N.W Journalists Schooled on Back to School & Elections Reporting

N.W Journalists Schooled on Back to School & Elections Reporting

Media persons drawn from over thirty organs in the North West have been schooled on how to report back to school and elections without stepping on toes. This was during a two day workshop at Up Station Bamenda organised by the Regional Delegation of Communication on  Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th August 2018. Through several presentations by invited resource persons, reporters were taught how to effectively report on the back to school campaign in the two English speaking regions without provoking the wrath of either concerned parties: anti school activists that want a continuation  of the educational system completely grounded and the government that wants schools to effectively resume at all cost. To strike a balance, attendees were encouraged to focus their reports on the importance of education and allow those involved (parents and their children) to decide. A clear example, even anti school activists are able to carry on with their activism because they were educated. Thus if the fight must continue, then it'll take only the educated to champion it.

On day one of the workshop, in his presentation on The Sociopolitical Environment and Problematic of Back to School in the N.W.R, the communication delegate, Dr. Louis Marie Begne told the media colleagues that in reporting back to school and elections, there are truths that cannot be disclosed because the reporter wants to give peace a chance although it may be against the rules of the profession. This was corroborated by Dr. Ngobesing Suh Romanus, erstwhile CRTV reporter and current Station Manager of Radio Evangelium, Bamenda whom while presenting on The Mass Media as Instrument of Behaviour Modification cautioned attendees to only play their role as journalist in reporting back to school and not become propagandists, activists or public relations officer for any party.

To better equip the practitioners in facing the challenges of reporting on the subject, social media circulated tracks on back to school were printed and given to the journalists to extract vital points that can be used in their reports, some of which carried messages of how there's been a mass influx of Anglophone students into Francophone schools thus causing a  speedy devaluation of the Anglosaxon system of education the N.W and S.W regions once prided themselves of plus a huge transfer of hard earned money into French regions in the form of fees and rents. Many educational institutions withing the English regions have either been burnt or shut down and are currently undergoing dilapidation, a detriment to the Anglophones and that in fighting for secession, ironically there's rather been more national integration because thousands of Anglophone families have rather escaped into the French regions to seek refuge.

Speaking on The Contribution of the Media for a Successful and Serene Back to School 2018/2019, Mr. Ephraim Banda Goghomu, Head of the Communication Unit, National Polytechnic University Institute, Bamenda said to the media men and women "The job of reporting is dangerous as there's high risk of stepping on toes but real journalists must face it with courage, wisdom and prudence." He simplified his view by saying "To be on the safe side, if you can't speak for school resumption, it's better you stay quiet."

Day two of the workshop focused on media coverage of the October presidential elections and peace in the N.W region. The same facilitators schooled their peers on Peace and Elections Reporting, The Communication Context and Framework of the Oct. 7th Presidential Elections, Education, Sensitisation and Mobilization Before, During and After Elections. Dr. Ngobesing Suh Romanus articulated that "We live in a country where people's attitude towards elections to say the least is negative. Many don't register. A good number of those who register don't even vote. Elsewhere people fight for the right to vote yet are not given it while in Cameroon, people have been given the right to vote yet are not exercising it." He went ahead to say in elections reporting, journalists ought to present the importance of an election, what it means to vote and not to vote, profile the candidates, their political agendas and campaign plan. Moreover, the reporters were told that during an election, they aren't different from someone between the lion and the deep sea. That election is the most crucial moment in the life of any country; a time when power is fought for, lost, won or consolidated.

However in doing all of these, journalists must prioritise their security over any other thing for a good journalist wants to report and live after the report so as to keep reporting. As Dr. Ngobesing better put it, "No one sees a wall and goes hitting his head against it because he wants to get it shattered so as to get to the other side."

Although some  misunderstandings occurred on the last day of the workshop between the Regional Communication Delegate and the Secretary General at the N.W  governor's office, Mr. Lanyuy Harry Ngwani over control of finances for the project, it was still rated a full success especially as the the financial issues were resolved. A radio magazine and spots on back to school were produced at the end of the workshop and are currently being aired on the stations that partook in the workshop.

