Njindom Palace Celebrates Christmas With Orphans

Njindom Palace Celebrates Christmas With Orphans

The palace of Njindom village, Tondig zone of the Meta Clan in Mbengwi has this year  celebrated Christmas with orphans. H.R.H Dr. G. F. Fombo, the traditional ruler (Fon) of Njindom on Thursday December 24th 2020 communed with the kids of two orphanages in Mbengwi. 

His first stop was at A Better World Children's Home, Kobenyang founded by Seta Withgodep Wiertz. Visiting the orphanage for the first time, he was amazed with the sacrifices made by individuals to better the lives of such underprivileged ones by providing them accommodation, food, clothing, healthcare, education etc. 

At A Better World Children's Home, Kobenyang 

At House of Hope Orphanage, Wumfi

A Better World has 50 orphans, a majority of whom are out of the orphanage because of studies. Many are in universities, professional schools and other higher educational institutes in Douala, Yaounde, Bambili etc. It's founder, talking to Mbengwi Online on phone disclosed that the task is becoming too cumbersome educating these kids that have attained higher levels of education considering their fees, rents, feeding and pocket allowance. 

Watch the video version of this report by clicking on this link https://youtu.be/F5LdRVKe5AY

However he remained optimistic that it's a task he took upon himself from childhood and with God on his side, everything will come to pass. He celebrated few of the children he brought up that have today gained a stand. Two have become BIRs (Rapid Intervention Battalion), a military unit, two are currently in ENS (Ecole Normal Superieur) Bambili from where they shall be graduating as government teachers while others are in workshops learning various trades like mechanics, woodwork, sheet meta etc. 

H.R.H Dr. Gregory Fombo, Fon of Njindom

Those back at the orphanage in Kobenyang are mostly the primary school kids to whom the fon offered non perishable food stuffs like rice, beans, groundnuts, vetable oil, soap, magi, salt etc in cartons and bags. Before handing over the items, he explained the source, that they're from his brother, Prince Fombo Daniel resident in the U.S who decided to reach out to the orphans through him the fon. H.R.H Dr. Fombo assured the kids that the donor is ready to come again and again based on their dire needs and if possible, fly some of the children over to America.

While appreciating their "Father Christmas, Tah Clinton, 14 years old on behalf of the kids said "We want to thank our uncle and our father very much for the food he has brought for us. Thanks for thinking about us. We pray God continues to bless him so that he continues to provide more and more" Madam Seta Judith, the matron of the orphanage on her part said "We thank Prince Fombo Daniel so much for thinking about these underprivileged children during this critical time that we've been facing crisis and corona virus. The children are very happy for the food he's provided them for Christmas. We assure him that he will never lack as more money will locate him because it's a blessing when one feeds these type of children"

Items Donated Per Orphanage

The regretted the founder was unavoidably absent as he's in Yaounde running other errands but hopes they meet one day especially as he's a traditional title holder, thus getting to meet the fon of Njindom one on one will be a plus for him. Seta Withgodep Wiertz was in 2016 conferred a red feather and the title "Əbɔ Mɨfɔn" by the 7 fons that make up the Bome valley in the Meta clan, Mbengwi. The title means he is the fon's hands. He received this distinction as a result of his unending humanitarian works through constant provision of psychosocial, material, financial and other forms of support to widows, orphans, the underprivileged, people living with disabilities and the community as a whole for over 15 years now.

From Kobenyang, the fon's next bus stop was at House of Hope Orphanage, Wumfi. Here over 70% of the kids are below 10 years and the orphanage now has a total of 40 children. The same message was delivered to them by their august guest, the first ever traditional ruler to visit them. Addressing the little ones, the varsity don cum traditional leader said "I've come here on behalf of Prince Daniel Fombo who got some information about you and became interested that we should come and see how you're getting on and provide these little things for you to have for this festive period and encourage you to get on with life despite all the challenges and to assure you that there are people out there like  him who are very interested in seeing that you grow up to be very useful and important people in this community."

