It is hypocritical how Mugabe’s old age was used as a disqualifying factor to run for the presidency by western media but same not binding on these two senile men, who are consumed with old age.

Both USA and Nigeria have constitutional provisions for incapacitation of a president, as grounds for removal from office. Under Trump’s first term in office the 25^th amendment, which calls for incapacitation was rumored to be invoked in the corridors of the White House. Same is the case with Biden. These two men are highly unqualified to hold the office of President of the United States because they suffer from some form of dementia. There are well-defined constitutional provisions to allow for the execution of  incapacitation process and procedure

The Nigeria constitution provides for members of the Federal Executive Council to raise and move a Motion on the state of the Health of the President. That motion shall then be forwarded to the Senate for consideration and approval. After which, a motion shall be moved by the Senate to invite the Nigerian Medical and Dental Council to set up a medical team to assess the health status of the President with Representations from the President's medical Doctors. That report shall be presented to the Senate.

The constitution of Nigeria provides for only the Senate to impeach or remove a President from office just as that of the USA. Every society gets the leader it deserves. The Democrats could substitute Biden if his health is now an issue. Or, is it too late for such substitution? Yes! Trump might likely win the next election with a burden of felony hanging over his head. 

          CRIME SUSPECTS AND THE LEGALITY OF MEDIA PARADE

"The media has the responsibility to hold the government accountable for the people. “It is the constitutional power given to the media to hold the government responsible and accountable to the people, ensuring the police, the courts and other agencies of government do their jobs.”

By Judge Divine Metiege 

In Cameroon, media parades of crime suspects, where individuals are presented to the public or media before trial have been a subject of controversy regarding its legality and ethical implications. The Cameroonian legal system, like many other countries, upholds the principle of "innocent until proven guilty" and aims to protect the rights of individuals accused of crimes. This is adumbrated in section 8 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC).

 

Section 8:

(1) Any person suspected of having committed an offense shall be presumed innocent until his guilt has been legally established in the course of a trial where he shall be given all necessary guarantees for his defense.

(2) The presumption of innocence shall apply to every suspect, defendant and accused

According to the preamble of the Constitution of Cameroon, individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court.

- The law shall ensure the right of every person to a fair hearing before the courts. 

- Every accused person is presumed innocent until found guilty during a hearing conducted in strict compliance with the rights of defense.  

- Every person has a right to life, to physical and moral integrity and to humane treatment in all circumstances. Under no circumstances shall any person be subjected to torture, to cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment.

 This suggests that media parades could potentially violate the presumption of innocence by subjecting suspects to public scrutiny before their guilt has been established through due process.

Furthermore, media parades can also infringe upon an individual's right to privacy and may have negative consequences for their reputation, regardless of whether they are ultimately found guilty or innocent. The forces of law and order are bound to protect citizen’s lives and property and manage the security architecture of the country.  In an attempt to justify the discharge of the entrusted responsibility, suspects of crime and criminality suffer character assassination while being paraded before the media even before they are found guilty by the court. The name changes to the accused person or a defendant. When trial starts, he may plead guilty or not guilty after the charges are read to the fellow. If he pleads guilty, the court may convict him, depending on the nature of the offense. That is called a summary trial.

“After conviction, following summary or normal trial where witnesses and other evidence are taken, the court will deliver judgment by either convict the fellow or discharge and acquaint the accused. If the accused person is convicted, the name changes from the accused to convict. At this stage, the media can pronounce to the whole world that the person is a criminal. To parade somebody not based on fact, may constitute infringement of his right, and the implication is that the suspect can sue the police. The CPC in its section 154 and 155 frowns at such judicial police officers, Examining Magistrate or courts that puts prejudicial proceedings to the public, documents, suspects, defendants or accused statements or pictures when full judgment hasn’t been rendered.

Section 154: of the CPC states inter alia that

(1) Preliminary inquiries shall be secret.

