The Director General of ARSEL visited some centres to inspect the renovation work AES-SONEL was supposed to carryout.
The Director General of Electricity Regulatory Sector Agency, known by its French acronym, ARSEL, Pierre Ndouga Hell, visited the Thermal Generation hydro plant at Songloulou, Edea and Limbe. His mission was to access the machines to know what is working, what is not working and why they are not working and also what can be done to improve on power generation. He described the job done by AES-SONEL as positive and satisfactory advancement in trying to put measures to generate electricity.
At Songloulou, three major refurbishing works is taking place. The Penstock Hall, which is the large pipes which store water, the Still Way Gates and the Control Panel System or Programmable Logic Control. The Director of Production of the Songloulou Hydro Plant, George NGU Nchinda, said they have already refurbished seven of the Penstock halls and the second phase for the Still Way Gates will take place in June and the work will be through by 2011.
In Edea, the Project Manager, André Siewe explained that Edea is carrying out refurbishment in Edea one, two and three. In Edea one, he said the work is to replace all three generators of 11megawatt each with three new ones of 16megawatt each, including a common system. He said that in Edea two they are carrying out an anti corrosive production on the penstock halls and renew protection, meanwhile, in Edea three there is a construction of a new Still Way Gate to replace the old one since the creation of the power plant in Edea. Siewe said there are no spare parts for the still way gates and besides it costs more to do maintenance, and all refurbishment will be through by 2012.
At the Limbe Thermal Plant, one of the five alternators caught fire on the 23 February 2010 and Ndouga Hell and his team went to see for themselves. Each of the alternators produce 17.5MW and one burnt is shortage of 17.5MW. The spokes person for AES-SONEL, Theophile Ekobo Mbongue who is also Director of Regulation and Organisation in AES-SONEL explained to the ARSEL Delegation that the problem is just the 17.5MW shortage which they have to seek solution. ARSEL insisted the repair be done before the end of the year but AES-SONEL wants a lasting solution and not to rush. The Director General said there will be limited electricity next year so AES-SONEL has to ensure the Limbe thermal plant functions effectively.
On the other hand AES-SONEL appeals to the users of electricity to be fateful in paying their consumptions and also to banks that they are getting into huge investments and needs the aid of everyone. Each year AES-SONEL looses 75billions for unpaid bills and illegal connections. This amount is said to be worth constructing two more new centres like that of Yassa.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
mercredi 7 juillet 2010
Wouri Executive Bureau of Autonomous Trade Unions Empowered
The 18 man bureau was installed on April 6 in Douala.
The President of the Confederation of Cameroon Autonomous Trade Unions, Vewesse C.P.N, has installed an 18 man executive bureau for the Wouri Executive Bureau with Mbape Ndoumbe Jacques as President. They have a mandate of eight years renewable.
Speaking during the ceremony, Vewesse said, Douala is the epicentre of the nation’s economic activities. The reason why he said it is good if the productions in the various enterprises implanted in the Wouri division are well protected and defended by Trade Union actions. He added that the individual Autonomous Trade Unions in Wouri coming under the umbrella of the Wouri Divisional Union of Autonomous Trade Unions are the only means to protect and defend their interests. Vewesse also advised that industrial actions in which workers are involved should be in conformity with the provisions of Section 3 of law No92/007 of 14th August 1992 instituting the Cameroon Labour code.
The President urged the installed members that the rate of unemployment should be their guiding principles in the new trade union orientation. “Your task is not going to be easy” but with concerted action and determination, he said, they are now in a better position to speak with one voice.
The Ist Vice president of the Wouri Trade Union Movement Kitchabo Jean Bosco said they have to work with solidarity and observe their constitution. Under the Wouri Division there are eight syndicate which are; Syndicates of Industrial Chemists, Communication, Health, Forestry, Private security, among others.
Representing the Regional Delegate of Social Security, Penka Suzanne said if the new bureau works in collaboration they will come in to protect their material and give assist where needed. She added that the task is enormous because there are many companies in Douala.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
The President of the Confederation of Cameroon Autonomous Trade Unions, Vewesse C.P.N, has installed an 18 man executive bureau for the Wouri Executive Bureau with Mbape Ndoumbe Jacques as President. They have a mandate of eight years renewable.
Speaking during the ceremony, Vewesse said, Douala is the epicentre of the nation’s economic activities. The reason why he said it is good if the productions in the various enterprises implanted in the Wouri division are well protected and defended by Trade Union actions. He added that the individual Autonomous Trade Unions in Wouri coming under the umbrella of the Wouri Divisional Union of Autonomous Trade Unions are the only means to protect and defend their interests. Vewesse also advised that industrial actions in which workers are involved should be in conformity with the provisions of Section 3 of law No92/007 of 14th August 1992 instituting the Cameroon Labour code.
The President urged the installed members that the rate of unemployment should be their guiding principles in the new trade union orientation. “Your task is not going to be easy” but with concerted action and determination, he said, they are now in a better position to speak with one voice.
The Ist Vice president of the Wouri Trade Union Movement Kitchabo Jean Bosco said they have to work with solidarity and observe their constitution. Under the Wouri Division there are eight syndicate which are; Syndicates of Industrial Chemists, Communication, Health, Forestry, Private security, among others.
Representing the Regional Delegate of Social Security, Penka Suzanne said if the new bureau works in collaboration they will come in to protect their material and give assist where needed. She added that the task is enormous because there are many companies in Douala.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Government subverts Swine Farmers in Littoral
In a two day workshop they sought ways to improve and manage finance in swine farming.
The government has given the sum of FCFA 15 million as subvention to producers of swine in the littoral to increase production and for the fattening of the animal.
In a two day training programme organised at the livestock and fisheries office in Mboppi, Douala, Dr Jacques Armand Essomba, of the Directorate of Veterinary Service, Department of Swine Development Production, who was presiding over the seminar, said each year the government makes this amount of money to available to farmers for them to improve the fattening and sanitation of the swine.
He added that this subvention has been of help because it has improved and increased production since in 2005, when they started receiving subventions. He said the farmers testified that last year they had a profit of FCFA five billion.
Dr Essomba said the aim of the workshop is to make farmers to become more efficient and to learn to manage the finances they have received from government, to increase production and sanitation in bio security conditions. He said the farmers have to reorganise themselves, reinforce themselves and be efficient in the use of finance and material provided.
As concerns the diseases swine flu, he said farmers should go on with no fear and consumers should consume without fear because World Health Organisation has changed the name to HN1N1. “We are waging war against those diseases”.
Swine flu and other swine diseases are still a growing concern and a major preoccupation for technicians and producers of swine farming.
The coordinator said they have to train producers so that they can make progress in their domain of finance. He said they will also receive training on the immediate sicknesses of pigs.
He added that the final outcome of the seminar is for participants to be able to follow the health calendar to ensure timely intervention to vaccinate, de-worm pigs and identify pig diseases as well as financial management of piggeries
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
.
Consume without fear of swine flu.
The government has given the sum of FCFA 15 million as subvention to producers of swine in the littoral to increase production and for the fattening of the animal.
In a two day training programme organised at the livestock and fisheries office in Mboppi, Douala, Dr Jacques Armand Essomba, of the Directorate of Veterinary Service, Department of Swine Development Production, who was presiding over the seminar, said each year the government makes this amount of money to available to farmers for them to improve the fattening and sanitation of the swine.
He added that this subvention has been of help because it has improved and increased production since in 2005, when they started receiving subventions. He said the farmers testified that last year they had a profit of FCFA five billion.
Dr Essomba said the aim of the workshop is to make farmers to become more efficient and to learn to manage the finances they have received from government, to increase production and sanitation in bio security conditions. He said the farmers have to reorganise themselves, reinforce themselves and be efficient in the use of finance and material provided.
As concerns the diseases swine flu, he said farmers should go on with no fear and consumers should consume without fear because World Health Organisation has changed the name to HN1N1. “We are waging war against those diseases”.
Swine flu and other swine diseases are still a growing concern and a major preoccupation for technicians and producers of swine farming.
The coordinator said they have to train producers so that they can make progress in their domain of finance. He said they will also receive training on the immediate sicknesses of pigs.
He added that the final outcome of the seminar is for participants to be able to follow the health calendar to ensure timely intervention to vaccinate, de-worm pigs and identify pig diseases as well as financial management of piggeries
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
.
Consume without fear of swine flu.
Man Commits Suicide in Bepanda
A man whose name was got as Deubon Jean, age 50 has committed suicide in his house. The man who lives at boulangerié de la paix quarter in the Bepanda eighbourhood was discovered hanged with a cord tired around his neck. It is not known whether he committed suicide or was killed. The body was discovered in the house by his 10year old daughter.
The man’s wife was said to have gone to the market and it was alleged that noticing that he was alone he decided to commit the act.
The cause of his actions is not yet known but according to the wife for one week before he committed the act he had not been eating her food and he was not ill.
When Cameroon Tribune approached the wife to comment on the issue, she said it was not necessary and did not want to release any information. Nevertheless, she said the competent person to comment on the matter was still at the mortuary where they went to leave the body. She added that the police have gotten information and have started investigations. She also said there is no need talking because he is already dead.
The corpse will be removed from the mortuary on April 8th and taken directly to his village in the West Region where he will be buried.
The man’s wife was said to have gone to the market and it was alleged that noticing that he was alone he decided to commit the act.
The cause of his actions is not yet known but according to the wife for one week before he committed the act he had not been eating her food and he was not ill.
When Cameroon Tribune approached the wife to comment on the issue, she said it was not necessary and did not want to release any information. Nevertheless, she said the competent person to comment on the matter was still at the mortuary where they went to leave the body. She added that the police have gotten information and have started investigations. She also said there is no need talking because he is already dead.
The corpse will be removed from the mortuary on April 8th and taken directly to his village in the West Region where he will be buried.
Secretary: What Place in Society
On the 18th edition of the international day of the secretary, secretary examines roles.
The secretary is looked upon by some members of the public as one with a low IQ or could not do well in general education and ended up in that position. Sometimes too these secretaries are blamed for this because of the roles they play, some do not even know the role they are to place and treat visitors rudely. Sometimes they lack work to do and prefer to seat and gossip or crack ‘egusi.’ It is said to be a woman’s corridor.
But there are some secretaries who know their role and what they have to do and how to receive visitors. Some are actually taught to be secretaries.
Talking to Ekuh Edwin Etube, he is a Secretary who has been taught. He was secretary in the Chad-Cameroon pipeline. He is one of the few men who find themselves in a female world. He was made secretary when he had no knowledge of the profession and he calls it by chance, but was able to survive it. He later went to school ESG, Advance School of Management, Douala were he studied Bilingual Executive Secretary ship.
He explained to CT that as a male secretary it is not easy for a man to work with a man. He said many bosses may prefer a woman because she can smile, dress well, etc. But he added a man is more available in the job than a woman because a woman will need maternity leave which the man would not need.
He said a secretary may be a typist with CAP, or an ordinary secretary with GCE Advanced level, an Executive Secretary with BTS or HND and their role is to type, handle mails, screen phone calls, handle records and organise meetings.
Eko points out some weaknesses in the training which is a handicap to the profession, such as the use of computers. This is a computer age and secretaries must be taught how to use the computer so should not have only basic skills. He said language is another pertinent factor because the secretary should be bilingual. With these loopholes he said a graduate is forced to go to a documentation centre to learn computer or linguistic centre to study which ever language is lacking.
Eko is presenting member and Secretary General of the Cameroon Federation of Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, who are presently working towards celebrating the International World Secretaries Day. On the 16th of April, will be another edition of the international day of the Secretary and it will be the 18th edition. Activities marking the day have already begun with training seminars and giving of gifts.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Edwin Eko: In a man in female corridor
The secretary is looked upon by some members of the public as one with a low IQ or could not do well in general education and ended up in that position. Sometimes too these secretaries are blamed for this because of the roles they play, some do not even know the role they are to place and treat visitors rudely. Sometimes they lack work to do and prefer to seat and gossip or crack ‘egusi.’ It is said to be a woman’s corridor.
But there are some secretaries who know their role and what they have to do and how to receive visitors. Some are actually taught to be secretaries.
Talking to Ekuh Edwin Etube, he is a Secretary who has been taught. He was secretary in the Chad-Cameroon pipeline. He is one of the few men who find themselves in a female world. He was made secretary when he had no knowledge of the profession and he calls it by chance, but was able to survive it. He later went to school ESG, Advance School of Management, Douala were he studied Bilingual Executive Secretary ship.
He explained to CT that as a male secretary it is not easy for a man to work with a man. He said many bosses may prefer a woman because she can smile, dress well, etc. But he added a man is more available in the job than a woman because a woman will need maternity leave which the man would not need.
He said a secretary may be a typist with CAP, or an ordinary secretary with GCE Advanced level, an Executive Secretary with BTS or HND and their role is to type, handle mails, screen phone calls, handle records and organise meetings.
Eko points out some weaknesses in the training which is a handicap to the profession, such as the use of computers. This is a computer age and secretaries must be taught how to use the computer so should not have only basic skills. He said language is another pertinent factor because the secretary should be bilingual. With these loopholes he said a graduate is forced to go to a documentation centre to learn computer or linguistic centre to study which ever language is lacking.
Eko is presenting member and Secretary General of the Cameroon Federation of Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, who are presently working towards celebrating the International World Secretaries Day. On the 16th of April, will be another edition of the international day of the Secretary and it will be the 18th edition. Activities marking the day have already begun with training seminars and giving of gifts.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Edwin Eko: In a man in female corridor
Norms Controlling Product Qualities May Be Defiled
Sometimes recalcitrant traders put in market but products to make profit yet jeopardising health of consumers.
« Eh! this yoghourt seem to have expired see how watery it is. But it has not reached the expiry date”. A neighbour said after buying a carton of yoghurt. But why has the quality changed when it still has three months before the expiry date was the question. This kind of experience many people go through with other products in Cameroon but lack where to lay complains but many at times because they doubt whether any action will be taken. Another issue is that many people wonder whether there is a proper check of the quality of products consumed.
