Interviewed by Dibussi Tande (Originally published on Scribbles from the Den in 2006)
“How does one continue to sacrifice when some big shots are growing fat on the spoils; the Government, the Mission - all corrupt!Sacrifice will only bear fruits when it is participatory; you sacrifice, I sacrifice." Dr. Valentine Ngwa
Shortly after he obtained his medical degree from the University of Benin in Nigeria, Dr. Valentine Ngwa returned home to practice medicine. Then some six years later, he packed his bags for Britain where he now resides. In this interview Dr. Ngwa candidly explains why he originally went back to work in Cameroon, why he ultimately sought greener pastures abroad, and what it would take to bring him back to Cameroon:
Q. After graduating from the University of Benin Medical School in Nigeria in 1997, you decided to return home rather than go to Europe or America to practice medicine. Why?
After graduation, I worked in Nigeria up till 1999. During this time, I wrote the International English Language exam, which is required for doctors wishing to sit for the UK Medical Board exam, applied for the Uk’s Medical board exam PLAB and was supposed to write the first part in November 1999 in London.
My initial intention of returning home was just to get a few months of leisure, then go to the UK. However, a lot of things changed when I came into contact with the health reality in Cameroon after visiting my nephew in hospital. The poor state of the delivery system made me change plans as I realized that I would be making a big mistake if I leave Cameroon without knowing fully well how its health system operates and possibly join the fight to improve it.
Q. You ended up with the Catholic Hospital in Njinikom. Was this a deliberate choice or due to problems getting integrated into the Public Service?
At the time I decided to stay in Cameroon, the public service was not recruiting those of us from abroad; the mission hospitals were. I wanted a place where I could render service; Njinikom seemed the best option. However, one wonders deeply why the Government fails to employ doctors who come back home, yet turn around and complain of a shortage of doctors.
Q. Three and a half years later, you had risen to the position of Chief Medical Officer at the hospital. Then suddenly you packed your bags for a job in Britain… How do you explain this rather drastic move at that point in your career, which seemed to be going on just fine?
Being a Chief Medical Officer of a Catholic General Hospital was not my idea of the zenith in my career. Medicine is an international profession, and we strive to get the type of training and experience whereby we could interact with our peers the world over without a complex. The type of training and experience we got, though extensive, was not quantifiable; this is dangerous because you risk being seen as someone with just a primary medical qualification. I wanted the type of training and experience that will be acceptable to sane medical bodies as true career progression. Unfortunately, Cameroon couldn’t give me that.
Also, one needs to think of his welfare and that of his family. We are all entitled to a better life. And it is important that we do not do wrong things in order to attain this better life.
We practically had no life, as we put in all our efforts in the hospital. We did our calls weekly, which means for a whole 7 days, a doctor stays inside the hospital premises, works under appalling conditions, sees patients in horrible conditions, socializes far less than his other friends and so on. At the end of it, the take-home is pitiable.
So it was obvious that this has to come to an end one day, as there are also other important things in life.
Q. Looking back, do you regret your three and a half-year stint in Cameroon, and do you consider these as wasted years?
Not at all! That was the most challenging period of my career, but it, nonetheless, gave me an opportunity to know in detail who my people are, their understanding of ill-health, and their response to it. These are issues you rarely read in books. I came face to face with the realities that cause my people die on daily basis. This reality, some of which are very frightful, is worth experiencing – the true baptism of fire; so how could I have wasted those years?
Q. Do you feel any sense of guilt for leaving Cameroon with all your skills and knowledge (particularly those related to HIV prevention and management) at a time when your country needed you most?
Yes ... at times I do feel guilty. Our work on HIV and other aspects had brought us closer to many people who looked up to us; you do create bonds with your patients, especially when it concerns matters of life and death. But, I also ask myself what other options I had. It is quite difficult to persevere, stay at home and take all the crap from administrators when rich nations are willing to engage your services with far more reasonable offers.
Q. Some have argued that those professionals, particularly in the health field, who leave Cameroon for greener pastures overseas lack the patriotic fervor and sense for sacrifice required to build a prosperous nation. How do you respond to this accusation?
What a simplistic way to explain a complex problem.