(2) Anyone participating in the proceedings shall be bound by professional secrecy subject to the penalties provided for in section 310 of the Penal Code; provided that the secrecy of preliminary inquiries shall neither apply to the Legal Department nor to the defense.

(3) Notwithstanding the provision sub-section (1), the Examining Magistrate may, if he considers it necessary for the discovery of the truth, hold some of the proceedings in public or cause the State Counsel to publish some of the facts which have been brought to his knowledge.

(4) Any press release made by an Examining Magistrate, by virtue of sub-section 3 above shall, under pain of the penalties provided for under section 169 of the Penal Code, be published by media without comments, be they written, spoken or televised.

“Section 155:

(1) Publication by any whatsoever of news, photographs, and opinions concerning any pending preliminary inquiry shall, subject to the penalties provided for in section 169 of the Penal Code, is forbidden until the proceedings are closed by a no-case order or until the accused appears before the trial court upon a committal order by the Examining Magistrate.

(2) The same shall apply to any public expression of an opinion on the guilt of the accused.

Section 156:

(1) any publication adversely affecting the honour or private life of a person by any of the means provided under section 152 of the Penal Code, shall be punishable under section 169 of same.

(2) Any person convicted under this section shall be subject to the forfeitures provided under the 30 of the Penal Code.” wherein the media house, the judicial police officers, examining magistrates, or the courts may be implemented forfeitures of section 30 of the penal code

Section 169 – Prejudicial Comment

 Whoever refers publicly to any judicial proceedings not yet terminated by final judgement in a manner liable to influence, whether intentionally or not, the opinion of any person for or against any party, shall be punished with imprisonment for from fifteen days to three months and with fine of from ten thousand to one hundred thousand francs.

 Nothing in this section shall apply to an account in good faith of proceedings in open court.

 Where the offense is committed through the print media, radio or television, the imprisonment shall be from three months to two years and the fine from one hundred thousand to five million francs.

Section 170 – Forfeitures

(3) Upon conviction under any of the last five

(4) forgoing sections, the court may impose the

(5) forfeitures described by section 30 of this

(6) Code.

Section 310 of the penal code – Professional Confidence

(1) Whoever without permission from the person interested in secrecy reveals any confidential fact which has come to his knowledge, or which has been confided to him solely by reason of his profession or duties shall be punished with imprisonment for from three months to three years and with fine of from twenty thousand to one hundred thousand francs.

(2) Subsection (1) shall apply neither to statements to the prosecution or police concerning facts which may amount to a felony or misdemeanor, nor to answers in court to any question whatever.

(3) Nothing in subsection (2) shall release from the duty of professional confidence:

(a) A physician or surgeon, save within the scope of a commission from the prosecution or of his reference as an expert referee.

(b) A public servant under orders in writing from the Government.

(c) A minister of religion or counsel.

(4) Upon conviction the court may order the forfeitures described by section 30 of this Code.

Sections 30 through 35 of the penal code is legally known as ACCESSORY PENALTIES

Section 30—Definition

The forfeitures applicable under this code shall be the following:

(1) Removal and exclusion from any public service, employment or office.

(2) Incapacity to be a juror, assessor, expert referee, or sworn expert.

(3) Incapacity to be guardian, curator, deputy guardian or committee, save of the offender's own children, or member of a family council

(4) Prohibition on wearing any decoration.

(5) Prohibition on serving in the armed forces.

(6) Prohibition on keeping a school, on teaching in any educational establishment, and in general on holding any post connected with the education or care of children.

Section 31—Where Applicable

(1) A life sentence shall carry with it for life the forfeitures prescribed by the last preceding section.

(2) Any other sentence for felony shall carry with it the same forfeitures for the duration of the sentence and for the ten years following its expiry or released on license unrevoked.

(3) The court may in any case covered by the last preceding subsection, for reasons to be recorded in the judgement, relieve from one or more of the said forfeitures, or reduce their duration to no less than two years.

(4) To a sentence for misdemeanor, and where so authorized by law the court may, for reasons to be recorded in the judgement, add, for not more than five years, one or more of the forfeitures prescribed by the last preceding section.

