MBOSCUDA Trains N.W Journalists on Cultural Rights Issues

MBOSCUDA Trains N.W Journalists on Cultural Rights Issues

In implementing a project funded by the European Union (EU) through United Purpose based in the United Kingdom, the Mbororo Social and Cultural Development Association of Cameroon (MBOSCUDA) in collaboration with the North West Farmer's Organisation (NOWEFOR) has carried out a Training and Sensitisation Workshop for Journalists on Cultural Diversity and Cultural Rights Issues. Divided into two phases, the first set of media practitioners, twenty in number, drawn from the audiovisual landscape were trained from the 22nd to the 24th of May 2019 while the second set, twenty five in number, drawn from the print and online media also received same training from the 28th to the 30th of May 2019. Both workshops took place at Central Park Hotel, Bamenda.

Workshop Phase 1 for Radio & TV Journalists

Having as objective to strengthen the capacity of media houses in order to raise more awareness and understanding of cultural diversity and cultural rights as stipulated by the international (UNESCO Convention) and national instruments ( Cameroon Government Initiatives/Policies), the forty five media men and women drawn from the entire North West Region of Cameroon were schooled on multiple subjects like:
- Link Between Cultural Diversity and Cultural Rights, Intercultural Conflicts,
- Cultural Dialogue and its Role in the Promotion of Cultural Rights and Prevention of Intercultural Conflicts amongst others.

Workshop Phase 2 for Print & Online Journalists

While officially opening day one of the first phase of the workshop, the Secretary General to the Bamenda City Council, Jude Nsom Waindim said "In this new turbulent international globalized landscape, the central message must be heralded; peace is more than just the absence of war, it is living together with our differences of sex, race, language, religion or culture while furthering universal respect of justice and human rights on which such coexistence depends. He went ahead to quote Article II of UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity which States that "In our increasingly diverse societies, it is essential to ensure harmonious interaction among people and groups with plural, varied and dynamic cultural identities as well as their willingness to live together."

Participants Being Schooled on Cultural Diversity

Sali Django is the Program Coordinator of MBOSCUDA for the North West Region. Talking to the press at the end of day one of the first phase of the workshop, he said based on past experiences when the association was working on farmer-grazer conflicts in the region using the Alternative Conflict Management Approach, though very positive and lasting results were yielded, it was realised cultural dimensions weren't addressed. The Mbororo ethic group and the farmers don't seem to understand each other because of their cultural affiliations. "Our idea thus was how to bridge the gap by helping them understand each other so as to respect and tolerate one another's culture and work in harmony and peace for interest safeguarding" Sali added.

Sali Django, MBOSCUDA Program Coordinator, N.W

The state of Cameroon being a partner to MBOSCUDA, both workshops were witnessed by Ilyn Ferla,  Service Head for General Affairs at the North West Regional Delegation of Arts and Culture. On the role of the state in promoting cultural diversity, she said it creates an enabling environment for people of different cultural backgrounds to live in harmony. "There'll be no conflicts if people understand each other's culture" she ended.

As a follow up measure to ensure the knowledge passed across and gained doesn't end in vain, a network of cultural journalists in the North West Region was formed with its maiden general assembly built for the 21st of June 2019 during which its official name and bylaws will be adopted. This will take place in the conference hall of City FM, Che Street Bamenda

20th May 2019 in Mbengwi: Civil Servants Forced to March Amidst Gunshots to Secure their Salaries

20th May 2019 in Mbengwi: Civil Servants Forced to March Amidst Gunshots to Secure their Salaries

Activities marking the 47th edition of Cameroon’s National Day took place in Mbengwi, Momo Division on Monday 20th May 2019 under the patronage of the Senior Divisional Officer for Momo Division, Monono Absalom Woloa amidst distant sporadic gunshots from separatist fighters in an unsuccessful attempt to mar the day by scaring attendees. The ceremonial grand stand was partially filled by divisional and sub divisional delegates and service heads who had hitherto received serious threats from the divisional administration to chose between compulsorily attending the ceremony and taking part in the march pass or having their salaries suspended while those who had nothing to do with the public service boycotted the event for fear of repercussions, reason why they were empty seats in the tribune.

