Life

3, October 2024

Biya regime launches digital platform to verify diploma authenticity ⁰

On October 1, 2024, the Cameroonian government introduced a new digital platform aimed at verifying the authenticity of diplomas issued by universities, public administrations, and private institutions. The initiative was unveiled at the École Normale Supérieure (ENS) of the University of Yaoundé 1, during a ceremony co-chaired by the Minister of Higher Education (Minesup), Jacques Fame Ndongo, and the Minister of Public Service and Administrative Reform (Minfopra), Joseph Le.

The digital platform is described as an “essential tool” designed to streamline the often lengthy recruitment process within the public sector, which has been slowed by cumbersome diploma certification procedures. “This platform is not only a modern tool for verifying the authenticity of diplomas but also a guarantee of trust for citizens, employers, and especially public institutions,” said Joseph Le.

As per a joint circular from May 8, 2024, Minesup will provide Minfopra with a secure software interface, allowing access to diploma data. In return, Minfopra will be able to submit verification requests digitally, speeding up the process. A secure response confirming the authenticity of the diploma will then be sent back to Minfopra through the platform. According to Minister Le, the platform is “a crucial step” in the government’s commitment to enhancing transparency and efficiency in public administration. The initiative is part of a broader modernization effort to improve the management of civil servant integration processes.

The platform aims to address the growing issue of fake diplomas in both the public and private sectors. For example, in June 2024, Defense Minister Joseph Beti Assomo announced the discovery of 1,312 fake diplomas during the recruitment process for young gendarmes and soldiers for the 2024 fiscal year. Similarly, in 2022, nearly 1,000 gendarmerie students were dismissed due to falsified credentials. This new platform is expected to help decrease such incidents by streamlining document verification.

The platform’s launch follows an agreement signed between Minesup and Minfopra on April 6, 2023. It will be implemented in collaboration with the ministries that issue the most diplomas, including Minesup, the Ministry of Secondary Education (Minesec), the Ministry of Basic Education (Minedub), and the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training (Minefop). Through this initiative, Minfopra aims to verify diploma authenticity more effectively and significantly reduce the processing times for recruitment and certification.

Source: Business in Cameroon

24, September 2024

Federal Republic of Ambazonia: Where education does not matter! ⁰

All over the world, education is considered a visa that can get many people out of poverty, but in Ambazonia, a virtual country also known as Southern Cameroons, illiteracy is considered good for the citizens and the key to a bright future. A strange irony which challenges any sound educational and social development experts

One of the many reasons Ambazonians raised when the sociopolitical problem which has destabilized many people in Cameroon and killed thousands in the two English-speaking regions of the country was that the quality of education provided by the Yaoundé government was of the lowest quality.

Ambazonians, also considered by the government of Cameroon as separatists, said they needed good quality education but their first action when the sociopolitical crisis commenced was to call on all students not to go to school until the government engineered new ways of doing things, especially by withdrawing all French-speaking teachers from the country’s two English-speaking regions.

While the Yaoundé government has since made some cosmetic changes and concessions, Southern Cameroonians have remained frozen in their positions.

From 2016, following the commencement of the country’s most destabilizing sociopolitical disaster, more than 30,000 students in the country’s two English-speaking regions of the country have not gone to school as gun-toting separatists have been threatening to kill any students and teachers who dare to go to school.

Their latest irrational action just came to an end yesterday. Since schools resumed in other regions of the country in early September, kids in Southern Cameroons have been at home for almost a month because Ambazonian forces had issued a ghost town operation in early September warning parents and students of deadly consequences if students violated their no-school order.

Ambazonia is a “country” wherein education does not matter but their leaders are talking about engineering sustainable development once they gain their independence. No country has ever developed without an educated population. Ambazonians want to demonstrate that education is not necessary when it comes to development and they will stop at nothing just to prove that.

Unfortunately, it is turning out that they are shooting themselves in the foot as their decision will only be counterproductive. Illiterate people will certainly not be reasonable and rational thinking will be a scarce resource. Crime will be high in a country wherein he who toots a gun can become the king.

Not many Southern Cameroonians are admiring these criminals who are marketing themselves as saviors who will bring independence and prosperity to their people. This archaic way of doing things has already hurt the economies of the two regions and unemployment and crime are unacceptably high.

The local population, which used to support the independence seekers is today working with the national defense forces to mop up the two English-speaking regions of the country which are replete with bandits and armed robbers who pass off as separatist fighters.

