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World Bank urges Biya regime to enhance tax collection

8, August 2024

World Bank urges Biya regime to enhance tax collection 0

Cameroon, Central Africa’s second-largest economy, needs to strengthen its tax collection and improve public spending efficiency to boost economic growth, according to the World Bank.

Despite reducing its fiscal deficit by approximately 5 percentage points over six years to just 1.1% of GDP in 2022, largely through cuts in public investment, the World Bank emphasizes that targeted spending is crucial for sustainable growth.

“Cameroon’s fiscal consolidation was expenditure-driven, leading to low levels of public spending that hinder the provision of adequate services and infrastructure investment,” the World Bank noted in a recent report.

To enhance its economic performance, Cameroon needs a medium-term revenue strategy focused on more effective tax collection and improved allocation of resources. Social sectors like health and education have been particularly impacted by under-investment and inefficiencies.

The report also highlights the need to diversify revenue sources, as direct taxation remains low and stagnant. Cameroon’s reliance on value-added tax is compounded by underperforming international trade taxes and levies on property and forests, which cover a third of the country’s territory.

Amid rising global interest rates, borrowing costs in dollars have increased, forcing many governments to seek domestic solutions. However, Cameroon recently secured $550 million through a dollar bond sale with a yield of 10.75%, indicating an urgent need for financing despite challenging conditions.

Cameroon has faced numerous crises, including the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Additionally, internal conflicts have exacerbated poverty in various regions, and a decline in crude oil production has strained government revenue.

Nonetheless, the International Monetary Fund anticipates growth to accelerate from 3.3% in 2023 to 3.9% in 2024, despite a tense political atmosphere. The 91-year-old President Paul Biya, who has ruled for nearly 42 years, is expected to seek re-election in the upcoming February presidential polls, amidst increasing political repression.

Source: Bloomberg

US: Kamala Harris picks Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as running mate

6, August 2024

US: Kamala Harris picks Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as running mate 0

Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris chose Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her vice-presidential running mate on Tuesday, according to US media.

Walz, a former US Army National Guard veteran and teacher, brings a blend of progressive policy achievements and Midwestern appeal to the Harris-Walz ticket, as they prepare to challenge Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance in the upcoming election.

Vice President Kamala Harris picked Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to be her running mate on Tuesday, choosing an affable longtime politician who Democrats hope can keep newfound party unity alive in a campaign barreling toward Election Day.

Harris said in a post on social media that Walz has “delivered for working families.” The two will appear together in Philadelphia at an evening rally.

Former French president Sarkozy leading a mission of entrepreneurs to Cameroon

6, August 2024

Former French president Sarkozy leading a mission of entrepreneurs to Cameroon 0

The former French president Nicolas Sarkozy will lead a mission of local entrepreneurs to Cameroon to explore investment opportunities in the African country and promote new projects. The mission, the date of which is not known, was announced in recent days by the former president himself, who met the president of Cameroon on the occasion of the Paris Olympics Paul Biya.

Sarkozy, who led France from 2007 to 2012, included the mission as part of his legal activities, specializing in relations between international investors. Furthermore, the topic was at the center of the 30-minute conversation with Biya, during which the parties reviewed the issues relating to French investments in Cameroon, as well as the details of the aforementioned mission. An initiative intended to shake up relations between private individuals, after French foreign direct investments (FDI) in the African country are declining: in 2022, these had reached 64 million euros, down compared to the 103 million recorded in 2021.

According to the report on Cameroon’s foreign trade published in April by the National Institute of Statistics, in 2023 France is in second place on the podium of Cameroon’s best customers, behind the Netherlands. With the African country, Paris has conquered a market share of 12,3 percent, while on the other hand Yaoundé’s exports to France are led by liquefied natural gas (47,6 percent), followed by products such as oils of crude oil (23,6 percent), cocoa butter (7 percent), fuels and lubricants (6,1 percent), crude aluminum (3,2 percent), aluminum paste and cocoa (3,2 percent) and sawn wood (3 percent). These products, the report specifies, will represent 2023 percent of exports to France in 96,1. In the same year, France ranked third among Cameroon’s suppliers with a volume of goods of 537,7 tons, equal to 7,6 percent of the market share. Around 200 companies work in the African country and over a hundred branches owned or managed by French citizens.

