Headline News

New School Year: Minister warns against PTA fee abuses

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

CPDM Crime Syndicate: Biya regime paid CFA37bn in salaries to underperforming directors

29, August 2024

CPDM Crime Syndicate: Biya regime paid CFA37bn in salaries to underperforming directors 0

Between 2020 and 2024, directors, deputy directors, and board chairpersons of Cameroon’s public companies and institutions received a total of CFA48.4 billion in salaries. This amount was paid according to the salary scale set by a June 19, 2019 decree, which outlines the categories, remuneration, allowances, and benefits for executives of public companies and institutions in Cameroon.

Out of this total, about CFA37 billion went to executives whose entities showed poor or even negative performance, as revealed by a report titled “How Much Does the State Spend on Public Entity Executives’ Salaries?” by Cameroonian academic and governance expert Viviane Ondoua Biwolé.

She argues that the state is wasting money by paying salaries to underperforming executives who have either lowered the value of their companies or caused them to stagnate. The former Deputy Director-General of the Higher Institute of Public Management (ISMP) analyzed the performance of the 112 companies in her sample based on the January 1, 2023, decree by the Minister of Finance, which categorized public companies and institutions in Cameroon.

“The 2023 classification either rewards performance or sanctions it by reclassifying public entities based on the average turnover produced over three years, from 2020 to 2022. This reclassification affects the remuneration of executives (directors, deputy directors, and board chairpersons). In total, 37 companies and 75 public institutions are affected,” she notes.

Based on this official document, Viviane Ondoua Biwolé reveals that, concerning public companies, only three improved their performance, while four consolidated their position in category 1. However, 21 companies stagnated, and six regressed. “From the above, it appears that the executives of stagnating and regressing companies cost the state more, without significantly producing the expected value, amounting to a total of CFA16.1 billion, compared to CFA2.2 billion for executives whose actions helped create value,” she notes.

The same observation applies to the 75 public institutions in the sample. Here, it was revealed that the executives of the six declining entities and 63 stagnant ones received a total remuneration of CFA20.8 billion between 2020 and 2024, compared to just over CFA1 billion for those of the three entities that managed to create value.

Furthermore, in her analysis, the founder of the consulting firm OBIV Solutions highlights that in Cameroon, 43 board chairpersons continue to hold their positions in violation of current legislation. “Despite this irregularity, these board chairpersons improperly received a significant sum amounting to a total of CFA634 million. (…) This situation highlights major dysfunctions in governance and the implementation of reforms initiated by the Cameroonian authorities,” she concludes.

Source: Business in Cameroon

Of MOWAH and Comfort Beyang’s brother Assibong: the list of failures is legion

28, August 2024

Of MOWAH and Comfort Beyang’s brother Assibong: the list of failures is legion 0

Dear Assibong,

I have gone through your conglomeration of bunkum and from every indication, you are one of the few students my late father taught and whose sound English language skills did not have an impact on. I would suggest you go back to the English language lessons my father, a man noted for his great language skills, delivered to you. My dad should be unhappy today in Heaven after having read the mess you published.

Cameroon Concord News Group wishes it could say “rest in peace MOWAH”. But we of the Concord Group can only say, “may there be more peace for all Manyu women all over the world, now that thousands of them have retired the name MOWAH permanently”. EYUMEMA and NYENE MAWN have come to stay.

As Chairman and Editor-In-Chief of the Concord Group, I am, indeed, doing my family and me a huge disservice by glorifying your stupidity and madness by sending a reply to this new version of your old nonsense.

Your disjointed ideas and lack of lucidity in the narration of a story you know nothing about only makes you look like a true buffoon which should be used as a circus animal.

If anyone has been deceiving you that you are impressing anybody with this your piece of writing which belongs to a garbage bin, know that such a person does not love you.

You seem to be extolling the virtues of poverty, but to the best of my knowledge, poverty is only romantic in books. Your dad might have been popular in the land of the blind in those days, but today, ignorance and poverty cannot be condoned. Stop extolling poverty.

Let me lecture you on something. As the president of MOHWA, your sister Comfort Beyang jumped into the spotlight and when you embrace the spotlight, you open yourself up for criticism when you err on the side of manipulation and dictatorship. It was her stewardship as the MOHWA president that was called into question and not the poverty that has been stalking your family for decades.

If you were born into poverty, that is not your problem, but if you die in it, then you deserve a lot of blame. But this does not imply that you must rob others of their wealth just to become wealthy or engage in unorthodox sexual behavior to escape, even for a day, from the grip of poverty. You should know what I am talking about.