The pursuit of happiness is everyone’s inalienable rights and it will be good to know the patriotism scale that has been used to classify this pursuit as unpatriotic.
Look, for someone to undertake six years of hard work, buying very expensive books and equipment just to graduate and earn the crap salary being paid, work in horrible conditions, take insults from semi-illiterates and can’t afford the good things of life is more patriotic than we think, even if he/she works for just six months!
By the way, how does one continue to sacrifice when some big shots are growing fat on the spoils; the government, the mission - all corrupt! Sacrifice will only bear fruits when it is participatory; you sacrifice, I sacrifice. But when I do and some sit up there and embezzle everything, then it all comes to waste!!
These people who think we are unpatriotic will be the same ones laughing in our faces when we move around in tattered clothes and shoes due to our poor financial state. We might have signed to save lives, but we surely never signed for a life of misery. If anyone considers our efforts at developing ourselves as being unpatriotic, then so be it.
Q. What is the single most significant difference between practicing medicine in Cameroon and in England?
Medicine in England is a job; you have a job description, do it and get paid. However, medicine in Cameroon is more of a calling; you do everything, and don’t think so much about the money!
Q. So what is the bottom line? Is the health care problem in Cameroon a systemic one or one of the misallocation or unavailability of human resources?
I think it is all combined. The cracks started appearing with the unavailability of funds; and this was primarily as a result of serious misallocation of the funds. This led to the serious lapses in the system to become obvious, and things started crumbling. The unavailability of human resources is just a consequence of the above.
Q. What will be your advice to all those young Cameroonians in foreign Medical Schools? Should they return home after their training, in spite of the challenges you’ve discussed, or should they stay put?
Someone cannot call himself a Cameroonian if he or she doesn’t know Cameroon. Similarly, a Cameroonian doctor cannot call himself one if he or she doesn’t know the Cameroon Health system. I will always encourage them to spend some time in the service of Cameroon; for their personal development and the good of the nation’s healthcare. At the end of the day, they will get a certain level of experience that will hardly be obtained in the structured teaching hospitals abroad.
I think there is great pride in serving your country.
However, I will also not hesitate to warn them to keep their return tickets, just in case... Cameroon is unpredictable.
Q. Finally, what will it take for you to return home, or at least consider returning home, and pick up from where you left off?
Though still attached to some health programs back home, I am hoping to make periodic short trips as a volunteer. However, I will consider returning home permanently when Cameroon gets itself out of this mess or at least makes the effort; and the only thing holding it in this mess is the high level of institutionalized corruption. Cameroon is not a poor nation!
I will be more than happy to give my expertise to my country -- even if the remuneration is nothing to write home about -- as long as we all are sacrificing. It surely will be comforting knowing that one is laying the foundation for future generations. However, if some people have to do the work while others take the benefits, then it all boils down to a scenario of trying to carry water in a basket; a total waste of effort...
Though, I will love very much to work in Cameroon again, I will have no regrets if I never have to, due to the prevailing situation.
About Dr. Valentine Ngwa
Dr Valentine Ngwa currently works with the Clinical Oncology Department of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS trust where he has been since 2003. He graduated From the University of Benin Medical School, Nigeria in 1997.
He worked at the Central Hospital Benin-City, Nigeria up until 1999 when he joined the Catholic Mission General Hospital Njinikom. He worked athe Njinikom Hospital until March 2003. During his time at Njinikom, he held a number of vital positions, prominent among them;
- Head of TB treatment and control program in the Catholic Health service of the arch-diocese of Bamenda.
- Head of HIV treatment and care in the Catholic Health service of the arch-diocese of Bamenda.
- Chief medical Officer Njinikom Catholic Hospital
Dr Ngwa is a Co-founder of Intercare-Njinikom Project Hope, a hospital based NGO and was program officer for its Mother-to-child transmission prevention arm and its HIV palliative care arm.
This is a sad reality that we tend sometimes to overlook. Cameroon is loosing its best resources, its intellectual resources. It’s a shame but it is quite real. The country has been messed up so bad, there are no more opportunities. It is not a surprise if every single Cameroonian now dreams of “bush falling”. Personally, I still believe however, that this is just a temporary situation. Sooner or later we will need to reclaim back our country and get rid of the corruption and mismanagement that is plaguing this beautiful nation.