Source: agenzianova

Cameroonian-born Ngamba guarantees refugee team first Olympic medal

6, August 2024

Cameroonian-born Ngamba guarantees refugee team first Olympic medal 0

Boxer Cindy Ngamba said she was “just human like any other refugee” after making history by guaranteeing the Refugee Olympic Team a first Games medal.

The 25-year-old beat sixth-seeded Frenchwoman Davina Michel by unanimous decision on Sunday to reach the women’s 75kg semi-finals.

With both losing semi-finalists awarded bronze, the Cameroon-born fighter is assured of a medal at Paris 2024.

Ngamba moved to the UK aged 10, but cannot compete for Team GB because she does not have a British passport.

“It means the world to me to be the first ever refugee to win a medal,” she said. “I’m just a human, just like any other refugee and athlete all around the world.”

The Refugee Olympic Team first competed at Rio in 2016, but prior to this Games the team’s best results were two fifth-placed finishes in Tokyo through Hamoon Derafshipour in karate and Kimia Alizadeh in taekwondo.

Ngamba, who was the team’s flagbearer at the opening ceremony in Paris, next faces Atheyna Bylon of Panama on Thursday.

She added: “Hopefully in the next one, I will also get the job done. No, not hopefully. I will get it done.”

From Cameroon to Britain – who is Ngamba?

Ngamba is unable to return to Cameroon because of her sexuality – with homosexuality in the country punishable with up to five years in prison.

However, after 15 years in England, she is still fighting to be granted a visa and UK citizenship.

Five years ago she was on the verge of being deported after attending what she thought was a routine signing-on process to let authorities know she was still in the country.

Ngamba was arrested, along with her brother Kennet, and sent from Manchester to a detention camp in London, before being released the following day.

Before Paris 2024, GB Boxing unsuccessfully tried to add Ngamba to their ranks for the Olympic programme, even writing a request to the Home Office to grant her citizenship.

She won a scholarship with the IOC refugee team, and is the first female boxer to represent the team at a Game.

Source: Capitalfm.co

Djokovic wins his first Olympic gold after beating Alcaraz

4, August 2024

Djokovic wins his first Olympic gold after beating Alcaraz 0

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic scored his first Olympic gold on Sunday after beating Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz in stunning men’s tennis singles final. Djokovic, who claims a men’s-record 24 Grand Slam titles, previously won a bronze at the 2008 Summer Olympics  — but he had made it clear that was not sufficient.

Novak Djokovic won his first Olympic gold medal by beating Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2) in an enthralling men’s tennis singles final Sunday, giving the 37-year-old from Serbia the last significant accomplishment missing from his glittering resume.

Djokovic’s impressive career already featured a men’s-record 24 Grand Slam titles and the most weeks spent at No. 1 in the rankings by any man or woman. It also already contained a Summer Olympics medal, from 2008, but it was a bronze — and he has made clear that simply was not sufficient.

Until he got past bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti of Italy in the semifinals Friday, Djokovic was 0-3 in that round at the Games. He lost to the eventual gold winner each time: Rafael Nadal at Beijing in 2008, Andy Murray at London in 2012, and Alexander Zverev in Tokyo three years ago.

In Paris, wearing a gray sleeve over the right knee that required surgery for a torn meniscus two months ago, Djokovic faced Nadal in the second round and eliminated his longtime rival in straight sets. Now Djokovic is the oldest man to win the singles gold in his sport since 1908 — and prevented Spain’s Alcaraz, who is 21, from becoming the youngest.

When the victory was his, when the gold was his, thanks to one last forehand winner, Djokovic turned toward his team in the stands — sitting in front of his wife and their two children — and dropped his racket as he knelt on the clay. As emotional as ever, he cried and covered his face, then rose and grabbed a red-white-and-blue Serbian flag. After hugs in the stands, Djokovic waved that flag. Alcaraz wept afterward, too.

The final, which lasted 2 hours, 50 minutes despite being decided in only two sets, was a rematch of the Wimbledon title match three weeks ago that Alcaraz won to follow up his French Open title in June.

Alcaraz also defeated Djokovic in last year’s final at the All England Club, but Djokovic won when they met in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open, the annual clay-court tournament held at Roland Garros, the site used for tennis during these Olympics.

Sunday’s contest was an enthralling matchup, featuring one of the best to ever do it in Djokovic, and the best at the moment in Alcaraz. Indeed, could have been frustrating for Djokovic to find himself once again across the net from a younger, speedier version of himself. Maybe that’s why Djokovic frequently looked up and gesticulated and muttered toward his guest box.