The last time I checked, the Catholic Church had not launched a complaint against my kid brother and the Catholic Church is a well established body with effective and efficient institutions designed to find out the truth.

I cannot remember anytime I was in the Mfoundi court and I never saw my mother crying on the streets of Yaoundé, a city she does not even know as you claim. When you listen to those stories, make sure you understand what you are being told. Don’t be selective in your understanding of events.

I have one piece of advice for you. Please go back to school and stop giving my late dad a bad name. Anybody who was my dad’s student knows how to write sound English. This your piece of nonsense speaks to how preposterous you were in school. Never tell anyone that my dad of blessed memory was your teacher. You have spoiled my dad’s day in Heaven with this piece of nonsense. I also hope Germans will also understand your own version of English as it is not of this world.

Yours truly

Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

In my next write up on Assibong, I will examine seriously the stories of him being a gay man who came back from Brazil and was trafficking in fake gold and made some money which he used to build a house at Rond Point in Douala. He couldn’t maintain the house and had to transform it into an auberge for evil men to come and have quickies.

Etoudi:  Biya sides with British American Tobacco

28, August 2024

Etoudi:  Biya sides with British American Tobacco 0

Under President Biya’s high orders, Agriculture Minister Henri Eyebe Ayissi has dropped the decision to expropriate British American Tobacco Cameroon from prime land in Yaoundé, despite having agreed to it only a few months earlier.

BAT Cameroun reportedly condemned the expropriation of its land in the Bastos district of Yaoundé. Cameroon Intelligence Report gathered that the seizure was overseen by lands minister Henri Eyebe Ayissi, and several names linked to Unity Palace were cited.

Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh Minister Secretary General at the Presidency of the Republic had earlier called for the setting up of a joint commission to investigate the allocation of state-owned plots of land in the nation’s capital Yaounde.

Rita Akana with files from Africa Intelligence

Archbishop Nkea on How Synod on Synodality Evolved from Pastoral to “more academic, intellectual topic”

28, August 2024

Archbishop Nkea on How Synod on Synodality Evolved from Pastoral to “more academic, intellectual topic” 0

The Synod on Synodality, which started off as a pastoral issue, bringing on board every baptized member of the Church, has now become a “theoretical” topic for intellectuals, the Archbishop of Cameroon’s Catholic Archdiocese of Bamenda has observed.

In his presentation at the August 23 session of the ongoing weekly synodal palavers, Archbishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya explored the various ways in which the ongoing multi-year Synod on Synodality, which Pope Francis extended to 2024, with the first phase, 4-29 October 2023, having concluded with a 42-page summary report, has evolved.

“Synodality has undergone an evolution from the time it was conceived through the time it was put out as a subject for the next synod up to where we are now,” Archbishop Nkea said at the event that the Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN) organized in collaboration with the Conference of Major Superiors of Africa and Madagascar (COMSAM).

He noted, “Synodality, which stood out as a pastoral topic, is becoming a more academic and intellectual topic.”

According to the Cameroonian Catholic Archbishop, synodality started as a means of gathering the people of God and getting everyone to participate in the life of the Church both in governance and in the preaching of the Gospel.

He said that along the way, he had noticed people move from discussions of inclusion and participation of every Christian in the life of the Church to “very fundamental theological discussions.”

Synodal conversations at present, he said, are theological in nature and “rise far above just the Christians and the Baptized participating in the life of the Church.”

“We started with participation, communion and mission, and these were just simple tools to get every baptized individual involved in the life and the governance of the Church,” the Archbishop of Bamenda, who also serves as President of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC) said.

“We are beginning to push down the three words that define synodality for us: participation, mission and communion. And we are beginning to move to more theological conversations,” the vocal Catholic Archbishop said, and expressed concern that the Synodal conversations are evolving in a way that “is taking us away from the more practical realm to the theoretical realm.”

The August 23 African palaver, which brought together African theologians, Clergy, women and men Religious, and Laity was organized under the theme, “Theological criteria and synodal methodologies as a basis for shared discernment of controversial doctrinal, pastoral and ethical issues.”

Source: aciafrica

Buea: Deadly attack on police officers an “act that violates human life”: Bishop Bibi

28, August 2024

Buea: Deadly attack on police officers an “act that violates human life”: Bishop Bibi 0

The Catholic Bishop of Buea Diocese in Cameroon has “strongly” condemned the killing of police officers in the country’s Southwest region following an attack on their security post located in his Episcopal See.

In a statement shared with ACI Africa on Monday, August 26, Bishop Michael Miabesue Bibi weighs in on the August 24 attack that reportedly resulted in the death of three police officers and injury of others; he appeals for peace in the troubled regions of the Central African nation.