Posted by: Edmond Nsheuko | Wednesday, 17 June 2009 at 08:29 AM
Edmond, so you think this is a temporary situation? How long has this been? Since this fool took over power?
While you think that, I will encourage everyone who can to leave that messy place. No one deserves to live in that corrupt place. Just like the doctor said,life is about the pursuit of happiness.
If people want to call us unpatriotic because we left, then so be it. I have been in the U.S for 7 years, have an excellent job and a proud citizen of the United States. Everyone should seek happiness wherever they can find it.
Posted by: Steven | Wednesday, 17 June 2009 at 01:49 PM
Steven, I understand what your point. I don't know why you are overacting. I never said people should not leave; on the countrary, those who have the opportunity right now should not hesitate. I just noted that leaving is a dominant trend right now and I hope it will stop soon. Cameroonian are leaving not bacause they love to leave but because our country offer very little opportunities, if any.I believe sooner or later cameroonians will need to take back control of our country. Same as you, I live out of the country; but if I had a choice, I would prefere to be in my country. If cameroon could offer me just half the opprtunities I have abroad, then I wouldn't have to be out here. Home is home. I may be a citizen of where I live. I may be proud of the country where I live, but my heart is cameroonian.
Posted by: Edmond Nsheuko | Wednesday, 17 June 2009 at 04:28 PM
What is this Bumboklaat chant about being proud citizens of Babylon, when your mothers are still defecating in squalid latrines back home? And just who the hell do you expect to fix the country, when you don't even bother to show due homeland respect.
Africa is changing, the stakes are high and Cameroon shan't remain the same for ever. If you think that others must make it better just for you to come and run your mouth, well funny people, you all should keep on sleeping. I used to be as shallow-minded as you until i returned home to realise the tremendous potential in Cameroon.
Yea, misery reigns supreme, but then a process has developed which promises within our generation to make many of us to experience dreamful lives that we never otherwise would have known. Now is the time for each and everyone of us to elevate Cameroon, by brightening the corners where we came from. That ought to be our duty as African children.
Valentine Ngwa will only consider returning home when Cameroon gets itself out of the mess! What a Bumboklaat doctor! If you relish working as a doctor in England, why not invest some of your bread in a project that will improve health care services back home, just so you can make your own contribution to building a new Cameroon?
Working as a Babylon doctor, or electronic engineer, or whatever only makes you happier because you always relate or equate the job with your plight back home. Frankly, it doesn't give you happiness, especially as we all know the kind of notoriously belittling treatment African doctors get outhere. Many Babylon people actually would prefer death than to have a black man from Africa as doctor. This unfortunately reduces many brilliant African doctors to duties at district health centres where they mostly work as sub-doctors.
Stop blaming everything on corruption, as hordes of people from the diaspora are now beginning to open their eyes to see the opportunities in Cameroon. I was pleasantly surprised to know that the imposing four star Savoy Palms hotel in Limbe is owned by a young Anglophone! If corruption is such an hurdle, then how could this brother put up such a cumbersome and classy structure?
Now, Steven i don't care if you have an excellent job, we all have better lives in the various strange countries that we now call home. But seriously man, what do you have back home? Are you the kind of dude who would go home with Babylon people, and be ashamed to show them your run-down family Karabot shack, whilst your poor old mother still struggles to sell puff puff on the street? Seriously, we all need to do something.
Posted by: Ras Tuge | Wednesday, 17 June 2009 at 06:04 PM
Ras, I am a francophone closed to where your so- called president is from, but I feel like I was an anglophone. Anglophones complain a lot how they are being marginalized and suppressed. We all have choices in life and one of yours was to return home and fix it, good for you and your family; but mine is to stay in my new country and accomplish my goals in life.
I have acquired a lot being here and helped a lot of people. And by the way my family lives better today because of my being here. Let's imagine for a min that I was still in Cameroon; probably by now we'll be eating sh**
We also have the freedom to think and one of your thoughts is that Cameroon is growing and will change, ha ha ha... I am laughing. This will be probably 3 generations after you or may be your kid or grandchild.