Tah Clinton, A Better World

Tende Clara, House of Hope

Madam Seta Judith, A Better World

Madam Ayaba Marvis, House of Hope

Madam Ayaba Marvis is the founder of the orphanage. Thanking the fon for his visit and donation on behalf of Prince Fombo Daniel, she said "Having a fon in our orphanage is a big privilege. I really want to thank Prince Daniel for his gesture. Thank you for putting a smile on these children's faces and we pray one day you come to  see how they've been growing. I pray that when these children eat your food and they're happy, may peace in your family be your potion in Jesus' name"

The spokesperson of the House of Hope Orphanage is Tende Clara. She too on behalf of the children couldn't hide her joy. In expressing gratitude to the donor, she said "We wish to thank Prince Daniel for his kind gesture over us. In fact we lack words to express our gratitude to you. As you've given to us, may God increase your life. We pray wherever you are, may the Almighty God bless and protect you"

As was the case with the first orphanage visited by the royal authority, this second one also received same assistance and quantity of rice, salt, soap, magi etc. The fon was accompanied on his visit by Madam Tamanji Catherine, Meta Presbytery Chairperson of the P.C.C and Madam Achu Mercy, General Manager of Njindom Cooperative Credit Union (NJICCUL) though not in the capacity of their offices but rather as daughters of the soil and close aids to the fon. Both women took note of the children's plight and hope to one day return to also stretch a helping hand for one good turn they say deserves another.

Madam Tamanji Catherine (L) & Madam Achu Mercy (R)

Palmers Parties With Pupils & Parents

 Palmers Parties With Pupils & Parents

The management of Palmers Nursery and Primary School Mbengwi has held a Christmas fête with parents, pupils and teachers during a ceremony to officially close the first term. This was on Friday December 18 2020 in the courtyard of the Mbengwi council

The ceremony gave a rare opportunity for the nursery and primary school pupils to showcase their talents in singing, drama, dancing, rhyming just to name these few. Prizes were also awarded to those that performed well in the first term examination. At the end of the day, all the kids ate Christmas rice and took home some snacks offered by the school.

Drama on the Birth of Jesus

Pupils Eating Christmas Rice

Ballet Dance

Addressing the parents, the head teacher regretted many of them still owe fees for their kids. She pleaded that despite the hard times, they should endeavour to comply before the commencement of the second term to avoid issues of children being sent back home for fees thus distorting their smooth learning process. 

Other lay private schools within the municipality also closed same Friday for the Christmas holiday. There's been a great improvement in school attendance this year in Mbengwi after over two years of complete shutdown enforced by non state armed fighters. Unfortunately most kids still can't enjoy their basic right to education because they can't access private schools since proponents of school shutdown finally shifted their initial stance  , this time around permitting schools to resume but on condition that government schools must remain shutdown.

Cross Section of Parents

Cross Section of Palmers Nursery & Primary School Kids

Prize Award

Over 3/4 of schools in Mbengwi  subdivision are government owned. Just about seven lay private and mission nursery and primary schools are currently functioning, all within the central town. In some areas most especially the suburbs, parents have been organising community schools for their children. The Senior Divisional Officer of Momo, Fouda Etaba Nicaise has repeatedly referred to such schools as illegal requesting for them to be shutdown. The community school in Bessi Fomukong village that had over 50 pupils was shutdown weeks after going operational due to fears of the unknown

Some opinion holders have continued to wonder where final year pupils in such community schools shall register and seat in for promotion exams into secondary schools such as Common Entrance and First School Leaving Certificate. The whole of the Bome valley for example made up of 7 villages has no private or mission primary/secondary schools except Ku. The parents and kids here like elsewhere re frustrated.

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While the decision to finally let schools function was greatly saluted, many still think the ban on government schools is counterproductive as a majority of schools across the NW/SW regions are government owned and so for the sake of the unfortunate kids in such areas should be allowed to function till the time those advocating for no schooling in government schools shall build their own schools and develop their syllabuses to then start admitting these children. 

To Junior, Precious, Promise, Angel, Nadine in Mbengwi, Friday was a memorable day. To Ijang, Ticha, Anwi, Enih, Njoh, Anoh in Kimbert, Gundom, Mbengbu, Toneku etc, it's a pity there's nothing worth celebrating like their peers in Mbengwi Central town. They've continued to be paying the price for a crisis they know nothing about. However, while some are complaining, others have sent their kids from the suburbs to Mbengwi central so that they can pursue studies, a thing they say is better than sending them to school in Douala, Yaoundé, Bafoussam.