Section 32—Forfeitures in Absence

Where sentence for felony is passed in the absence of the accused, any forfeiture shall take effect from the date of the publication of the notice prescribed by the Criminal Procedure Code.

B—Other Accessory Penalties

Section 33—Publication of Judgement

(1) Where the court may order publication of its judgement, it shall be posted in a manner to be prescribed by decree for up to two months in the case of felony or misdemeanor or fifteen days for simple offence.

(2) In such case the court may order publication of its decision in such newspaper as it may appoint, on radio or television.

(3) Any such publication shall be at the expense of the offender.

(4) Nothing in this section shall restrict publication by press, or radio or television or any fair comment.

Section 34—Closure of Establishment

Where the court may order closure of a business or industrial establishment, or of any other premises devoted to gainful activity, which was used for the commission of an offence, such closure shall imply a ban on the exercise of the same business or industry or activity in the same premises, whether by the offender or by any other to whom he may sell, transfer or let the establishment or premises.

Section 35—Confiscation

(1) On conviction for any felony or misdemeanor, the court may order confiscation of any property, moveable or immoveable, belonging to the offender and attached, which was used as an instrument of its commission, or is the proceed of the offence.

(2) Such confiscation may not be ordered on conviction for a simple offence unless specially authorized by law.

 Secondly, the media must be conscious of reporting crime and avoid tagging suspects in criminal identity. The proper way to handle cases of that nature is to allow the suspect to voice his side of the story and not to allow the Police to dominate the show. If, at the end of trial, court discharge and acquaint the accused, the person can sue for defamation of character,” the media that publish such parades are equally guilty. Any Media, judicial police officer, Examining Magistrate or court the exposes judicial proceedings is liable to pay damages.

“Section 169 of the penal code – Prejudicial Comment

(1) Whoever refers publicly to any judicial proceedings not yet terminated by final judgment in a manner liable to influence, whether intentionally or not, the opinion of any person for or against any party, shall be punished with imprisonment for from fifteen days to three months and with fine of from ten thousand to one hundred thousand francs.

(2) Nothing in this section shall apply to an account in good faith of proceedings in open court.

(3) Where the offence is committed through the print media, radio or television, the imprisonment shall be from three months to two years and the fine from one hundred thousand to five million francs.

Section 170 of the penal code – Forfeitures

Upon conviction under any of the last five forgoing sections, the court may impose the forfeitures described by section 30 of this Code.”

It is worth noting that while there may not be explicit legislation regarding media parades in Cameroon, international legal frameworks and human rights standards, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, emphasize the presumption of innocence and fair trial rights.

Ultimately, it is essential for the legal system and law enforcement authorities in Cameroon to ensure that the rights of crime suspects are upheld, including respecting their presumption of innocence and protecting their right to privacy.

The media has the responsibility to hold the government accountable for the people. “It is the constitutional power given to the media to hold the government responsible and accountable to the people, ensuring the police, the courts and other agencies of government do their jobs”.

METIEGE DIVINE NJIKANG IS A JUDGE OF THE HIGH COURT IN DONGA MANTUNG-NKAMBE IN THE NORTHWEST REGION OF THE REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON

                  Mofako Balue Chieftaincy Debacle: We all know how this chapter will end.

A story has never ruptured the moral fabric of the Balue tribe than that which’s brewing in Mofako Balue. What’s at

ByJackson W. Nanje

stake—which the Balue chiefs and the Mofako community must address and preserve —is the tumultuous nature of the selection of their chief. The preservation of the customs and traditions of the Balue people in general and the Mofako Balue people in particular must be reflected in the selection process, and this is what the Balue chiefs must preserved.

           What is at issue in Mofako Balue? 

Throughout the twenty-seven (27) Balue villages chiefs are selected by the Kingmakers through a rigorous process and approved by the people in an open setting. Chieftaincy has never been carried out through an election process. This is the system dynamics the rogue Dikome Balue Subdivisional Officer, George Tonye, who is absolutely not in touch with the realities (customs and traditions) of the Subdivision (because he does not live there for obvious reasons) he is trying to adopt in our beloved Mofako Balue. Outrageous!