The body in charge of the quality of goods imported in Douala is the Ministry of Mines and Industry, headed in Douala by the Regional Delegate Celestin Ngassa. In a chat with CT on the control of the quality of products imported and local products, the Regional Delegate said products deal with health and it is dangerous to joke with them. He said they are fighting to protect the welfare of the inhabitants. He added that the public should also try to report cases of bad products they buy to the delegation, because he said the public has to assist them to pick out recalcitrant importers. He said most at times when consumers encounter bad situations with products they do not deem it necessary to report the matter and such companies go free.
The Regional Delegate said there are certain norms the government has put in place which governs both local and imported products before they are sent to the market for consumption. He added that the government has also created an agency, Agency for Normality of Norms which is still under the Ministry of Industries and Mines which handles basically the control of products like Rice, Milk, gas bottles, and sugar, among others. There are norms which control each of such products. He said before a company releases a product or imports a product into the country they need to have a document which is issued by the Ministry of Trade, Certificate of conformity to the Norms. In this document it gives all specificities of the product, where it was fabricated, among others.
The product before it leaves the sea port or Industry to the market; samples are collected and taken to SGS or UDRA which are laboratories which test the quality of the product in Douala. But check up still continues from time to time, he said in the market and if there are any bad goods they are seized and destroyed.
Ngassa said for the case of brewery companies, they do inspections in the industries always and what is not going right they are compelled to correct it but if after several warnings nothing is done, the company will be sealed. He said they have been working with consumer syndicates, sending spots on televisions. But he remarked they lack sufficient personnel to do the job.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Unfrequented check up permits unqualified products in the markets.
« Eh! this yoghourt seem to have expired see how watery it is. But it has not reached the expiry date”. A neighbour said after buying a carton of yoghurt. But why has the quality changed when it still has three months before the expiry date was the question. This kind of experience many people go through with other products in Cameroon but lack where to lay complains but many at times because they doubt whether any action will be taken. Another issue is that many people wonder whether there is a proper check of the quality of products consumed.
The body in charge of the quality of goods imported in Douala is the Ministry of Mines and Industry, headed in Douala by the Regional Delegate Celestin Ngassa. In a chat with CT on the control of the quality of products imported and local products, the Regional Delegate said products deal with health and it is dangerous to joke with them. He said they are fighting to protect the welfare of the inhabitants. He added that the public should also try to report cases of bad products they buy to the delegation, because he said the public has to assist them to pick out recalcitrant importers. He said most at times when consumers encounter bad situations with products they do not deem it necessary to report the matter and such companies go free.
The Regional Delegate said there are certain norms the government has put in place which governs both local and imported products before they are sent to the market for consumption. He added that the government has also created an agency, Agency for Normality of Norms which is still under the Ministry of Industries and Mines which handles basically the control of products like Rice, Milk, gas bottles, and sugar, among others. There are norms which control each of such products. He said before a company releases a product or imports a product into the country they need to have a document which is issued by the Ministry of Trade, Certificate of conformity to the Norms. In this document it gives all specificities of the product, where it was fabricated, among others.
The product before it leaves the sea port or Industry to the market; samples are collected and taken to SGS or UDRA which are laboratories which test the quality of the product in Douala. But check up still continues from time to time, he said in the market and if there are any bad goods they are seized and destroyed.
Ngassa said for the case of brewery companies, they do inspections in the industries always and what is not going right they are compelled to correct it but if after several warnings nothing is done, the company will be sealed. He said they have been working with consumer syndicates, sending spots on televisions. But he remarked they lack sufficient personnel to do the job.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Unfrequented check up permits unqualified products in the markets.
Photographs of the Military in Bakassi Exhibited
In a bid to celebrate the theme of this year a military photograph exhibition took place.
Following the theme of this year’s 20th May, Defence Forces and the Nation for the Promotion of Social peace and Development, there has been a photograph exhibition at the Delegation of Culture, in Bonanjo, Douala.
The pictures which were 20 in number were photographs explaining the retrocession of Bakassi to Cameroon and the establishment of Cameroon in Bakassi. The pictures explained the different camp of the military, their nature of discipline in carrying out their duties.
Some of the pictures were armour match past, military vehicles march past, the official hoisting of the Cameroonian flag in Bakassi, going to Bakassi and returning from Bakassi, the Marine and their role in the sea, among others.
Colonel Mbongo Bruno of the 2nd inter-military region who was present to see the pictures said he was impressed. He added that the photographs tie with the theme of this year’s national day. He said they also expose the discipline which exists in the military in Cameroon. The colonel also added that some of the photographs bring to his memory certain images in Bakassi and also as well expose what is happening in Bakassi.
On his part the Delegate of Culture Robert Bendegue said he had to select the exhibited pictures from a lot which were presented to him. This he said because they tie with the theme of the National Day. He said they reflect the retrocession of Bakassi to Cameroon. He also lauded the efforts of the military in the way they tackle the Bakassi issue in discipline and diplomacy.
There were also traditional dances which took part to spice the event. The photographs were the handy work of photograph reporter Nicolas Makanda.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Following the theme of this year’s 20th May, Defence Forces and the Nation for the Promotion of Social peace and Development, there has been a photograph exhibition at the Delegation of Culture, in Bonanjo, Douala.
The pictures which were 20 in number were photographs explaining the retrocession of Bakassi to Cameroon and the establishment of Cameroon in Bakassi. The pictures explained the different camp of the military, their nature of discipline in carrying out their duties.
Some of the pictures were armour match past, military vehicles march past, the official hoisting of the Cameroonian flag in Bakassi, going to Bakassi and returning from Bakassi, the Marine and their role in the sea, among others.
Colonel Mbongo Bruno of the 2nd inter-military region who was present to see the pictures said he was impressed. He added that the photographs tie with the theme of this year’s national day. He said they also expose the discipline which exists in the military in Cameroon. The colonel also added that some of the photographs bring to his memory certain images in Bakassi and also as well expose what is happening in Bakassi.
On his part the Delegate of Culture Robert Bendegue said he had to select the exhibited pictures from a lot which were presented to him. This he said because they tie with the theme of the National Day. He said they reflect the retrocession of Bakassi to Cameroon. He also lauded the efforts of the military in the way they tackle the Bakassi issue in discipline and diplomacy.
There were also traditional dances which took part to spice the event. The photographs were the handy work of photograph reporter Nicolas Makanda.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Capacity Building of Loan Beneficiaries in Littoral
A regional training seminar was organised in Douala to train beneficiaries of PIAASI Loans.
Beneficiaries of the loan offered by the Integrated Project to better the informal Sector known by its French acronym, PIAASI, are undergoing training in Douala on how they can efficiently manage their different micro-projects.
The PIAASI programme is one of the programmes put in place by the government to fight against unemployment of youths, and the goal is to support projects, rigorously selected by the Loans Committee for sponsorship so that these youths can become self-employed.
Giving a balance sheet of the projects since 2005, the Regional Delegate of Vocational Training and Employment, Adamou, he said 123 projects have already been financed this year at the sum of FCFA 80,000,000. He said giving the projects they have financed since 2005 till now, it is 634 projects which he said must have generated 2410 direct and indirect jobs. He added that efforts will be made to recover this loan which is been given out. He called on the trainees to make use of these opportunities to train themselves made possible by the government through the Ministry of Vocational Training and Employment and PIAASI.
Following the training, they will be trained on the Socio-economic Environment and the Enterprise, which it is expected that the trainees will be able to understand the rights and obligations they will confront. In training on Management Initiatives, it is expected that in the end the trainees should be able to understand basic accounting techniques. In Strategic Management of the Projects, the trainees will have to learn to develop competence and management of their projects in the area of planning, organisation, programmation and communication and the informal sector conflicts and the urban community, they have to be able to identify the causes of conflicts and the solutions.
The Regional Technical Secretary of PIAASI Serge Paul Kwa Ngangue, outlined the functions of PIAASI, which he said is to organise, train and gives loans.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Beneficiaries of the loan offered by the Integrated Project to better the informal Sector known by its French acronym, PIAASI, are undergoing training in Douala on how they can efficiently manage their different micro-projects.
The PIAASI programme is one of the programmes put in place by the government to fight against unemployment of youths, and the goal is to support projects, rigorously selected by the Loans Committee for sponsorship so that these youths can become self-employed.
Giving a balance sheet of the projects since 2005, the Regional Delegate of Vocational Training and Employment, Adamou, he said 123 projects have already been financed this year at the sum of FCFA 80,000,000. He said giving the projects they have financed since 2005 till now, it is 634 projects which he said must have generated 2410 direct and indirect jobs. He added that efforts will be made to recover this loan which is been given out. He called on the trainees to make use of these opportunities to train themselves made possible by the government through the Ministry of Vocational Training and Employment and PIAASI.
Following the training, they will be trained on the Socio-economic Environment and the Enterprise, which it is expected that the trainees will be able to understand the rights and obligations they will confront. In training on Management Initiatives, it is expected that in the end the trainees should be able to understand basic accounting techniques. In Strategic Management of the Projects, the trainees will have to learn to develop competence and management of their projects in the area of planning, organisation, programmation and communication and the informal sector conflicts and the urban community, they have to be able to identify the causes of conflicts and the solutions.
The Regional Technical Secretary of PIAASI Serge Paul Kwa Ngangue, outlined the functions of PIAASI, which he said is to organise, train and gives loans.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Traditional Chinese Medicine Spices Natural Treatment
The Chinese have introduced their traditional form of natural treatment in Cameroon
The use of natural plants to do treatment in Cameroon has been on an increase. Each day there are new kinds of treatments which some traditional doctors claim they have discovered to cure particular diseases. there is always a crowd that follows these so called healers because of maybe frustrating situations they have faced using conventional medicine or otherwise.
With the coming of the Chinese in Cameroon they have brought their own form of natural treatment. There are even Cameroonians who have gone to china and learnt the traditional treatment and are now practicing it in Cameroon
Practices include treatments such as Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, dietary therapy, and massage. There is also the ginseng plant which is used in food drinks, lotions, among others and it is said to be very effective in cleansing the body system.
Talking to one of the Chinese Traditional Medicine, TCM, doctors who is Cameroonian, he said TCM has formed a unique system to diagnose and cure illness. The TCM approach he said is fundamentally different from that of western medicine treatment of illness which is based primarily on the diagnosis and differentiation of syndromes.
The TCM approach treats organs as the core of the human body. Tissue and organs are connected he said through a network of channels and blood vessels inside the human body.
Treatment is not based only on the symptoms, but differentiation of syndromes. Therefore, those with an identical disease may be treated in different ways, and on the other hand, different diseases may result in the same syndrome and are treated in similar ways.
The typical TCM therapies he added include; acupuncture, herbal medicine, and what they call qigong exercises. With acupuncture, he said, treatment is accomplished by stimulating certain areas of the external body. Herbal medicine acts on organs internally, while qigong tries to restore the orderly information flow inside the network through the regulation of iQ. “These therapies appear very different in approach yet they all share the same underlying sets of assumptions and insights in the nature of the human body and its place in the universe”, he said.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
The use of natural plants to do treatment in Cameroon has been on an increase. Each day there are new kinds of treatments which some traditional doctors claim they have discovered to cure particular diseases. there is always a crowd that follows these so called healers because of maybe frustrating situations they have faced using conventional medicine or otherwise.
With the coming of the Chinese in Cameroon they have brought their own form of natural treatment. There are even Cameroonians who have gone to china and learnt the traditional treatment and are now practicing it in Cameroon
Practices include treatments such as Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, dietary therapy, and massage. There is also the ginseng plant which is used in food drinks, lotions, among others and it is said to be very effective in cleansing the body system.
Talking to one of the Chinese Traditional Medicine, TCM, doctors who is Cameroonian, he said TCM has formed a unique system to diagnose and cure illness. The TCM approach he said is fundamentally different from that of western medicine treatment of illness which is based primarily on the diagnosis and differentiation of syndromes.
The TCM approach treats organs as the core of the human body. Tissue and organs are connected he said through a network of channels and blood vessels inside the human body.
Treatment is not based only on the symptoms, but differentiation of syndromes. Therefore, those with an identical disease may be treated in different ways, and on the other hand, different diseases may result in the same syndrome and are treated in similar ways.
The typical TCM therapies he added include; acupuncture, herbal medicine, and what they call qigong exercises. With acupuncture, he said, treatment is accomplished by stimulating certain areas of the external body. Herbal medicine acts on organs internally, while qigong tries to restore the orderly information flow inside the network through the regulation of iQ. “These therapies appear very different in approach yet they all share the same underlying sets of assumptions and insights in the nature of the human body and its place in the universe”, he said.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Mbonjo Village Opens Up for Better Trade
A bridge has been created to link the village to other neighbouring localities.
Thanks to the Cameroon-European Union Rural Development Programme, the Mbonjo village now has a bridge which is 12 metres long to link the village to other neighbouring areas like Penda Mboko and Malende in the South West Region.
The project which costs FCFA 41million was handed over to the villagers by the Parliamentarian for Mungo South, Jean Claude Mpacko who engineered the relationship with the European Union.
The bridge was followed by the creation of an earth road which linked the Mbonjo to Penda Mboko and then to Malende to the CDC plantations.
Honourable Mpacko, the Mayor of Bonaléa, Nkotti Francois , the paramount Chief and representatives of the European Union visited the project and to hand it over to the villagers.
The Parliamentarian said the project has been realised because of the voluntary nature of the villagers and also because it is participatory development. He lauded the efforts of the lord mayor who brought up the demand of a bridge to him and the bridge has been granted thanks to the Cam-EU relationship. He added that it was not easy to get to Penda Mboko from Mbonjo because it could either be through the river in a canoe or through the bushy road. But thanks to the bridge and the earth road, travelling to Penda Mboko and even right to Malende is with all ease. He added that if this initiative could be imitated by all then development in Cameroon will happen like the speed of light.
The Chief also lauded the efforts and said this has happened to Mbonjo through the help of God.
Some tools worth FCFA 2, 35,000 were donated to the road committee workers to take care of the road and the bridge. The villagers were told to work harder to keep the earth road and the bridge. They were given three buckets, two spades, diggers, pairs of boots, gloves, shovels, axe, twine ropes, wheel barrows wreckers, among others to make sure they continue to work on the road.
Honourable Mpacko also visited another CAM-EU project which is the construction of two classrooms for the Government secondary school, Bonamekete, Dibombari. There he assed that the wok has advanced hoping the work will be through in about two to three weeks, because he said he will be taking charge to ensure all goes well.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Bridge made of heavy wood.