“On Saturday, August 24, 2024, three policemen were killed by unidentified gunmen at Bwitingi, a locality in Buea Subdivision, Fako Division of the Southwest Region of Cameroon, Diocese of Buea,” Bishop Bibi says.

He adds, “From my visit to the site of the incident, three police officers on duty were killed in an attack which occurred around 10:30 P.M. The makeshift police post where the attack happened was established as a measure to protect civilians in the context of the ongoing armed conflict in the North-West and South West regions of Cameroon.”

“I strongly condemn any act that violates human life and pray for the conversion of the perpetrators of violence in our midst and for a return to peace and stability,” the Cameroonian Catholic Bishop says.

He continues, “The Church remains close to the families, friends, and relatives of the deceased. We equally pray for the eternal repose of the souls of the victims of this attack.”

“Every time we hear of killings in the context of the ongoing crisis, we are reminded that if we do not abandon the path of violence and seek the path of peace, violence will definitely continue to inflict pain, hurt, and trauma on us all,” he said.

The Catholic Church leader, who has been at the helm of Buea Diocese since December 2019, first as Apostolic Administrator, and since February 2021, as the Local Ordinary adds, “As Christians and people of goodwill, we must always remember the commandment of God: Thou shall not kill.”

Cameroon’s English-speaking regions plunged into conflict in 2016 after a protest by lawyers and teachers turned violent.

An armed movement of separatists claiming independence for the so-called republic of Ambazonia emerged following the government’s crackdown on protesters.

School boycotts have become common in these areas, as have enforced moratoriums on public life, resulting in what is known as “ghost towns”.

In his August 25 statement, Bishop Bibi reflects on the ongoing crisis, emphasizing the value of giving peace a chance.

“The integral development of our country requires peace. This peace that we seek as Christians is true peace. Peace which is not limited to maintaining a balance of powers between adversaries,” he says.

The Catholic Church leader who started his Episcopal Ministry as Auxiliary Bishop of Cameroon’s Bamenda Archdiocese in March 2017 explains that “peace cannot be attained on earth without safeguarding the goods of persons, free communication among men, respect for the dignity of persons and peoples, and the assiduous practice of fraternity. Peace is the tranquillity of order. Peace is the work of justice and the effect of charity.”

He appeals to the people of God under his pastoral care “to pray for a speedy return to peace in the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon, the peaceful repose of the souls of the departed victims of Saturday’s incident, and for stakeholders of the crisis to seek peaceful means to sustainable peace.”

Source: aciafrica

Yaoundé: Missing activist found in jail with signs of torture

28, August 2024

Yaoundé: Missing activist found in jail with signs of torture 0

A Cameroonian social media activist and government critic who disappeared last month has been located in a security cell of the military court in Yaoundé, Cameroon’s capital, with signs of torture, Human Rights Watch said Tuesday.

His lawyers believe the activist, known as Steve Akam, was extrajudicially returned to Cameroon from Gabon, where he had been living for the past decade. They gained access to him in custody in Yaoundé and found him partially paralysed with severe visual impairments, the international rights group said.

Akam, an outspoken critic of President Paul Biya’s administration, was last seen in a video circulated online that showed him handcuffed and surrounded by Cameroonian police near the border with Gabon.

He is better known by his social media profile Ramon Cotta on TikTok, which has over 30,000 followers. In a recent video, he accuses Biya of pursuing a war in Cameroon’s anglophone regions in order to remain in power.

Ilaria Allegrozzi, senior Sahel researcher at Human Rights Watch, said Akam “may already have lost his sight and ability to walk properly as a result of torture, so prompt action is immediately needed”.

She called on Cameroon to provide medical treatment and investigate the signs of torture. Cameroon’s government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Source: Reuters

“Take care of yourself and your life and live it. Bye.” Manager Eriksson dies aged 76

26, August 2024

“Take care of yourself and your life and live it. Bye.” Manager Eriksson dies aged 76 0

Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has died at the age of 76.

Eriksson, the first non-British manager of the England team, led the Three Lions to the quarter-finals at three major tournaments during his five-year spell in charge between 2001 and 2006.

In January, Eriksson said he had “at best” a year to live after being diagnosed with cancer.

His children, Lina and Johan, said on Monday: “Our father Sven-Goran Eriksson fell asleep peacefully in his home at Bjorkefors outside Sunne this morning. He has for a long time fought bravely with his illness, but now it came to an end.

“Dad told us at the beginning of this year about his serious illness and received an amazing response from friends and football fans around Europe.