It should be recalled that around same time last year when a similar workshop was being held at Up Station Bamenda, good news came in from Yaoundé that the Head of State had authorised the unconditional release of many of those who were arrested and incarcerated at Kondengui in connection with the crisis. This news plus the output of journalists greatly caused a positive and remarkable increase in the functioning of schools and performances at end of year exams within the region. A similar breaking news occurred too this year, few days after the workshop. The Communication Secretary of the Ambazonia Governing Council, Chris Anu announced on social media that parents in the two English speaking regions can now send their children to school but the security of their kids will remain their responsibility because fighting is still on. 

Many key public figures, parents and students themselves want schools to resume even if the fighting must continue but the worry of everyone is the fear of the unknown. They wish the two concerned regions could be demilitarized, the remaining detained activists released, a cease fire announced and a return to normalcy, conditions for a conducive learning environment.

SAJESA 2000 Reunites in Yaoundé

SAJESA 2000 Reunites in Yaoundé

The second batch of ex students of St. Joseph's Catholic Comprehensive College (S.J.C.C.C) Mbengwi has ended its 2018 reunion in Yaoundé. This was from Friday the 24th to Monday the 27th of August 2018. Baptised Esprit de Corps, the members met to celebrate love and friendship.

S.J.C.C.C Mbengwi came into existence on the 6th of September 1999. Since then till date, thousands of students including this reporter have passed through the institution for knowledge acquisition. The reunion was thus a forum for members to assess the distance they've covered in life since after leaving school. From evaluation, a majority of the SAJESANS, despite the economic crises plaguing the country are fortunate to be living above the poverty line. Some have become managers, teachers, doctors, lawyers, businessmen. A good number too has travelled abroad for greener pastures.

During Lunch

The fun filled reunion was characterised by a pool party, barbecue, clubbing, wining and dining, site seeing, picnicking and so much more. A formal meeting was also held to chat the wellbeing of the association during which a good number of resolutions were arrived at such as adopting annual dues, contributions for funerals, weddings and other events. The dues shall be used by the association to invest in an income generating project. They also resolved to be one another's keeper especially in assisting unemployed members gain employment and rescuing desperate members in case they find themselves in life threatening circumstances, provided the concerned notify the association of their predicament.

At the tail end of the event, goodbye became the saddest word members wanted to hear. After several years of not seeing one another, the bond became so strong, solidified by love and friendship. They remembered their dormitories (houses); Champagnat, Peter, Francois and Channel, their classrooms like Form 1R,1M and 1L. They recalled the refectory, the canteen, the school kitchen, the pantry, the infirmary and the Brother's House. To rekindle memories, the ex students sang the school anthem plus other songs like Nkum-Nkum Massa from the novel The Good Foot, Fifteen men on the dead man's chest, yo ho ho and a bottle of rum from the novel Round the World in 80 Days. They mesmerised the mass songs they used to sing in English, French and vernaculars. They remembered their teachers, their peculiarities and even mimicked some of them.

Meeting Proper After Pool Party

The second batch reunion of this year has come and gone but the echoes are still reverberating at home and abroad. Every finishing line is the beginning of a new race and because one good turn deserves another, members of the first batch of the ex students association have programmed their own reunion for the first weekend of December 2018. The stakes are high as the pioneers get ready to establish a record.

Low Keyed "Salah" in Mbengwi

Low Keyed "Salah" in Mbengwi

Poor climate and security challenges marred the celebrations of the Muslim feast of the Ram in Mbengwi, Momo Division. At the Wumfi prayer ground, the streets and ceremonial ground were scanty. Brief prayers were conducted early in the morning after which the faithfuls retreated to their homes to continue the celebrations.

The Muslims were seemingly abandoned to themselves as no single administrative official, traditional nor religious leader from other denominations joint them in the celebrations in giving the event the usual grandeur it used to have.