Thanks to the Cameroon-European Union Rural Development Programme, the Mbonjo village now has a bridge which is 12 metres long to link the village to other neighbouring areas like Penda Mboko and Malende in the South West Region.
The project which costs FCFA 41million was handed over to the villagers by the Parliamentarian for Mungo South, Jean Claude Mpacko who engineered the relationship with the European Union.
The bridge was followed by the creation of an earth road which linked the Mbonjo to Penda Mboko and then to Malende to the CDC plantations.
Honourable Mpacko, the Mayor of Bonaléa, Nkotti Francois , the paramount Chief and representatives of the European Union visited the project and to hand it over to the villagers.
The Parliamentarian said the project has been realised because of the voluntary nature of the villagers and also because it is participatory development. He lauded the efforts of the lord mayor who brought up the demand of a bridge to him and the bridge has been granted thanks to the Cam-EU relationship. He added that it was not easy to get to Penda Mboko from Mbonjo because it could either be through the river in a canoe or through the bushy road. But thanks to the bridge and the earth road, travelling to Penda Mboko and even right to Malende is with all ease. He added that if this initiative could be imitated by all then development in Cameroon will happen like the speed of light.
The Chief also lauded the efforts and said this has happened to Mbonjo through the help of God.
Some tools worth FCFA 2, 35,000 were donated to the road committee workers to take care of the road and the bridge. The villagers were told to work harder to keep the earth road and the bridge. They were given three buckets, two spades, diggers, pairs of boots, gloves, shovels, axe, twine ropes, wheel barrows wreckers, among others to make sure they continue to work on the road.
Honourable Mpacko also visited another CAM-EU project which is the construction of two classrooms for the Government secondary school, Bonamekete, Dibombari. There he assed that the wok has advanced hoping the work will be through in about two to three weeks, because he said he will be taking charge to ensure all goes well.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Bridge made of heavy wood.
Markets Needs Security from Fire Incidents
Fire incidents in the big markets are fast becoming a normal phenomenon.
Recently, some big markets of certain big cities in Cameroon have suffered from fire disasters. There are some of these markets that these incidents have occurred more than once.
Last year the Douala Central Market had a fire incident after which was the Tiko main market and then the Bafoussam main market. Less than six months after the Central Market incident, it has exploded again at the Congo market in Douala. Each time it happens the authorities hold crisis meetings.
After the incident of Congo market, now all eyes are looking at the Mboppi Market which is one of the biggest markets in Central Africa, to be the next to suffer from fire incident.
Talking to the President of Mboppi Market, Alice Maguedjio epse Ntanke on security measures they have put in place, in an outbreak of fire, she said they do a lot of sensitisation and cooperation. She added that they have tried to check out their electrical connections and what is left is to be done by the Douala City Council which according to her is not taking up its responsibilities in the Mboppi Market. Maguedjio said after the Central market crisis, the president of an association which is a civil protection association A.E.B.A which fights against fire incidents in the markets, carried out some studies on all the markets in Douala and how to put in place structures to fight fire incidents. The plan she said was brought to them and they all accepted but asked him to meet government which for the past five months she said the Government Delegate has never given him utterance. “If Mboppi is in flames it will be the entire town which is in flames so the City Council should better take up their responsibility”, she said. She added that the fire fighting brigade Commissioner has been contacted but he too has not reacted.
Another market CT visited was the Sandaga market where the head of traders Kong Oscar Oreal, proposed that to protect against fire incidents, a post of AES-SONEL should be constructed in each market so that the technicians control connection of current in the market and will be the ones to do any installations. He also blamed the traders for being corrupt because they pay much money to the market registrar to construct where they are not supposed to therefore making circulation in the market difficult. He said in the situation of fire incident the fire fighters will find it difficult because of inaccessibility. He added it is better for 10 shops blocking passage to be destroyed though it hurts than 100 shops to suffer.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
If all markets had circulation space!!!
Recently, some big markets of certain big cities in Cameroon have suffered from fire disasters. There are some of these markets that these incidents have occurred more than once.
Last year the Douala Central Market had a fire incident after which was the Tiko main market and then the Bafoussam main market. Less than six months after the Central Market incident, it has exploded again at the Congo market in Douala. Each time it happens the authorities hold crisis meetings.
After the incident of Congo market, now all eyes are looking at the Mboppi Market which is one of the biggest markets in Central Africa, to be the next to suffer from fire incident.
Talking to the President of Mboppi Market, Alice Maguedjio epse Ntanke on security measures they have put in place, in an outbreak of fire, she said they do a lot of sensitisation and cooperation. She added that they have tried to check out their electrical connections and what is left is to be done by the Douala City Council which according to her is not taking up its responsibilities in the Mboppi Market. Maguedjio said after the Central market crisis, the president of an association which is a civil protection association A.E.B.A which fights against fire incidents in the markets, carried out some studies on all the markets in Douala and how to put in place structures to fight fire incidents. The plan she said was brought to them and they all accepted but asked him to meet government which for the past five months she said the Government Delegate has never given him utterance. “If Mboppi is in flames it will be the entire town which is in flames so the City Council should better take up their responsibility”, she said. She added that the fire fighting brigade Commissioner has been contacted but he too has not reacted.
Another market CT visited was the Sandaga market where the head of traders Kong Oscar Oreal, proposed that to protect against fire incidents, a post of AES-SONEL should be constructed in each market so that the technicians control connection of current in the market and will be the ones to do any installations. He also blamed the traders for being corrupt because they pay much money to the market registrar to construct where they are not supposed to therefore making circulation in the market difficult. He said in the situation of fire incident the fire fighters will find it difficult because of inaccessibility. He added it is better for 10 shops blocking passage to be destroyed though it hurts than 100 shops to suffer.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
If all markets had circulation space!!!
Logbaba -PK 8 Road in Bad Shape
The road has developed potholes and vehicles cannot ply through easily.
The road linking main neighbourhoods in Douala, Logbaba and Pk 8 is in a very bad shape, making it difficult for vehicles to use the lane. The road which is a busy one has developed very big potholes filled up with rain water that can last in the holes for up to three days after a heavy down pour. Sometimes if one watches the cars passing on the road, especially the heavy duty vehicles, it is as if the carriage will fall off.
The main cause of the road being in this state is because the waterway which passes under the road has been blocked because of waste which inhabitants have been throwing inside the waterway. They have used it with a ditch and now the consequences are there. When it rains heavily as it used to do sometimes in Douala, water piles up like a heap and cannot find a passage so it flows to the road and covers the passage and this continuous action produces the pot holes on the road and a degradation of the tar on the road. Though there are gutters on the road they are not of any help because the waterway has been blocked by human activities.
A trader who has his store facing directly on the road and not up to 100metres away from the degraded spot of the road, Lazare Demise, said they are equally tormented as the road. He said from time to time, they who have their activities near by the road crave soil and throw on the road to make it better. But when the rains come it washes it away.
He also explained that when it rains heavy and the road is flooded it is capable of drowning children or the flowing water can sweep away children. He added that they have had cases like that in the past. What is dangerous about this situation is that it is a road used frequently by cars, heavy duty vehicles from companies around the area and even pedestrians, so there is a need for refurbishing the road.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
The road cries out for help.
The road linking main neighbourhoods in Douala, Logbaba and Pk 8 is in a very bad shape, making it difficult for vehicles to use the lane. The road which is a busy one has developed very big potholes filled up with rain water that can last in the holes for up to three days after a heavy down pour. Sometimes if one watches the cars passing on the road, especially the heavy duty vehicles, it is as if the carriage will fall off.
The main cause of the road being in this state is because the waterway which passes under the road has been blocked because of waste which inhabitants have been throwing inside the waterway. They have used it with a ditch and now the consequences are there. When it rains heavily as it used to do sometimes in Douala, water piles up like a heap and cannot find a passage so it flows to the road and covers the passage and this continuous action produces the pot holes on the road and a degradation of the tar on the road. Though there are gutters on the road they are not of any help because the waterway has been blocked by human activities.
A trader who has his store facing directly on the road and not up to 100metres away from the degraded spot of the road, Lazare Demise, said they are equally tormented as the road. He said from time to time, they who have their activities near by the road crave soil and throw on the road to make it better. But when the rains come it washes it away.
He also explained that when it rains heavy and the road is flooded it is capable of drowning children or the flowing water can sweep away children. He added that they have had cases like that in the past. What is dangerous about this situation is that it is a road used frequently by cars, heavy duty vehicles from companies around the area and even pedestrians, so there is a need for refurbishing the road.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
The road cries out for help.
Women Entrepreneurs in the Fight against the Digital Divide
It was remarked by the International president of Female entrepreneurs on the celebration of the ninth edition celebrated in Douala.
With the world becoming a global village and the increase of the information and Communication Technology, ICT, the women leaders of Entrepreneur are seeking ways to strengthen women and their businesses which has been impacted by negative repercussions of globalisation, instability and external crisis.
The women are seeking to bridge this digital divide between the west and Africa in the ICT. This they do by promoting the utilisation the ICT and the Internet platform through a programme they have put in place FCEM Candgo to reinforce partnership, networking and international trade. The Candgo system she said provides a dynamic interaction in Business to Business marketplace.
In her remarks, the International President of the FCEM, François Foning said there are two projects they have already put in place in the domain of ICT. She said in the first sponsored by the African Development Bank, 250women entrepreneurs in Cameroon were orientated and trained in the FCEM Candgo system. In the second project she added sponsored by the Belgian Government, about 1000entrepreneurs lead by women were integrated into the Business to Business Market place on the platform of entrepreneurs.
She further stated that in their programme FCEM WEE- WIN, Women Economic Empowerment World Wide Internet Network, they promote women’s’ entrepreneurship through institutional and technical capacity building for associations and entrepreneurs and their WE-Study programme to document the situation of women ‘s entrepreneurship world wide.
Foning added that they actively lobby and mobilise for appropriate micro and SME financing tools that are adapted to the needs enterprise start-up and expansion and that promote the transition to the formal economy.
The International Day of Women Leaders of Entrepreneur has become a tradition and celebrated every year on the 15th of May. This year it was celebrated as the 9th edition. The International President said they encourage an enterprise culture that is dynamic and innovative and socially concerned with the responsible role of business and respectful of the environment for the future generations.
The event was celebrated with the presence of economic operators from Algerian who had come to the end of their visit in Cameroon.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
women are seeking to bridge this digital divide.
With the world becoming a global village and the increase of the information and Communication Technology, ICT, the women leaders of Entrepreneur are seeking ways to strengthen women and their businesses which has been impacted by negative repercussions of globalisation, instability and external crisis.
The women are seeking to bridge this digital divide between the west and Africa in the ICT. This they do by promoting the utilisation the ICT and the Internet platform through a programme they have put in place FCEM Candgo to reinforce partnership, networking and international trade. The Candgo system she said provides a dynamic interaction in Business to Business marketplace.
In her remarks, the International President of the FCEM, François Foning said there are two projects they have already put in place in the domain of ICT. She said in the first sponsored by the African Development Bank, 250women entrepreneurs in Cameroon were orientated and trained in the FCEM Candgo system. In the second project she added sponsored by the Belgian Government, about 1000entrepreneurs lead by women were integrated into the Business to Business Market place on the platform of entrepreneurs.
She further stated that in their programme FCEM WEE- WIN, Women Economic Empowerment World Wide Internet Network, they promote women’s’ entrepreneurship through institutional and technical capacity building for associations and entrepreneurs and their WE-Study programme to document the situation of women ‘s entrepreneurship world wide.
Foning added that they actively lobby and mobilise for appropriate micro and SME financing tools that are adapted to the needs enterprise start-up and expansion and that promote the transition to the formal economy.
The International Day of Women Leaders of Entrepreneur has become a tradition and celebrated every year on the 15th of May. This year it was celebrated as the 9th edition. The International President said they encourage an enterprise culture that is dynamic and innovative and socially concerned with the responsible role of business and respectful of the environment for the future generations.
The event was celebrated with the presence of economic operators from Algerian who had come to the end of their visit in Cameroon.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
women are seeking to bridge this digital divide.
Men Challenged to Play their Role in the Family.
The call was made during the launching of world day of the family in Douala.
It is true the man is the head of the family, and as family head he has specific roles to place in the family especially in the area of bring up children. This is a duty that most men shun and say it is a women’s duty. Because of this role, the woman becomes the heart of the family.
Rachel Sen Nkong, Social and Cultural Affairs Adviser at the governor’s office representing the governor during the launching challenged men to be concerned with the day of the family because it is not an affair of women only. She said the men have sidelined themselves making it to be like another women’s day.
In her address, she also raised some problems in the family which cannot be handled by the woman alone but by both parties. She mentioned issues such as irresponsibility by most men in their homes, poverty, child delinquent, and child labour and child trafficking, among others. She further stated that women have a lot of challenges especially in restoring discipline and moral values in the family, reconciling her duties as a mother and housewife and her job, lack of financing and abandoning the children to someone else to take care and this leads to the child becoming delinquent.
Celebrated on the theme; Mothers and Families: Challenges in the Changing World, Sen Kong called on the public to reflect on problems in families and find solutions. She added that a collective action is needed to support government in their efforts to take care of families.
A lot of activities are going on in the region marking this day and will end on Friday May15 which will be the day of celebrating the family.
Programmes include educative talks in topics like AIDS, Abortion and Consequences, Triple role of mother in the Family and Society, among others. There will be paying of visits to young and single mothers and identify some of the couples who participated in the collective marriage and visit them to find out how things were moving. There will also be an exhibition which will take place at the Women’s hall, CPF in Akwa.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
It is true the man is the head of the family, and as family head he has specific roles to place in the family especially in the area of bring up children. This is a duty that most men shun and say it is a women’s duty. Because of this role, the woman becomes the heart of the family.
Rachel Sen Nkong, Social and Cultural Affairs Adviser at the governor’s office representing the governor during the launching challenged men to be concerned with the day of the family because it is not an affair of women only. She said the men have sidelined themselves making it to be like another women’s day.
