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| Dr Fomuyoh Christopher Senior Associate and Regional Director for Central and West Africa at the National Democracy Institute NDI/ President of the Fomunyoh Foundation |
From
Bakah Derick in Bamenda
The Senior Associate and Regional
Director for Central and West Africa at the National Democracy Institute NDI
has described the recent release of Anglophone detainees by the President of
the Republic Paul Biya as “the right step in the right direction.” Dr
Christopher Fomunyoh who also doubles as the President of the Fomunyoh Foundation was
speaking in Bamenda Friday September 1, 2017 during an event organised by a
Mankon-Based Arts group to present priced gifts of artistic works to the
governance experts. While expressing thanks to the arts group for the gesture
and honour to him, Dr Christopher used the event to address a couple of other
issues. Starting with the recently banned press event in Yaounde during which
he was guest, Dr Christopher expressed his dissatisfaction with the ban stating
“I consider the government's decision to ban
this press event unfortunate and unacceptable, especially in the present
circumstances when we need space for healthy and constructive conversations
about various crises our country faces, and the way forward.” He refused to accept that the ban was related
to his political ambitions saying that others (citing Chairman Fru Ndi and
other diplomats) who have been presidential candidates and will still be have
been guested by the same press organisation. In a press release made public by
his office, he goes further demanding “I am deeply saddened and extremely
disappointed by this development. I impress on the competent authorities and
officials at the highest level to reverse this decision and to instruct state
employees to avoid actions that exacerbate unnecessarily, social and political
tensions in the country.”
Reacting
on the way forward after the release of some Anglophone detainees recently and
particularly on school resumption, the international election observer said “I
see myself as a beneficiary of education. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t go
through school. That is why I didn’t discover the problem with the Anglophone
educational system in 2016/2017. That is why the foundation has been around
this region! This country distributing books encouraging young people to go to
school; so I value education and I will continue to work and support education
in our country because that is the only our kids are going to get a leg up in life.” As relates the currents
state of affairs in Anglophone Cameroon he adds “ At the same time one must be
honest to admit the fact that we are living and going through very trying
moments. These are not ordinary times and discussions about education and the
time table should be integrated into the brother discussion of giving people a
sense of security about their activities where ever they maybe. Education is
not just about walking about kids into a classroom and then having security men
at the door to make sure the kids stay in the classroom. The kids need to be
put in psychological environment to be able to learn, to be able to play in the
school yard. Parents have to be confortable in knowing that their kids are safe
at school; safe as they walk to school and I think that we must have a holistic
conversation in a way that will enable us arrive at point where we no longer
subject our kids to lose another academic year as it happened for most kids in
2016.”
The
very well-travelled Dr Christopher Fomunyoh also used the event to reiterate
his position on running for office of President during the 2018 presidential
election stating that for now that was not on his agenda.
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