Dr. Bate Besong: Chief Inoni Ephraim’s Constituency – and – Vision will Never go Beyond Bakingili.

Published in The Heron, Nº. 0086, Friday December 17-24-2004

Bate Besong is the most paradoxical Anglophone Cameroonian writer today… he is also a political activist and a staunch advocate of the Southern Cameroon crusade. B.B., as he is fondly called by his admirers in this brief chat last Wednesday with Ezieh Christopher Andu x-rays the recent cabinet appointed by President Biya. Excerpts.

Sir, we will like you to give a personal assessment of Ephraim Inoni’s rise to the enviable position of Prime Minister. 
The sort of politicized tribalism that Chief Inoni has entrenched in the South West Chiefs Conference is the pivot point on which Essinganized Cameroon turns.  Deep ethnic and regional tensions that have taken hold of the nation’s jugular since Mr Biya’s ascension to power, have put into question Cameroon’s right to exist as a single nation.  Political chaos and report of corruption, now known as Garga Hamman Adjis 45 baleins or sharks has further discredited the Inonis in the eyes of Cameroonians.

But his appointment is an honour to the South West?
The election that have given Mr Biya another seven years mandate have betrayed the shallow roots of democratic practice under the New Deal.  Clarkson Mbianyor, Ngolle Ngolle, Musonge, Dion Ngute, Inoni etc have won elections that were tainted by the sort of vote rigging, thuggery and blackmail that have marred all elections since Re-Unification.  In a nutshell, the South West tragedy is that her people will never be given the opportunity to choose their leaders.  Inoni Ephraim is merely an accomplice, a privileged slave of that Essingainized cabal who over the past quarter of a century have humbled a once proud nation through outright, incompetence and greed.

Sir, but the South West endores this honour?
It is a dubious honour.  It is the same class who find solace in the perennial masturbation of motion of support to monsieur Biya’s omniscience, omnipotence and invisibility, Today’s homeguards who have guns and authority.  South Westerners will have to look for means of developing themselves.  They don’t have to lean on anybody now; they do not have to work for this government or anybody else.  It is in the South West, which produces our 70% of the Gross Domestic Product that the conflict between the haves and haves not is potentially at its most combustible.

Could you then make an early appraisal between the Musonge (Cutting in)?
Musonge’s influence never went beyond Bokova.  In 22 years of the Biya monarchy, Cameroonians are far worse off now than they were three decades ago.  This country is built on a false structure…  The poor people of this country are suffering because the wealth has been moved out of the country.  The deepening of Cameroon’s seething political and economic problems are written on the bloated face of the numerous cabinet positions that have been put in place.  In a nutshell, we can say that Chief Inoni Ephraim’s constituency – and - vision- will never go beyond Bakingili.

Comments

[Afeseh Ngwa Hilary.]

BB, you are rare gem. Please let the genius keep flowing. thanks again.

[EKONDE MBULLE L]

BB,
I like your papers.
A mixture of literary indecision and wisdom.
However, you are not only wrong but outrageously too as per your piece concerning H.E Chief Inoni's......
You ought to publicly tender an apology for a wrong forecast,pregnant with pseudo-certitudes on the aptitude of a great son of our fatherland and most of all, a policy manager.
Sit up BB.
MBULLE.

[Abakwa James]

I believe we Cameroonians talk too much. We only criticise but do not come up with any alternative to save the country. Rather than complain we need to get together and support the government. That should be the responsibility of every Cameroonian. Southern Cameroon or United Cameroon, it is obvious that Cameroon's problem dwells in the mentality of the citizens. That's what we need to attend to rather than making steps towards drawing territorial boundaries and distinctions. The truth is Cameroonians must learn to work and develop the economy and not wait for the government to do every thing for them. How much income do we think the government makes for christ's sake. Look around the world. Every healthy economy succeeds thanks to its household that puts in efforts and transforms ideas into business ventures. I think we should leave Biya and his crew alone for a moment and ask ourselves as individuals that what have we done for Cameroon as a citizen. At the end of the day, Paul Biya is just another citizen of the country. What have I done for my country and what have you reading this comment done for Cameroon. How much value have you added to the nation as a whole. A man is just as good as his own word. The situation of Cameroon is what it is and it will take the action and effort of every Cameroonian at all levels of the social strata to redeem the country. Mind you, we are far better from other African countries and have the potential to be the best. But again that potential lies within you and me who are Cameroonian. This is my point and my stand with regards to my country.

[Azekang Deodat]

The predicament of this nation could only be in the hands of its citizens if the ordinary people of this country were given the opportunity to have what they deserve.Any Cameroonian who does not share BB's opinion on Biya's close to 23yrs monarchy and the fact that the ordinary people in this country suffer because our wealth has been moved out of the country,is not being truthfull to himself and therefore, is an accomplise with the gov't in setting up the false structures which are killing us.Cameroonians talk but not as much as selfish and greedy people think.The reality is that they're not given the opportunity at all to re-shape this country for the better.Our own sons who have represented us simply comply with the system and have failed us tremendously.
We need courageous, patriotic and daring citizens at the hem of power.People who will not only learn but will say NO or ask WHY.