In her address, she also raised some problems in the family which cannot be handled by the woman alone but by both parties. She mentioned issues such as irresponsibility by most men in their homes, poverty, child delinquent, and child labour and child trafficking, among others. She further stated that women have a lot of challenges especially in restoring discipline and moral values in the family, reconciling her duties as a mother and housewife and her job, lack of financing and abandoning the children to someone else to take care and this leads to the child becoming delinquent.
Celebrated on the theme; Mothers and Families: Challenges in the Changing World, Sen Kong called on the public to reflect on problems in families and find solutions. She added that a collective action is needed to support government in their efforts to take care of families.
A lot of activities are going on in the region marking this day and will end on Friday May15 which will be the day of celebrating the family.
Programmes include educative talks in topics like AIDS, Abortion and Consequences, Triple role of mother in the Family and Society, among others. There will be paying of visits to young and single mothers and identify some of the couples who participated in the collective marriage and visit them to find out how things were moving. There will also be an exhibition which will take place at the Women’s hall, CPF in Akwa.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Youths Unleash Ideas for Innovation
During the Global Entrepreneur week, youths gave ideas which could be turned to reality.
The Youth Business Cameroon, an organisation which promotes and supports youth entrepreneurship, joined the rest of the world to celebrate the Global Entrepreneurship Week.
The event which took place from November 16 to 22 at the Bepanda Youth Centre, gave opportunities for young people to bring ideas which could be changed to reality so that they could better themselves.
The different talks and activities which were organised for the week, introduced youths to entrepreneurship as a noble profession and as a source of wealth creation, to network young people and organisations to discover new ideas and business ventures, mentor ideas
The coordinator of the entrepreneurship week, Patrick Bekolo, speaking to Cameroon Tribune, he said the Global entrepreneurship week is being organised for the second time in more than 80 countries. He added that it is a global initiative to inspire young people to embrace innovation, imagination and creativity. Bekolo said their mission has been to inspire and motivate people in entrepreneurship as a source of income and a way out of poverty for many youths
Entrepreneurship and innovation, Bekolo said are two great challenges in modern society because the economy is dependent on small and medium size enterprises. They create jobs he said and are innovative. He added that entrepreneurship fights against unemployment which is one of the greatest problems the youths in Cameroon face and also addresses the need for a wide economic opportunity.
For one week topics and their orientations handled were such as; creating an enterprise, business plan, how to present a project, steps into entrepreneurship, marketing in business, pubic relations, human factors, taxes and finances.
There were other light hearted issues like a marathon and other activities in which awards were given to the best candidates during the gala night which was organised to concluded the ceremony on the 22.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
The Youth Business Cameroon, an organisation which promotes and supports youth entrepreneurship, joined the rest of the world to celebrate the Global Entrepreneurship Week.
The event which took place from November 16 to 22 at the Bepanda Youth Centre, gave opportunities for young people to bring ideas which could be changed to reality so that they could better themselves.
The different talks and activities which were organised for the week, introduced youths to entrepreneurship as a noble profession and as a source of wealth creation, to network young people and organisations to discover new ideas and business ventures, mentor ideas
The coordinator of the entrepreneurship week, Patrick Bekolo, speaking to Cameroon Tribune, he said the Global entrepreneurship week is being organised for the second time in more than 80 countries. He added that it is a global initiative to inspire young people to embrace innovation, imagination and creativity. Bekolo said their mission has been to inspire and motivate people in entrepreneurship as a source of income and a way out of poverty for many youths
Entrepreneurship and innovation, Bekolo said are two great challenges in modern society because the economy is dependent on small and medium size enterprises. They create jobs he said and are innovative. He added that entrepreneurship fights against unemployment which is one of the greatest problems the youths in Cameroon face and also addresses the need for a wide economic opportunity.
For one week topics and their orientations handled were such as; creating an enterprise, business plan, how to present a project, steps into entrepreneurship, marketing in business, pubic relations, human factors, taxes and finances.
There were other light hearted issues like a marathon and other activities in which awards were given to the best candidates during the gala night which was organised to concluded the ceremony on the 22.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
New Facelift for Douche Municipal
This area is undergoing transformation.
Douche Municipal, or Place Ahmadou Ahidjo, is known by everyone in Douala and out of Douala because for some time it was a place people could board buses for other parts of the country especially to the Centre Region. During this period the famous douche municipal was shapeless with very bad roads and standing water in pot holes when it rains. Buses even used to board passengers on the road such that there was always traffic congestion in the area.
In a bid to carryout their mission to make Douala clan and beautiful, the Douala City council chose to reshape douche municipal, so that it can reflect it’s name and can make Douala a place to be. The plans for Douche municipal according to the engineer in the field will give the site an appearance enormous.
Samuel Kangmonye the engineer of egis Cameroon, company in charge of the work told Cameroon Tribune about the transformation which is supposed to take place. The first particularity now is a fountain which is under construction. The water will be flowing inward and it will be lighted such that when someone watches from afar it will be as if the water of the fountain is coloured. Secondly, a monument will be built in the fountain and he said the statue has not yet being defined and that will be done by the Government Delegate. A barrier will be placed around the fountain with billboards which will reflect or which will be lighted at night.
Apart from the fountain there is going to be a round about constructed also with billboards placed round the barriers. Probably a mini flower garden will be in the roundabout. The area is done such that there are other straight roads which could be used without passing from the roundabout. So on the straight roads; they have begun with the first layer of tar on the roads. He said they envisage finishing the work completely by September and because of the time frame left, he said they are going to block circulation in this place completely so that they can carryout their job without accurately. But he added the three agencies which will remain in that area, Finex, Guarantee Express and Central Voyage will continue circulation though it will be difficult for them.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Very soon to be beautiful
Douche Municipal, or Place Ahmadou Ahidjo, is known by everyone in Douala and out of Douala because for some time it was a place people could board buses for other parts of the country especially to the Centre Region. During this period the famous douche municipal was shapeless with very bad roads and standing water in pot holes when it rains. Buses even used to board passengers on the road such that there was always traffic congestion in the area.
In a bid to carryout their mission to make Douala clan and beautiful, the Douala City council chose to reshape douche municipal, so that it can reflect it’s name and can make Douala a place to be. The plans for Douche municipal according to the engineer in the field will give the site an appearance enormous.
Samuel Kangmonye the engineer of egis Cameroon, company in charge of the work told Cameroon Tribune about the transformation which is supposed to take place. The first particularity now is a fountain which is under construction. The water will be flowing inward and it will be lighted such that when someone watches from afar it will be as if the water of the fountain is coloured. Secondly, a monument will be built in the fountain and he said the statue has not yet being defined and that will be done by the Government Delegate. A barrier will be placed around the fountain with billboards which will reflect or which will be lighted at night.
Apart from the fountain there is going to be a round about constructed also with billboards placed round the barriers. Probably a mini flower garden will be in the roundabout. The area is done such that there are other straight roads which could be used without passing from the roundabout. So on the straight roads; they have begun with the first layer of tar on the roads. He said they envisage finishing the work completely by September and because of the time frame left, he said they are going to block circulation in this place completely so that they can carryout their job without accurately. But he added the three agencies which will remain in that area, Finex, Guarantee Express and Central Voyage will continue circulation though it will be difficult for them.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Very soon to be beautiful
Douala III Manifests Information and Technology Age
Some youths graduating from the Douala III Multimedia Centre have received their attestations from the Mayor.
About some 500 youths who have been undergoing a four-month free training at the Douala III multimedia and technology centre have received their attestations. These youths came from the 14th, 15th and 16th batches of Graphics Design, Maintenance and Network and Bureaucratic disciplines taught in the centre.
In his remarks, the Mayor of Douala III, Oumarou Fadil, who presided over the ceremony, said in the world today communication and technology is of very high importance, the reason why the council set up such a centre for the good of the youths. The centre started in 2003, he said, though the centre has been in existence effectively for five years now. The centre he said is for the youths because they hold the youths at heart. Fadil said the centre has graduated already some 7000 youths since its inception. He mentioned the three disciplines, which operates in the centre such as Graphic designs, Maintenance and Network as well as Bureaucratic or secretariat duties. He said he wishes the graduates would be able to get jobs quickly.
The Head of the centre introduced other disciplines, which will go operational and still free of charge. There is a graphic and design 2D and the competitive graphic and design3D. He said those who have done 2D could move directly to 3D.He added some needs of the centre like the need of an Air-conditioned hall, a video projector and more teachers. The representative of youths expressed their gratitude for having this kind of training free of charge. To get admitted there is no specific criteria because among the 500 who received the attestation, there were police officers
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
About some 500 youths who have been undergoing a four-month free training at the Douala III multimedia and technology centre have received their attestations. These youths came from the 14th, 15th and 16th batches of Graphics Design, Maintenance and Network and Bureaucratic disciplines taught in the centre.
In his remarks, the Mayor of Douala III, Oumarou Fadil, who presided over the ceremony, said in the world today communication and technology is of very high importance, the reason why the council set up such a centre for the good of the youths. The centre started in 2003, he said, though the centre has been in existence effectively for five years now. The centre he said is for the youths because they hold the youths at heart. Fadil said the centre has graduated already some 7000 youths since its inception. He mentioned the three disciplines, which operates in the centre such as Graphic designs, Maintenance and Network as well as Bureaucratic or secretariat duties. He said he wishes the graduates would be able to get jobs quickly.
The Head of the centre introduced other disciplines, which will go operational and still free of charge. There is a graphic and design 2D and the competitive graphic and design3D. He said those who have done 2D could move directly to 3D.He added some needs of the centre like the need of an Air-conditioned hall, a video projector and more teachers. The representative of youths expressed their gratitude for having this kind of training free of charge. To get admitted there is no specific criteria because among the 500 who received the attestation, there were police officers
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Government Delegate Visits Social Integration Centre
The centre is under construction in Mambanda for the underprivileged.
The Government delegate to the Douala City Council, Fritz Ntone Ntone and his team have descended to the field to visit some work cites in Bonaberi. The government delegate had two missions to accomplish in his visit to the Douala IV council area.
He visited the social centre in Mambanda which is undergoing construction. The centre which construction work began in February was described as a Social Integration Centre, and one of the first in Cameroon sponsored by and receiving technical support from the City Council of Strasbourg, France. He said the centre is a copy of what is undergoing construction too now in Strasbourg.
The Mayor to the Douala IV council, John Kumase said the centre will take care of the underprivileged people; it will contain a town hall for women, a centre people will be taught of preventive health education, rehabilitation of street children. According to Kumase, they have a four year plan to treat and reinstate street children to become real children again.
The centre he said will contain a workshop to train youths on tailoring, hair dressing, and a day care centre where mothers can leave their children.
The project Kumase said is costing FCFA 287 million of which the Douala City Council has put in about FCFA 72 million, the French Embassy FCFA 68 million, among others, but the Douala IV council he said has put in 10 percent which is mostly on miscellaneous works.
Ntone cautioned the technicians to take note of the finishing of the structure because according to him buildings in Douala have poor finishing.
The Mayor as landlord requested the road be tarred to get to the centre at least for the sake that they will have strangers who will come for the inauguration in less than four months, because the project has to be constructed in six months.
At the entrance to Mambanda from the Cemetery, the Government Delegate asked the Chief in charge of the fight against urban disorder to clear off all those dong rubber business in the area. Then to Nouvelle Route Bonaberi where he gave instructions to the technician from Razel working in the road, while checking out where trees will be planted on the road.
At the end of his visit, he commented that he is delighted the work on Nouvelle Route Bonaberi has kicked off and they will do all to occupy the area where they have broken and sent off traders so that they will not come back to occupy it when they see that the council has delayed using it. He also added they will do all to arrange the road to Mambanda from the entrance to ALPICAM to serve the population.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
The Government delegate to the Douala City Council, Fritz Ntone Ntone and his team have descended to the field to visit some work cites in Bonaberi. The government delegate had two missions to accomplish in his visit to the Douala IV council area.
He visited the social centre in Mambanda which is undergoing construction. The centre which construction work began in February was described as a Social Integration Centre, and one of the first in Cameroon sponsored by and receiving technical support from the City Council of Strasbourg, France. He said the centre is a copy of what is undergoing construction too now in Strasbourg.
The Mayor to the Douala IV council, John Kumase said the centre will take care of the underprivileged people; it will contain a town hall for women, a centre people will be taught of preventive health education, rehabilitation of street children. According to Kumase, they have a four year plan to treat and reinstate street children to become real children again.
The centre he said will contain a workshop to train youths on tailoring, hair dressing, and a day care centre where mothers can leave their children.
The project Kumase said is costing FCFA 287 million of which the Douala City Council has put in about FCFA 72 million, the French Embassy FCFA 68 million, among others, but the Douala IV council he said has put in 10 percent which is mostly on miscellaneous works.
Ntone cautioned the technicians to take note of the finishing of the structure because according to him buildings in Douala have poor finishing.
The Mayor as landlord requested the road be tarred to get to the centre at least for the sake that they will have strangers who will come for the inauguration in less than four months, because the project has to be constructed in six months.
At the entrance to Mambanda from the Cemetery, the Government Delegate asked the Chief in charge of the fight against urban disorder to clear off all those dong rubber business in the area. Then to Nouvelle Route Bonaberi where he gave instructions to the technician from Razel working in the road, while checking out where trees will be planted on the road.
At the end of his visit, he commented that he is delighted the work on Nouvelle Route Bonaberi has kicked off and they will do all to occupy the area where they have broken and sent off traders so that they will not come back to occupy it when they see that the council has delayed using it. He also added they will do all to arrange the road to Mambanda from the entrance to ALPICAM to serve the population.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
All that Glitters is not gold
Jewries are loved by all but it is not all of them which are made of gold, some of them are fake.
« What is the cost of that chain and earrings? They glitter are Gold?” A lady at a Jewellery shop said to the jeweller. So is the case with most other women who buy only ostentatious goods.
Gold is a precious stone with the symbol Au, which in Latin means aurum, "shining dawn". It has been a highly sought-after precious metal, jewellery, for years. Gold is dense, soft, shiny and pure metal known. Pure gold has a bright yellow colour considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Gold is one of the coinage metals and has served as a symbol of wealth.
It can stand for wealth or refined to bring out Jewries and ornaments which is precious to everyone. For some people an adornment in Jewries made of gold is a sign of wealth be cause such are costly and do not wear out easily. Most of the ornaments people get in gold are rings, watches, chains, earrings, bracelets among others.