Slaughtering of Sacrificial Lamb

Issa Bano is the Ardo of Chup. Evaluating the celebrations, he said, "Actually we know the condition that is prevailing in the North West, particularly here in Mbengwi. The rain too played its on role in restricting people from coming. We had prayers and now we are sharing with our neighbours and even our Christian brothers. That is why we are very happy that this peaceful coexistence and cohabitation should continue.

Wumfi Mosque

He went ahead to say they had special prayers especially for peace in Cameroon after which the Imam then gave a small sermon, telling the faithfuls how to do the sacrifice. Ardo Issa Bano also explained that it's not just any ram that is fit for sacrifice. "You cannot take any ram like that which is sick or that lacking a leg, an eye and sacrifice. You have to get but the best" he concluded.

Muslim IDPs in Mbengwi Assisted

Muslim IDPs in Mbengwi Assisted

This year's feast of the ram was memorable for some Muslim families in Mbengwi as they were happy beneficiaries of the Humanitarian Assistance Program put in place by the head of state to support victims of the ongoing Anglophone crisis.

It was at the D.O's office Mbengwi in the afternoon of Tuesday August 21st 2018 that these families gathered to receive their items comprised of a mattress, a blanket, toilet rolls, cubes of soap, litres of groundnut oil, kilograms of rice among others. Present at the handing over ceremony were the Momo Administration and security forces.

The displaced families relocated from Acha  where there have been fierce gun exchanges between the military and separatist fighters to seek solace in Wumfi, a predominantly Muslim inhabited quarter in Ku village Mbengwi.

Saidou Muhammad is the Imam of Acha. Though a leader, he too has been displaced. As to why he relocated, he said, "Our place was so unsecured for anyone to live there because we hear guns at anytime of the day and night. I find it so unsafe living in such an areas so I decided to relocate to Mbengwi. Being an Imam, I've continued to pray for peace to return to our country." He also expressed the desire to return to Acha but on condition that things return to normal. He estimated that over a hundred Muslims have been displaced from Acha that used to be their fief.

The S.D.O of Momo Division, Monono Absalom Woloa used the ceremony to call on all other remaining displaced persons within Mbengwi to get themselves registered at the D.Os office as soon as possible so as to benefit during the next sharing exercise to be done in the days ahead. Hear him, "I want to first of all thank the Head of State for coming to the assistance of these displaced persons. We were given material assistance to help our brothers and sisters who have been displaced from different communities to at least go about their day to day life normally. We started the operation of assistance today with the Muslim community because they are celebrating the feast of the ram. We have called on these beneficiaries that came today to sensitise other displaced persons living within the communities to come and get themselves identified at the level of the D.O's office so that they too will become beneficiaries of this assistance provided by the Cameroonian people."

He also sounded the back to school message come September 2018. "We have also told them that despite finding themselves displaced, there are schools everywhere and so come September when the 2018/2019 academic year will open, they should send their children to school." Monono told reporters.

The recipients of the donations went back home satisfied with the items as they shall go a long way to improve on their livelihood during these trying moments.

Catholics Have Never Worshipped Mary

Catholics Have Never Worshipped Mary
Fr. John Paul II Ngwa Ambe

This, he said to antagonist of Assumption Day who believe that Catholics worship Mary instead of God. Rev. Fr. John Paul II Ambe of Christ the King Parish, Mbengwi was speaking at the end of a mass he officiated on Wednesday August 14th 2018 to commemorate this year's Feast of the Assumption, a day Catholic faithfuls believe Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ went up to Heaven body and soul. Hear him, "Catholics have never worshipped Mary. We honour Mary because she's the mother of Jesus Christ and if you accept that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Word that became flesh and took human form, where did he take that human body? It is in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary as we read in the gospels. So we honour her for being the mother of God and the role she played in the salvation of mankind. We don't worship her. Worship is due to God alone but as the mother of God, God has granted that through her we receive graces, through her we receive blessings. In John Chapter 2, she interceded and Christ performed a miracle. The motherly role she continues to play is that she intercedes for us. We honour her for that role she played in bringing Christ to the world."

