Headline News

3, August 2016

CPDM tycoon dies in Paris, France ⁰

André Fotso, a prominent CPDM business leader and CEO of Groupement Inter Patronal Du Cameroun is no more. Andre Fotso passed away in Paris, France late on Tuesday at the age of 58. The late business tycoon hailed from Bandjoun in the West region.

Fotso owned a holding company including TAF Investment Group, 3T Cameroon, Fme-Gaz and Cometal. He joined the Cameroon employers group, GICAM and was elected to head the body in 2002.

In December 2014, he was again re-elected to head GICAM, a position he held until his sudden disappearance to the land of his ancestors. He also moonlighted as President of the Eco Bank Board.

Chi Prudence Asong (Cameroon Intelligence Report)

3, August 2016

32 fake universities closed in UK amid concerns students being sold invalid degrees ⁰

More than 30 fake universities have been closed in the United Kingdom over the past year amid growing concerns about students being sold invalid degrees. According to a study published on Tuesday, a watchdog organization that monitors fake university degrees in the UK, known as Hedd (Higher Education Degree Datacheck), identified a total of 62 bogus institutions in 2015, with 32 of them being shut down by law enforcement and trading standards agencies, the Guardian reported.

Of the 32 fake institutions closed, 25 were based overseas, said Jayne Rowley, the director of Hedd. “All the ones that were shut down were completely bogus,” she said,describing the universities as “completely fake sites that talk of campuses of students when there’s literally nothing there at all.”

Since 2011, 220 bogus UK universities have been identified and 80 percent of them are no longer active, Rowley noted. Degree fraud has turned into a serious problem in the UK over the past years with recent evidence showing an increase in the number of universities offering fake degree certificates.

“With the onset of the internet and distance learning, degree fraud is a borderless crime and we must collaborate with agencies around the world to deal with it,” Rowley said. “An awful lot of fraud goes undetected, but we also need to get people thinking more about prevention,” she concluded.

Presstv

2, August 2016

President Erdogan accuses the West of supporting terror in Turkey ⁰

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused the West on Tuesday of “supporting terror” in Turkey and backing those who masterminded of the abortive coup of July 15. During a speech at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, the Turkish president lashed out at the country’s Western allies, saying the failed coup was a “scenario written from outside,” in an apparent reference to the involvement of foreign powers.

“Unfortunately, the West is supporting terror and standing by the coup plotters.” “This coup was not just an event planned from the inside. The actors inside acted out a scenario for a coup written from the outside,” the Turkish president stated.

The Turkish president had previously hinted at the potential involvement of foreign powers in the coup attempt, but the Tuesday remarks saw some of the strongest allegations raised by him against Turkey’s Western allies. Erdogan also denounced “those who we imagined to be friends.”

The Turkish government accuses Fethullah Gulen, a cleric based in the United States, of orchestrating the coup attempt. Ankara has even called for the extradition of Gulen. Washington, however, insists that Turkey must verify its allegations.

“How can it be, when we are strategic partners and I ask you on behalf of my country to hand someone over on the basis of a national security strategy document, you keep on hiding and sheltering him?” Erdogan asked.

German court ruling

The Turkish president also slammed Germany over a court ruling that prohibited Erdogan and other Turkish officials to address a weekend rally in the city of Cologne in support of the Turkish government.

Using heavy irony, Erdogan said, “Bravo! The courts in Germany work very fast!” More than 60,000 people have been sacked, dismissed or detained in Turkey over allegations of involvement in the coup attempt and their links to Gulen. Ankara is under fire for its heavy crackdown on elements believed to be behind the failed coup.

On Tuesday, Turkey issued arrest warrants for 100 staff, including doctors, at the main military hospital in the capital Ankara, with officials saying the move was part of an investigation into the coup

Presstv

2, August 2016

UK Labour Party leadership crisis: Jeremy Corbyn slowly but surely chasing away the Blairites ⁰

UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn says the challenge to his leadership has created a “massive opportunity” to unite people across the country. Addressing up to 10,000 of his supporters at a campaign event in Liverpool on Monday, Corbyn said the ongoing battle for leadership in the party provides an opportunity to unite Britons against the “Tory philosophy.”

“I don’t see this leadership contest as a distraction,” said Corbyn. “I see it as a massive opportunity to reach out to people all across this country and have the strength and confidence [to stand up to] those who tell us that nothing we’re trying to do is possible, that what we have to do is compromise with the Tory philosophy and free market ideas and all will be well.”

Corbyn, who needs to beat former BBC producer Owen Smith in order to keep his throne as the opposition leader, described the audience as the largest crowd he had at a leadership campaign rally.

“This is a campaign about, on one level, the leadership of the Labour Party, but it’s also a campaign about how we do politics in our society,” he noted, before getting more specific about issues such as mental health services, workers’ rights and homelessness.

Presstv

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)