Still, he came out on top

It required long exchanges filled with superb ball-striking at the baseline, deft drop shots — Alcaraz’s tended to be more successful, sometimes so good Djokovic declined to even give chase — and tremendous sprinting, sliding, stretching defense at both ends. They served so well that neither got broken even once: Djokovic saved eight break points, Alcaraz six.

Most remarkable, perhaps, was how cleanly both men played, despite the talent of the opposition and pressure of the occasion. Unforced errors were rare.

The only shame, perhaps, for the fans — and, naturally, the loser — was that the Olympics uses a best-of-three-set format, instead of the best-of-five at Grand Slam tournaments. Make no mistake, this encounter between the No. 1-seeded Djokovic and No. 2-seeded Alcaraz was worthy of a major final, and no one fortunate enough to hold a ticket could complain about not getting their money’s worth.

Those in the stands became part of the show, repeatedly breaking out into choruses of “No-le! No-le!” or “Car-los! Car-los!” that often overlapped, creating an operatic fugue. In the second set, as Alcaraz attempted to mount a comeback, his supporters began chanting, “Si, se puede!” (essentially, “Yes, you can!”) while shaking their red-and-yellow flags. Chair umpire Damien Dumusois occasionally reminded folks to remain silent during the action.

Yet it also became as quiet as a theater between points, enough so that play was delayed briefly in the first set when the air thick with anticipation was pierced by a young child’s crying.

Both men played to the crowd. When Alcaraz raced to reach one drop shot and deposit it over the net for a winner, he basked in the raucous reaction by pointing his right index finger to his ear. When Djokovic laced a cross-court forehand winner on the run to cap a 10-shot point to lead 3-2 in the second tiebreaker, he waved both arms overhead to encourage folks who already were on their feet, screaming.

The first set alone lasted more than 1 1/2 hours, chock full of epic shots and epic games. One lasted 18 points spread over more than a dozen mesmerizing minutes, including five break chances for Alcaraz, before Djokovic managed to hold for a 5-4 lead. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic was superior in crunch time, as he so often is, taking the last four points.

At 3-all, Alcaraz delivered a body serve, but Djokovic slid just enough to his left to smack a cross-court forehand return winner. After two mistakes by Alcaraz, Djokovic produced a volley winner and turned to face his family with a fist held high.

Source: AP

“MOHWA leadership is corrupt; Ekpe has become another Indian military” Dr Joachim Arrey

4, August 2024

“MOHWA leadership is corrupt; Ekpe has become another Indian military” Dr Joachim Arrey 0

Following the launch of EYUMEMA, an organization which morphed from MOHWA Inc, USA, many people of Manyu descent have been talking about the disunity which has been the hallmark of Manyu people. To gain a better understanding of the situation, we turned to Dr. Joachim Arrey, a man who is driven by a passion to see Manyu Division make giant strides towards sustainable development and who has published a lot on Manyu organizations many of which have not stood the test of time due to internecine fighting and defections. He has recently produced some thought-provoking articles on EYUMEMA and he is hopeful that where Manyu men have failed, Manyu women might make a massive difference in the lives of the people.  Our North America correspondent Alain Agbor Ebot, caught up with Dr. Joachim Arrey in his Brampton, Ontario, Canada residence and he had a lot to say about Manyu and Cameroon in this soul-searching conversation.

Cameroon Concord News: Thanks for letting me into your home and for accepting to grant this interview at a time when Manyu is going through a lot both at the political and cultural levels. What is your take on the creation of EYUMEMA which was once known as MOHWA Inc, USA?

Dr Joachim Arrey: Thank you my dear journalist for taking time off your tight schedule to let me share my thoughts on the creation and launch of EYUMEMA which I did characterize in one of my articles as a new beautiful girl in town. The occasion in Ohio was a great sight to behold and I am really a fan of this new organization which is raising money to empower the Manyu girl and to bring some life-altering projects to Manyu Division. I have been talking to some of the women who were in Ohio for the launch and they are truly driven by an infectious passion which is winning the organization many followers and supporters. They exude enthusiasm, passion and unity which are key to any organization’s success. I would like to mention that even before the organization adopted its new name, it had raised funds for the drilling of boreholes in many parts of Manyu Division and when you provide water to a community, you make the lives of the people better. Water is life and he who has guarantees of clean water also has guarantees of being healthy and staying away from water-related diseases. The creation of EYUMEMA is welcome and, as you know, the more the merrier. I stand for multiple organizations for Manyu provided Manyu is at the centre of their activities. Like many people I have talked to, I hold that previous organizations did not live up to the billing and EYUMEMA’s emergence is delivering hope to many people of Manyu descent. NOMA, MECA-USA, MOHWA, Ekpe and others did not and are not living up to the glorious expectations of the people and this is unfortunately disheartening.