There was first a chosen one, Tata Henry Ibue Momoh Sakwe, who was unanimously selected by the Kingmakers and embraced by the community gathered in the village square (ETANA). There are videos to substantiate this exercise in the village. Then, a document twist was introduced by the other contestant, Tata Kingsley Elangwe Nanje, justifying that some of the Kingmakers wanted but him as chief. For those not versed with the traditional rites like District Officer, George Tonye, the chieftaincy is hardly conferred to a man who is married to a foreign wife for fear that the village may be sold to that foreign wife. Such esteemed position is given to people with moral rectitude not individuals with questionable character. Unlike in some known tribes in the Southwest Region, where titles are auctioned, it is not the case with the Balue tribe. if someone attempts to circumvent the process with malice afore-thought, heads will roll.

                 Balue Chiefs address the Mofako Balue quagmire. 

The Balue chiefs sitting at the former president’s (Chief Dr. John Ahmadou Mokube) house in Limbe unanimously issued a scathing proclamation in support of Tata Henry Ibue Momoh Sakwe claiming that his process passed the smell test. The Balue Chiefs Proclamation on November 25, 2023 in support of the crowned Tata Henry Ibue Momoh Sakwe, was quite timely enough to preserve our customary practice.

Normally after the village crowning process the crowned individual submits his documents to the District Officer who then transmit them to the Senior Divisional Officer for onward transmission to the Ministry of Territorial Administration for formalization and final approval. This is usually the process The rogue District Officer has comprised a legitimate process by entertaining another candidate who has not been vetted by the Kingmakers and embraced by the community.

The District Officer shamelessly organized two meetings in November to begin the process anew to the chagrin and consternation of the Mofako Balue and the Balue communities. Why circumvent an already vetted process?! This is why the Prime Minister, Head of Government, and a traditional ruler himself who understands the process, has asked to meet with the Balue Chiefs and the supervising District Officer, to come explain why the whole village was summoned to Kumba twice to address the Chieftaincy selection by him, which is in the purview of the Kingmakers in each village. The District Officer or the Senior Divisional Officer must not interfere in the selection process of chief. Their work begins when the selection process is over and the crowned chief's documents are submitted for onward transmission.to Yaoundé.

The Kingmakers had already done the right thing; the villagers acknowledged their choice; the Balue Chiefs equally did the absolute correct thing upholding the customs and traditions of the Balue tribe; and, Prime Minister has done the needful to resolve the grudging parties.

The verdict is anxiously awaited!!! I know the customs and traditions of the Balue tribe shall prevail.

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                                                         𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐧: 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 

  
  

  The lead panelist in this video (below) touched on many of the problems that are crippling Cameroon. The country is crushed by a tawdry rot at the heart of its existence.

  
  

  

  BySamira N Edi-Mesumbe

  
  The first problem is 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩.  A relatively young nation of mostly youths, where the average citizen is between 25 and 30 years, being governed by a crop of geriatrics, at the helm of which is a leader in his 90s is absolutely outrageous. It is an alarming tragedy of immeasurable damage that the lives of a generation of youths are being atrophied by old men. 

  
  

  To gauge how deleterious this state of affairs is, think about the house of an old man who has dementia, is blind, and crippled by all ailments borne of  old age. That is how Cameroon is. A country captured by leadership that does not understand the value of something as fundamental as having a simple postal home-address system for its citizens and businesses, is a backward country. This is because it is controlled by people who either do not care, or don’t understand how modern life works. That’s why garbage heaps, public latrines or taps and isolated trees serve as the landmarks that indicate the nearest vicinity to people’s houses 

  
  

  Exponentially, the rest of the government  is in the same bad shape. It is in the ironclad grip of museum-ready  living fossils, who seem to have died on the jobs. Our institutions are headed by very old men who've been perching on the same posts, as if it was a family inheritance. Even at the provincial level, heads of parastatals are mostly people who I'll be sending for rehabilitation and re-education, if I was in a position of power.