To get gold the user must be ready to pay high to come out with what he likes, though sometimes the sellers are not just, they give out fake Jewries at a high cost.
Most people go to Jewry shops to but them but some people go to the markets where they can have it at a cheaper rate.
A Jewry shop in Akwa CT visited, there were many women and younger ladies seeking chains and earrings and there were others who were giving commands of what they need.
Talking to the jeweller, Asanji Paul, he said he has been into the business for long and he imports his Jewries from Dubai. He went further and said the business like others has its peek seasons, which he said is from October, November and December, that is towards the festive seasons. Most of the customers give commands of what they want and the period it is needed. Asanji does not have only pure gold; he also has what is commonly known as Brazilian Gold. This is gold which glitters but just for a season and then it vanishes away.
The two qualities are presented before the buyer he said and it is left for the customer to make his choice.
Those sold in the market there are many fake Jewries which are sold and it difficult to make out. But the sign AU used to be used to determine gold but today even fake Jewries carry the sign.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Pure gold has a bright yellow colour considered attractive
« What is the cost of that chain and earrings? They glitter are Gold?” A lady at a Jewellery shop said to the jeweller. So is the case with most other women who buy only ostentatious goods.
Gold is a precious stone with the symbol Au, which in Latin means aurum, "shining dawn". It has been a highly sought-after precious metal, jewellery, for years. Gold is dense, soft, shiny and pure metal known. Pure gold has a bright yellow colour considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Gold is one of the coinage metals and has served as a symbol of wealth.
It can stand for wealth or refined to bring out Jewries and ornaments which is precious to everyone. For some people an adornment in Jewries made of gold is a sign of wealth be cause such are costly and do not wear out easily. Most of the ornaments people get in gold are rings, watches, chains, earrings, bracelets among others.
To get gold the user must be ready to pay high to come out with what he likes, though sometimes the sellers are not just, they give out fake Jewries at a high cost.
Most people go to Jewry shops to but them but some people go to the markets where they can have it at a cheaper rate.
A Jewry shop in Akwa CT visited, there were many women and younger ladies seeking chains and earrings and there were others who were giving commands of what they need.
Talking to the jeweller, Asanji Paul, he said he has been into the business for long and he imports his Jewries from Dubai. He went further and said the business like others has its peek seasons, which he said is from October, November and December, that is towards the festive seasons. Most of the customers give commands of what they want and the period it is needed. Asanji does not have only pure gold; he also has what is commonly known as Brazilian Gold. This is gold which glitters but just for a season and then it vanishes away.
The two qualities are presented before the buyer he said and it is left for the customer to make his choice.
Those sold in the market there are many fake Jewries which are sold and it difficult to make out. But the sign AU used to be used to determine gold but today even fake Jewries carry the sign.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Pure gold has a bright yellow colour considered attractive
Open House for Dealers in Building Construction Materials Opens
The event is the second edition taking place in Douala at the CPDM Party Hall.
Dealers in building construction materials have assembled at the Party hall with their various products, introducing to the public. The event organised by the Trade and Market Solutions known by is French acronym, BATIMAIDE is holding for the second time in Douala and it gives the general public the opportunity to know about different construction materials and also to get advice from buying land to the construction free of charge.
Talking to Grace Ndoumbe Priso, who is Assistant Director General, she said this event is a forum for professionals to meet and share innovations of their products with one another and with the general public. She added that there will be workshops and trainings which will discuss the various construction problems and the price on construction material, taxes, and importation costs, among others. She also added that during this open house the general public will also be able to benefit from ideas on how to take care of housing problems like humidity, among others.
In this edition there are 65 companies dealing in building materials which are participating and there are foreigners from Germany, France, Italy, and Syria, Togo and Chad as well as others from the national territory.
This programme is supported by some ministries in the country. The second edition is been organised because of the outcome of the first edition and there are more participants this time around. The doors have been opened but official launching will take place either on Monday February 22 or 23.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
“La Colombe” in the Fight against Sexual Abuse
The association organised a press conference to campaign against child sexual abuse.
Barristers, Psychologists, gynaecologists have condemned the act of sexual abuse in the lives of children and young girls who are the victims. They were speaking in a press conference organised by a non governmental organisation, La Colombe, in the fight against child abuse, at the French cultural Centre in Akwa Douala.
Speaking as a jurist, Barrister Evelyn Tamfack said parents who commit incest with their own daughters or rape other people daughters is a rampant phenomenon because they are left to go without being punished. Most of the times she said it is because the victim is afraid to report the case or the mother afraid to report the situation of her husband and daughter because she fears to loose her home. Barrister Tamfack said the father should be denounced in the court. That is, a complain made and better if there is prove from a medical report that the girl has been raped. Certainly the father will be booked and charged if found guilty. She added that articles 346 and 228 of the Penal cod charges for this crime 15-25 years of imprisonment or life imprisonment respectfully.
The gynaecologist Dr Honoré Emapi, talking on the effects of rape, he said the effects can be physical and psychologically. Psychologically, he said the victim can receive an irreversible trauma all the days of her life. Physically, he said the child may receive sexually transmissible diseases, become pregnant and may never want to have sex again in their lifetime.
Dr Emapi recounted the story of a young girl of 13 who is epileptic and was raped by a 32 year old man. The girl was seriously wounded and it put her life in danger.
As for the psychologists, Michelle Depre, she said every human being needs love and affection and security. She said the case becomes terrible when the very people who needs to show this love and security turnout to be your aggressors.
It was remarked that statistics shows that in Cameroon, everyday, girls are victims of rape and incest.
Present in the conference was renowned musician Henri Dikongue who had displaced himself specifically to present a concert marking the event of the campaign against child abused celebrated on March 4. He said he stands firmly with La Colombe to condemn this vice in the society. His songs he said are unique and difficult to dance because he brings out an ill of vice of society which he feels from his inside.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Barristers, Psychologists, gynaecologists have condemned the act of sexual abuse in the lives of children and young girls who are the victims. They were speaking in a press conference organised by a non governmental organisation, La Colombe, in the fight against child abuse, at the French cultural Centre in Akwa Douala.
Speaking as a jurist, Barrister Evelyn Tamfack said parents who commit incest with their own daughters or rape other people daughters is a rampant phenomenon because they are left to go without being punished. Most of the times she said it is because the victim is afraid to report the case or the mother afraid to report the situation of her husband and daughter because she fears to loose her home. Barrister Tamfack said the father should be denounced in the court. That is, a complain made and better if there is prove from a medical report that the girl has been raped. Certainly the father will be booked and charged if found guilty. She added that articles 346 and 228 of the Penal cod charges for this crime 15-25 years of imprisonment or life imprisonment respectfully.
The gynaecologist Dr Honoré Emapi, talking on the effects of rape, he said the effects can be physical and psychologically. Psychologically, he said the victim can receive an irreversible trauma all the days of her life. Physically, he said the child may receive sexually transmissible diseases, become pregnant and may never want to have sex again in their lifetime.
Dr Emapi recounted the story of a young girl of 13 who is epileptic and was raped by a 32 year old man. The girl was seriously wounded and it put her life in danger.
As for the psychologists, Michelle Depre, she said every human being needs love and affection and security. She said the case becomes terrible when the very people who needs to show this love and security turnout to be your aggressors.
It was remarked that statistics shows that in Cameroon, everyday, girls are victims of rape and incest.
Present in the conference was renowned musician Henri Dikongue who had displaced himself specifically to present a concert marking the event of the campaign against child abused celebrated on March 4. He said he stands firmly with La Colombe to condemn this vice in the society. His songs he said are unique and difficult to dance because he brings out an ill of vice of society which he feels from his inside.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Price of Chicken Increases in the Markets
There are very few sellers who still sell chicken in the market now.
Taking a turn around some big markets where chicken is sold in Douala to check the prices of chicken, there is a remarkable increase in the price of chicken in the markets. At Marché des Chévres, in New Bell, in the section which sells chicken, there are just a few chickens which have been put up for sale and besides most of them look like premature. Besides being very small, they are bony and have no flesh.
Talking to a few customers, they complained of the increase in the price of chicken and their sizes and said they would rather resort to eating fish and meat. A lady added that at first she used to buy one chicken which suffices in her family for at least a week, but that with the sizes now one chicken cannot even suffice her entire household.
Turning to a seller of chicken, Noubissi Jean Eric, he told Cameroon Tribune it is not their fault and they do pity the situation. He added that they hardly have customers who come to buy now. He said it is mostly restaurant owners who do come to buy, because they want to keep their customers if not nobody would want to buy chicken that he will sell and not make any profits.
Noubissi said the main problem comes from the level of those who rear the chickens. He said they have complained that fowl feed is costing them a lot because there is an increase in the price of the components which make up chicken feed. This problem works in a chain which affects the consumer in the end. He said they who buy to sell they buy very expensive so they have to sell at a high rate not to make profit but sustain their capital. The little chickens which look like premature are being sold at FCFA 2500. But the bigger ones, the prices can get up to FCFA 3500.
Jean Claude Ngupkam, who rears chickens, told CT that it is not easy to rear the fowls now, because it costs a lot to do so. He said the prices of maize, soya beans and cry fish which they use in making chicken feed has increased and they would not want to sell at a lost. He added that in the period of fowl sickness, most of the chicken die because of poor feeding and no sufficient care and it is a great lost for them. Nevertheless he was optimistic things will be fine again and they will get back to their old prices.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Taking a turn around some big markets where chicken is sold in Douala to check the prices of chicken, there is a remarkable increase in the price of chicken in the markets. At Marché des Chévres, in New Bell, in the section which sells chicken, there are just a few chickens which have been put up for sale and besides most of them look like premature. Besides being very small, they are bony and have no flesh.
Talking to a few customers, they complained of the increase in the price of chicken and their sizes and said they would rather resort to eating fish and meat. A lady added that at first she used to buy one chicken which suffices in her family for at least a week, but that with the sizes now one chicken cannot even suffice her entire household.
Turning to a seller of chicken, Noubissi Jean Eric, he told Cameroon Tribune it is not their fault and they do pity the situation. He added that they hardly have customers who come to buy now. He said it is mostly restaurant owners who do come to buy, because they want to keep their customers if not nobody would want to buy chicken that he will sell and not make any profits.
Noubissi said the main problem comes from the level of those who rear the chickens. He said they have complained that fowl feed is costing them a lot because there is an increase in the price of the components which make up chicken feed. This problem works in a chain which affects the consumer in the end. He said they who buy to sell they buy very expensive so they have to sell at a high rate not to make profit but sustain their capital. The little chickens which look like premature are being sold at FCFA 2500. But the bigger ones, the prices can get up to FCFA 3500.
Jean Claude Ngupkam, who rears chickens, told CT that it is not easy to rear the fowls now, because it costs a lot to do so. He said the prices of maize, soya beans and cry fish which they use in making chicken feed has increased and they would not want to sell at a lost. He added that in the period of fowl sickness, most of the chicken die because of poor feeding and no sufficient care and it is a great lost for them. Nevertheless he was optimistic things will be fine again and they will get back to their old prices.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
CERAC Extends its Largess to Bonendale
The circle of Friends of Cameroon gave gifts to the government Primary school in Bonendale.
The First lady of Cameroon, Chantal Biya through the Circle of Friends of Cameroon, CERAC, has given gifts, rehabilitated, and equipped the Government Primary school Bonandale, which hosts pupils from Sodiko, Bonamatoumbe and Bonendale. The gesture is part of the humanitarian activities carried out by First Lady Chantal, through which she has won herself a United Nations award. The gifts included books both exercise and text, chairs, tables, a television set, pens, a computer set with accessories, dictionaries, dustbins, washing soap, cutlasses, brush, among others. Added to these are the renovation of the entire school building and the construction of an administrative block.
Speaking in a welcome address the Government Delegate to the Douala City Council, Fritz Ntone Ntone said through the initiative of Chantal Biya the rehabilitation was initiated and the urban council could not remain indifferent. He said this initiative is coming at a time, when the world is celebrating the International Day of the African Child .He said education is socialisation of children and “an educated child is a man we win”. Ntone added that the gesture would lead to the rehabilitation of the Sodiko, Bonamatoumbe, Bonendale road that will now become the work site of priority.
The Director of the school, Tchenyie Francois Xavier said since April rehabilitation works began at the school and the school created in 1948 has been transformed to a new modern structure with a renovated library and a computer lab. He said the school has been equipped with good furniture and the head master’s office well equipped. The representative of the pupils promised they would be wise, they promised to work hard and come out with outstanding results in Wouri.
The representative of the First Lady who also doubles as the Minister of Basic Education, Alim Adjidja, said the rehabilitation of the school and equipping it reflects the voluntary act of CERAC and its founder to assist the nation in the policy of education. She added that the school that harbours about 200 pupils is equipped to prepare them for the First School Leaving Certificate. She said the Multimedia Centre, the library and classrooms are contributions to seek solutions to problems in Cameroon. She called on the pupils to be honest and more responsible, be wise and neat. The Minister also promised to transmit every message to first lady Chantal Biya. In her capacity as the Minister of Basic Education, she assured the gifts would be well taken care of for future generations. She called on the Government Delegate to bring in contributions for effective protection of the material.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
The First lady of Cameroon, Chantal Biya through the Circle of Friends of Cameroon, CERAC, has given gifts, rehabilitated, and equipped the Government Primary school Bonandale, which hosts pupils from Sodiko, Bonamatoumbe and Bonendale. The gesture is part of the humanitarian activities carried out by First Lady Chantal, through which she has won herself a United Nations award. The gifts included books both exercise and text, chairs, tables, a television set, pens, a computer set with accessories, dictionaries, dustbins, washing soap, cutlasses, brush, among others. Added to these are the renovation of the entire school building and the construction of an administrative block.
Speaking in a welcome address the Government Delegate to the Douala City Council, Fritz Ntone Ntone said through the initiative of Chantal Biya the rehabilitation was initiated and the urban council could not remain indifferent. He said this initiative is coming at a time, when the world is celebrating the International Day of the African Child .He said education is socialisation of children and “an educated child is a man we win”. Ntone added that the gesture would lead to the rehabilitation of the Sodiko, Bonamatoumbe, Bonendale road that will now become the work site of priority.