Cameroon Concord News: What do you think will become of MOHWA now that we are seeing more defections and new organizations popping up and distancing themselves from MOHWA?

Dr Joachim Arrey: I don’t think MOHWA is dead and gone. It has been significantly diminished and fragilized following the creation of EYUMEMA and now NYENE MAWN in Europe. Each new organization only takes a huge bite out of MOHWA’s following, but this does not spell death to MOHWA if its leaders can reinvent themselves. I have spoken to many young women who have walked away from MOHWA and the same complaints keep coming up – the current MOHWA leadership is suffering from chronic corruption and it is high-handed. In Great Britain, Canada, continental Europe and Cameroon, the leaders seem to be conducting themselves like the lords of the universe, making it hard for their followers to express their minds and suggest ideas which could help the organization to grow to become a key development agency for Manyu Division. There have been cases of financial impropriety and misconduct in America, UK and Cameroon and those involved are the leaders who hold that they are not accountable to the people. This is one of the many issues which have driven a wedge between the MOHWA leadership and those who have opted to create their own organizations in order to take a new and different route; a route marked by transparency, accountability and humility. The world has changed and those who want to play key leadership roles in any organization or community must conduct themselves differently. They must be seen as beacons of hope and not spurns of Satan. MOHWA still has a chance to reinvent itself. Its leadership must change its ways and the organization must be driven by younger people whose vision of life is totally different. They do not want the older women to strap them to ignorance and intimidation which have clearly overstayed their welcome. I want to be upfront with MOHWA leaders. They have to think differently and they must avoid being frozen in time. They must adapt to the changing times if they must attract new members. The errors of the past could be forgiven if the leaders accept their mistakes by taking a brand-new path. The ball is in their court. They can either bury their heads in the sand and kill MOHWA or accept that mistakes have been made and give MOHWA a chance to emerge from its own ashes like the proverbial phoenix.

Cameroon Concord News: We have noticed that you have been very critical of Ekpe and you do not seem to admire the organization. Do you think you will one day join such an organization as many back home hold that every successful Manyu son should join Ekpe? 

Dr Joachim Arrey: I am a free-thinking writer who has walked away from conservatism and a past which has been anything but glorious. I have embraced modernism and development is always at the heart of my thoughts. Any organization which embraces development will win my heart and mind. As a writer, my role is also to trigger debate, especially a debate which is supposed to help the majority of the people to see beyond their noses.  Ekpe has existed for many decades, if not centuries, but for all this time, it has been a ‘food-and-drink’ organization. Food and drinks remain measures and units of value for Ekpe members and I am against such a backward mindset. As an experienced writer and someone who wants Manyu to grow by leaps and bounds, I hold that Ekpe’s role should evolve over time so that it can play a key role in Manyu’s development. Ekpe, as I knew it in my dad and grandfather’s day, was an organization which only brought people of sterling qualities into its fold but in recent times, ethics and morality have been relegated to the background and, today, even people with questionable characters get admitted into Ekpe. It is not in error that Ekpe is now seen as a status symbol by many instead of an organization which should build discipline and character into its members. Today, there are more Seseskous in Ekpe than there are ordinary members. Ekpe has become another Indian military which has more generals and fewer foot soldiers. Once members of an organization erroneously see themselves as the cream of society, know that the society is doomed to failure and that is why morals have taken a nosedive in most Manyu communities around the world. Many of those who lead Ekpe lodges today are not worth their weight in gold and they are helping to spread moral corruption in our communities. With many Ekpe members back home caught up in the throes of humiliating poverty, they are selling those titles like young street boys in Mamfe selling peanuts. Poverty hardly breathes virtue and these poor custodians of our culture are being gaslit by those who have money, especially members of the Manyu Diaspora who are looking for recognition and validation.

Cameroon Concord News: You have been very blunt on the issue of Manyu development and Manyu organizations. Will you also be forthcoming when it comes to your involvement in politics in Cameroon? We are hearing that you may be a candidate in the upcoming senatorial or parliamentary elections in Cameroon. The news is all over Mamfe and this is creating some pain and joy within political circles in Mamfe. How true is that?