I don't care what you say about those who leave and don't want to return; everyone is searching for the best in their existence. Since you think the doctor ought to stay where you call "home" why don't you assist him feed his family. Bullshi* you would say!
Let the man search for the best and you Tuge stay there. My family is well of today because of my being here and I cannot rest until all of them are here. F*** Cameroon. call it your home and fix it.
Posted by: Steven | Wednesday, 17 June 2009 at 07:22 PM
The Rasta Thug is back spewing inanities!!! As if he doesn't live in the West? Why don't you go back to Cameroon to build your own hotel??
FYI, Dr. Ngwa has done more for Cameroon than you will ever do. Please take a look at the Cameroon portion of his CV at: http://www.valngwa.5u.com/about.html
This is not a banga smoking competition my friend!
Posted by: Damien | Wednesday, 17 June 2009 at 08:10 PM
RAT Tuge the weed-smoking THUG
I thought you were done commenting on this site? funny how the overt Hypocrite aka Rat Tuge is now schooling people about returning home to rebuild the country. This is the man who fled Cameroon for "Babylon", married a white woman to secure "dokis" and now has a confused race of children. He DOES NOT LIVE IN CAMEROON. He only recently visited CAMEROON for a short vacation after centuries of self-imposed exile. Who are you to school people about brain drain? bitch please. Go back to your fat white woman and your weed stash. Your input is inconsequential at this point.
Posted by: UnitedstatesofAfrica | Thursday, 18 June 2009 at 02:47 AM
Although I find Ras Tuge's lectures a little surprising, I think he usually open up avenues for critical analyses.
My stake on this issue is very clear. Toilet cleaners in the West are better up than Toilet cleaners in Cameroon. It's no news that Cameroon is one of the worst country on the planet. Since we have an obligation to fight or fix things back home, we need the weapons. These weapons may be physical weapons or intellectual capacity. We can't have enough of these in Cameroon. Our universities have been reduced to military camps. Our weapons are solely for the protection of a single individual.
Posted by: Bob Bristol | Thursday, 18 June 2009 at 04:16 AM
Ras and the others may try all they can to convince others to go home and fix it; well it's simple to say that. But one thing we all should first understand is that this life we are living is first of all about ourselves and our families before the country.
And for the fool asking what have I accomplish or done for Cameroon. Listen fool; I don't give a f*** about that so-called shitty country of yours and don't care if you call me a babylon. My happiness and that of my family comes first before that of your stupid and corrupt country. To be honest it's sad I was born in that fuc*** up place you call home is home.
Most of those people complaining about bushfallers are those who do not have the means to travel. They would not have been saying the rubbish the say if they were able to go to "babylon".
I have an uncle in the US who is been here for over 23 years and every time we talk, he keeps asking me to plan and go back home to fix it. Listen, someone who has been here 23 years asking another who has been here only 7 years to go back home and fix it. What the heck? If someone should go home and fix the f*** up place, then it should be him first.
For Damien, you don't even know me and don't know my potentials. How would you know the doctor has done more for that fuc*** up place than I will ever do. You fuc*. You guys keep trying to judge and compare with one another. Life is not about that. Good if the doctor helped his people. I am helping those I can and it shouldn't be only those in/from Cameroon.
All I can say, life is too short for us to be fuc**g around. Enjoy the most of it and help those you can without trying stressing yourself.
Posted by: Steven | Thursday, 18 June 2009 at 08:12 AM
Steven, all i can say to you is simply that the longer you live in Babylon, the more you'll understand certain things. Seven years is a very insignificant time to overcome all that little Babylon excitement, but as time goes by you will undoubtedly see what i mean.
It is indeed sorrowful to see how horrible you feel about your very own homeland. I can't even touch the immensity of the frustration that you must have felt before deciding to skip the country. You must have gone through some really horrendous experience to speak of your very own motherland in such despicable terms. But like i said, you'll will outgrow that little excitement sooner or later. I just hope that you're not one of those who can't return home because they put themselves in a tight corner just to survive.