Civilian March Pass

At exactly 11am, the Senior Divisional Officer for Momo Division made his official entry into the ceremonial grand stand. He was received by the Mayor of the Mbengwi Council, Tebe Beatrice, the Divisional Officer of Mbengwi, Fouda Etaba Nicaise and the Company Commander, Captain Timba Jean Pierre. After the singing of the national anthem, Monono inspected the Guard of Honour and then assumed his seat in the tribune of the ceremonial grand stand. Barely a minute after warming his seat, brief sporadic gunshots that lasted not up to 30 seconds were heard from about ½ a kilometer away from the ceremonial grand stand, this while the troops were being commanded.

Uniform Officers Going to Re-enforce Security at the Surroundings After Gunshots Were Heard Nearby

Upon hearing the shots, the commander paused and looked at hierarchy wondering if he should continue or not. It was from up the hills of Njembeng, a neighborhood located not far away from the ceremonial grand stand that alleged separatist fighters came and fired in the air because they had banned any form of celebration to mark National Day 2019 across the two English speaking regions of Cameroon while government also insisted come rain, come shine, celebrations must take place across all administrative units in the country to prove that all is still in tact.

Ceremonial Grand Stand

Hearing the anticipated distant gunshots since threats had been made for a total boycott of the day, heads turned left and right wondering what will happen next. Immediately, combat ready security elements armed to the teeth hastily left the grand stand and took cover metres away in preparation to face any intruder. Instructions were given for the activities to continue with award of medals. Here, the lone recipient, Mr. Tchengang Theophile, a gendarme officer popularly known in Mbengwi as “Eto” was decorated Knight of the Cameroon National Order of Merit by Monono Absalom Woloa, Momo’s S.D.O in the name of the President of the Republic and by virtue of the powers conferred on him.

Police Officer, Tchengang Theophile Being Decorated with a Medal as Knight of the Cameroon National Order of Merit

According to the documented program, there was to be animation by dance groups, arrival of leaders of legalized political parties, Ardors, Religious Leaders and Business Operators, Arrival of Members of Parliament and the Judiciary Corps and Award of Medals to FENASSCO Laureates. Unfortunately, all of these were fully absent, an indication of the heightened level of the socio-economic and political crisis rocking the two English speaking regions of Cameroon. March pass was done only by the forces of law and order and some eight supposed militants putting on party T-shits and holding umbrellas of the ruling party, the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) though they couldn’t be identified as known militants of the said party in Mbengwi

L: Monono Absalom Woloa (Momo's S.D.O
R: Fouda Etaba Bernoit Nicaise, Mbengwi's D.O

Part two of the program of the day was later engaged in the Mbengwi Council Hall where a cocktail was offered by the S.D.O and D.O of Mbengwi. Here, despite the much food and drinks on the tables, everything was consumed and the appetite was still high especially as after a very long time, few bottles (small model) of brasseries brands like 33 Export and Castle Beer were seen and gulped once more. A special prayer was offered in which the “Prayer Warrior” told God in her prayer “We will not rest until we see your will be done and that your agenda for this nation shall stand in the name of Jesus” and the crowd shouted Amen. Addressing the various divisional delegates and heads of services together with the various corps of the forces of law and order, the S.D.O of Momo Division who had hitherto been baptized “The Emperor” by one of the delegates paid particular tribute to the forces that have kept the peace and security of Mbengwi. “We want to thank them for the wonderful job they’ve been doing and it is because of that wonderful job that we’ve been able to celebrate today in peace and security” Monono said. Addressing the issue of threatening sporadic gunshots that were heard not far away from the ceremonial grand stand, the S.D.O told his collaborators “You realized the persons who had told you there’ll be no march pass in Mbengwi stood very far up the hills to frighten themselves and not us. That is the courage, determination and knowledge you should have to know that our security forces have secured the town and all those who want to disturb can never come close.”