“He was invited to several football teams in England, Italy, Portugal and Sweden. They shared their love for football and for dad.

“It was unforgettable for both him and us. He expressed his appreciation and joy and stated that such beautiful words are usually only uttered when someone has died.

“We hope that you will remember Svennis as the good and positive person he always was both in public and at home with us.”

Eriksson managed 12 clubs, including Manchester City, Leicester, Roma and Lazio, winning 18 trophies.

The Swede also had spells in charge of Mexico, Ivory Coast and the Philippines.

After retiring as a player at the age of 27, he began his managerial career with Degerfors in 1977 before joining fellow Swedish side Gothenburg, where he won the league title, two domestic cups and the 1982 Uefa Cup.

He then went on to enjoy two spells with Portuguese giants Benfica as well as managing Italian sides Roma, Fiorentina, Sampdoria and Lazio – where he won seven trophies including the Serie A title, two Italian Cups and the European Cup Winners’ Cup.

‘Don’t be sorry, smile’

Following his diagnosis, Eriksson spent the year visiting some of his former clubs, including Lazio and Sampdoria.

In March the Swede, a lifelong Liverpool fan, helped lead a Liverpool Legends team which beat an Ajax Legends side 4-2 at Anfield.

He shared a poignant message at the end of his new documentary ‘Sven’, which was released earlier this month.

In the closing scene of the Amazon film, Eriksson says: “I had a good life. I think we are all scared of the day when it is finished – when we die.

“But life is about death as well. You have to learn to accept it for what it is.

“Hopefully at the end, people will say: ‘Yeah, he was a good man.’ But everyone will not say that. I hope you will remember me as a positive guy trying to do everything he could do.

“Don’t be sorry, smile. Thank you for everything – coaches, players, the crowds. It has been fantastic. Take care of yourself and your life and live it. Bye.”

‘A true gentleman of the game’

Former England striker Michael Owen described Eriksson as “one of the very best” and “a man who will be sadly missed by everyone in the world of football”.

The Prince of Wales, who is president of the Football Association, said: “Sad to hear about the passing of Sven-Goran Eriksson.

“I met him several times as England manager and was always struck by his charisma and passion for the game. My thoughts are with his family and friends. A true gentleman of the game.”

FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said: “This is a very sad day. He gave all England fans such special memories.

“Sven will be rightly recognised and forever remembered for his significant work with the England team, and for his wider contribution to the game.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “Deeply saddened to hear that Sven-Goran Eriksson has passed away.

“He will be remembered for his tremendous contribution to English football which brought joy to so many over the years. Our thoughts are with his family.”

Fifa lowered Sweden’s flag to half mast at its headquarters, and president Gianni Infantino said: “As a coach, Sven-Goran was both a great innovator and a true ambassador of our beautiful game.

“As a football person, he always led with enthusiasm and with a smile. On behalf of Fifa and our global community, I send my condolences to Sven-Goran’s family and friends at this difficult time.”

One of Eriksson’s most famous results as England boss was a 5-1 win over Germany in Munich to help the Three Lions qualify for the 2002 World Cup

Eriksson resigned as Lazio manager in January 2001 to succeed Kevin Keegan as England boss.

He revived a flagging 2002 World Cup qualifying campaign to secure their place at the tournament in Japan and South Korea, including a stunning 5-1 victory over Germany in Munich.

The Three Lions defeated Argentina 1-0 in the group stage at that tournament but were beaten 2-1 by eventual winners Brazil in the quarter-finals. They would also reach the last eight two years later at Euro 2004, before losing to hosts Portugal on penalties.

In January 2006, after securing England’s place at that summer’s World Cup, it was announced Eriksson was to leave following the tournament in Germany despite having two years left on his contract.

No official reason was given for his departure at the time, although the Swede had come under pressure after being caught in a newspaper sting by a tabloid journalist.

England went on to reach the quarter-finals again but were beaten once more by Portugal on penalties.

Eriksson’s years as England manager were marked by stories about private life, including newspapers revealing relationships with television presenter Ulrika Jonsson in 2002 and former Football Association secretary Faria Alam in 2004.

A nomadic later career

Eriksson went on to have a nomadic career following his England departure, including leading Manchester City to ninth in the Premier League during the 2007-08 season.

He also had a short spell as director of football at League Two side Notts County in 2009-10 and 18 months in charge of Leicester, then in the Championship, between 2010 and 2011.

His final club jobs were with Chinese Super League sides Guangzhou R&F, Shanghai SIPG and Shenzhen between 2013 and 2017.