[Nyake]

Mbulle concerning your statement on BB'S article about Inoni i believe that you are the person who is wrong. It is simple and straight forward to judge the out come of innoni's prime minister tenure. He started excitingly like his predecessor mafani and after 100 days in office he has gone to sleep. Look at the event which happened in his own town in Buea. As head of government he has not made a statement and has not even cared to visit the town which lost two university students. He believes it is wonderful for him to come and celebrate a political appointment but it does not really matter to show concern to the people who gave you that reception in time of crisis. BB is right because our politicians know where they come from only when they are trying to lobby for political support. I will like to consider you mbulle as an open minded individual but don't be carried away by the political appointment of some one you are close to or some one you know. Tell inoni to act as head of government by intervening in the university crisis and bring those murderers to justice.

[cyndy]

I strongly agree with u nyake,i think that inoni started off well and i must say he impressed me.Nevertherless,to think of the fact that he uses people as tools to celebrate and stay in power is thought -provoking.A good leader should laugh with the people when its time to laugh and cry with them when its time to cry.How can an anglophone,who claims to do his best to bring the country in a cultural balance be so luke warm and carefree of the pains people feel after loosing their children on whom they spent so much in a so-called "state university".in short,the state has not only dupped them with endless school fees but has also taken away their lives.WHAT SCAM!!!!

[cyndy]

I strongly agree with u nyake,i think that inoni started off well and i must say he impressed me.Nevertherless,to think of the fact that he uses people as tools to celebrate and stay in power is thought -provoking.A good leader should laugh with the people when its time to laugh and cry with them when its time to cry.How can an anglophone,who claims to do his best to bring the country in a cultural balance be so luke warm and carefree of the pains people feel after loosing their children on whom they spent so much in a so-called "state university".in short,the state has not only dupped them with endless school fees but has also taken away their lives.WHAT SCAM!!!!

[Njifenzt.B.Dohnji]

Dear Dr.Bateh Besong,
I think your ever critical views about events in Cameroon are real and honest.Keep it up!Surely, dishonest and corrupt thieves think your ever fervent critical pieces are just for fun,fancy,or fame.
'Facilitus Dictus,Dificilus factus':meaning;'easier said than done.' I implore divinity to empower you with huge physical and mental strength to carry on with the critical views you hold, till we all feel the sting of improvement.Your ideals certainly sends some ripples! Pls it is important to create your followers as your 'pen' and 'brain' make the guilty ones uneasy.
Your contribution towards nation building is priceless and enormous.Its paramount that you are now serving Cameroonians and not southwesterners.
70%of our gov't officials must be changed with their unproductive stereotyped CPDM Conservatism.We Should learn to appreciate new dynamism rather' than have it all on paper and refuse to practise it.This is a message for President , and Prime minister and all is Cabinet ministers.Solid defense has always overcome our blunders and fiasco.Typical of this infallible leaders.
Long live BB. Long Live Cameroon.Be Blessed!

[Njifenzt.B.Dohnji]

u.k.

[Kate60]

The same people he criticise have send him to his early grave. What did the University Authority do? Nothing. At his barier, it was as if it was he barier of a samll boy in his village.

Sorry our grate writer.

Sincere people do not last for long

[Muluh Carlous Nkwetisama]

A Critical Theory of Adult Learning and Education
Interpreting the ideas of Jurgen Habermas, the nature of three generic domains of adult learning is posited, each with its own interpretive categories, ways of determining which knowledge claims are warranted, methods of inquiry as well as its own learning goals, learning needs and modes of educational intervention. Perspective transformation is seen as one of the learning domains and the domain most uniquely adult. The nature and etiology of perspective transformation is elaborated with particular focus on the function of reification and of reflectivity. Implications of a critical theory for self-directed learning and adult education are explored. A Charter for Andragogy is suggested.
Bye Bye BB
Carlous

[michael]

It it heart breaking to realise that some people would justify and even glorify Inoni's actions despite the turmiol, frustration and humiliation which our great nation has suffered. Who in their right mind would praise a leader who in 10 years has not been able to inspire the people. How can you support the Biya regime when the government's actions is characterised by oppression, dictatorship, injustice and greed. I am almost tempted to wonder if we are talking about the same Cameroon!!! If those people could only put the national interest, before personal gain, the out come might have been different. True we are being oppressed, our voices are not being heard, true, their mere command is all it takes for us to stubble again and again but, my friends, SOMEDAY, things will be better. Even though they have handicapped our ability to fight for ourselves, someday justice will prevail. Nature itself has a way of fostering justice(see Omer Bongo). When that day comes, the anguish which would over power them, will out weigh the sufferings which they put us through. Let us stick together and be hopeful for that day is inevitable.