GUDECA Fortifies Staffing Strength of Munam Integrated Health Centre

GUDECA Fortifies Staffing Strength of Munam Integrated Health Centre

The staffing strength of Munam Integrated Health Centre has been fortified by members of the Guneku Cultural and Development Association (GUDECA) U.S.A branch after recruiting and posting a new nurse to work in the health centre. 

Talking to Mbengwi Online on phone, the Guneku Traditional Council Chairman, Mr. Ndingwan Primus said the initiative came about after previous visits to the health institution during which complains of under staffing were tabled. When GUDECA USA learnt of the challenge, they decided to take it as a project to remedy the situation and ensure basic healthcare is provided to the villagers.

As a result, one new nurse has just been recruited and installed to commence work, adding to the four that were already present. She has been contracted for a three year renewable period based on her interest and commitment to serving the needy population of the health area. The installation ceremony, done by the traditional council chairman on behalf of the fon and GUDECA took place on Thursday December 17 2020 at the health centre in Munam

The Installation Ceremony.
Photo Credit: GUDECA

The council chairman also added that the recent recruitment and posting is just the commencement of more of such initiatives still to be carried out by concerned GUDECA branches world wide as the Integrated Health Centres of Mbengeghang and Fringyeng, both being in external quarters of Guneku village just like Munam are also in need of more staff. 

H.R.H Fon Fomuki Walters of Guneku has saluted the initiative and hopes for greater achievements this coming new year 2020. Though resident in Germany where he works, the royal authority has been in constant touch with reality on the ground and actively coordinates happenings in his ancestral land through on the ground collaborators. 

Guneku it should be noted is the biggest village in Meta in terms of land surface. Though its development was relatively slowed down by the ongoing Anglophone Crisis, her sons and daughters have resolved not to take insecurity as an excuse not to impact the land of their birth positively. The fortification of the staffing strength of the Munam Integrated Health Centre comes barely a couple of months after the Open Door Medical Development Clinic in Njinebai quarter, Guneku also reopened its doors to the public, thanks to the support of the fon for the provision of healthcare after several months of shutdown due to the crisis. 

The Munam Integrated Health Centre does general consultations and admission of patients, deliveries and other minor health challenges. It serves not only the population of Munam but also that of its neighbouring village Sang. The government structure has remained functional throughout the crisis

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Palace Releases "Kwihfor" After Robbery at Bessi Fomukong Abandonned Solar Plant

Palace Releases "Kwihfor" After Robbery at Bessi Fomukong Abandonned Solar Plant

The dreaded "Kwihfor" (a masquerade) known as "Eubo'oh" or "Eusop Inyii" has been released by the palace of Bessi Fomukong village in the Meta clan, Mbengwi to go after the culprits that recently stole six panels (plates) from the solar plant mounted in the village. The performance of the ritual was executed on Monday December 14 2020 at the plant site, located near Presbyterian Church, Bessi Fomukong Congregation.

The "Eubo'o" Otherwise Known As "Eusop Inyii" Being Released

Fomukong Wilfred, Fon's Brother

Fomukong Wilfred is a brother to the fon. He says seven days have been given after which the criminal shall face the consequences. To Chick Stephen Gwah, a youth in the village, the plant was to be beneficial to all especially the youths because many of his peers have migrated to town in order to have access to light to recharge their phones, watch TV etc but this particular robbery incidence has brought downfall unto the entire community.

Before carrying out the ritual, the villagers first met in the church hall to debate on whether or not it should be performed. Here, Mr Tangyi Ivo, the congregational chairman argued that there's no power above God's power and as such, he prefers prayers and won't be part of any such ritual. Some villagers too shared his opinion. Others stood firm that the ritual be performed. To Mr. Tamugri Isaac, a notable, if an example is not set, the perpetrators of the act will be back to steal more plates and thievery will continue to thrive in the village. 

Chick Stephen Gwah, Bessi Fomukong Youth

Villagers Debating on Whether to Perform the Ritual or Not

The arguments and counter arguments went on for long till the people's traditional ruler was finally given the floor to have the last say on the bone of contention. H.R.H Fomukong Wilfred first clarified his subjects on the ritual that's to be performed which to him isn't devilish but rather to sanction criminals just as courts and prisons are there to instill law and order in society without which many will do whatever they wish because of no consequences. 