The Director of the school, Tchenyie Francois Xavier said since April rehabilitation works began at the school and the school created in 1948 has been transformed to a new modern structure with a renovated library and a computer lab. He said the school has been equipped with good furniture and the head master’s office well equipped. The representative of the pupils promised they would be wise, they promised to work hard and come out with outstanding results in Wouri.
The representative of the First Lady who also doubles as the Minister of Basic Education, Alim Adjidja, said the rehabilitation of the school and equipping it reflects the voluntary act of CERAC and its founder to assist the nation in the policy of education. She added that the school that harbours about 200 pupils is equipped to prepare them for the First School Leaving Certificate. She said the Multimedia Centre, the library and classrooms are contributions to seek solutions to problems in Cameroon. She called on the pupils to be honest and more responsible, be wise and neat. The Minister also promised to transmit every message to first lady Chantal Biya. In her capacity as the Minister of Basic Education, she assured the gifts would be well taken care of for future generations. She called on the Government Delegate to bring in contributions for effective protection of the material.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
vendredi 19 février 2010
Book on Self Development Now in Cameroonian Libraries
The launching was meant to provide Scholarships for primary school pupils.
Men have been challenged to put aside chauvinists’ ideas and go for a book described as one of quality written by inspiration and by a woman, which will go a long way to improve their thinking, build and develop themselves.
The clarion call was made by Ntumfour Nico Halle who was chairman and chief launcher of the book. He added that the book “Your Journey to Success” is talking about God given potential which people have been unable to actualise.
Talking about the book, Ireanus Chomgwain said the book was written with focus on the growing unemployment and it focused mostly on women and youths. He added that it is a book on self development and one can always find a way forward if there is a determination.
Reviewing the book, Martin Njumbam said the book was published in 2008 and falls in line with other books which have been published in other parts of the world on positive thinking. Njumbam said that the book is deserved to be read especially as it has been written at a time where there is great depression, hard times, unemployment among others, because it acts as a catalyst to relief stress.
In chapter one of the book, the reviewer said the writer puts it there cannot be success without a goal. Therefore in other to succeed there must be goals which will cause motivate, and with which you will run to achieve. He continued with chapter two stating that it takes a crucial look at responsibilities of actions, while the next chapter talks on challenging ourselves and overcoming doubts.
Furthermore, he said in chapter four the writer talks of generosity, which he explained as being open to all ideas, thoughts, volunteer our time, do something without expecting a reward, and also to give compliments to people. In the rest of the chapters, the writer talked of what to do to get out of poverty, which the reviewer added that there has to be a change of mind, set, and learn how to handle success. The next was to learn not to make quick decisions and to learn to take challenges and risks. Then the last chapter was a challenge to take action now but learn to work with people. The reviewer ended by saying “This is a good product”.
The author, Maceline Bih has been in The United States of America for seven years and has decided to return home. She said she has decided to settle here in Cameroon because she believes “The grass is greener where it is watered”.
She said in writing the book she was motivated, she had a desire to contribute towards the development of Cameroon. She added that success is a journey and not a destination.
Maceline Bih has a foundation, (Maceline Bih Scholarship Foundation) and has already offered 48 scholarships to some pupil.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Traders Accuse Société Binyam of Extortion
The traders claim Binyim levies high taxes on them and they do injustice in the levy.
Some traders of the New Bell Gare A market of complained of paying too many taxes and that there are a lot of injustice which the Company Binyam does in levying them with taxes. The traders gave different rates which they pay irrespective of what the activity they carryout in the market. A trader who sells mangoes by the roadside said each day he is levied FCFA 500, while a lady close by to him pays FCFA 100 each day.
Binyam is a company which controls New Bell Gare A market in terms of taxes and represents the Douala City Council in that market and at the same time also controls the tax which has to be handled by the Douala II council in the market.
Talking to Ndedi Thomas Lerond, the Secretary General of Société Binyam, he said traders tell a lot of lies because some of them what to benefit but do not want to pay at all. He clarified the issue of the taxes by quoting a decree of 20th December, 2002 signed by the former Prime Minister, Peter Mafany Musonge, which established the various taxes traders have to pay in the market.
According to the decree, he stated, all traders have to pay the tax Droit de Place which has to be FCFA250 per day. But he said they decided not to follow as stated by the decree but dropped it to FCFA 100 per day for those who sell on the floor. But those who own shops in the market pay FCFA 3000. This tax he said is controlled by the City Council. Added to this tax is the Occupation Temporaire pour la Voie Publique, OTVP, which is paid by those who sell by the road side because that is occupying government space temporarily. It is also FCFA 100 and collected by the Douala II Council.
There is also Impôt Libératoire also paid to the Douala II council and the amount depends on the kind of activity each trader carries out and the volume of activity. It is ranked according to A-E. The Council clashes with the Centre Divisionnaire de Impôts, CDI, as far as this tax is concerned.
Ndedi added that there some traders pay who pay trimester and for a space of two metres square the trader pays FCFA 18,000 while those who have kiosk by the roadside pay FCFA 1500 per month.
There is another tax he said which is paid by those who rent shops from others in the market and the tenant pays the rent fee to the owner of the shop and then pays a tax to CDI and the owner of the shop intends pays too to the CDI. He said sometimes these traders should not be blamed because of the many taxes.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Some traders of the New Bell Gare A market of complained of paying too many taxes and that there are a lot of injustice which the Company Binyam does in levying them with taxes. The traders gave different rates which they pay irrespective of what the activity they carryout in the market. A trader who sells mangoes by the roadside said each day he is levied FCFA 500, while a lady close by to him pays FCFA 100 each day.
Binyam is a company which controls New Bell Gare A market in terms of taxes and represents the Douala City Council in that market and at the same time also controls the tax which has to be handled by the Douala II council in the market.
Talking to Ndedi Thomas Lerond, the Secretary General of Société Binyam, he said traders tell a lot of lies because some of them what to benefit but do not want to pay at all. He clarified the issue of the taxes by quoting a decree of 20th December, 2002 signed by the former Prime Minister, Peter Mafany Musonge, which established the various taxes traders have to pay in the market.
According to the decree, he stated, all traders have to pay the tax Droit de Place which has to be FCFA250 per day. But he said they decided not to follow as stated by the decree but dropped it to FCFA 100 per day for those who sell on the floor. But those who own shops in the market pay FCFA 3000. This tax he said is controlled by the City Council. Added to this tax is the Occupation Temporaire pour la Voie Publique, OTVP, which is paid by those who sell by the road side because that is occupying government space temporarily. It is also FCFA 100 and collected by the Douala II Council.
There is also Impôt Libératoire also paid to the Douala II council and the amount depends on the kind of activity each trader carries out and the volume of activity. It is ranked according to A-E. The Council clashes with the Centre Divisionnaire de Impôts, CDI, as far as this tax is concerned.
Ndedi added that there some traders pay who pay trimester and for a space of two metres square the trader pays FCFA 18,000 while those who have kiosk by the roadside pay FCFA 1500 per month.
There is another tax he said which is paid by those who rent shops from others in the market and the tenant pays the rent fee to the owner of the shop and then pays a tax to CDI and the owner of the shop intends pays too to the CDI. He said sometimes these traders should not be blamed because of the many taxes.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
MINDAF Minister on Working Visit with Trouble Shooting Commission
The minister was working with the adhoc National Commission set up in April to solve land issues.
The Minister of State Property and Land Tenure, Pascal Anong Adibime, has been in Douala for a working visit with an adhoc National Commission which was put in place on April 1by the minister of Land Tenure. This commission was set up because he recognised Douala has so many housing and land problems, so the commission had to handle documents of big enterprises especially in areas where land is widely solicited.
The commission was made up of Regional Delegates, Divisional Officers , Senior Divisional Officers, Mayors and the working session was the fist with the Minister since the commission was set up.
During the session one of the serious cases which came up was that of the land dispute between the Catholic Church and the Islamic Cultural Association in Cameroon, who had a land title for the land which the Catholic Church had built a school. The Minister resolved the problem saying that the Islamic Cultural Association rightfully own the land and because they cannot destroy the school they will give to the Islamic Cultural Association the amount of the school has occupied, so if it is possible to add to their land the used up space that same area but if not it will be given in another area.
The next was that of the land of the University of Douala in Ndogbong and Logbessou which was given by the State. The Rector of the University asked that a land title be issued in the name of the University which the Minister asked it should be done but the University will have to pay for the stamp and the tax. And for the land in Ndogbong which the public has encroached and built their houses he said it should be mapped out again and those who have encroached will have their land titles in that area seized and their houses destroyed.
The issue of Aeroport de Douala, ADC, and the lad at airport zone which has been occupied and some people even have land titles. The Minister said that the airport has to be protected. Though the land was given to ADC by the State, the State is going to take the land again and all those houses will be destroyed and later had back again to ADC.
The case between Denis Fampou and the Ministry of Women and the Family who want to construct a women hall on the land Fampou wants to build a Youth Centre in New Bell. Minister Anong Adibime said the land should be left
Voluntary Cancer Screening at Laquintinie
The exercise which seeks to diagnose various cancer threats will run for two days.
A voluntary cancer screening drive is taking place at the Douala Laquintinie hospital. The tests which include breast, the cervix and the prostate will run from 3-4 September.
Talking to Dr. Tebeu Pierre Marie, a Gynaecologists and Obstetrician, he said the aim of the voluntary screening is to identify manifestations or systoms which are developing or have developed at the level of the breast, cervix or prostate. He said the same tests have been carried out in other regions of the country. Dr Tebeu said each year there are about 1000 new cases of cancer of the cervix and 500 women often end up dying. He added that there are many ways of diagnosing cervical cancer. These include the Visual Inspection of Lugol Iodine, VILI and the Visual Inspection of Acetic Acid. He added that this method is simple, as nurses can apply it easily in rural zones. He also praised the method as cheaper, available and also of good quality.
He added that other tests which can also be used for diagnosis include the Human Papilloma Virus, HPV test, which he said is very expensive and also rare. The second he said is the Pap test where a specimen is taken from the cervix and placed on the side in the laboratory. “There are very few psycho-technicians to read it”, he said, noting that there are quite few in Douala and Yaounde, as well as in the world as a whole. It is because of this reason he said that the World Health Organisation came up with the VILI, VIA method.
As for the breast cancer the method is to rub the breast gently in order to determine whether there are any lumps; and for the prostrate they do a rectal examination to see if the penis has increased in size and touch it if it is still soft.
Dr. Edjangue Sarriette explained that the VILI and VIA methods are the easiest way to pick out cancer of the cervix. She said the VILI liquid is used in the cervix and after two seconds the VIA liquid is used to immediate identify any virus. For the breast she said sometimes it is very hard or the colour changes yellowish.
She added that the exercise is to sensitise and train collaborators, who will intend carry it to local areas.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
A voluntary cancer screening drive is taking place at the Douala Laquintinie hospital. The tests which include breast, the cervix and the prostate will run from 3-4 September.
Talking to Dr. Tebeu Pierre Marie, a Gynaecologists and Obstetrician, he said the aim of the voluntary screening is to identify manifestations or systoms which are developing or have developed at the level of the breast, cervix or prostate. He said the same tests have been carried out in other regions of the country. Dr Tebeu said each year there are about 1000 new cases of cancer of the cervix and 500 women often end up dying. He added that there are many ways of diagnosing cervical cancer. These include the Visual Inspection of Lugol Iodine, VILI and the Visual Inspection of Acetic Acid. He added that this method is simple, as nurses can apply it easily in rural zones. He also praised the method as cheaper, available and also of good quality.
He added that other tests which can also be used for diagnosis include the Human Papilloma Virus, HPV test, which he said is very expensive and also rare. The second he said is the Pap test where a specimen is taken from the cervix and placed on the side in the laboratory. “There are very few psycho-technicians to read it”, he said, noting that there are quite few in Douala and Yaounde, as well as in the world as a whole. It is because of this reason he said that the World Health Organisation came up with the VILI, VIA method.
As for the breast cancer the method is to rub the breast gently in order to determine whether there are any lumps; and for the prostrate they do a rectal examination to see if the penis has increased in size and touch it if it is still soft.
Dr. Edjangue Sarriette explained that the VILI and VIA methods are the easiest way to pick out cancer of the cervix. She said the VILI liquid is used in the cervix and after two seconds the VIA liquid is used to immediate identify any virus. For the breast she said sometimes it is very hard or the colour changes yellowish.
She added that the exercise is to sensitise and train collaborators, who will intend carry it to local areas.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Butchers Organize Promotional Sales
The prices of meat drastically dropped yesterday front of the Douala IV council, Bonaberi.
In a bid to step up the fight against poverty and reduce the prices of basic commodities in the market, another sales point has been put in place to sell meat to the population of Douala IV at a reduced rate, contrary to what is obtained at the market. The idea is an initiative of the Ministry of Trade, which started last year, January 14, where butchers began selling meat in front of the Delegation of Trade in Akwa.
At the new sales point in Bonaberi, the price of a kilogram of meat with bones costs FCFA 2100 and FCFA 2400 without bones, as oppose to FCFA 2200 and FCFA 2500 previously.With the new prices, half a kilogram of meat without bones costs FCFA 1400, while that with bones is FCFA 1100.
The Chief of the Association of Butchers in the Littoral and the Southwest regions, Alhadji Souley Toro, working in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, said since the initiative began in 2008, they have succeeded to open this promotional sales point in Douala I; II, and now Douala IV; He said they intend to create similar points in all the councils in Douala. He added that they will not stop selling until the prices in the market drop to normal. Alhadji Souley said fighting the hike in prices of meat is from the level of wholesalers and not from retailers. He added that when they drop the prices of meat the prices of cows will also drop. He said the turn of Douala III will be next week Wednesday, July 29.
On his part, the 1st Assistant Mayor to the Douala IV Council, Djeudje André lauded the initiative, adding that administrators would always cooperate with butchers to make available space for the sales. He said the space is a roundabout which is easily accessible to anyone who wants to get there.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Malta Guinness Now in Bigger Bottles
Guinness Cameroon SA has changed the size of one of its brands, Malta Guinness from 30cl bottle to 33cl bottle. The official launching took place at Akwa Palace, on October 7. Malta Guinness is the only non-alcoholic brand produced by Guinness in the world and the drink which was first produced in Cameroon in 1984 has grown to be the most loved and sought for. It is a nourishing drink that contains 186 k calories in 300ml bottle of Malta Guinness. Its rich taste comes from the finest quality natural ingredients that provide sustained energy.