For almost eight years, most children in rural Southern Cameroons have not been to school. For those whose family members are well to do, they have been moved to towns and cities across the whole country for them to acquire much-needed education. Strangely, most of the students have moved to East Cameroon where they will have to learn the French they had rejected when there was peace in their beloved Southern Cameroons. What an irony! They will be fully assimilated and they might never return to the land they once called home.

Ambazonians are ignorantly helping the Yaoundé government in its bid to assimilate young English-speaking Cameroonians. More power to their elbow! In the next two decades, there will be more French-speaking Cameroonians in Southern Cameroons than English-speaking Cameroonians.

Even the worst dictatorships in the world have never refused their citizens access to education. Even the Taliban encourage their boys to get good education, though the girl child does not have the same access to education.

Ambazonians must stop committing human rights abuses. Refusing children their right to education is a criminal offense just as it is a punishable human rights abuse. Without a soundly educated population, no country can make giant steps forward regarding development.

This irrational decision to keep children out of school has caused a massive exodus from the two English-speaking regions of the country and this is not good news for a region and a people who think they should preserve their Anglo-Saxon educational culture.

By Dr. Joachim Arrey

16, September 2024

Michael Jackson’s older brother Tito Jackson passes away aged 70 ⁰

Tito Jackson, an original member of the Jackson 5 pop group and brother of the late Michael Jackson, has died aged 70, US media report.

An official cause of death is yet to be determined.

Tito performed in the famous ensemble with brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael, who died in 2009.

He was recently in Munich ahead of a performance that the group were due to give.

Getty Images Clockwise from bottom left: Michael Jackson, Tito Jackson, Jackie Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Marlon Jackson — The Jackson 5 began performing in the mid-1960s

Steve Manning, a long-time Jackson family friend and former Jackson family manager, told Entertainment Tonight that Jackson died on Monday.

The news was confirmed in an Instagram post by Jackson’s three sons, Taj, Taryll and TJ Jackson, who were themselves an R’n’B/pop trio, 3T, in the 1990s.

“We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken,” they wrote. “Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being.”

They continued: “He will be missed tremendously. It will forever be ‘Tito Time’ for us.

“Please remember to do what our father always preached and that is ‘Love One Another’. We love you Pops.”

The Jackson 5’s hits included ABC, The Love You Save and I Want You Back.

The group was formed in 1964. Tito played the guitar and provided backing vocals.

Jackson 5 has sold more than 150 million records worldwide.

In 1980, the siblings were presented with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.

Getty Images Tito Jackson at the Fool in Love Festival — Tito performed recently at the Fool in Love Festival in California

Days before his death, Tito posted a message on social media from Munich, Germany, where he visited a memorial to Michael with his brothers.

He wrote: “Before our show in Munich, my brothers Jackie, Marlon, and I, visited the beautiful memorial dedicated to our beloved brother, Michael Jackson.

“We’re deeply grateful for this special place that honours not only his memory but also our shared legacy. Thank you for keeping his spirit alive.”

The Jacksons performed in Germany on 10 September, days after their performance at Boogietown, a UK music festival celebrating funk, soul and disco in Surrey.

The siblings also performed at the Fool in Love Festival at Hollywood Park Grounds in Los Angeles on 31 August.

‘Devastated and speechless’

Former Jackson 5 drummer Jonathan Moffett led tributes on social media, writing on X: “There is great sadness in my heart tonight – I just found out that my brother in heart and spirit, Tito Jackson has passed.

“I’m stunned, devastated and speechless. I love you, Tito. My most sincere love & prayers for the entire Jackson family. I love you all VERY much”.

Getty Images Taj Jackson, TJ Jackson and Taryll Jackson — Tito’s three sons are in a pop group called 3T

Tito was the third oldest Jackson and one of nine children. His other siblings include global stars Janet and La Toya Jackson.

All his siblings, other than Michael who died aged 50 in June 2009, are still alive.

The family’s patriarch, Joe Jackson, died at the age of 89 in 2018.

The group of performers and singers have produced a total of 27 US number one hits.

Alongside work in the band, Tito also had a solo career as a blues musician which started in 2003.

He was the final sibling to place a solo single on the Billboard charts with his 2016 hit, Get It Baby.

In 2019, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon embarked on a World Tour as The Jacksons.

Two years prior they performed a slew of shows in the UK as part of A Celebration of 50 Years, also stopping to perform at Glastonbury Festival.

