CAMEROON: RECONSTRUCTION AGENDA TO UPSWING STAGNANT ENGLISH REGIONS BY MILDRED NDUM WUNG KUM At the end of a five day consultation held by Paul Tasong and Njong Donatus - coordinators of the National Plan for the Reconstruction and Development of the Northwest and Southwest Regions PPRD NW/SW together with traditional authorities, religious leaders, civil soceity leaders and administrative heads of the Northwest region, proposals were put in place to effect the socio-economic transformation of the region.  The aim is to permanently put an end to pain and suffering inflicted by the Anglophone crisis. A presentation of restitution of the five day session of awareness and sensitization tour indicated in details proposals for the form and procedure of the reconstruction plan. It is a ten year plan; the first two years of the plan mainly focuses on basic necessities for the welfare of the affected population. The plan would ensure the promotion of social cohesion, rehabi...

OPINIONS DIVERGE ON RECONSTRUCTION OF CAMEROON'S NW, SW  BY MILDRED NDUM WUNG KUM The over 89 billion FCFA project for reconstruction works in Cameroon's Northwest and Southwest regions has ignited public debate. It has split public opinion, giving birth to diverse views with the pros, the cons and the neutral each on separate stance. Some feel it is time for a peace page to open in the light of reconstructing the regions that are still wallowing in conflict, others are emphatic that all tension should first and foremost be squarely laid to rest yet others think that  reconstruction may fan the flames of war. While National Reconstruction and Development Commission continues mission of awareness creation in Bamenda, Info Trends culled reactions of the layman and key stakeholders directly involved.  In this edition, the hope of mayors versus the skepticism of the lay man is compiled. Menyong Lawrence - Mayor of Nwa "It is very difficult to get to my mu...

BENAKUMA COUNCIL: STAKEHOLDERS AGREE ON PEACE ENABLING FOR PROJECT REALISATION BY MILDRED NDUM WUNG KUM Within a social climate of tough security challenges, stakeholders of the Benakuma Municipality have agreed to be peace crusaders  in the struggle to achieve development projects. This commitment was taken during an extraordinary Benakuma council session under the leadership of Ihimbru Solomon Kudi, Mayor of Benakuma Council.  Also present at the event were the First Deputy Mayor for Benakuma- Ayissi Ewah Stella, the Second Deputy Mayor- Ofeh David Kudi, the Council Secretary General - Mbuwe Ignatius the Senior Divisionsl Officer for Menchum Abdoullahi Aliou and other dignitaries. The extraordinary council session that held June 25, 2020 was anchored mainly on a two point agenda: to update the Annual Investment plan AIP and the Council Development Plan CDP. Left to right: mayor, 1st deputy, 2nd deputy Based on this, councillors brainstormed and delibera...

RECONSTRUCTION OF CRISIS CAMEROON ANGLO REGIONS SET OFF BY MILDRED NDUM WUNG KUM A project considered as one that would leapfrog the socio economic status of the affected in the Anglophone crisis. Paul Tasong, the national coordinator tasked with reconstruction and development of the Northwest and Southwest regions held a meeting with stakeholders in Bamenda. He outlined the beneficiaries and the extent of the entire plan for the reconstruction and development of the regions. In the presence of religious leaders, administrative heads, traditional rulers, politicians and civil soceity activists, Mr Tasong noted three essential elements of the plan: promotion of social cohesion, rebuild basic social infrastructure and revitalisation of the economy. He stated that the aim and purpose of the plan is for improved and sustainable standard of living, reversing the situation of hardship and putting an end to crisis vulnerability among others. This he stressed would be realised...

STUDENTS TRAPPED BY ROAD BLOCKS  AS COVID19 TOUGHNENS ANGLO CRISIS BY MILDRED NDUM WUNG KUM Someone was right to say that the current coronavirus health crisis has aggravated Cameroon’s existing Anglophone crisis. People in the country’s Northwest and Southwest regions are facing war against viruses on one hand and socio/political crisis on the other hand. Even as examination classes resumed June 1, 2020 in view of exams on June 28th, some students are trapped and cannot get to school because of road blocks. Many others have taken the lengthy expensive track through the West region to catch up study programs in respective educational institutes. This report paints the sorry tale of students in the northwest regjion caught in uncertainty as they are yet to begin school in the heat of a double crisis. “I am presently in Ndop where I went for holidays after schools were closed in March because of the coronavirus outbreak. I school in Bamenda but I cannot travel because t...

" If anything must wait, it should not be education.." Hon. Kum John Nji Says As Anglophone Crisis Persists.   By Beng Humphrey Fang and Mildred Ndum Wung Kum Honourable Kum John Nji , Cameroonian member of parliament from Menchum North Constituency in the country's Northwest region has said if anything must wait as the Anglophone Crisis Persists, it should not be education.  He disclosed this in an exclusive interview with Info Trends as he reviewed plans and strategies for  back-to-school in Menchum North Constituency as the new academic year runs to the corner in October 2020. Glossing over the loss of previous school years in his constituency as well as mapping out strategies to tackle the coronavirus disease, "the future of children should be made clear, is shaped by the education they receive today" he says It should be noted, Fungom Subdivision and Fru -Awa subdivision that make up Menchum North Constituency like other areas in the crisis hit No...

SUCCESS STORY AS SCHOOLS CONFRONT COVID19, LEARNERS HOPEFUL         BY MILDRED NDUM WUNG KUM Schools across Cameroon resumed to save the academic year for pupils and students in examination classes. Varsity students equally resumed. Learners together with their teachers all succumbed to safety rules in the face of the disturbing coronavirus.There was also a fairly response by schools in Bamenda visited by administrative authorities June 2, 2 020.  A tour to inspect schools in Bamenda took the Senior Divisional Officer Simon Emile Mooh, Divisional Officers and the delegates of education to some six institutions of learning.  Info Trends observed that learners in the schools are made to abide to temperature reading, hand washing, physical distancing and the compulsory wearing of masks. On the walls and notice boards of schools are posters bearing anti covid19 messages. Schools like GBHS Bayelle and GBHS Mendankwe have a shoe disinfec...