Fr. John Paul II Ngwa Ambe, Mbengwi Parish 

Njini Joseph is a Catholic faithful. Like others, he prayed asking Mary to intercede in getting him closer to God. "I prayed to Mary to intercede for me so that God will help me to go closer to Jesus Christ because Mary tells us in the scriptures that we should listen to her son Jesus Christ. So I was praying that she should help me to be able to listen, have that attentive ear to listen and do what God is telling me to do" He said.

The intercessions were also for the restoration of peace in the two English speaking regions of Cameroon. Father John Paul II Ngwa Ambe once more, "Among the other intercessions, we were calling on her, mother of mercy, mother of peace... Remember  when the first Catholic missionaries came to this country in the 19th century, they dedicated this country to the Blessed Virgin Mary. We are calling on her especially now that we are facing troubles especially in the English speaking regions of Cameroon that she should listen to our prayers. We have implored on her to ask the Lord to be merciful unto us, to bring an end, a peaceful end to this crisis that is plaguing our country. The Archbishop and his auxiliary appealed to all Christians    to continue in their prayers especially through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary."

Mass

The mass also witnessed some new communicants that had completed their doctrinal classes receiving the sacrament of baptism and first holy communion.

But who is this Mary? Madam Fominyam Grace, a staunch member of the Catholic Women Association attempts an answer; "Mary is our mother in the sense that she is the mother of Christ who's our saviour, our king. We want to imitate her, the way she lived. We want to copy her virtues. She was a great woman chosen by God. We need to imitate her so that God can also love us as he loved Mary. Mary is the mother of the church especially the Catholic church as they believe. Mary is the mother of this country Cameroon as Catholics think she is. We love her and we will continue to honour her because she is our own dear mother. We can intercede through her to Jesus. We can talk to God through Mary. She's our queen, our "Mafaw".

Catholic Women Association (C.W.A)

Rev. Fr. Ambe concluded on the clarifications about Mary by saying, "She had this privilege because she was the mother of Jesus Christ who is the son of God and being the mother of Jesus Christ, she was specially prepared for that in that she was preserved from sin. She was stainless, she remained pure, immaculate till her death and since she was free from sin, it means even the consequences of sin, that is death and maybe corruption could not affect her. So Christ whose body he received from the Blessed Virgin Mary now rewarded his mother with the resurrection. I know the state in which the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of God is in heaven now, in her glorious form, body and soul, that is the state in which all Christians hope to be because Christ has promised us the resurrection after our death but Mary is privileged in that she already experienced what all of us may experience at the end of time. And so for us, her being in heaven is a sign of hope for us that what Christ actually promised is true and we shall be like her one day if we continue to be disciples of Christ."

Normalcy Returning to Mbengwi

Normalcy Returning to Mbengwi

Days after the entry of military trucks into Mbengwi, fully loaded with armed to the teeth combat ready soldiers to execute their mission of clearing off multiple road blockades mounted by separatist fighters with tree trunks, in the course of which some houses were burnt and several civilians lost their lives thus scaring the population of the affected areas to further flee deeper into the bushes for security, life is said to gradually be returning to normal in the the Momo Divisional Headquarters.

Mile 18, Mbon, the economic hub of the sub division is regaining its hustle and bustle daily life. Shops have been reopened by economic operators. Commercial motor bikes and township taxis have been plying the quarter roads and the Bamenda-Mbengwi highway, transporting passengers to and from their destinations with their luggage.

However, this normal life in the town contradicts that of uncertainty in the suburbs. Villages like Njinibi, Njindom, Nyen, Guneku, Kob, Tudig, Acha-Tugi, parts of Bome and Mile 19, Mile 20 are reported to still be greatly deserted. These are areas where the military presence was greatly felt. It is common these days to trek into these areas and spot just few inhabitants mostly courageous men who are always on running alert at the sight of any strange face or hearing of any strange noise. Any unfamiliar face in these areas is always looked at from a distance with great suspicion. It is also common these days to trek for close to a kilometre on major highways like Mile 19 to Nyen and G.R.A to Bessi Fomukong without spotting a single soul, a very scary atmosphere.