  
  

  All the old governors appointed; now well past their retirement ages are still occupying their gubernatorial posts, like monarchs on a throne. Same with ministers. 

  
  

  I'm shocked that 81 years old Laurent Esso, the minister of justice, who has been deeply implicated in the corruption scandals over the MTN/Chococam versus Baba Danpullo's Bestinver case, in collusion with the governor of Littoral, is still in his post as a minister. Does Biya even know anything about what is going on around him—especially over that case? Laurent Esso was a minister when I was in secondary school—some 30 odd years ago. His involvement with the 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐨 who is trying to strangle the funds of Cameroonian MTN Momo users is a huge problem which Should've earned any public employee a sacking, in a nation that's not a banana republic.

  
  

  Then you examine the few 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 who're trying to unseat the status quo. Not only are they themselves deeply corrupt and incompetent, but by their actions, one is not inspired or hopeful to imagine that even a popular defenestration of our national sphinx at Etoudi, will usher in a better bunch of benevolent leadership. It has been a big disappointment to watch.

  
  

  Not only is "our home" an overcrowded smelly mess of neglect, it is overrun by dirt and old things which are no longer useful, just like the bric-a-brac in an old man’s house. In Cameroon, right from the nation's capital in Yaoundé, down to the remotest villages in Babessing, the country is heaving under the weight of humongous heaps of garbage. Dilapidated cars have been abandoned by the roadside for years. They add to the traffic jams as well as the gratuitous levels of  environmental pollution—and even the accidents in which many were involved. Huge piles of dirt by the roadside make up the mountains of maternities for mosquitoes, and other breeding vermin, where many of the diseases afflicting Cameroonians are incubating. 

  
  

  Many local councils are also headed  by mayors who’re profoundly corrupt kakistocrats. Not only are they just jobsworths who do not see their duties as the first citizens of their towns, responsible for their upkeep, but they're parasites who see their posts as their 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒇𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒔, on which they can enrich themselves. Maybe it is because many of them are useless and ill-qualified to do any other jobs outside of their roles as the 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲-𝐠𝐨𝐞𝐫𝐬 of the nation, whose only role is to attend ceremonies. They sit grand and stately on the high tables, like mausoleums, waiting to be decorated.

  
  

  Meanwhile, the people are dealing with crumbling infrastructure, muddy pigsties or  pothole ridden roads, garbage heaps everywhere, houses built willy-nilly on stolen land, as if they had been carelessly thrown together without any consideration for town planning, clogged-up gutters, poor drainage systems which facilitate landslides in some towns each time there's a tropical storm, their markets look like Augean Stables--- You have to wonder how on earth a person can claim to be the proud mayor of his town, when it is in such a state of utter disaster!

  
  

  They cannot even control something as basic as the level of the noise-pollution in their towns. No wonder Cameroonians are losing their hearing early. They allow loud speakers to blast loud noises in every corner. Whether it is those criminal churches where speakers boom, or by the roadside, where snake oil salesmen deceive passers-by with their fake panacea for all ails—as if they're the pharmacists and doctors of the nation, there is noise noise noise everywhere. You can't carry out a conversation even with a shopkeeper, while inside their premises where you're trying to buy. Let alone, stand on the street Al fresco to make a call.

  
  

  The infrastructure of the country are all creaking from poor quality and neglect. The roads and buildings remind us of life in the poorest times of Victorian era, where life was still in its primitive state. Hospitals are just  buildings - you may go into a hospital and come out sicker than you went in. Some of our university graduate doctors are just happy to be employed by the government. They're no more knowledgeable or useful to patients than their receptionists who sit behind desks eating groundnuts, and watching Tiktok videos on their phones. 