Having passed his judgement that the ritual has to be performed, he then led the villagers to the plant site, though not all followed as some stayed back to observe from afar. These were the "religious" ones. A fresh plantain leave was brought and placed at the entrance into the plant and an ancient partially broken gong removed from a frightful antiquity-like bag and placed on the leaf. Then the traditional ruler poured some water in his cup (a horn) which he held with his left hand and uttered curses on the thief while pouring the water on the gong lying on the leaf. Mbengwi Online learnt that this particular "Kwihfor" is known as "Eubo'o" or "Eusop Inyii" and usually when it reacts based on the curses uttered by the fon, the consequences are usually devastating on the victim it's directed to harm.

The Bessi Fomukong Solar Plant, Abandoned at the Verge of Completion

Tifuangob Valentine, Tonebessi Quarter Head

Tifuangob Valentine is the quarter head of Tonebessi quarter and a  notable in the village. On behalf of the beneficiary population, he said "We are pleading on the contractor, his workers and all those concerned with the project to help us finish it." He thinks that the robbery incidence won't have taken place if the project had been completed and put to use. He estimates that about 600 - 1.000 households would've been enjoying solar energy had it been the plant had gone operational.   

To His Royal Highness Fomukong Wilfred, the fon of the village, it's frustrating. He said; "I'm really frustrated and angry with this robbery and the abandonment of the project because my people are migrating out of the village due to no light. Much development would've followed had it been the solar project was completed and put to use. Jobs would've been created like grinding mills and weldering workshops. More over living standards would've been improved." Talking about access to the contractor said to be  Ngyen-Mbo man, a son of the soil, the fon said he saw him only once and all efforts to reach him on phone for verification about why the project has been abandoned at the verge of completion for commencement of utilisation have ended futile.

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In 2012, a solar electrification project was awarded to Bessi Fomukong village thanks to Sino-Cameroon relationship. The execution phase slowly went on till early 2017 when the Anglophone Crisis heightened. By now 120 panels and 12 cells (batteries) has been installed and the plant fenced with barb wires. The workers then disappeared leaving the villagers confused.

In November 2019, Mbengwi Online reported on the abandonment of the project. The then Canal 2 English TV station in Douala also picked up the story. Weeks after the reports were published, the workers resurfaced with materials like poles and cables and immediately got to work. The poles were planted across all the quarters and supply cables too connected.  Hopes were high that finally, they too will start enjoying modernism. Unfortunately, reality has been different from expectations

Poles & Cables But No Light

Since much wattage is  to be produced  than the beneficiary village could consume, the supply line was extended to the neighbouring village of Chenam. What was left was just to start tapping the energy from the roadside cables and sending to homes plus installation of metres. Yet, it was again abandoned since then till date. The people have the plant, transportation poles and connection cables but no light. 

Someone somewhere should certainly be the reason why this village is still not having light despite the near completion of the multimillion solar project. Interestingly, a new rural electrification project was again awarded to the very Bessi Fomukong village by the government a couple of years back. The project entails sending light to Bessi from G.R.A Mbengwi and also from Mile 20 to Barakwe, Wumnebit and Chenam. So, Chenam and Bessi Fomukong will have two energy sources if both projects come to fruition. 

No, the Street Lights to be Planted in Njaah Don't Have Secret Cameras

No, the Street Lights to be Planted in Njaah Don't Have Secret Cameras

"In order to curb insecurity I decided to buy street lamps worth about one million (1.000.000) Frs to install in the streets of Njaah. Unfortunately the lamps are still packed in the palace because the amba guys said the lamps had secret cameras inside and so I couldn't proceed with the installation of these street lights." Then he went on; "Even before the outbreak of this crisis, I already had this development vision for my village which I shared with my fon way back in 2016"

Ngu Victor Teche, an illustrious son of Njaah village, Gutah zone of the Meta was speaking to Mbengwi Online recently after we learnt of his humanitarian activities in his village and decided to reach him on phone for details considering that it's part of our editorial policy to shine the light on collective and individual developmental strides in Mbengwi that impact mankind positively. 

