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2, August 2016

Cameroon says EU sanctions imposed on Camair-Co lifted ⁰

Transport Minister Edgard Alain Mebo Ngo’o has announced that the European Union ban on Camair-Co flights to Europe has been lifted. Mr. Mebo Ngo’o in a press release signed in Yaounde revealed that the decision was reached after a very productive tripartite dialogue grouping his ministry, the Cameroon Civil Aviation Authority (CCAA) and the Cameroon Airlines Corporation (Camair-Co).

Cameroon Concord News understands that after the approval by the Head of State, Paul Biya of the so called recovery plan for the national airline Camair-Co, which will allow the reorganization and restructuring of the said company and a fruitful discussions held in Brussels on 20 July 2016 with European aviation authorities, the restriction measures imposed on Camair-Co flights to Europe were cancelled.

By Rita Akana (Cameroon Concord News Group)

2, August 2016

Seeking for notice: Douala based NGO crowns President Biya “Most Loved Politician” ⁰

President Paul Biya has been crowned “Most loved politician” among four other politicians in the country. Meanwhile, First Lady Chantal Biya was crowned “Most enterprising woman of action” among four other women. They were awarded the “Most Patriotic Excellence Award” at a ceremony in the headquarters of the “Roi de la Ferraille Koloko Levis-Claude” Foundation in Bonaberi, Douala, on July 30, 2016.

Immediately following the presidential couple were the SDF Vice Chairman, Joshua Osih, President of the Cameroon National Salvation Front, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, former Minister and President of MRC party, Maurice Kamto, Banda Kani as well as Elimbi Lobe, for the “Most loved politician” category. Libom li Likeng Minette, Courtès Ketcha, Caroline Ngo Banseck and Jacqueline Mbarga, won the “Most enterprising woman of action” prize.

The award follows several months of voting by television viewers on Dan Broadcasting Corporation, DBS TV and further research by the “Roi de la Ferraille Koloko Levis-Claude” Foundation. Speaking at the event in Bonaberi, Douala, Hubert Etoundi, DBS General Manager and promoter of the award, said it reflects the views of the people confirmed through intense research.

“It is very necessary to recognise these people for their patience, stamina, peace, etc. They contribute to the peace and development of the nation,” he underscored. Some 45 other people received awards in the categories for economic-political patriotism, patriotic investors, living together and petty trades. The presidential couple, like some of the recipients, was not present. Those who were present either in person or represented did receive their awards.

Cameroon Tribune

1, August 2016

Germany suspends funding for micro projects in Cameroon ⁰

Germany, the largest economy within the European Union has suspended the financing of micro development projects in Cameroon for the years 2016 and 2017. The official reasons for this decision have not been made public by the Merkel administration. What we do know however is that applications will be accepted after the resumption of funding.

10 micro-projects were financed in 2012 alone. In total, the development assistance provided by the Federal Republic of Germany amounts to 679 million FCFA. This amount will, according to the German Embassy, grow to 65.8 billion FCFA.

The new leader at the German embassy in Yaoundé recently revealed that between 2017 and 2019, funds will be invested in three priority areas of German cooperation with Cameroon which includes decentralization and accountable governance, sustainable management of natural resources and natural resources. The health sector will also receive financial support to facilitate the fight against child and maternal mortality.

By Sama Ernest (Cameroon Concord News)

1, August 2016

Biya gives guidelines for the 2017 budget ¹

Government now has a mirror to its 2017 budget. The traditional circular that gives guidelines for the preparation of the State budget is out, with President Paul Biya stressing the continuous implementation of the three-year emergency plan, smooth preparations for the 2019 African Cup of Nations, the operationalisation of the “Special Youth” emergency plan and the strict supervision of people affected by cross–border insecurity.

The circular comes as the country entered the second triennium (2016-2018) programme-based budget, with the executive directives hinging on government priorities and commitments that are aligned to the country’s long term development objectives contained in the Growth and Employment Strategy Paper (GESP). Government seeks the acceleration of economic growth and the improvement of the livelihoods of Cameroonians.

The Macroeconomic Context

The preparation of the 2017 budget comes at a time world economies are dangling. The International Monetary Fund notes that global economic growth stood at 3.1 per cent in 2015, is estimated at 3.2 in 2016, but expected to hit 3.5 in 2017 – driven by emerging and developing countries. Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to continue at relatively lower rates than in the past decades due to falling commodity prices.

The circular also comes at a time the Bank of Central African States, BEAC, indicates that growth in Central Africa is stagnating. Cameroon has however shown resilience, facing double shocks from insecurity and falling oil prices. Projections place growth at 6 per cent, up from 5.9 per cent – with an inflation rate of below 3 per cent in 2015.

Set Objectives

Top on government’s intents is to accelerate economic growth, make it strong, sustainable, inclusive and job creative. The achievement of the objectives is based on the modernization of agriculture (second-generation agriculture), the stepping up of energy supply, improvement of enterprise competitiveness, business climate, access to financing, promotion of the growth of local industry and the processing of local products.

Stakeholders tasked with preparing the State budget have been urged to maintain a real GDP growth rate of 6 per cent, an inflation rate of 3 per cent, an overall fiscal deficit of 3.3 per cent of GDP and a current account deficit of 3.6 per cent of GDP.

Cameroon Tribune

1, August 2016

The SDF dictator turns 75 ⁰

North West Governor, Adolphe Lele Lafrique, Senator Simon Achidi Achu, North West Fons, SDF faithful, friends and relatives were on July 31, 2016 part of special prayers for God’s grace and protection for the SDF National Chairman, Ni John Fru Ndi at 75 .The event at Presbyterian church, Baba II, home of the leading opposition party leader, inspired Fru Ndi to continue to work towards the betterment of Cameroon.