On the international front, Eriksson failed to lead Mexico to the 2010 World Cup, although he would go to the tournament in South Africa as coach of the Ivory Coast, though they failed make it out of their group.

His final managerial position was a 10-game spell as Philippines boss between October 2018 and January 2019.

Source: BBC

Biya regime extends income tax filing deadline to December 1, 2024

26, August 2024

Biya regime extends income tax filing deadline to December 1, 2024 0

Finance Minister, Louis Paul Motaze, announced on August 23 a further extension for non-professional taxpayers’ annual personal income tax (IRPP) filing deadline. Initially set for June 30, 2024, and first extended to September 1, the deadline is now December 1, 2024. This extension aims to give taxpayers more time to fulfill their tax obligations.

Motaze explained that the high volume of recent tax declarations drove the decision. He expressed satisfaction with the increasing number of compliant taxpayers. However, the minister warned that failing to meet the new deadline will result in penalties as outlined in the Tax Procedures Code.

To assist taxpayers, the Ministry of Finance has established support teams at local tax offices and the General Directorate of Taxes. Online assistance is also available through a toll-free hotline (8200), an online help platform on the General Directorate of Taxes website, and a messaging service (+237 691 881 881) for Cameroonians abroad.

Since 2021, non-professional taxpayers receiving income such as salaries, pensions, annuities, dividends, and rental income have been required to submit an annual income declaration by June 30 each year. This requirement, introduced by the 2021 Finance Law signed by President Paul Biya on December 17, 2020, aims to broaden the tax base and ensure greater transparency in income reporting.

Source: Business in Cameroon

Bundes: Chancellor Scholz vows to increase deportations after visit to Solingen mass stabbing site

26, August 2024

Bundes: Chancellor Scholz vows to increase deportations after visit to Solingen mass stabbing site 0

Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz said his government was looking at more ways to increase the rate of deportations during a visit to the site of a deadly mass stabbing carried out by a suspected Islamic State group member from Syria. Speaking during the visit, Scholz said that deportations had already increased by some two thirds compared to 2021 levels.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz vowed to step up deportations on Monday during a visit to Solingen, where a deadly mass stabbing linked to the Islamic State group has emboldened the far-right opposition and stoked criticism of his government’s handling of migration.

“We will have to do everything we can to ensure that those who cannot and are not allowed to stay in Germany are repatriated and deported,” Scholz told reporters in the western city, where he laid a flower at the scene of the crime.

“This was terrorism, terrorism against us all,” he added.

The attack, in which a 26-year-old suspected Islamic State group member from Syria is accused of killing three people, has fuelled political tensions over asylum and deportation rules ahead of three state elections next month.

The militant Islamist group claimed responsibility for the attack, which occurred on Friday evening during a festival celebrating Solingen’s 650-year history. Alongside the three killed, eight were injured, some seriously.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which campaigns for a crackdown on migration, is leading in the polls in Saxony and Thuringia, where state elections are set for Sunday, and in Brandenburg, which has its election on Sept. 22.

The AfD seized on the attack in its election campaign, with Thuringia’s leading candidate for the party, Bjoern Hoecke, pitching to voters the choice of “Hoecke or Solingen”.

Opinion pollsters Stefan Merz of Infratest dimap and Manfred Guellner of Forsa told Reuters the attack would be unlikely to translate into more votes for the far-right party because its supporters had already been mobilised by migration issues.

Infratest dimap’s Merz cited the possibility that the centre-right CDU could benefit at the expense of Scholz’s centre-left Social Democrats.

Botched deportation

The attack puts pressure on Scholz as his Social Democrats, alongside their Green and Free Democrat coalition partners, bruised from months of quarrelling, are trailing in the polls.

In a sign of tougher rhetoric, Scholz promised in October 2023 to ramp up deportations “big style” – a promise he repeated after his visit to the Solingen attack scene.

Again in June, Scholz said he would take a tougher stance on deportation after an Afghan man stabbed a police officer, who later died of his injuries, during an attack on a right-wing demonstration in the city of Mannheim.

Scholz said on Monday deportations had increased by some two thirds compared to 2021 levels. “But that is no reason for us to sit back and relax,” he added, saying the government was looking at legal and practical ways to boost the numbers.

Authorities had planned to deport the suspect in Friday’s attack to Bulgaria last year under European Union asylum rules, according to German media. The deportation was unsuccessful because the man had not been at his refugee accommodation when authorities tried to carry out the measure, the reports said.

A government spokesperson said the deportation plan had “failed in practice” rather than on any legal basis.

Source: Reuters

«< 21 22 23 24 25 >»