Street Lamp to be Installed

Tracing the distance so far covered, he narrated that "In 2019 when I traveled home and realised that the existing water structures were damaged leaving the villagers with no option than to trek to far away places to fetch water and with the presence of cholera outbreak in some regions, I was scared this could reach my community especially as most of them had no choice than to drink from nearby streams. I then proceeded with a team of four persons to the catchment site. From there, rehabilitation works started because we noticed there was already a heap of sand in the reservoir and most of the pipes broken. After spending about five hundred thousand (500.000) Frs to buy pipes, tap heads and other equipments necessary for rehabilitation plus building another catchment, pipe borne water started flowing in the village once more. Then later, I proceeded to organise a tournament aimed at bringing life back to the community. This was for 2019."

Apart from water provision, Ngu Victor has also been distributing food aid back home. About this, he said, _"On 30th November 2020, I decided to provide the entire community of Njaah including the Mbororos food items worth seven hundred thousand (700.000) Frs. In a small speech I made during the ceremony, I explained to them that each time I eat something in Yaounde, I often stop and ponder on what my village people who are running to the hills everyday from gunshots have equally been eating. This was what motivated me to supply them with these items ranging from 20 bags of rice, 20 bags of salt, 2.600 cubes of maggi and 4 cartons of soap (300 cubes)."_

Njaah Mothers & Father After Reception of Items

Villagers Pouring Blessings on their Illustrious Son

He added that the community is so grateful indeed and keep showering blessings on their beloved son. All these initiatives he says have been out of his personal efforts. As he himself explained,  "Though I've never received 1Frs from anywhere, I remain motivated by self satisfaction as it pleases my heart to reach out to my community" It should be noted he's also the Yaounde branch president of the Njaah Cultural and Development Association (NJAACUDA)

For the year 2020, he's still not stopped carrying out humanitarian activities in the land of his birth. On the 29th of November, the second edition of his Njaah Football Tournament was launched and is ongoing. Cash prizes worth 300.000Frs shall be shared on the day of the finals. Talking about what's still in the pipeline, Ngu Victor disclosed to Mbengwi Online that "For the entire Meta especially Gutah zone, I really wish I could have more funds to bring development to the area. As for Njaah, I intend to personally build a local market in the community and equally make solar energy available for the people"

Launching of Njaah Football Tournament

Ngu Victor Teche, One of the Developers of Njaah

Thus, if not of the fake news that the street lights he had brought for installation had secret cameras embedded in them, Njaah would've been illuminated by now. The phenomenon of spreading fake news to block a development project is not anew in Mbengwi. In September 2020, the mayor of the Mbengwi Council organised a sports competition worth two million (2.000.000) Frs. Unfortunately teams never went in for the competition after a threatening voice note was circulated on social media warning teams not to dare partake in the competition on the basis that the mayor is rallying the youths for "La Republic" (French) soldiers to come and kill them. No youth has ever been killed in Mbengwi central for playing football.

Two council projects to construct a slaughter house in Acha Tugi and two classrooms in Government School Wumsom have both been stopped, again because of fake news that it's a military camp being built. Mbengwi Online has observed that the government has not been building any new structures to lodge its soldiers. Rather, they take over existing structures, both public and private. The camp in Nyen is in a government school, same for Alabukam. The camp in Alakuma and former Mbengwi Park are both in an individual's house they took over, probably on a temporal basis. As a result, the council is thus compelled to centralise its development projects within the heart of the municipality that's relatively safe, a move that will further enclave the suburbs.

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Many have continued to insist that until the Anglophone Crisis come to an end before any meaningful development can take place. Others differ that life must go on for the development belongs to the people not  "La Republic", an appellation for French Cameroon. In the midst of the tussle between the government and separatists, the civilian population has continued to pay the price. Both factions claim to be fighting for the betterment of the commoner's life. Most of what the people had as development structures have been destroyed in the course of the fighting and attempts to build new structures to remedy the worsening situation are being blocked through fake news, misconceptions, threats and kidnaps. Peaceful negotiations have so far been advanced as the secret exit route out of the current stalemate.