Damian, i must let you know, i mean remind you that there's alot of work for engineers in Africa, notably in Cameroon. Eventhough i live in Babylon, as a new generation man there's so much i can do other than build hotels. Atleast, i have chosen to contribute, what about you? The good thing as we all know is that we don't need to work for the government.
It is a beautiful thing to help your family, a thing we all do. But like i have said before, failing to invest in avenues that would generate surplus value would only make your family members to be wasteful recipients of any remittance endeavours you make towards their well-being.
Steven, i see why the obvious frustration renders you obsessed with taking your family members out of the country. Unfortunately that would simply exacerbate your misery as you would have to pay all you earn just to cater for your old parents who will saddle you with geriatic home bills and the like.
Cameroon is a beautiful place, and it'll only get better sooner or later. Take a vacation and go feel it for yourselves, for that's just what i did. Remember, take plenty money along and you'll have the best of fun!
Posted by: Ras Tuge | Thursday, 18 June 2009 at 03:44 PM
RAT tuge the weed-smoking Rastafarian Thug,
You have already been cautioned about your overt hypocrisy on this forum. As I earlier told you, your input is inconsequential at this point;from the responses about your comments, it is crystal clear that no one takes you seriously.
Steven
as much as I understand your frustration, to call Cameroon "that fucked up place" and speak about Cameroon with so much disdain and hate is totally and completely unacceptable. In fact, it is disgraceful and painful to read.
I am not advocating that you pack your bags and return home because I am a realist. However, as a Cameroonian it is your duty to help advance your nation in whatever way you can. It is also your duty to love and respect the culture and values of Cameroon because you are A CAMEROONIAN AT THE END OF THE DAY.
Do not speak about Cameroon as if nothing about Cameroon concerns you. Whether you like it or not, your life on this earth is inevitably linked to the future of Cameroon. I need not remind you that you will always be an African Monkey in the eyes of the West. Regardless of how many white women you marry, how many confused race of children your wife bears, how many white friends you have, how much you money you make...you will remain a MONKEY. Do yourself a favor and start appreciating your heritage.
Posted by: UnitedstatesofAfrica | Thursday, 18 June 2009 at 04:02 PM
Change is possible and that begins by having a healthy debate. Whatever your position with regards to satying abroad and returning home, we all agree our country needs change.The question we will have to ask ourselves is; What can be my contribtution?. Some think, it is doable, while others are skeptical. These are legitimate fears born out of certain experiences. However, we all have different experiences. What we can't, and shouldn't do is discourage those who think they can contribute. Now, contributions can range from ideas, to volunteerism, to the construction of hotels such as the one in Limbe, and a host of many other things. "Babylon" was conceived as a small idea, and most caucasians believe in little ideas that grow. I think Dr. Ngwa has done something. What each of us have to ask ourselves is; What can i add to what Dr. Ngwa and many others have done. Little contributions may appear insignificant, but such little effort from each of us will add up to something. Dr. Ngwa may have volunteered in a hospital were one of of family members or a friend benefited from his service.
One of the thing we must learn as people from Africa is to respect each other. The kind of strong words used here in itself can setback development. Wonder why there are a lot of wars and conflict in Africa?
Posted by: nke | Friday, 19 June 2009 at 03:21 AM
Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel --- Samuel Johnson, Famous Babylonian, 1775
People migrate from oppression and drought of water or opportunity. Save your patriotic rantings for those who have created the drought and the oppression. The most reasonable people abroad can do is to build up their wealth and influence in other shores. When things have improved, then invest. Before that, it is irresponsible. It is like feeding the monster.
That is what the Irish did and the Ghanaians and the Lebanese.
Posted by: Ma Mary | Friday, 19 June 2009 at 07:12 AM
Ma Mary, you got it perfectly. The government of Cameroon must regulate its tax policy to be fairer enough to attract investors; especially beginners. Most "fallers" were pushed out because the system wasn't conducive for investment. Investing when such a system is still in place implies risking your hard-earned cash to the taxation criminals. After all, the colossal sum Cameroonians disburse to travel abroad could still be invested had it been the economic terrain was fairer enough.