All of these happening at a time when the administration of the sub division in particular and the division in general has been working tooth and nail to restore peace and serenity in their jurisdiction especially pertaining to military excesses on the population they were sent to protect.

It is for this reason that the Senior Divisional Officer for Momo, Monono Absalom Woloa recently signed two communiqués as proactive and reactive measures to manage the crisis in his area of command. The first orders for the systematic cutting down of all commercial and non commercial trees situated along public roads in the entire Momo Division up to a distance of 40 meters away from the centre of major roads. The very government that asking for the planting of trees to safeguard the environment is now asking for the trees to be cut down because of the crisis. The second release invites all administrative authorities, all councillors, mayors and deputies, divisional delegates and service heads, internal and external elites, political and religious leaders plus economic operators to take part in raising funds within the context of the national Emergency Humanitarian Program set up by the President of the Republic to assist victims of the crisis in the N.W and S.W regions built for Friday August 17th 2018 as from 1pm in the conference hall of the Divisional Delegation of Labour and Social Security, Momo. 

Anglophone Crisis Kill Tad Market

Anglophone Crisis Kill Tad Market

Located in Nyen village, about some 5km from Mbengwi central town, Tad weekly market used to boom in the good old days, attracting vendors and buyers from Njikwa, Ngie, Bamenda and beyond. Tad market was noted for the once renowned Meta garri, palm oil, pigs, fibre bags and baskets amongst others.

Before the advent of the current crisis, Tad market was already breathing its last, begging for a kiss of life. The council tried some renovation works by constructing new sheds but it was like too late. The crisis hammered the last nail on Tad market's coffin.

On several occasions, pro Ambazonia independence fighters had engaged government forces there in a cross fire resulting to the burning of bikes and the killing of an alleged "Amba Boy" as they are fondly called. Many had feared that Tad market will be burnt down as was the case in other sub divisions like Njikwa and Ngie. Luckily enough it never happened.

But unfortunately, despite not being burnt, Tad market still ended up dying. The market is today a shadow of itself. The plank bridge after 3-corners Mbemi has been cut off. Several tree trunks have been fallen across the road from Mile 20 to Nyen prohibiting access to cars. All other roads leading to the market like through Bome, Medig and Gutah have also been blocked.

It is said when the going gets tough, the tough get going. How buyers managed to communicate with sellers, no one can tell but to the greatest dismay of many, mushroom markets surfaced in several parts of Mbengwi last Friday August 3rd 2018, a day Tad market was to function in Nyen. At Njindom squares, business went on. At Mile 20, business went on. At Mile 18, Mbon motor park, business went on. Palm oil, garri, water fufu and other farm produce were sold. Big buyers criss crossed neighborhood to neighborhood with their cargo trucks. The harvest was rich.

One of the vendors of water fufu at Mbon, a housewife struggling to make ends meet told me the unbearable situation of the country has pushed them to be going through such an experience. She said because of the road blocks, they can't access Tad market and as a result, they had to carry their produce from the suburbs on their heads and trek to Mile 18 covering a distance of over 5km so as to meet with buyers. As to how business was faring, she said "We are just managing. Only few buyers are even coming. Because of the distortion, many can't identify where to now locate us."

Ngwe Obed is from Chenam village. Being an agric technician, he too just like many was surprised to see the impromptu market spots at Mbon. He said back in his village, people need money, they have goods to sell but are stranded because of the situation in the country. Their roads have been blocked and the people are scared. If they knew buyers were in Mbon some would have even  carried their produce on their heads and trek to Mbengwi town.

It should be recalled that in the afternoon of this same Friday 3rd August, Mbengwi was shut down after distant gunshot sounds emanating from the Mile 19 direction sent all closing down their shops and running home for safety. Within few minutes, the streets became empty. The next day, more than 90% of the population packed out for the bushes because two civilians were killed in the exchange.