Dr Joachim Arrey: Thank you for asking this question. As you know, I am a passionate analyst and observer of Cameroon’s political landscape. I am of the view that Manyu needs bold, aggressive and determined politicians who can bring sustainable development to Manyu.  As the old generation fades away, Manyu should be preparing a new generation of knowledgeable and development-oriented politicians who will help to provide much-needed leadership in the development realm. What many people do not know is that I have been involved in Cameroon’s politics for more than 34 years and writing to sensitize the population is one of the many effective ways of engaging in politics. I write a lot and sometimes my thoughts get some attention. Instead of being prescriptive, I am always descriptive, making possible suggestions on how the numerous issues facing our country can addressed. I am happy to have this information from you. You are a journalist and I know you have your ears to the ground. If Cameroonians know that I can make significant contributions to efforts at addressing major problems back home, then that is really music to my ears. However, for now, I still have some unfinished business wherever I am and when the time comes; you will know my decision, that is, if the right conditions will be in place for me to participate. I am not the type who only criticizes. I like addressing issues and if I am given an opportunity to help my country, then I will like to use that opportunity to make Manyu a better place than I met it.  If and when I make that decision, I will let you know.

Cameroon Concord News: Thanks Dr. Arrey for sharing your thoughts. Any last remark?

Dr Joachim Arrey: Thanks for granting me access to the Concord Group. It is always a pleasure to share my thoughts with you. I would like to indicate that I will continue to be active in the writing and political landscape in Cameroon and I will encourage younger Manyu sons and daughters to be involved in politics. They should start early for them to start learning the ropes. They must know that if you want to move a mountain, you must start by moving stones. Life is a journey of learning and it would be in their best interest if they opened their minds. Have a day!

World Bank wants to strengthen Cameroon’s digital infrastructure

4, August 2024

World Bank wants to strengthen Cameroon’s digital infrastructure 0

An Expression of Interest (EOI) announcement has been published by the World Bank seeking a contractor for a project that aims to strengthen the Cameroon government’s cybersecurity architecture.

Opened on July 29, interested candidates with expertise in the field of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have up to August 12 at midnight, local time, to submit their EOI forms.

According to the notice, the firm to be eventually selected will carry out analyses and draft reports to help increase the capacity of the government and local stakeholders in assessing and managing cybersecurity risks for the country’s digital infrastructure.

In addition, these analyses and reports are also expected to help “improve the enabling environment for secure, trusted electronic transactions through improved regulatory framework for e-signature and implementation of a sustainable and scalable PKI architecture.”

The World Bank insists that those interested in participating in the bidding process must show proof of their competence through documented evidence. This must include information confirming that they are qualified, information about the firm’s technical and managerial capabilities, its core business operations and duration in business, as well as information on the qualification of its staff.

At the close of the EOI window in under two weeks, a shortlist of the best candidates will then be published for their bid files to be submitted.

The move by the Cameroon government to fortify its cybersecurity foundations is part of the country’s broader digital transformation plans. It specifically aligns with the Project to Accelerate Digital Transformation in Cameroon (PATNuC) which has the modernization of digital infrastructure and enhancement of digital trust as one of its core components. The initiative has the financial and technical accompaniment of a number of international development partners and donors.

Cameroon has a cybersecurity law enacted in December 2010, but digital rights advocates have since called for its revision to match the changes in the digital space such as the emergence of generative artificial intelligence.

The country is also yet to ratify the Malabo Convention, otherwise known as the African Union Convention on Cybersecurity and Personal Data Protection – a legislation adopted by African Union member states in 2014. It outlines an eclectic legal framework for addressing several issues related to cybersecurity, personal data protection and cybercrime.

Source: Biometricupdate

SNH Corruption: Moudiki says staff linked to Glencore bribes will face UK court

4, August 2024

SNH Corruption: Moudiki says staff linked to Glencore bribes will face UK court 0

The head of Cameroon’s National Hydrocarbons Corporation (SNH) has said some managers and employees will appear before a UK court over suspected involvement in bribery offences linked to Swiss commodity trader Glencore (GLEN.L), opens new tab.

Adolphe Moudiki, SNH’s administrator and director general, had previously denied staff involvement but late on Friday issued a statement saying some employees had been identified as suspects and would appear before a British court on Sept. 10.