Winners of the Football Match

It should be recalled that prior to 20th May 2019, a unity football encounter took place on the Mbengwi Municipal stadium involving the Warders and Police versus B.I.Rs and Gendarmes with the former carrying the day and backing home the coveted trophy. This was precisely on Saturday May 17th meanwhile on Sunday May the 19th, a special gala night took place in the C.P.D.M Secretariat, Mbengwi, involving the forces of law and order together with other state functionaries and few members from the public. Both events where witnessed by the administration. In an interview granted this reporter after the match, a Police Inspector by name Kalackbupse said, “Though a very tensed match, I’m very satisfied because we played a fair game’. 20th May 2019 was celebrated nationwide under the theme “Unity in Diversity, a Major Asset to the Cameroon People in their Determined Move towards Emergence.” In Mbengwi, it was fully void of students as had been the case before the advent of the current crisis. Many wish dialogue is immediately engaged to put a final end to the crisis so that the euphoria that characterized the day in the yesteryears could return.

Mbengwi Inhabitants Make Good Use of Ghost Town

Mbengwi Inhabitants Make Good Use of Ghost Town

As ghost town operations continue across the two English speaking regions of the country, a practice imposed on the population by proponents of secession as a means of expressing their anger and frustrations with the government, though the practice is said to rather be causing more sufferings on the people as the economy is dwindling, some communities are now deriving means to make good use of ghost town days by carrying out community service.

Mbon Motor Park on a Ghost Town Day

This is the case with the inhabitants of  Wumfi quarter in the Ku Fondom of the Meta clan in Mbengwi. As another ghost town day was being respected last Friday May 17th 2019, the inhabitants found need to rather come out in their numbers to carry out community service. Though the streets were deserted and businesses shutdown, back in the quarter, the people were out in their numbers carrying out maintenance work on a bridge linking the quarter to Mile 18, the economic hub of the sub division.

Newly Constructed Bridge 

An inhabitant whose nickname we got as "Fine Boy" explained that it is for the need of development in their quarter that they had to come out for the work. "We have to develop our own area because we've seen that our council is facing difficulties as a result of this crisis and as such we had to unite to do something that will help us" he said. Quizzed on why the choice of a ghost town day for the exercise, Pastor Toh Godlove, another inhabitant of Lower Wumfi quarter responded that "We saw the need for the bridge to be repaired and since today is a ghost town, a day people sit at home doing nothing, we thought instead of just idling at home, we should use the day to do community work and help ourselves"

Quarter Inhabitants After Work

According to the quarter head, Pa Mbacham Jeremiah, the funds used to repair the bridge were raised by levying the inhabitants. He thinks instead of waiting on the council, government and politicians that may never come or delay to come, communities should take their developmental strides into their hands. Before now, accidents used to occur on the bridge. The repaired broken bridge can now be used by cars, bikes and pedestrians alike. Interestingly, the first car that crossed on the bridge, next day after it was repaired was a military hilux on security patrol.

Dedication of New Elders in the Meta Presbytery; 100F for Offering, 100.000F for Feasting

Dedication of New Elders in the Meta Presbytery; 100F for Offering, 100.000F for Feasting

2019 is an elective year according to the calendar of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (P.C.C). Constitutionally, after every five years, mandates are renewed or changed. Just like in political elections, shake up starts from the base to the top.

There's been a ground shaking trend of dedication of newly elected church elders and session members within the Meta Presbytery of the P.C.C, Mbengwi Central Sub Division. In almost all the parishes, the euphoria has been the same, that of merriment. The population of a congregation determines the number of elders it should have. Presbyterian Church Wumnebit Congregation for example has four elders while Njembeng Congregation has twelve.