The Failed Mayor's Cup Ended with Distribution of School Materials to KKids

History in the Making as Pastor & Others Tiptoe Into the NW Regional Council

History in the Making as Pastor & Others Tiptoe Into the NW Regional Council

As the December 6th 2020 regional elections into the Regional Council and Regional House of Chiefs approaches which of course will be the last phase of the implementation of the decentralisation process through the promulgation into law of the General Code of Regional and Local Authorities which also gives a special statues to the North West and South West regions of Cameroon, Mbengwi Online has observed that the preelection atmosphere on the ground indicates it'll likely be a non-event. 

Most people don't even know there's something as such coming up not to talk of knowing who the candidates are.  Mbengwi Online has a screenshot extracted from social media bearing names of some candidates from Momo division standing for election into the Regional Council under the ruling CPDM party as published by The Watchdog Tribune newspaper. Unfortunately we don't know the particular edition. On the list, the first name is TEGHEN HUMPHRED TAKUM and the last is ANYAMBOD EMMANUEL ANYA. From our further findings, the former is a traditional authority in Meta (fon of Barakwe) and the latter is a retired pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC) from Njikwa.

List of Candidates from Momo Division Aspiring to be Voted into the Regional Council

From every indication, the list is valid. However, the candidates have implored the strategy of keeping sealed lips on the subject though we couldn't directly contact all of them to react. Only the fon of Njinibi village, going in for the Regional House of Chiefs spoke extensively to Mbengwi Online, link to report here attached -  https://mbengwionline.blogspot.com/2020/10/upcoming-election-into-nw-regional.html.

The other candidates we found on the Momo list are MBANWI PHILIP NJEKWO, ANJOH FRI-MANYI ROSE, AZEH ERIC NYAH, ASHU ATAMBUN WILDFRED AGU, UJAMBENG STEPHEN ANDONG and ADAMU PHILOMENA, giving a total of 8 candidates vying for the Regional Council. As for the Regional House of Chiefs, 3 names featured on the list to represent Momo division. They are; FOMBA RICHARD AYONG (Fon of Enyoh, Batibo), CHICK MARCUS FOMINYAM (Fon of Njinibi, Meta) and NGWAN MBANYAM SIG III (Fon of Guzang, Batibo).

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The decision by some traditional and religious leaders in Momo division to stand for election (though unchallenged) into the Regional Council and House of Chiefs has sparked mixed reactions from some opinion holders. Amboh Gordon is a social critic. Expressing his views to Mbengwi Online, he first admitted that it's true man by nature is a political animal that has the freedom to participate in political games like elections."But the game must be played contextually" he insisted and went on to say "A footballer is free to play in any football team of his choice if he is able but when this footballer starts wanting to play rugby or cricket because of freedom then something is wrong mentally with that footballer."

In continuation, hear him; "That said, the three cases I know of in Momo are all abnormal [Note, cases not the person]. Firstly, beginning with Njinibi, the village is a third class fondom and to stand as candidate into the House of Chiefs, one must be a first or second class Fon. Worst still, the candidate from Njinibi has not been traditional endorsed as fon of the village and was never chosen by the other Meta fons to represent them" Mbengwi Online can't confirm if his pronouncements are founded.

Then he continued,"As for Barakwe, the creation of the House of Chiefs means fons are not supposed to seat in the Regional House of Divisional Representatives (Council). Maybe the Fon of Barakwe resigned as third class Fon before going in to represent Meta in the house of divisional representative." Again Mbengwi Online can't confirm the veracity of these his claims

Lastly, he rounded up by saying"And for the Reverend Man of God from Oshie, it is his right to dive into politics now that he is on retirement but as to find himself on the ticked of the CPDM, a party we have never seen him militating with is more than a scandal and knowing fully well the critical stance of Rev. Anyambod and the respect he commanded when he was still active as a senior pastor of the PCC, for him to have gone in on the ticket of the morally bankrupt CPDM party, this to me makes the whole issue of freedom of choice to be equated to that of a professional footballer who wants to abruptly become a rugby player"

Ndetan Nji Cyprian is another public opinion holder. Expressing his view to Mbengwi Online on the subject, he said "If God has called a fon or pastor for regional elections as he called the man of Bafut [Referring to late prophet Frank Afanwi of Kingship Ministry] for presidential election, what's wrong with that? It's just a game of interest. The Bible says by their fruits we shall know them"

To Ache Emnanuel, a political commentator and varsity student, "Traditional authorities due to their fatherly role are better off when not associated with political parties. Chiefs are supposed to be neutral because they serve subjects who belong to a number of political parties but somehow whether by design or accident, some traditional leaders in the country seem to miss the boat of sanity as they from time to time make a foray into partisan politics."