One of the businesses that's been hardest hit because of the road blockades is the pig business. Many villagers had been selling their pigs at give away prices to buyers who now take advantage of the situation. This is because a bag of animal feed that used to sell at 3000F has gone up to 5000 and the stock that was left in the stores is exhausted. Dealers in the suburbs can no longer have supply from Mbengwi and Bamenda because of the road blocks. Even cars too have been stranded in the villages and Mbengwi town. Till the day the blockades will be cleared, these vehicles will remain grounded. Those who hadn't sold their pigs are now regretting because no one knows tomorrow.

Ndikara Lawrence is a pig farmer in Wumnebit village. I met him selling his pig to a buyer who came right to his door to buy. Asked why he was selling his pig, he said "The situation in town now is rough. Very soon we will be facing difficulties to feed them. So we are left with no option than to remove them and sell." He went ahead to say "There's no profit. Instead we are selling at a loss because there's no means for buyers to even come and buy."

The sand business too hasn't been spared. In the  past, especially during summer holidays, many young boys earned a living from extracting sand from the rivers. There are students who paid their fees, rents and procured other school needs with money they worked through the sale of sand. But right now, hips of fine sand have been grounded along the banks of rivers in Mbengwi. Tippers can't access these rivers because of road blocks. At the end, the idle mind of these young boys and men will automatically become the devil's workshop.

No one seems to know again which way to use in pressuring the Cameroon government to deescalate the crisis. To the coat wearing politicians in the cities, the situation is under control. But to the chafing population on the ground, in the suburbs, it never rains but it pours.

Mbengwi; Rumours Send Inhabitants Packing Out

Mbengwi; Rumours Send Inhabitants Packing Out

If history is anything to go by, then memories of the pre-20th May 2018 atmosphere in Mbengwi are still fresh in mind. Rumours of an imminent attack to destabilise National Day celebrations sent more than half of the population parking out. However, nothing ever really happened as was feared and days after, the runaways returned.

History has again repeated itself with an upgraded version this time around. Saturday 4th May 2018, Mbon motor park, Mile 18, the economic hub of the Sub Division is as busy as a beehive. Something extraordinary is happening. It's not the usual daily hustle and bustle. Instead, people are fleeing with almost everybody looking panick stricken. I stood at the Mbon motor park and  watched the unfolding drama. A mass exodus of the Divisional Headquarters was ongoing. Hundreds of persons were seen scrambling for a seat in any cab that appeared at Mbon from Bamenda. The transport fare was doubled from 500 to 1000 yet they fought to pay. Men, women and children with travelling bags, boxes, mattresses and food were seen in a mad rush either to Bamenda or to interior villages. Even a cargo truck meant for the transportation of goods only was seen transporting passengers to Bamenda.

Access into Bome zone, Medig zone, Lower Medig zone, Gutah zone of the Meta clan has been  hampered with the falling down of huge tree trunks by the pro Ambazonia independence fighters, reported to be in their hundreds now in the sub division. The Bome zone has for the past days been under black outs after trees that were intentionally being fallen by the fighters to block roads accidentally cut a high tension cable.

The day before, precisely Friday August 3rd, the town was shut down in the afternoon after sounds of gun shots were heard from Mile 19. The next day, Saturday,  findings showed that two civilians were killed in the exchange. A certain Enoh Tanjong in Mile 20 said to be a tipper driver was allegedly pulled out of his house and shot to death. Information has it that he was named after the then Governor of North West Province,  Enoh Tanjong now Member of Parliament  came on a working visit to the Mbengwi District hospital in the 70s and coincidentally, he was put to birth same time.

The second killed was a certain Tah Elvis, a bike ridder by profession. Both were hurriedly  buried immediately after which mourners dispersed back home. There wasn't anytime to eat and drink, a traditional way of "celebrating" the dead.

Rumours had flown around Mbengwi that people should evacuate the town because the pro Ambazonia  independence fighters were to engage the government forces for a  serious exchange.  This explains why on Saturday, the town experienced mass exodus.