  
  

  As for the educational institutions, cry me a river for the state of our schools. It used to be that after every few houses in Cameroon, there was an off-license. Now, it is either a dilapidated Pentecostal church, run by a criminal prosperity gospel preacher, or some sinkhole calling itself a university. 

  
  

  The banners, advertising these so-called “universities” and church revivals are in steep competition with banners of funerals. It has been said that the proof of the presence of profound poverty, ignorance and superstitious beliefs in a country, lies in the number of churches that are erected, principally to deceive the impoverished population. Now, these Pentecostal pulpiteers are competing with the semi-literate businessmen, who are either renting crummy little buildings they call “universities” or constructing tasteless looking edifices on the outskirts of towns for their mushroom schools of miseducation and widespread idiocy. 

  
  

  The depth of the illiteracy that has set in the country and the tragic ignorance besetting the nation are  largely owed to these substandard mushroom institutions, which advertise themselves as universities offering MBAs, HNDs, etc. These are  criminal enterprises without any accreditation. They charge huge fees for certificates that will not be recognised outside, and many are owned by opportunists based out of the country who leave a few computers inside a classroom, and stick a robot to collect fees, while deceiving students that they’re there to study Project Management, MBA, get an HND, a B.Sc, and an M.A etc. The teaching in those places is done by persons who are themselves ill-qualified and neglectful of their duties. These teachers overreach themselves by taking up posts in different towns and institutions, and they can never give quality or satisfaction to any one teaching post. Whoever is in charge of issuing permits for some of these institutions is doing the nation a gross disservice. 

  
  

  Even the traditional schools are no better. Education is supposed to teach students how to think critically. I weep for the quality of the textbooks that our students are using in the classrooms. Gone are the days when students studied classic literature; well-written stories that improved the minds and expanded the reasoning faculties of the students. Nowadays, bad authors cobble poorly written doggerel—of the Onitsha Market  variety, and someone in charge of pedagogy in Yaoundé gets bribed, and allows the nonsense to be taught to students. Some of the teachers cannot even communicate in a language that instructs students about their subjects. 

  
  

  As for the proliferation of churches, if I were the president, I'll ensure that all those  tithes-imposing thieves and charlatans, responsible for spreading both ignorance and STDs through their noisy and tattered churches, get banned. 

  End of rant.

  
  

 Mon, Aug 28 at 9:15 PM

The often-forgotten collective role in enabling our society—-for notables and intellectuals to uplift our People.

ByJackson W. Nanje

Our society is that which apportions blame to the few successful ones or to those that the good fortune has embraced. They may not be wrong blaming them; however, no one should play victim at the expense of hard work and taking one’s studies seriously could be the solution to achieving success.

We have all witnessed how the Prime Minister, Nkak Chief Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute has been accused albeit falsely, for not bringing development to Ndian division and South West Region
(division and region of his origin) fast enough for, he's the executioner of the President of the Republic’s agenda, not his. The Prime Minister has the responsibility of appointing natives of Ndian division into positions of responsibility throughout Cameroon, and these individuals must serve as role-models to aspiring and the down-trodden members in our society. How?

Growing up as a student at Government Secondary School Mundemba, in 1980, the school administration scheduled a presentation to be given by a certain physician called Dr. Luma, who came to speak on the effect of having standing water in our society. Forty-three (43) years later, the impact of that lecture still remains indelible and pricey in my memory till date. I understand that these are trying times, and it will be risky and foolhardy for anyone to venture into those red zones for fear of being abducted or killed. Equally, Ndian children with the necessary academic excellence, especially in science-oriented subjects should organize and make presentations on the direction or pathways students should embark on. These symposiums inspire students to pursue the necessary academic courses required for generational wealth. When an army colonel for instance, who graduated from my aforementioned alma mater goes to the school and gives a presentation on what it takes to become an officer in the army and the salary involved for welfare-free lifestyle, such will influence the number of students that will be attracted to joining the army for want of a better life.  

The problem with our society is that these impressionable individuals are unaware of the significant role their professional talk may play in the rehabilitation of the mental preparedness of students. We do not do this often, we should.