Posted by: Bob Bristol | Friday, 19 June 2009 at 09:08 AM
Ma Mary
patriotic rantings? a screw must be missing in your damn head. There's a difference between supporting the government and having love for your country. Having respect and love for Cameroon and its cultural fabric does not equate to supporting the bloodthirsty regime of Biya. I am surprised I have to explain this to ancient men and women on this forum who claim to be intellectuals. Yes! oppression have forced people to migrate from Cameroon but at the end of the day, your existence is inevitably linked to the fabric of the Cameroonian society. Calling Cameroom a fucking waste of space like that idiot Steven did reeks of self-hate. Hating Cameroon is like hating yourself. It is who you are regardless of how you try to blend into the Western society.
Look at the Southern Sudanese Christians in diaspora. They have been crushed, raped and killed by the Northern Arabs but they are still fighting for peace and justice in their country. They haven't surrendered and said "well, Sudan is a waste of space of I'm going to forget about the country".
The Cameroonian society has its ills but your love for your country should motivate you to help Cameroon move forward in whatever way you can. Whether it is through lectures, finances, going bakc home, etc etc.
Ma Mary, at this critical point in Africa's history, your faint cries of hate and division are inconsequential. Permit me edit Samuel Johnson's quote;
"Hate and division is the last refuge of a scoundrel"- UnitedstatesofAfrica.
Posted by: UnitedstatesofAfrica | Friday, 19 June 2009 at 10:14 AM
USMankato, are you a hypocrite?
Why do you live in Mankato and carry on thus? When you carry your body and your actions to where your mouth is, we can talk. When people like you batter the good doctor with patriotic drivel, I have to call you out.
Why does Ras Etuge live in Sweden and go on and on about Babylon, yet make patriotic speeches. You are like blood brothers. He hates Bamis and Graffis and you hate coastal people of the Southern Cameroons. You both believe that you need la republique to protect you from each other.
People vote with their feet. They move away from oppression and lack to freedom and possibility. That is how it has always been and that is how humans moved to occupy the whole earth. Wise people do not feed the monster. They starve it.
Posted by: Ma Mary | Friday, 19 June 2009 at 03:50 PM
Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful- Samuel Johnson
Now Ma Mary, frankly it bugs me utterly to notice that someone of your ripe age still chosed to starve yourself with abject ignorance. Can't you understand the fact that Babylon was constructed by people of will against the backdrop of discords and wars.
You shamelessly spend your precious time romancing with supposedly radical Babylon concepts when you're the same misguided hypocrite who plunged Anglophones into darkness by consigning their destiny to oblivion. Seriously, your word shan't ever be worthy, when you delusively enmesh yourself in a tangle of retrogressive rantings.
I am elated to have been trained in Scotland, the country of the most renowned British Premier. In Glasgow and Aberdeen, i became accustomed to the Scottish pride about the fact that William Ewart Gladstone was not only the custodian of the Victorian Era, but also he was the father of Modern Times. Before this era, Babylon had been challenged by similar woes that Africa is faced with today. Be reminded that Gladstone lived in England but this never stopped him from retaining aspects of his Scottish ancestry.
What we see in Cameroon, and the whole of Africa today is an emerging wealthy, knowledgeable and inspired class, which to my mind is very similar to what Babylon experienced during that illustrious era. It takes a people with a vision to alter the course of their cursed destiny.
Just as Gladstone responded to the calling of a leadership that would alleviate Babylon misery, and thus enhance global progress, Africa shall soon see leaders that will understand the need to open up avenues for investments by both its people, and the Babylon nations.
You are wrong about Ghana Ma Mary. What happened in that country is simply that the government realised how seriously hordes of Ghanians in the diaspora were looking forward to investing back home. The pressure was enormous, so the government had no choice. Similarly, if the Cameroonian government realises this same amount of interest, then consequently investing back home will undoubtedly be eased by the authorities.
Before the Ghanian emancipation that we are all gleefully chanting of today, Ghana had witnessed an even worse fate than Cameroon. I reminisce how Ghanian children would cheerfully do the most menial jobs even in Cameroon, just because their government won't cater for them. Nonetheless, today the equation has altered largely in favour of Ghanian progress, and thanks mostly to the people of that once very miserable nation.