Newly Dedicated Elders of P.C Barakwe Holding Offertory Baskets

Within the past month and still continuing, every Sunday, elders are being dedicated somewhere. At the level of the Wumnemburg Parish, Lower Medig Zone, Reverend Mujem John, the parish pastor, started the exercise at P.C Wumnebit Congregation  on Sunday April 28th, then to Meh Congregation on May 5th and last Sunday May 12th was the turn of Barakwe Congregation.

First things first, the dedications have been clashing. Same Sunday, several dedications in several parishes and as such Christians find it difficult to share themselves into parts to attend all the ceremonies where they have friends and relatives being dedicated. Again, there's been osmosis every Sunday. The congregation having elders to be dedicated becomes so full while that having already dedicated elders becomes so empty.

Ngwe Obed is a session member of P.C Wumnebit. He says he's been trying hard to encourage Christians to first attend Sunday service in their congregation before going to where the merriment is, without which the church house will be scanty. This, because many Christians now get up on Sunday mornings and start going straight to neighbouring congregations where elders are to be dedicated.

Full Church House

The peculiarities about this exercise are enormous. It's a crowd puller. Non church goers are once more found in church. It's interdenominational. Christians of other denominations now attend service where they have a colleague, friend, relative being dedicated. In the Wumnemburg parish these days firexample, it's difgicult to detetmin a Catholic christian from a Presbyterian Christians.  Dedications are fun filled. The anxiety of putting on the white robe before hundreds of Christians and being addressed as elder is something only those who have such titles can best testify the ambiance and euphoria that goes with it. 

The after church celebrations in the homes of the concerned is what raises many questions. What is really in an eldership position? Certainly not any salary. Why then will people spend hundreds of thousands just to throw a party for being an elder? Probably as their pocket shows. Church authorities have kept encouraging after-service-merriment to remain only within the church house reason why all the newly dedicated bring food and drinks to church so that after service, the congregation and guests sit down to share a common meal and drink.

Christians Cuing up for Offertory

From observation, what is usually brought to church is just a tip of the iceberg. Cocktail parties are organised in various homes. No matter how poor an elder is, one will still find at least three different dishes and various brands of drinks in the compound where he or she is celebrating. Hundreds of Francs are given in church during offertory meanwhile hundreds of thousands are spent for entertainment back at home.

The situation becomes more complex and pressing on the concerned as after service, Christians start moving from house to house as if to come congratulate the new elder but the hidden intention is to go eat and drink. Imagine a christian moving to six different homes and in every home, he or she is offered a plate of food and a drink. In all these homes, he or she went with nothing. Instead, some take canned drinks and pocket and take home. Others pour wine from bottles and cartons into plastic containers and carry home, a phenomenon described by many as acute greed.

Elder Bah Christopher Promising to Keep Eldership Values

Elder George Dara Being Decorated

And so becoming an elder seemingly becomes more of a burden because of the financial cost that goes with it. What if all this money spent for refreshment was asked to be gathered and brought to church for the enhancement of God's work, many think it will be the beginning of the fall of that congregation.

As birds have learnt to fly without perching, so too have hunters learnt to shoot without missing. It is for this reason that pastors have been deriving various means to extract money from Christian's pockets. During service, first there's general offertory after which all the newly dedicated are asked to move out of church and dance in with their followers for special offertory. So if there are six elders, there'll be six baskets. During this time, one finds Christians struggling to change money to the smallest amounts. A Christian will participate in the offertory six times but the total of all what he dropped in the basket may not be up to 300Frs. Apart from offertory, there'll still be collection of tithes, education fund, health fund, training of pastors in the seminary , up keep of pastors and a lot more.

P.C Barakwe Session

In all these dedications, women have been leading. Most of the Congregational chairpersons, elders, committee members and group leaders are wonen. To Reverend  Mujem John, Pastor of Wumnemburg Parish, "It is not man or woman issue but the people who can render the service"

If elections and dedications at the bottom could be like this, then by the time the church gets to the level of electing a new synod clerk, moderator...