Malta Guinness now appears in a stylish shaped bottle of 33cl, the bottle embossed with barley on the neck, and distinctive label on the bottle which has a front and back modernised label which introduces all the product’s components and highlights its natural goodness. The logo has been updated to be more fashionable. Then the crown cork has also changed to a cool yellow base that is lively and full of goodness.
Despite all these changes, it is only the outlet that has changed because the liquor has increased in quantity but it still remains the same tasty liquid which earned the product the name “goodness”.
Malta Guinness contains 23.6grams of Maltotriose, which is a long chain of sugar molecule broken down more slowly by the body, 53 percent of Vitamin B1 which prevents muscular weakness and swelling of the heart and leg cramps. It contains 75 percent of Vitamin B2 to prevent sensitivity to light and skin lesions, 46 percent of Vitamin B3 to prevent skin eruption, 75 percent vitamin B6 to prevent kidney stones and skin disorder. Malta Guinness also contains 25 percent of Vitamin B12 which fights anaemia, Vitamin C which maintains connective tissues and Iron which forms the haemoglobin, the red pigment in blood.
The change in size is seen by the producers as a way of rewarding loyal consumers of Malta Guinness. They also believe it is to ensure that the natural nutritional goodness of Malta Guinness is also reflected in the quality in goodness and in the trendy packaging. And also to identify Malta Guinness as a drink for enjoyment, nourishment and vitality.
“I ‘m delighted to reveal the new look for Malta Guinness, which is designed to make sure that the premium status and goodness of Malta Guinness in the inside is also reflected on the outside” said Anne Mambo, Marketing Director , Guinness Cameroon. One remarkable issue is that the price has not changed.
Guinness Cameroon used the opportunity to celebrate the homecoming party of the national street dance champions, who represented Cameroon in Kenya, at the Malta Guinness Street Dance Africa competition to spread the new look of the drink nation wide. Malta Guinness was in partnership with United Dance Organisation, UDO, to bring Africa its biggest international street dance contest. Malta Guinness street dance Africa consist of a series of regional competitions were the best are selected for a national finals. The champions then represent their countries in Nairobi on September 12. Cameroon’s representatives came back as heroes.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Choosing Better Careers for Better Living
The assessment was made in an opening of a two day career fair, organized at Salle de Fete Akwa, Douala.
It is always a difficult task to choose a career after the GCE Advanced level or Baccalaureate, because it is one of the serious decision points in life. Guidance is the best choice for a student at this point. This is the reason why, the publisher of the magazine L’emploi, Debora Ngo Tonye in collaboration with professional institutions in Douala have organised a fair to better orientation students especially those entering the University in the forth coming academic year to be career driven. The career fair has the objective to give students in Douala the knowledge of their careers and different kinds of trainings they could receive to move ahead after acquiring the A’ level or Baccalaureate. The career fair has as theme; choosing your Career after Bac.
The youths are finding it more and more difficult to get involved in the world of professionalism. This is caused by the handicap they get by not being trained professionally or did not get a better orientation on which career to pursue in their higher education. The fair is intended to fill that gap. The career fair falls at a period where parents and students who have just obtained their results can make better choices from the opportunities offered to them, from the orientation they will get from the councillors, heads of companies, representatives of institutions and universities who will be present at the different stands.
The career fair will comprise of two issues, it will be a moment of reflection from talks which will be given to heads of enterprises, economic operators, etc on topics like, understanding the Bachelors, Masters and Ph.D system and its importance in the job market, the careers most needed by companies and professional training. The second issue the presenters on the stands presented their products, flyers to the students and parents who were present at Salle de fete.
Talking to Benjamin Kisso, Regional Manager of the National Employment Fund, he said there are three fundamental decisions in human life, which are aspirations, talents and reality of the environment. He added that if anyone chooses a wrong career, he will spend ¾ of his life in frustration.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Fight Against Yellow Fever Epidemic Kicks Off
Vaccination has already begun in the big towns in Cameroon.
The fight against the outbreak of an epidemic of yellow fever in Cameroon has been launched beginning with the bigger regions after which they will move to the smaller regions. It is believed that an outbreak contamination can easily take place in the big towns than in villages where the houses are more spaced out. So far the exercise has kicked off in Douala, Yaoundé, Garoua and Maroua in all district hospitals.
The fever has been discovered in the East Region in Messamena. In 2003 12 cases were discovered in Bafia and Ntui in the Centre Region and Meri in the Far North Region. In Ngaoundéré rural region in 2004, in Yoko 2005, Messamena, 2006, Akonolinga and Messamena 2007, Abong Mbang and Nguelemendouka in the East Region in 2008.
In a vaccination campaign, pregnant women, very sick persons and babies between zero to nine months are exempted. But babies from 9 to 11 months and travellers are immune or are mostly the ones vaccinated. The vaccine expires after 10 years after which it can be renewed In the case of campaign children from nine months in all 62 districts...
The chief of Service of Health at the District hospital in Logbaba, Dr Nyamsi Beke said yellow fever is a virus, Flaviviridae, transmitted by a mosquito, Ades aegyptii, from monkeys. The illness, he said manifests like malaria but the patient’s eyes will be yellow, his fingers and finger nails will be yellow. He said once a patient comes to the hospital manifesting these threats, he is immediately sent to Centre Pasteur in Yaoundé which is the only centre were yellow fever is tested in Cameroon.
He added that it has no cure and it is very contagious and also kills easily. Once a patient is discovered with the diseases, he has to be isolated and a vaccination campaign carried out fast on those around the area.
Dr Nyamsi said if a patient who is diagnosed yellow fever succeeds to get well, it means that his immune system was very strong but if some years to come he will develop cancer of the liver.
The 2009 vaccination campaign which has begun on May 4, will run till May 11. It is carried out in all district hospitals as well as strategic and temporal points such as schools, chiefs compounds.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Mobile Phone Identification made Easy
Mobile phone companies have embarked on a door to door procedure to make identification possible for all.
For some months now the Minister of Post and Telecommunications, Biyiti bi Essam has instituted a new procedure to get all Cameroonians to identify themselves with their mobile telephone numbers. That is Orange, Mobile Telecommunication Network, MTN and CAMTEL numbers were to be identified with their users. This exercise was supposed to last for six months after which unidentified numbers will be suspended and finally their communication ceased.
In the past six months the mobile phone companies prescribed the identification procedure to be carried out. The customers had to bring a photocopy of their identity cards, a passport size photograph stapled on the photocopy, their numbers written and neighbourhood of the customer. This document was to be deposited in any registration boot where the customer is subscribed.
The procedure was not very easy and made identification slower than expected, especially for workers who had no time to make stops at the identification boots.
By the time the deadline expired in November, three months were added and the month of February is said to be the last month. These companies have now adopted a new procedure to reach out to everybody. This is a door to door approach. Some young boys and girls are sent out to do the job. The customer does not need to give a passport size photography or photocopy of his identity card. The young people who went round from office to office to meet Orange subscribers collected only photocopies of identity cards with phone numbers written on them and the neighbourhood of customers while MTN customers were snapped on the spot and their identity cards snapped too. But at the available boots put in town, for those who can make it there, the customer is snapped with a webcam and their identity cards scanned and numbers registered.
Through the new procedure it is believed majority customers would have registered before the stated deadline.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Challenges of Women in the Media Addressed
A two day seminar was organised at Sky Bonapriso to address the difficulties Women face in the media.
Journalism is mostly regarded as a man’s world and a strange world for women, reasons why in most media houses in Cameroon and abroad there is some degree of marginalisation which takes place. The political and economic articles are done by men and the soft news is handled by women. Besides this there are other situations which the female journalists face in their work ^laces such as sexual harassment, among others. These are issues which media persons sought to address in a two day seminar which took place in Bonapriso Douala.
The seminar was organised by the federation of International Journalists, FIJ and Union of Professional Syndicates of Press in Central Africa, USYPAC, in partnership with Friedrich Ebert Foundation on the theme “Women in the Media and their rights to Syndicates in Central Africa”.
Pamela Morinièr, in Charge of Authors rights, gender equality and projects said the main problem of journalism generally is that their pay package is very low. But added women have a very low pay package, the face gender inequality and are sexually harassed. These are issues she said which they seek to address. In handling these problems, she said they seek to raise awareness to media professionals to be conscious of this ill, put in place more structures and unions to handle these issues, do gender campaign, speak out these issues to let female journalists know they are not alone and to stick together to fight this ill.
The Country representative of Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Dr Klaus-Peter Treydte said the women are not alone in their fight but they are out to support the women and to foster gender equality in the work place. The Foundation presented a research which they carried out on gender Equality in Journalism which they had to expatiate on it during the seminar.
In her presentation, Henriette Ekwe, coordinator of Central Africa, presented the situation of female journalists in Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Chad, and Congo. She pointed on the issue most women not being interested in becoming members of the syndicate because they do not believe in it. And it was highlighted negotiations pass faster with women in the syndicate. She remarked that women are mostly found in the broadcast media as presenters and there are few in the print. Most of them are sent on reports for soft news, there are few who ascend to the position of editors, and they are looked upon as inefficient especially when they have t take off three months on maternity leave.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
There is Still Hope for HIV Patients
Government prepares measures to sustain people living with HIV even without subventions from outside.
There have been worries by some people living with HIV/AIDS and leaders of some non-governmental organisations which take care of people living with HIV on continuity in the treatment of these patients if government ceases from receiving subventions from the global funding body.
The worries stem from the fact that Cameroon has missed the eighth and ninth round of global fund which implies they will miss subvention for two years, 2010 and 2011 because they did not meet up with the demands.
But talking to Dr Noel Essomba, Co-ordinator of the Regional Technical Group in the Fight against HIV/AIDS, he assured patients on dispositions the government is putting in place to handle this situation. He said the Ministry of Health has submitted a project on the Fight against HIV/AIDS at the National Assembly which if approved the government will have to include the fight against HIV/AIDS in the investment budget each year, because he said HIV/ AIDS affects the economy of the country negatively. HIV/AIDS hampers on the economy because it affects the output of the workers which will intend affect productivity. Dr Essomba added that even the Regional Delegation is making efforts to work in closed partnership with the private sector. He said as of 2004 the rate of HIV/AIDS in Cameroon was 5.5 percent.
Dr Essomba added that the World Conference has not yet held to confirmed whether Cameroon has been cut off or not. He said in the global fund there is continuity; countries are not cut off immediately. They still have at least two years again to receive subvention to treat their patients. He said with the measures being put in place by the government, he believes patients will be taken care of more than before.
On his part, the Director of the Association of Brothers and Sisters United for Hope and Solidarity, known by its French acronym AFSOPES, Abina Morris, said for now they really do not have information on what is going to happen if Cameroon is cut off from subventions. He said it is not yet official so they cannot talk about it now. But he added that in a meeting with the Delegate of Health in Yaounde he assured them government will still continue to do what they have been doing such as to subsidise the tests which is FCFA 3000. He added they will also make use of the ARV the hospitals still have in stock now.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
There have been worries by some people living with HIV/AIDS and leaders of some non-governmental organisations which take care of people living with HIV on continuity in the treatment of these patients if government ceases from receiving subventions from the global funding body.
The worries stem from the fact that Cameroon has missed the eighth and ninth round of global fund which implies they will miss subvention for two years, 2010 and 2011 because they did not meet up with the demands.
But talking to Dr Noel Essomba, Co-ordinator of the Regional Technical Group in the Fight against HIV/AIDS, he assured patients on dispositions the government is putting in place to handle this situation. He said the Ministry of Health has submitted a project on the Fight against HIV/AIDS at the National Assembly which if approved the government will have to include the fight against HIV/AIDS in the investment budget each year, because he said HIV/ AIDS affects the economy of the country negatively. HIV/AIDS hampers on the economy because it affects the output of the workers which will intend affect productivity. Dr Essomba added that even the Regional Delegation is making efforts to work in closed partnership with the private sector. He said as of 2004 the rate of HIV/AIDS in Cameroon was 5.5 percent.
Dr Essomba added that the World Conference has not yet held to confirmed whether Cameroon has been cut off or not. He said in the global fund there is continuity; countries are not cut off immediately. They still have at least two years again to receive subvention to treat their patients. He said with the measures being put in place by the government, he believes patients will be taken care of more than before.
On his part, the Director of the Association of Brothers and Sisters United for Hope and Solidarity, known by its French acronym AFSOPES, Abina Morris, said for now they really do not have information on what is going to happen if Cameroon is cut off from subventions. He said it is not yet official so they cannot talk about it now. But he added that in a meeting with the Delegate of Health in Yaounde he assured them government will still continue to do what they have been doing such as to subsidise the tests which is FCFA 3000. He added they will also make use of the ARV the hospitals still have in stock now.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Green Forest Programme Committee Members Seek ways to preserve the Forests
A meeting took place on 13th August at the conference in the Governor’s office to adopt a budget for the second semester.
Committee members of the Sectorial Green Forest Programme, known by its French acronym as PSFE, have sought ways to fight against the issues affecting the environment and the forests in Cameroon and the Littoral Region in particular.
The meeting which took place at the governor’s office was also intended for members to seek to understand the difficulties of the PSFE programme, adopt a budget which will be sent to government to execute 2010 projects.
The PSFE is a new approach integrated in the concept of sustainable development and a reference to conservation, management and sustainable forest exploitation. It was created in 2004 when government came up the policy of the fight against poverty, decentralisation and good governance.
The programme has four parts which have to do with, Sustainable forest management for production and to valorise forest products, sustainable management of biodiversity and the fauna, Management of the community Forest and Fauna resources and institutional reinforcement , training and research. The global vision of the programme is to reinforce the economic, ecology and social functioning of ecosystems in Cameroon through sustainable management of its forest resources.
The resource person, Alphonse Marfor Tangala, Service Head of Programmes and projects at the Ministry of Forestry and Fauna, said the structures which also have leaders. He said each leader has to present his plan of action and budget and defend it before the committee for approval. He added that it is the committee which decides the budget for each region.