Where i reside is immaterial, as long as i have the will to do stuff back home. Nobody needs to go back if they don't want to. But personally, i think people will be forced to consider Cameroon sooner or later. I was mostly galvanised by my trip home, and i realised that with my skill, i should be contributing in making Cameroon a high-tech society. I may not be very interested in building hotels, but i could install elevators and other operational digital systems in them for buildings in future Cameroon shall be bigger, taller, and computerised. In this way for instance, i would create programmed instructions and job opportunities for many graduates from the University of Buea.
Now, i know you would say that's not possible. But then again people have to start from somewhere. As a matter of fact, people have already started. Just one night at Savoy Palms, or a visit at the Mukete beach house in Limbe will change your mind. The good thing with Cameroon is simply that there is atleast no war, and within ten years or so, things WILL obviously not be the same. Be on the right side of history!
Posted by: Ras Tuge | Friday, 19 June 2009 at 07:33 PM
This rasta man over foolish!. Farts, shakes head and walks away in disgust...
Posted by: Leo | Friday, 19 June 2009 at 08:37 PM
There are two things at stake here-political stability and economic progress. The former ushers in the latter. The former is the bedrock of the latter. The latter is motivated by the good will of those in control of the former. When there is an overt demonstration of bad will from the politicians in control of the government, when the political climate cast expectation of an imminent catastrophe, then any giant economic venture risk being destroyed.
From the above comments, there are people like Ras Tuge who think investment should come before political stability while others like Bob Bristol and Ma Mary are steadfast on the fact that political stability should come before economic investment.
Ras Tuge, I'm sure you have to reconsider your stance on this issue.
Posted by: Bob Bristol | Saturday, 20 June 2009 at 04:35 AM
When Pa Garanty is obliged to get into a pick up van and campaign on behalf of the CPDM in order to safeguard the future of his investments in Cameroon, when Fokou decides to relocate to other African countries because of unbearable politically motivated taxes, then the much needed integrity we need to ensure the growth of any investment will disappear. Ras, it may even interest you to know that the government of Cameroon will do everything to discourage certain investments in the North West province or some areas of the South West and Western provinces since the growth of these places may pose a thread to the thievery that has taken control of everything.
Posted by: Bob Bristol | Saturday, 20 June 2009 at 04:39 AM
In the Camerounese system, the function of business is to service the politicians. The fastest path to wealth is through politricks. In economically progressive countries, government serves the people and facilitates enterprise. Bob Bristol says it all. No responsible investor should accept those conditions unless he has a bottomless fund financed by irregular commerce such as a wholesale ganja business. When part of your business consists of paying rents to politician gangsters, you are feeding the monster and when you can no longer pay, they will destroy you.
Ghana. Ghana's turnaround? Think one name: Jeremiah John Rawlings. That man worked like the devil to change the conditions on the ground, before the thousands of well-heeled Ghanaians abroad found it attractive to return and invest. That was the magic ingredient, the yeast in the dough.
I repeat, do not feed the beast. If you like, take your little money there. It will disappear like a drop of water in the Sahara. It could last a little if you abase yourself to the monster and crawl on your belly before them like Pa Garanty.
Posted by: Ma Mary | Saturday, 20 June 2009 at 08:18 AM
Bob, political instability and economic growth are often very mutually exclusive principles. Nonetheless, political stability does not automatically translate into a vibrant growth if the foundation for a sound take-off are not laid by visionary policy makers.
With regards to this therefore, goodwill endeavours that are exclusively intended to achieving admirable economic progress shall eventually be thwarted if the general populace is not galvanized to have unabated faith in the pursuit of that herculian but very plausible dream.
Am afraid, it would take more than just the goodwill gestures of politicians, as it would involve an utter overhaul of mindset by way of educating every single Cameroonian about the urgent need for achieving this noble goal. This to my mind is the ultimate task to overcome, and i am positive that it can obviously be dealt with, provided we desist from being lackadaisical doubting Thomases.
Moreover, if economic growth is just a function of the goodwill of those in positions of power as per your simplistic point of view, then ofcourse that is just about to change man. Rest easy that Cameroon is poised to launch this New Age of prosperity and better accountability, not by dreary politicians but by gleefully dynamic and optimistic citizens at home and abroad.