Same day, there was a mass influx of the Mbororos from Mbengwi and other neighbouring areas into Mbonguh, Touochup where unconfirmed reports said one "Aladji" and his son were killed by thieves. The Mbororos stormed the locality to bury their colleagues and hunt the assailants who are at large.

Incredible but real. Just like a cargo truck that transported IDPs from Mbengwi to Bamenda, it was a tipper that transported close to thirty Internally Displaced Persons from G.R.A Mbengwi to Bessi Fomukong, a village located about some 4km from the central town. It was interesting to see even a dog being carried out of the tipper. The "passengers" alighted at the Kwe weekly market in  the host village from where many still continued with their loads of mattresses, beds, boxes and kitchen items on their heads deeper into the bush where their homesteads had been abandoned for greener pastures. From every indications, all hitherto abandoned houses in the suburbs have now been occupied. It's a movement from grace to grass.

Charlie is one of the Mbengwi Council workers. Like his colleagues that have also relocated from Mbengwi to the hinterlands, he was amongst those who alighted from the tipper and mustered the courage to speak for many didn't even want to be caught on camera. As to why they were running away, he said "We are running from Mbengwi and going to the interior because of too much gunshots yesterday. They almost shot my my child. So I've decided to go to the bush. I can no longer stay again in town because there's no way. I shall now be doing hunting and fishing. The whole town yesterday was darkened with armed forces. I don't know if they are for us or against us. My children were crying the whole day because of the gunshots. So I've decided to take them to the bush from where we shall be observing how the atmosphere will look like before we can return".

At press time, no firing exchange went on as was anticipated. But the worry is who will be first to go back and test the ground before others can return? The climate too hasn't been favourable. Its been raining cats and dog. Hopefully, as the adage goes the flies of a tailess cow are driven away by God.

With the current situation, it's of utmost importance to caution the masses to stay away from battle grounds, to lie on the floor in case of a fire exchange and to escape into the bushes in case of unbearable danger. We must continue mounting more pressure on the government and armed fighters to ground their arms and get to the negotiating table for the sake of the population they claim to protect.

Bamenda-Mbengwi, the Last Accessible Motorable Road

Bamenda - Mbengwi, the Last Accessible Motorable Road

Life is becoming harder in the suburbs of Mbengwi. No entry, no exit for cars as separatist fighters have fallen tree trunks with engine saws and cutlasses across the roads. It all started like a joke with one road and today, it's all the roads.

From Wednesday market in Ngyen-Mbo through Kobenyang, Funam, Tudig, there are road blocks. From Ku to Tudig there are road blocks. Interestingly, on this stretch, the very fallers of the trees made provision for a passage for bikes only, by nailing some planks across the trunks.

But the case of Medig and Lower Medig is different. Almost all the villages like Barakwe, Wumnebit, Chenam, Mbemi, Nyen, Njinibi have road blocks with no provision for pedestrians and bikes yet they've been finding their way through by creating their own paths.

In some instances, the fighters cut holes across the road and bury  charms inside. Weeks back, images surfaced on social media of BIR elements clearing the blockades at. Yet hours after they left, like a cat and mouse game, the fighters returned and cut more trees. Reports say they've also been cutting off plank bridges on the roads.

Consequently, access into two sub divisions in Momo by car, that is Njikwa and Ngie has been blocked too because one has to pass through Mbengwi to reach there. However, reports say bikes are finding their way through to these areas especially with animal feed and goods of basic necessity for the remaining inhabitants there. Military helicopters have been hovering over the skies of Mbengwi almost daily.

The locales say in doing so, the fighters tell them it's for their protection. That if the roads are open, the military will come in and kill them, burn their houses. How true such allegations are remain better known to them.

There are government Integrated Health Centres in these areas together with private clinics. How medication now reaches them is pitiful. How emergency cases are now handled especially those that are reffered to Mbengwi, Bamenda and beyond is unimaginable. The stock of basic needs in local stores is getting exhausted even with an increase in prices.