He went on to advice the chiefs to hands off politics especially during this critical period. In his words, "The state of affairs of our country warrants political quietness from these traditional rulers which is not forthcoming. The problem is that these chiefs confuse the mantra of serving the government of the day with active participation in politics. Let chiefs concentrate on the development of their areas other than taking political sides, a prerequisite for the growth of our nascent democracy."

For better clarification on the position of the church vis-à-vis politics and in our quest for vital information on the subject, Mbengwi Online contacted a reverend pastor of the PCC for explanation. He requested for anonymity. He began by saying,"This our pastor is on retirement and the Book of Orders of the PCC permits a pastor to do so, just that for those in active service, you're requested to take leave of absence from pastoral services until you indicate your return. So for him on retirement, he has the right to go without seeking permission from the church"

Chapter Six titled Church and Politics on page 61 of the said book states that "The PCC shall continue to encourage it's lay Christians to take part in politics... A pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, still in active service, shall not indulge in partisan politics... Pastors are therefore barred from participating in politics at all levels. However, where a pastor considers his participation in active partisan politics as an expression of obedience and faithfulness to God's call for justice, such a pastor shall be required to resign or ask for leave without pay from his/her pastoral activities. And his/her political views shall not be understood as the official view of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon..."

On page 62, the said Book of Orders adds that "Pastors shall, in any case, exercise their civic rights by voting. In fact, the pastor should encourage his parishioners to exercise their civic rights by participating in free and fair elections. Pastors shall do so without influencing members of their parishes to follow their political persuasions."

Our anonymous pastor disclosed to Mbengwi Online that in history, the PCC has had a pastor turned parliamentarian, later government minister and back to the church ministry, ending up as moderator of the PCC and chief of his village. This was the late Rev. Jeremiah Chi Kangsen in the days of West Cameroon. He served the PCC as Synod Clerk from 1967-1969 and as Moderator from 1969-1985, the longest serving moderator the church has ever had. This he said happened in the days of West Cameroon.

Furthermore, in continuation he also revealed that Rev. Esau Anjoundong Adongatou applied for same permission before being allowed to go in as the Momo divisional boss of ELECAM but unfortunately, his stay in the position was short lived due to the set up that wrapped up his neck after the murder of the Rev. Kenji Zephania

For more clarity, our anonymous pastor presented to Mbengwi Online some extracts from the book Christian Chiefs Fallen Between Stools authored by Jonas N. Ndah. The book explains the coalition between the church and tradition  citing the Rev. Jeremiah Chi as pacesetter. All of these put together thus clears the air on the church's stance as regards politics and tradition. The candidacy of retired Rev. Pastor Anyambod is thus valid

Decentralization in the Cameroonian context is a governance system involving the devolution of resources and competencies to local and regional authorities in order to bring development, good governance and equitable growth closer to the people. If fully applied, regional and local authorities will take the destiny of their economic, social, political and cultural development into their hands. 

Accordingly, on December 24 2019, coming on the heels of the Major National Dialogue, the General Code of Regional and Local Authorities was enacted through Law No. 2019/024 signed by President Paul Biya in which a Special Statues was accorded the NW and SW regions of Cameroon based on their language specificity and historical heritage. This shall entail respect for the peculiarities of the Anglophone Education System and considerations of specificities of the Anglo Saxon Legal System based on the common law. In effect, a new bicameral Regional Assembly made up of a House of Chiefs composed of 20 traditional leaders and a House of Regional Representatives composed of 70 members

Sunday's voting exercise shall be done by traditional rulers and councillors. From every indication, considering that there's just one list from one party, the CPDM, one can rightly conclude that the results are already known. There have been some rumour circulating around that a couple of days to the voting day, a 4 days ghost operation has been called for by proponents of secession. Some freewill thinkers think it's an outdated strategy that rather brings more hardship on the commoners and wish it be abandoned because all previous similar events ended up taking place. Mbengwi Online hopes to cover the voting exercise come Sunday and report on what transpired thereafter.