Source: BBC

10, September 2024

UNESCO secures $44.5M for Cameroon education ⁰

During an official visit to Yaoundé, Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, announced the mobilisation of $44.5 million for education in Cameroon. The funds will be used to modernise school curricula and train more than 28,000 education professionals.

“Cameroon has made education a priority and it was essential for UNESCO to support these efforts. Thanks to the Global Partnership for Education, today we’re mobilising $44.5 million to boost the improvements of the country’s school system. This is yet another example of UNESCO’s firm commitment to supporting all its Member States in their efforts to achieve universal access to education” Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO said.

With these new funds, UNESCO and Cameroon will work together to modernise school curricula, with a particular emphasis on multilingual education. The Organization will provide more than 4 million school textbooks and teaching manuals. It will also support the training of 15,000 teachers as well as 13,000 headteachers, trainers and educational professionals. Finally, this initiative will provide school meals to children from the poorest families to further support their schooling.

This initiative in Cameroon joins those already undertaken by UNESCO in many other African countries. In recent years, the Organization has notably raised $15.7m for education in Burundi, $48.2m in Chad, $39.5m in Côte d’Ivoire, and $10.7m in the Republic of Congo – again as part of the Global Partnership for Education. At a time when the African Union has dedicated 2024 as the year of education, UNESCO is once again demonstrating its role as a leading partner of African states in this field.

Source: miragenews

8, September 2024

Bate Nico and Daughters of Manyu Ireland: A special relationship ⁰

Although Bate Nico is the celebrated Professor of Manyu music and is now a global star, he has maintained a close relationship with the Irish State.

His sell-out concert in Ireland is fondly remembered by hundreds of Cameroonians who answered present at the height of his powers as the Manyu megastar.

But while there have been infrequent visits back to Europe for concerts, it was his less advertised time in Dublin with the Daughters of Manyu Ireland that drew massive attention.

Bate Nico fever gripped Ireland, after the singer recently visited Balbriggan, Drogheda and Swords near Dublin.

He participated in the September meeting of the Daughters of Manyu Ireland and refused to record an interview with the Cameroon Concord News Group.

Bate Nico however said Manyu Daughters of Ireland have inspired him to make a great album.

According to Cameroon Concord News London Bureau Chief Asu Isong, Bate Nico is very interested in Manyu unity and plans to tour Europe and the US on a peace mission.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

29, August 2024

New School Year: Minister warns against PTA fee abuses ⁰

The Basic Education Ministry recently warned public primary school administrators about “shortcomings”, including the mandatory imposition of parent-teacher association (PTA) fees, just over a week before the new school year.

In an August 20 letter, Basic Education Minister Laurent Serge Etoundi Ngoa highlighted the issue but did not take a definitive stance on the contentious matter of the fees.

Since a 2001 presidential decree made public preschool and primary education free, parent-teacher association fees have risen significantly, sometimes exceeding XAF25,000.

Parents have long criticized the situation, which persists as school administrators cite a lack of resources to pay teachers and cover operating costs.

In 2021, addressing members of parliament, Minister Etoundi Ngoa stated, “There are ongoing challenges. Since there was no cap [ the parent-teacher association fees], to prevent abuses, my colleague from Secondary Education recommended a limit of XAF25,000 during her visit to Douala. I believe that Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) are crucial and should continue. The government, parents, and development partners are the key education stakeholders, as outlined by UNESCO.”

The other shortcomings addressed by Minister Ngoa include “the sale of school supplies within institutions at exorbitant prices, the sale of spots for enrolling new students at each school year, including to parents benefiting from transfers, the neglect of social cases, and even children from internally displaced families.”

Source: Business in Cameroon

27, August 2024

Mariah Carey’s mother and sister die on the same day ⁰

Mariah Carey’s mother, Patricia, and sister, Alison, died over the weekend, the American singer has said in a statement.

“My heart is broken that I’ve lost my mother this past weekend,” Carey said on Monday. “Sadly, in a tragic turn of events, my sister lost her life on the same day.”

The singer said she feels blessed to have spent time with her mother in the week before her death, and has asked for privacy.

No further details were released about the causes of death.

Patricia, 87, was a former opera singer and vocal coach of Irish-America descent.

In Carey’s 2020 memoir, The Meaning of Mariah Carey, the five-time Grammy Award-winning singer detailed her complicated relationship with her mother, saying that it “caused me so much pain and confusion”.

Carey said competition came between the two and that professional jealousy “comes with the territory of success, but when the person is your mother and the jealousy is revealed at such a tender age, it’s particularly painful”.