The military too has been dreading descending to such areas because the more they clear the roads, the more the fighters keep blocking. About two weeks ago, images also went viral on social media of how the dead are now  transported for burial in the villages. In the viral images, a coffin is seen being carried across the tree trunks and tied on a truck, then pushed to the deceased compound.

The last accessible road to cars was from Mbengwi through G.R.A to Bessi Fomukong, Sang, Njindom and thereafter. But unfortunately it has been blocked too. Those who flew from gunshots in Mbengwi last weekend  into the bushes may end up being stranded there if care isn't taken.

Parts of the Bome valley have been in darkness because in falling the trees, electric cables were brought down including high tension cables. How ENEO technicians will access these areas for repair works is unknown. When two elephants fight it's the grass that suffers

It's high time both forces are made to understand that if the fight is to have a winner as if it were wrestling or boxing, then it'll drag on for years. Arms battles rarely end with an absolute winner. If the fight is to protect the people, then both parties must sit down and evaluate the distance covered so far in this direction.

At press time, over five fully loaded military trucks with armed to the teeth soldiers are said to have entered Mbengwi, the Momo Divisional headquarters on mission to clear the road blockades. Sources on the ground say they've successfully cleared the Bome-Tudig stretch and Tudig-Zem stretch. Shockingly houses are reported to have been burnt in Njinibi, Mbemi and other villages were the military operations are ongoing. Two nurses, a husband and wife, working with the Integrated Health Centres of Kob and Njah-Etu plus a young boy in Nyen popularly known as Daddy Boy are reported to have been killed.

• The populations of these hot zones have deserted their homes for the bushes.

Less Privileged Women in the N.W Freely Trained on Income Gerenation

Less Privileged Women in the N.W Freely Trained on Income Generating Activities
By MAIKEM Emmanuela

Smiles and portrayal of appreciation plus satisfaction could be seen on the faces of some internally displaced women, widows, women with disabilities, minority ( mbororo women), and unemployed women in the North West Region over the weekend, at the Winners Chapel premises while receiving their attestations of training at the end of a three months program on income generating activities to enable them economically empower themselves. 

Organized by Madame Ngabir Rita Yenjong Buriya, a young entrepreneur in Bamenda, the participants at the end of the session, were given a startup capital in kind.

With the prevailing situation in the region, many of these women have been forced to leave their homes, become jobless and homeless, while others who find shelter have to share their privacy with 15 other room mates. They sometimes have to go for days without eating. However the free training program has helped some of these women get little food on the table.

According to Senguo Emmanuela, she left her village (Batibo) because of the violent conflict within which many people have lost their lives. She got stranded in the city of Bamenda as she had nothing to do. Things got better when she met Madam Rita Buriya who introduced her to the training program which has enabled her learn the production of coconut oil, detergents, body lotions and necklaces made with beads. She sells some of these items and uses the money to get food feed her family.

Empowering these women in income generating activities and life skills can be a sure way of helping them sustain the life they have at present and in the long run. Miss Siah also from Batibo, lives in a two rooms house with fifteen others. They left Batibo because of the ongoing killings. Joining the program has helped her take care of her family as she no longer buys detergents, soaps and body lotions. She now produces them, sells to get money buy food for her family. She intends moving back to Batibo her hometown and  opening a shop there when the crisis will be over because to her, there is no place like home.

Talking about supports, so far these women have been receiving material support such as cloths and food from the community as well as from the Now Movement Humanitarian Program of  Barrister Akere Muna. The program supported with a training space, chairs and startup capitals for the women. According to Madam Rita Buriya, "Helping the needy is time consuming but it's worth it when you have a vision. Looking at the need of these women has inspired me to ignore the time I spent training them. Some of the graduates have volunteered to help in training the next batch which is made up of over forty women and that will go a long way to solve the problem of time."

Since the start of the Anglophone Crisis in 2016, many young people have lost their jobs, businesses and homes. Many look forward to the day the crisis will come to an end so things can get back to normal.