In June 2022, Glencore’s UK subsidiary pleaded guilty at a London court to seven counts of bribery in connection with oil operations in Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and South Sudan.

On Thursday, Britain’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) charged Glencore’s former head of oil Alex Beard with two conspiracies to make corrupt payments to government officials and employees of state-owned oil companies in Nigeria and in Cameroon.

“SNH welcomes the progress of proceedings against the perpetrators and accomplices of the acts of corruption that have tarnished its image,” Moudiki said in the statement.

He did not say how many SNH staff were involved.

Glencore’s UK subsidiary has admitted it paid bribes in Cameroon to SNH officials and others to the sum of 7 billion CFA francs ($11 million) to secure preferential access to oil between 2011 and 2016.

That raises the risk of cholera and other diseases in an area already facing extreme levels of malnutrition, where 500,000 people reside, including Yahia Ali.

Cameroonian lawyer and anti-corruption specialist Akere Muna said SNH should disclose identities of those involved and suspend all dealings with Glencore.

“The culprits are within Cameroon, the transactions that gave rise to the corruption took place in Cameroon yet they expect us to believe the solution will come from London,” said Muna, a former vice-chairperson of corruption watchdog Transparency International.

In July 2022, Cameroon’s state anti-corruption commission said an investigation into the bribery offences was underway, but it has not since shared further details.

SNH is a state company that sells the share of national crude oil production accruing to the state on the international market.

Source: Reuters

UN Human Rights Chief en route to Yaoundé

3, August 2024

UN Human Rights Chief en route to Yaoundé 0

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk will conduct an official mission to Cameroon from 5 to 7 August.

During his visit, Türk is scheduled to meet senior Government officials, including President Paul Biya and Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute, as well as members of a wide range of political parties, officials of the Cameroon Human Rights Commission, representatives of civil society organisations, members of the diplomatic corps and UN entities.

The Human Rights Chief will also inaugurate new premises for the Central Africa Regional Office (OHCHR-CARO) in the capital Yaoundé. The Office covers Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Rwanda, and São Tomé and Príncipe.

This is the first visit by High Commissioner Türk to Cameroon. Türk’s predecessor visited the country in May 2019.

A press conference will be held on Wednesday, 7 August in Yaoundé. Access will be limited to accredited media and details will be communicated locally.

Source: ohchr

Cameroon Olympic boxer fears being ‘killed or put in prison’ if she returns home

2, August 2024

Cameroon Olympic boxer fears being ‘killed or put in prison’ if she returns home 0

Boxer Cindy Ngamba is hopeful of winning a medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics – but has vowed never to go back to her home country of Cameroon.

Ngamba left the African nation aged just 11 with her family to head to the UK, where they settled in Bolton, eventually being granted asylum status years later.

She picked up boxing a decade ago, but while she trains with GB Boxing and had hoped to represent Great Britain at the games, she has been prevented from doing so after failing to attain a British passport in time.

As such, in Paris she is representing the 37-athlete strong Refugee Olympic Team and was one of their flagbearers in the opening ceremony.

But Ngamba has no intention of ever stepping foot in the country of her birth again, having come out as gay aged 18.

‘In Cameroon, it’s illegal to have any kind of sexuality instead of straight,’ the now 25-year-old said of this summer’s games.

‘That was one of the reasons why I was given refugee status. I can’t go back.’

Ngamba’s worst fears were nearly realised shortly after she came out, when she and her brother were arrested during a routine visit to an immigration centre in Bolton and subsequently sent to a detention camp in London.

‘It was like a prison in there, I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy,’ she recalled.

‘I spoke to some of the women, some had children with them, some didn’t know if they were going back that evening. I was left with so many thoughts, not knowing what was going to happen to me.

‘I had created something here and I would be sent back to a country I hadn’t been to since I was a child.’

Everything has been going to plan so far in Paris however, winning her opening bout in the women’s 75kg event against the third seed Tammara Thibeault from Canada.

Ngamba, who previously won British National Amateur Championships in three different weight categories, will now take on France’s Davina Michel in the quarter-finals on Sunday.

‘If it wasn’t for the support I got from the people who saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself…no matter how hard you try, it’s those people who started this for me.

‘Having to adapt to a lifestyle here was difficult. Then becoming an adult and needing papers to take the next step, making my case to the Home Office and failing so many times, it’s been very, very hard.’

Source: metro.co.uk

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