Some of the problems which the execution process faced in the first semester is issues like lack of trees in littoral which the Ministry of Forestry is in support of the work of the Douala City Council in the tree planting exercise, lack of canoes to go to the mangrove zones, insufficient staff which makes them seem absent in the field.
The Littoral Regional Delegate of the Forest and Fauna said in the first semester their execution was 47 percent while the budget was 80 percent. He said their mission now is to assure sustainable forest resources, plant more trees and fight against illegal exploitation of the forests and participation of the population in resource management.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Committee members of the Sectorial Green Forest Programme, known by its French acronym as PSFE, have sought ways to fight against the issues affecting the environment and the forests in Cameroon and the Littoral Region in particular.
The meeting which took place at the governor’s office was also intended for members to seek to understand the difficulties of the PSFE programme, adopt a budget which will be sent to government to execute 2010 projects.
The PSFE is a new approach integrated in the concept of sustainable development and a reference to conservation, management and sustainable forest exploitation. It was created in 2004 when government came up the policy of the fight against poverty, decentralisation and good governance.
The programme has four parts which have to do with, Sustainable forest management for production and to valorise forest products, sustainable management of biodiversity and the fauna, Management of the community Forest and Fauna resources and institutional reinforcement , training and research. The global vision of the programme is to reinforce the economic, ecology and social functioning of ecosystems in Cameroon through sustainable management of its forest resources.
The resource person, Alphonse Marfor Tangala, Service Head of Programmes and projects at the Ministry of Forestry and Fauna, said the structures which also have leaders. He said each leader has to present his plan of action and budget and defend it before the committee for approval. He added that it is the committee which decides the budget for each region.
Some of the problems which the execution process faced in the first semester is issues like lack of trees in littoral which the Ministry of Forestry is in support of the work of the Douala City Council in the tree planting exercise, lack of canoes to go to the mangrove zones, insufficient staff which makes them seem absent in the field.
The Littoral Regional Delegate of the Forest and Fauna said in the first semester their execution was 47 percent while the budget was 80 percent. He said their mission now is to assure sustainable forest resources, plant more trees and fight against illegal exploitation of the forests and participation of the population in resource management.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Neglect of Developmental Journalism Highlighted
A pertinent issue discussed in the 2009 Highway Africa Conference in Grahamstown, South Africa
The Neglect of Developmental Journalism was a main issue of concern to be trashed by academia, media practitioners and consultants during the topic; reporting Development: Media and Africa’s Development Agenda in the Highway Africa 2009.
Highway Africa is a partnership between Rhodes University (School of Journalism and Media Studies) and the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), with the support of several partners, development agencies and sponsors. This year was the 13th edition being hosted in Grahamstown with a record attendance of about 735 persons and offers journalists reflection on 2010 in the New Media environment.
One of the panellists, Paula Fray of the International Press Service IPS, pointed out two issues which she said are holding back development Journalism. The environment in which the journalists operate and the perception that sexy journalism is prestigious than other journalism. She said essential training to orientate the journalists is required, adding that journalism is the only profession which has no compulsory further training once they become journalists. She presented a solution, which she said there should be annual training for journalists on new things they report on. She believes the inverted pyramid style is skewed towards politicians and what they say.
“I believe the so called development agenda is not a people’s agenda but that of elite and politicians” said Prof Alfred Opubor another panellists of the West African News Media and Development Centre, (Wanad). He added that when it seems to be the people’s agenda, it does not go far and journalism does not accompany it.
According to Prof Opubor, Journalists cannot report development unless they have a profound understanding of issues. He called for a radical change in the way Journalism is taught in Africa. He said young minds can be trained on developmental issues by going to places like; where oil companies have dumped gas and polluted the environment or industrial areas. He said the problem is that best journalists are stuck on political desks to report political news which they consider is sexier. He proposed that they should rather be made to report development because by the time they ask though questions on policy of agriculture then news on agriculture will become interesting.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Tax Levied on Traders of Dacat Market
The Government Delegate to the Douala City Council has signed a communiqué for the traders to pay tax of occupation of space.
The Government Delegate to the Douala City Council Dr Fritz Ntone Ntone, has issued a communiqué requesting traders of Dacat market in Ndokoti to start paying the tax of occupation of space. The deadline according to this communiqué to pay the tax is September 26. The communiqué he issued also stated that if they do not pay by the stipulated date the council will use force to recover the tax.
The Dacat market is a private market controlled by Sociéte Civil Immobilier, SILI, and was constructed some three to four years ago. Talking to a trader in the market who wanted to be anonymous; he said when the market was created people did not want to move to the market. The market remained vacant for some time before people started moving in gradually. He said the creation of the market was part of efforts to depopulate other markets. “It has not been very difficult to convince people to move to the market”. He added that some people come and even leave after a while, because there is no sensitisation. He said there are some people who stay in Ndokoti but do not even know that there is a market which exists there. He added they do not make sufficient profit yet the council is still adding taxes to take away the little they make from sales.
He said in the market to pay for a shop is FCFA 50,000 before tax declaration to the council which will be determined by goods sold and cost price. “This is already too much and now which other tax do they want to instil?” he asked. The trader said the market is still empty, shops are still vacant and instead sensitising more traders to move to the market and sensitising the public on the existence of the market they are only interested in taxing them. Those who do not have shops he said who sell on empty space or on the corridors of the market have no tax to pay, he said hoping that the new tax will not include them.
The head of the market whose name was got as Benedict was not on seat but after several attempts he was got on phone but refused to comment on the situation claiming the competent person was not on seat.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Custom Stresses on Partnership for Better Performance
On the occasion of the International day of Customs the exposés presented stressed on partnership for efficiency.
Custom Officers nationwide have celebrated the International day of the customs which activities marking this day were launched about a week ago. During the event celebrated in Douala, exposés were presented.
Mr Nji George on his paper stressed on the need of partnership which the customs have adopted, quoting the theme of this year’s event: Customs and Business: Improving Performance thorough Partnership, to be the watch word for the entire year 2010.
He added that the World Custom Organisation counts a lot on this principle to remove institutional bottle necks of customs administration. He said they seek to eliminate the old system where the custom officer was the landlord and the business man on the other hand seeking to evade custom dues in order to make profit.
The theme he said puts custom administration in Cameroon on a comfortable stand because they had started making institutional reforms, one of which is the Open Door Nature of Policies. Through the policy they seek to bring stakeholders closer to them so that they can talk better and understand each other. The administration he said has stressed its arm on the problematic areas and signed a memorandum of understanding with SCDP, Bankers, CAMRAIL, Civil Aviation which will ensure fluidity in custom revenue.
In another exposé presented, by George Metuga, he spoke on the Night of Partnership which he said was to reinforce partnership, conviviality, resolve certain problems, thank partners for attitude which custom alone would not have achieved and compensate partners especially enterprises which have yielded a lot through out the year.
Certain measures too he said were outline such as a revision of internal text like the Sydonia, custom taxes, training of personnel and a number which customers can call free of charge in a case of fraud or need of information.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Entrepreneurs Trained on Miro-Project Management
It is a three day training Seminar took place at the Chamber of Agriculture in Bonanjo.
A three day training seminar for entrepreneurs of Small and Medium-size Companies who deal in agricultural products has kicked off in the chamber of Agriculture in Bonanjo Douala. The seminar is organised by the Regional Centre for Training and Initiative in Agriculture and New Technologies, known by its French acronym CRIFAT.
The Divisional Delegate of the Small and Medium-size Company, Joseph Rodolphe Bipoupouth said they noticed there was a lack of knowledge of entrepreneurs in managing their affairs and this lack of knowledge caused set backs in the growth of their enterprises. This he said is the reason why CRIFAT which is an NGO organised the seminar to enhance management activities of these companies.
He stated the objectives of the seminar which he said it is in line with government activity to facilitate management and individual assistance of craft men. He added that they want to facilitate their access to finance from micro finance institutions, “because when in partnership with government they can easily have access to micro finance.
The Delegate said because these entrepreneurs lack the capacity to manage projects the training seminar has a role to train them to increase their knowledge to manage.
He said they expect that by the end of the three days, the entrepreneurs must have been well trained in management, be able to calculate cost of production, fix good selling prices in the production market, and be able to manage loans. He said they will need modern equipment to improve quality of production.
The Coordinator of CRIFAT, Nkonga Puga, said the purpose of the seminar is to teach developers and bring them to the level of competition and also follow them to see them succeed in their projects.
Nkonga Puga said the entrepreneurs need modern tools in production but in order to have them, they have to fist of all be trained to manage projects and then meet micro-finance organisations to finance their projects, which will help them reduce risk in management. In this way he said they can easily acquire modern equipment when applied for. He said the seminar is limited to entrepreneurs and project promoters. The seminar ends on the Friday October 9.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Journalists Empowered to Preach Forest Certification
The media was seen as a medium to better disseminate information on forest certification.
The World Wide Fund for Nature, WWF, has built capacities of professionals in the media on sustainable forest and certification. The seminar took place at Hotel la Falaise in Bonanjo, Douala on February 16.
Forest certification is said to be a new phenomenon which is not known by the community, the reason why some key stakeholders and the public in general may be far from appreciating, participating or understanding the concept and progress that has been made in the domain. According to Elie Hakizumwami, in charge of forest programmes in WWF, one of the main reasons for this situation is lack of sufficient or clear information and understanding of the strides already made and efforts to be made by the various target groups.
To WWF the need to involve the journalists from influential media houses through capacity building sessions and coverage of events related to the promotion of responsible forestry is to enable them better understand the background as well as the concepts and processes related to responsible forestry.
In a brief background, the Congo Basin forest where Cameroonian tropical forest lies is renowned to have one of the highest biodiversity on earth. Most people living in this area rely on the forest for essential resources like meat and non timber products, timber for construction, medicines, among others. Despite this importance, the Congo Basin forest ecosystems are among others threatened by unsustainable forest management, illegal logging and increasing pressure from logging companies and local communities wildlife poaching.
The main objective of the workshop was to build capacities of media for proper understanding and appraisal and promotion of responsible forestry and certification in the Congo Basin in general and in Cameroon in particular through strategic communication.
The workshop had presentations to better understand the functioning and the progress of promotion of sustainable forest management and certification in Cameroon and Congo Basin and discussions on the issues raised from the presentations such as presentation of the Forest Stewardship Council, FSC certification system, partnership for the promotion of responsible forestry, Cameroon forest law and voluntary partnership agreement, field experience with forest certification by a logging company, among others
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
Youths Unleash Ideas for Innovation
During the Global Entrepreneur week, youths gave ideas which could be turned to reality.
The Youth Business Cameroon, an organisation which promotes and supports youth entrepreneurship, joined the rest of the world to celebrate the Global Entrepreneurship Week.
The event which took place from November 16 to 22 at the Bepanda Youth Centre, gave opportunities for young people to bring ideas which could be changed to reality so that they could better themselves.
The different talks and activities which were organised for the week, introduced youths to entrepreneurship as a noble profession and as a source of wealth creation, to network young people and organisations to discover new ideas and business ventures, mentor ideas
The coordinator of the entrepreneurship week, Patrick Bekolo, speaking to Cameroon Tribune, he said the Global entrepreneurship week is being organised for the second time in more than 80 countries. He added that it is a global initiative to inspire young people to embrace innovation, imagination and creativity. Bekolo said their mission has been to inspire and motivate people in entrepreneurship as a source of income and a way out of poverty for many youths
Entrepreneurship and innovation, Bekolo said are two great challenges in modern society because the economy is dependent on small and medium size enterprises. They create jobs he said and are innovative. He added that entrepreneurship fights against unemployment which is one of the greatest problems the youths in Cameroon face and also addresses the need for a wide economic opportunity.
For one week topics and their orientations handled were such as; creating an enterprise, business plan, how to present a project, steps into entrepreneurship, marketing in business, pubic relations, human factors, taxes and finances.
There were other light hearted issues like a marathon and other activities in which awards were given to the best candidates during the gala night which was organised to concluded the ceremony on the 22.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
CUD Re-organises Sector for Call Box Operators
In a bid to re-organise the informal sector in Douala, the Douala City Council, CUD, has signed a partnership deal with the Caisse D’Epargne Et De Credit, CAPCOL, Savings and Loans, and Mains Unies des Propriétaires de Call Box et Cabin Téléphonique, MUPROCA to carry out this purpose. The partnership deal was signed on March 12, 2009 with each party having its own part to fulfil. According to the project, they have to ameliorate the sector of call box operators with 500 kiosks in the city of Douala.
The CUD was charged with providing space and selects the model for the kiosks which will be used, while CAPCOL would provide the kiosks, health insurance, and airtime either from MTN, Orange or CAMTEL for the operators. This will serve as a loan which the operators would have to reimburse after some time.
The first phase of the project launched on August 4 they had to begin with 100 kiosks. In this phase they had to select the call box operators, give them necessary training to become real economic operators, learn to use the loan which will be given to them to carry on their job.
The Government Delegate to the Douala City Council said the informal sector in Douala constitutes 75 percent and it is their duty to ameliorate the informal sector. He talked of sectors the CUD had already ameliorated like Marché des fleurs and soon the car wash.
The Director in Charge of the Fight against Urban Disorder, Hervé Ambatta, presented the level to which they have reached in accomplishing their purpose. He said a list of 100 call box operators was sent to CAPCOL, 283 sites were earmarked to place the kiosks in Douala I-V, he said about 80 kiosks have been built which still needs to be ameliorated. He added that of the 100 names sent to CAPCOL only 70 have met the criteria. As for the training he said the resource persons have been identified but training has not begun.
The President of MUPROCA, Atangana Mama Benjamin said their role in this project is to sensitise, organise and follow up the call box operators and protect their interests. He said in 24 months the call box operators will have to pay back the loan which will be given to them. He added that CAMTEL has proposed an offer which the call box operators can make a profit of 22 percent in credit transfer. That is in every FCFA 10000, they make a profit of FCFA 2200.
The Director of CAPCOL, Helen Ndikum, said they will be granted health insurance with Colina Citoyenne, given sim cards and loans. He said just 70 met the criteria and they would begin till they complete the project of supplying 500 kiosks in Douala.
EFFA TAMBENKONGHO
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