Sooner or later, Cameroon shall see a new day with fresh leaders, and there'll be no more avenues for lackluster and kleptomaniac leadership. Once the threat to economic progress is no longer hazardous to human life, then the country will undoudtedly be headed for Jah Glory! I shan't ever recant with respect to this issue.
Posted by: Ras Tuge | Saturday, 20 June 2009 at 10:12 AM
The good people of Ghana will never put the destiny of the country into the hands of Jerry Rawlings because of his greed for political power. If he ever gets a hold on political power, he will never let go. - Yao Dagadu.
Ma Mary, seriously you need to refrain from your notorious propensity to disseminate untold falsehood. Rawlings is very popular in Ghanaian politics. However, if there's one thing he can be credited for, it is simply the fact that he returned Ghana to civilian rule.
During his unfortunately long tenure as an un-elected head of state he committed horrendous atrocities, despicable human rights abuses including detainment and intimidation. In Scotland which happens to be the land of his father, many know him as the cold blooded butcher who annihilated his adversaries like Acheampong, Akuffo etc.
Rawlings reluctantly relinquished power in 2000 after naming James Atta Mills as his preferred successor. But the Ghanaians were fed of him and thus they elected Agyekum Kuffour over Mills. Nevertheless, by unwillingly letting Kuffour take over power, Rawlings unknowingly laid the foundation for sustainable democacry in Ghana. It was during Kuffour's reign that the Ghanaian authorities finally recognised the need to ease avenues for investment in Ghana.
Do you know why Rawlings refused to participate in Ghana's fiftieth anniversary celebrations? Do you know why he wanted to stage a come back just recently in 2008 through Mills? Seriously Ma, you must lift up your intoxicating conscience. Cameroon shall rise!
Posted by: Ras Tuge | Saturday, 20 June 2009 at 12:23 PM
Ras Tuge, without claiming to have known more about Jerry Rawlings, I've done a "thorough research" and my conclusion is that his achievements far outweighs his misdeeds. We've not been able to afford his type in Cameroon.
Regarding the issue of investing back home, we still applaud those who've taken the courage to trudge the dispiriting bureaucratic nonsense with all the bribery that it takes to setup something in that gloomy economy. And prospering in an environment where all your neighbours are either thieves or beggars is not what we yearn for. We need an economic revolution which is likely to come with a change of leadership.
The present system is a bigger mess than you can ever imagine. And purpose of this site is not to pigeonhole the opportunities which the system can offer. It is to criticise until things improve tremendously.
Posted by: Bob Bristol | Monday, 22 June 2009 at 03:42 PM
"USMankato, are you a hypocrite?
Why do you live in Mankato and carry on thus? When you carry your body and your actions to where your mouth is, we can talk. When people like you batter the good doctor with patriotic drivel, I have to call you out."
- Ma Mary
Ma Mary, you are indeed a reckless bitch with verbal diarrhoea. First of all, I don't live in Mankato. And second of all, did you thoroughly read my write-up? don't answer the question because I already know the answer. Let me quote what I said, verbatim.
"The Cameroonian society has its ills but your love for your country should motivate you to help Cameroon move forward in whatever way you can. Whether it is through lectures, finances, going back home, etc etc."
Have you read it now? did I say going back home was the only way you could help positively advance Cameroon's future? Can you now see "etc. etc." and the other options I mentioned? going back home is ONE of the solutions I propose; nowhere did I say that it should be the ONLY solution.
Posted by: UnitedstatesofAfrica | Monday, 22 June 2009 at 06:17 PM
Ma Mary,
how ironic that you shower praises on dictators like Mugabe and Stalin who are far worse than Biya. Who is the hypocrite? go and look at your crinkled, wrinkled and battered face on the mirror; you'll see the answer. You will go to your grave still singing secession songs.
Posted by: UnitedstatesofAfrica | Monday, 22 June 2009 at 06:24 PM
Tall people scarcely insult short people. Slim people rarely insult fat people. Rich people hardly insult poor people. It is always the other way round. When you become too scurrilous, it raises questions about your personality.
Posted by: Bob Bristol | Tuesday, 23 June 2009 at 07:08 AM