But she also spoke the deep love she had for her mother, writing in the dedication: “To Pat, my mother, who, through it all, I do believe actually did the best she could. I will love you the best I can, always.”

In an interview with Gayle King in 2022, Carey said that the criticism she was subject to by her mother growing up “definitely had an effect on me”.

She added that she has always credited her mother with exposing her to music.

Carey’s relationship with her older sister Alison, 63, was also complex.

In her memoir, she wrote of being estranged from her and her brother Morgan, saying that it was “emotionally and physically safer for me to not have any contact”.

Alison sued Carey for $1.2m (£909,780) following the release of the memoir for “immense emotional distress”, calling it “vindictive”.

The singer’s father, Alfred, died in 2002 of cancer at the age of 72.

Carey is regarded as one of the most successful singers globally.

Her holiday single “All I want for Christmas is You” is the best selling Christmas song by a female artist of all time.

She holds the record for the most Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles by a solo artist at 19 songs, has sold over 220 million records worldwide, and served as a judge on the competition show American Idol.

Source: BBC

24, August 2024

Eyumojock Subdivision: Member of Parliament and elites brainstorm on school resumption ⁰

Elites of Eyumojock Sub-division are currently in Limbe to brainstorm on how schools can resume in the sub-division.

The event, chaired by the determined CPDM Member of Parliament, Honorable Teku Tanyu, has brought together some prominent chiefs of the sub-division and politicians who hold that depriving children of the opportunity to go to school is a destruction of the children’s future.

Since the socio-political problems in the two English-speaking regions of Cameroon started in 2016, many kids in the sub-division have not been going to school.

For a sub-division of 66 villages, only two villages having functioning schools – Ekok and Eyumojock.

For the past six years, kids in Kembong, Ewelle, Ossing, Ndekwai, Eyanchang and other villages have not been to school and this is bad news to the sub-division whose leaders hold that the road to a bright future passes through sound education.

Speaking during the brainstorming session, the Eyumojock Sub-division Member of Parliament, Teku Tanyi, himself a disciple of formal education, urged elites of the division to help children to return to school.

He underscored the importance of education to the sub-division’s development, adding that without education, most children from the sub-division will not have the right tools to face the future.

The Member of Parliament who hails from Ossing and who has been working relentlessly for the resumption of schools in the sub-division lamented that many children have been robbed of their future.

This is a developing story and more will be yours when available.

By Dr Joachim Arrey

21, August 2024

Southern Cameroons Crisis: 48 attacks targeted schools in 2024 ⁰

Cameroon recorded 48 attacks on schools between January and June 2024, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports in a statement released on World Humanitarian Day (August 19). “Such instability affects children’s right to education,” lamented the UN, without specifying where these attacks occurred. However, several international reports revealed attacks by separatist armed groups in the crisis-affected regions of the Northwest and Southwest.

One of the most notable attacks occurred in October 2020 when armed separatists targeted the Mother Francisca International Bilingual Academy in Kumba, resulting in the deaths of eight students. In February 2022, similar attacks were carried out on the Molyko public primary school and the Catholic college “Queen of the Rosary.”

Since the outbreak of the separatist conflict in 2017, over 700,000 children have been unable to attend school due to the ongoing violence.

The UN also reported 18 attacks on healthcare facilities during the same period.

Source: Sbbc

1, August 2024

HIV/AIDS: Yaoundé launches nationwide survey to determine prevalence ⁰

The Minister of Public Health Manaouda Malachie on Wednesday unveiled a nationwide survey to ascertain the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and the impact of preventive measures in the country.

The survey, dubbed Cameroon Population-based HIV Impact Assessment (CAMPHIA), will run from August to February 2025.

“It aims to comprehensively explore the situation of HIV infection within the population aged 15 and over based on a nationally representative sample. The primary objective of CAMPHIA 2024 is to estimate the national and regional prevalence of HIV viral suppression, while the secondary objectives are to estimate the incidence and prevalence of HIV at the national level,” Manaouda said in a statement made public Wednesday afternoon.

It is one of the largest surveys to assess HIV prevalence in the Central African nation and would aid in implementing new measures to further prevent its spread.

“Nationally, the survey will cover 512 enumeration areas from which 15,360 households will be randomly selected, for a total of approximately 28,405 people,” Manaouda added.

The first HIV survey was conducted in the country in 2017.

According to data published by the World Health Organization in 2023, Cameroon witnessed a 50 percent decrease in HIV prevalence among people aged 15 to 64 in the past 14 years.

Source: Xinhuanet