The thanksgiving event honoured and glorified God for Fru Ndi, whom speaker after speaker cheered as a rare statesman. Family Head and Son, Ni Thomas Ndi and Benjamin Fru Ndi thanked all who have supported and criticized the Chairman to be a better nation builder. Fru Ndi summed it himself when he said ”I will continue to be who I am when Cameroon is the subject, though I stretched my hand and the President did not take it the way I like”.

Twenty four hours earlier, Fru Ndi presided over a National Executive Committee (NEC) session of the SDF at his Ntarinkon residence where crucial decisions were endorsed to move forward the reorganization of SDF party structures in some regions that have so far, suffered speed brakes.

Cameroon Tribune

1, August 2016

CRTV: Benn Pufong is Mister News ⁰

The new general manager of CRTV has announced technical changes on programs in the corporation. Charles Ndongo recently decreed that the 7:30 and 8:30 news bulletins will henceforth have just one anchor person. Correspondingly, Benn Meno Pufong was appointed to host the 7:30 English language news while Adele Mballa was accorded the 8:30 news in the French language.

The Charles Ndongo order also nominated Atta Badyne Oumar and Esther Kima Tabot to deputize for Benn Pufong and Adele Mballa over the weekends. Ibrahim Cherif, the Chief of Information on national television defended the Ndongo move saying the duo presentation was no longer popular.

Rita Akana (Cameroon Concord News Group)

1, August 2016

GCE 2016 Session: Board Registrar reveals over 900 cases of examination malpractices ¹

The results of the 2016 session of examinations organized by the General Certificate of Education, GCE board have recorded an overall improvement compared to 2015. Statistics from the General Certificate of Education Board show that there has been a 6% improvement in the 2016 GCE Session of the examination.

However, there was a decline in the performance at the GCE Technical Advanced Level from 45 percent in 2015, to 40 percent this year. The Registrar of the GCE Board Humphrey Monono Ekema revealed over 900 cases of examination malpractices. The registrar also cited cases of candidates who have been banned for fighting with invigilators.

Humphrey Monono said there were cases were about 13 candidates in a single examination centre had the same errors. The Registrar thanked the invigilators and the teaching community and congratulated the successful candidates.

CRTV

31, July 2016

After Jacob Nguni: Menoua shines again as Miss Cameroon 2016 ⁰

Nguimfack Cheugueu Frankline Julie, 24, an MA student, Department of Management in the University of Douala who hails from Menoua in the West region like the great Jacob Nguni was crowned on Saturday as Miss Cameroon 2016 succeeding Jessica Ngoua Nseme who won the contest in 2015.

By Rita Akana

31, July 2016

Samuel Eto’o apology to Prime Minister Philemon Yang: CAMCORD News Chairman says Eto’o playing the Francophone game ⁰

Two years after Samuel Eto’o committed an act that remains today the biggest humiliation ever to a highly placed Cameroon government official, the former Cameroon skipper has apologize to Prime Minister Philemon Yang. The incident occurred during the final phase of the FIFA World Cup 2014 that held in Brazil. The Prime Minister and Head of Government, Philemon Yang, descended on that fateful Saturday, June 7, 2014 at the Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium at the end of a friendly farewell encounter against Moldova to hand over the national flag to the team before their departure for Brazil. The captain, supported by his teammates, refused to leave the dressing room to receive the flag. They wanted their bonuses to be paid first.

The disgrace was complete and total and a beaming Prime Minister Yang Philemon eventually handed the flag to the German technician Volker Finke, then head coach of the Indomitable Lions. Two years later, Samuel Eto’o Fils says he regrets his behavior. Said the Cameroon football legend, “There is someone who has been deeply offended, which is His Excellency the Prime Minister to whom I apologize. I have never had the opportunity to explain myself before him and to our people”. Samuel Eto’o made this statement during an interview broadcast last Friday, July 29, 2016 on the antennas of the Vox Africa TV channel in an interview conducted by Martin Camus Mimb and moderated by Laura Dave.

Reacting to the Eto’o apology late on Saturday, the Chairman and CEO of Cameroon Concord News Group, Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai observed that it was too little too late. Our chairman added that Eto’o was merely playing the Francophone game “because he understands that an apology to a senior citizen is not made via a foreign television channel.” Mr Soter Agbaw-Ebai blamed President Biya for the invitation he accorded Samuel Eto’o and his wife during the visit of French president Hollande when Eto’o had not apologized to the Prime Minister and the Cameroonian people for such a costly mistake.

Sama Ernest (Cameroon Concord News Group)

31, July 2016

Koffi Olomide is freeeeeeeed ⁰

While a court reportedly extended Koffi Olomide’s detention period to 15 additional days, the artist announced on his Face Book page late last night that he has been released and is back home with his family. Koffi added a thank you message to all his friends and fans and observed that he was humbled and grateful for the unwavering support.

On Friday the 29^th of July, a collegiality of judges rejected the bail application made by Koffi’s counsel. The court remanded him in custody for 15 days. Koffi’s lawyers we learned, appealed the decision.

He is pursued by the justice of his country for a violent kick on one of his dancers in Nairobi in front of television cameras. The video raised a stir in the world. The Congolese star was expelled from Kenya and saw his concert canceled in Lusaka (Zambia).

Chi Prudence Asong (Cameroon Concord News Group)