Nkwen Development Association gets new leadership at last

The Nkwen Cultural and Development Association now have a new executive. The ten man central executive committee was voted last Saturday April 28 in Douala during a National General Assembly of the development outfit in the Bonaberi neighbourhood in Douala.
According to the election results supervised by Muma Azehfor Second Adviser to the Fon of Nkwen, Asafor Paul Taniform an Agricultural Works Engineer from the Yaounde Branch of the Association was elected president after his mean contestant respected writer and communicator Mathew Takwi from the Buea branch throw in the towel at the last minute to take over from Ngwa Koti Augustine. 

The position which moves away from Buea (considered the most active branch) after a long stay with the Branch has been described as a show of dynamism with the cultural outfit.

Speaking on behalf of the Fon of Nkwen, Former GCE Board Registrar Azong Wara enjoined the new leadership to development a spirit of unity and love for home. “I will advise them to work together; work in unity because Nkwen has been very divided and these associations have been failing because the people do not cooperate. The Fon’s advice is that they should begin from now on to be united and work in synergy.” On the development of Nkwen the Former President of the Nkwen Traditional Council added “we regret that for the past so many years, the NCDA has not contributed to the development of Nkwen. Remember that we have a palace that was built a longtime ago,  we have the queen houses, we have so many project like the water project that was introduced in Nkwen; uptill date, the executive of NCDA which is the leading organization in the village has not been contributing to it.” On behalf of the Fon, he urged the new leadership to pick up some of these projects and bring some new life within the village.

Asafor Paul Taniform NCDA President Elect

Gabby Achunche Buea Branch president corroborated Azong Wara that the focus of NCDA should be for the development of Nkwen which unfortunately has not been the case. Though insinuating that more attention was focused on the change in leadership than the development of the village, the Buea Branch leader however wished the new executive well as “we hope they achieve what we are looking for; development of the village.” He however regretted the absence of some key elites of Nkwen who stay away from the Association because of the poor handling of issues. 

Muma Azehfor in Black and Azong Wara at the NCDA GA

It should however be noted that before Mathew Takwi throw in the towel for the post of President General, Several other people from the Buea Branch who showed interest for some position backed out at the last minute leaving the vibrant branch with no position in the National executive; a move seen by many as a show of discontent which Gabby Achunche affirmed saying it was motivated by disrespect for laid down principles. 

Princes at the NCDA GA

After serving as President of NCDA Yaounde Branch for four years and Vice President General for 8years, the General President Asafor Paul Taniform takes over an office which he says he understands its responsibilities. In an acceptance speech the president elect prayed for unity after a long time of discord adding that his long time stay in the association is his love for community. 

Notables at the NCDA GA

He will be assisted by Ntung Julius Santung a Limbe based Businessman as Vice General President, Asafor Eric and Mufula Gilbert from the Douala and Kumba Branches as Secretary General and Vice respectively, Awah Eveline as Financial Secretary, Asafor Francis as Treasurer, Forben Titus and Atang Matilda as Cultural Advisers and Akehchia Ivo and Asafor Prisca Anjeh as General Organising Secretaries. 

A few pictures from elective NCDA GA

Rev Fr Hippolyte W Tafen Parish Priest for St Michael’s Parish Futru Nkwen who also attended the NCDA prayed and blessed the new leadership just after they installation by Azong Wara on behalf of the Fon of Nkwen. Official anding over is expected in July when Douala is expected to host another general assembly of the Union.