Without doubt, the outing of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon at the current FIFA World Cup tournament in South Africa is one of the worst in the annals of the team’s history.  It is true that apart from the history-making performance during the 1990 edition in Italy, when Cameroon surprised the world to reach the quarter-finals – the first by an African team - the Indomitable Lions have not progressed beyond the group stages in their five other participations. However, the South Africa debacle can only be compared to the U.S.A 1994 routing, during which the team conceded one of the highest goals in the tournament.  Russia even had the pleasure of filing past six goals into Jacques Songo’s net before Roger Milla pulled one face-saving goal and in the process became the oldest player to score in a world cup tournament.

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Five months after the effective take-off the decentralisation process, there is the growing feeling that very little has changed as concerns the liquidity situation of most councils around the country. Many mayors are still groaning over the lack of necessary resources to enable their councils run effectively and carry out developmental projects. Hence the growing pessimism in the whole process. This notwithstanding, government seems bent on the process though reports suggest that among the ministerial departments there is a mix-up of roles creating setbacks in the process. The 360 municipal councils in Cameroon have so far been  empowered with the sum of over FCFA 50, 266, 363, 000 as accompanying financial resources to enable them to execute projects contained in the first generation of competence the central administration has transferred to them in the 2010 fiscal year.

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It is a remarkable coincidence. Two big religious figures who have bestrode the spiritual and social landscape of Cameroon for more than two decades, by some twist of fate, officially bowed out of their functions this January 2010. Christian Cardinal Tumi officially handed over the mantle of the Douala Arch-Diocese to Monsignor Samuel Kleda on Saturday, January 9 while the now Very Reverend Nyansako Ni Nku gave over the battle of command as Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon to Rt. Rev. Dr. Festus Asana last Friday, January 15 at the Synod Office in Buea. Both events are significant in the religious sense but extend far deep into the nation’s social and political life. For one thing, the charismatic nature of both Christian Cardinal Tumi and the Very Reverend Nyansako stood out. Listening to them preach the word of God was a delight in depth and rendition. read more...

The advent of effective decentralisation in Cameroon from January 2010 as promised by government is generating hopes and expectations but also scepticism. A wide range of debates on its feasibility has engulfed politicians, administrators, experts and the civil society. Optimists believe its implementation would dramatically strengthen the backbone of development. Pessimists claim it is similar to the present state of affairs and the government is using it to manipulate Cameroonians. According to Mr. Emile Njounkeng, South West Regional Chief of Councils, there would be considerable improvements, especially within the ambits of local council governance. In a discussion with The SUN, Mr Njounkeng stated that there shall be a transfer of competence to the local councils to target developmental efforts notably in the fields of education and health. Councils would control larger budgets aimed at creating new development opportunities in the various municipalities.

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Ever since Fon Chafah, the out-going President General of the North West Fons Union unwisely carried the simmering disagreement between him and his Union’s spokesperson, Ntumfor Nico Halle, to the public arena, invectives and missiles have been fired to both of them and at times from very unsuspecting quarters. I have not had the opportunity of paying much attention to Fon Chafah’s stewardship at the helm of NOWEFU partly because of the disdain that has developed in me against most elite and chiefs’ associations. These have become willing tools in the hands of the system which it manipulates according to its whims and caprices. It has become very evident that most of our elite and traditional rulers pursue and support causes which are at variance with those of the people they purport to represent.

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