Checkpoint is a series of pinions written by Bakah Derick a Multimedia professional with several years in broadcast, online and print journalism. He is currently member of Cameroon Journalists' Trade Union CJTU/SNJC. He is also a community worker and a development argent in his local council areas.
MY CHECKPOINT 001
Inspired by Deuteronomy 16:20, the theme was chosen as "Justice, Only Justice, You Shall Pursue” certainly to promote truth, equality and unity.
MY CHECKPOINT 001
70 years ago when the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights was adopted, the intention was to promote a culture of peace
and respect of Human Rights and Democracy... Strangely enough, this widely
translated and distributed document has been rejected openly so by people in
search for political power.
"My Country" has ratified this
document which as per the foundational law of the land, (The Constitution
section 45 1996) takes precedence on matters of International
Human Rights & Humanitarian Law.
The obvious is that, those vested with public
authority and office have the responsibility to first and foremost respect the
Human Right's equality and inalienability with which we all are born
representing our fundamental freedoms. For two years and counting, the faith,
dignity and worth of the human person has been reduced to near zero...
Just like you have a right to life or good
life, so too are others... I think and believe it's time to recognize the
inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all beings myself,
yourself, brother, sister, father, mother and the list continues..which
constitute the foundation of justice and peace in our society... #Stand4HumanRights, #RestoreSanity2Life #NoSaintNoSinner and this is
#MyCheckPoint.
MY CHECK
POINT 001
According to the Geneva Conventions rules,
War crimes in the statute that established the International Criminal Court
include Willful killing, or causing great suffering or serious injury to body
or health, depriving a prisoner of war of a fair trial, amongst others.
Today I heard with disbelief how someone
pulled out a gun with ease and took away the life of another in my city in
front of many in broad daylight...Instead of coming to the aid of the victim, many who watched the sad incident, had to flee for
their life. This is how far we have come and to many we are still fighting for
the well-being of our people...
The Geneva Convention carries new war crimes
and establishes that states could exercise universal jurisdiction over such
crimes. Where we are today, there is a strong challenge on state authorities
with all accusations targeted towards the state for letting the crisis metamorphose
into an armed conflict.
However, must you make a mistake because
someone else did? We must watch out a situation where we could end up being
eaten in an attempt to eat someone... Remember! When a fight is in your sitting
room and each time there is a misdirected blow, it destroys only your own
property.... In that same sitting room, seats could be placed for a
conversation to take place that can solve the problem that led to the fight.
Note that when the TV set or other things
will be destroyed it will take only the father of the house to buy new ones
than the visitor who engaged in the fight in your house..... #AllLivesMatter #Stand4HumanRights, #RestoreSanity2Life #NoSaintNoSinner and this is
#MyCheckPoint.
MY CHECK
POINT 002
I just returned to ground zero and my first
meeting with a trader friend is one that gives reason for us to stop at My
Check Point.
"My man Dericko how far na back....
Welcome back..." I now reply with the same warmth "thanks bro..how
have things been? Here his reply "Dericko what do you want me to say? We
have been locked for six days since Saturday and all the problems are only
adding. Rents for store and house man never pay. “then he pulls out a note from his pocket and shows me. It's from a school in Douala
where he sent his kids.. They are asking him for CFA 700000 to complete fee for
his three children. At this time I am speechless because his problems look like
mine except for the fee though... I think many people are feeling same in other
areas. Then he adds "I hear we will be locked again my brother... I am
finished.."
This is the same person we spoke passionately
about the marginalisation of the people from My region on air and online. Today
he feels very frustrated and helpless yet caged by two opinions that seem not
to care about how we feel. Please whoever is giving orders think about the have
not. They are suffering in silence...
They have suffered in the hands of those who
marginalise them... Please don't let them suffer again in your hands.... Please
do not allow another long lock down... Many have left because of schools, many
are out because of business, a majority of them may leave because of hunger and
poverty myself included...AllLivesMatter #Stand4HumanRights, #RestoreSanity2Life #NoSaintNoSinner and this is
#MyCheckPoint.
I am Bakah Derick your ground zero media man
MY CHECK
POINT 003
"All Human Beings are born free and
equal in dignity and rights.. They are endowed with reason and conscience and
should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood." Article 1
UDHR..
Seriously there are lots of reasons to stop
at My Check Point today but where to start from is the real issue... I told you
I just returned to ground zero (my base actually) via the road from Mbouda to
Bamenda (could not use the beautiful Buea-Kumba-Mamfe-Bamenda because I am not sure someone will act towards me in a spirit
of brotherhood.)
Just like my eyes, my car wept as we galloped
on the long gutters on the middle of the road... I don't know when you last you
used that road trust me it's worst.. I am shocktalised.... But I asked a couple
of questions as I passed by SATOM company whose three or four trucks got burnt
and some people said they were burnt and then the abandoned partially burnt
caterpillar.... I am not into the politics of who burnt or why they were burnt
or even what happened....My worry is that no work is going on... While worrying
as to why the job was kept for this long a time, I am very much worried about
the fact that work is not going on and the gutters are deepening. It takes no
fewer than 2hrs now to drive from Mbouda to Bamenda and I am sure that if
nothing is done before rains come, we may be using more hours than it is right
now...
Surely I will not blame the contractors
because for the man who lost several trucks and with the rumour that they were
burnt to continue working in such an environment only special grace is
required. I am not sure the profit can buy new trucks. As sad as it is, only
the road users will have their cars to repair and eyes to weep. As for who
benefits from such a project or action or even decision to abandon is a story
for another day... Someone surely needs to act towards us the road users in a
spirit of brotherhood and that is My Check Point.
#AllLivesMatter #Stand4HumanRights, #RestoreSanity2Life #NoSaintNoSinner #MyCheckPoint.
#AllLivesMatter #Stand4HumanRights, #RestoreSanity2Life #NoSaintNoSinner #MyCheckPoint.
I am Bakah Derick your ground zero media man
MY CHECK
POINT 004
In this grave site like many others owned by
Churches in Bamenda, there are a good number of new graves. I will not
preoccupy myself with what killed the people burried in these graves today but
the reason for which they are burried here.
As I interrogated why the Church created
grave sites in the first place, I am told that it was for several reasons
amongst them the fact that some Christians need the prayers of other Christians
and since prayers are said often in the grave sites
they decide to bury their love ones there. Other opinions have it that the
grave sites were for those who could not afford the transport means to their
place of origin or abandoned with proof of Baptism.
Could it be that these things have started
happening all now? The response is no. It is certain now that to bury a love
one at home in near by towns to Bamenda like Ndop, Batibo, Kumbo, Wum, Nkambe,
Fondong, many other things need to be considered.. You must be courageous, you
must have some good money, you must surrender to the dictates of the
controlling authority in the area, the day of burrial must not fall on some
particularly days and the list continues,
What disturbs me most is the fact that many
of the people died because they could access medical facilities in these areas
off course how did you expect a man who has a regular cardiac checkup in Kumbo
to respect regular appointments? And just like the one seeking conventional
care is not able to get so too is the one seeking for alternative medicines in
other place in the area of Bui, Ngoketujia, Boyo, Momo, Donga Mantung and even Mezam
like Bafut and Bambui, Babangki and so on... Did I say I will not talk about
what killed them sorry I could not help but say this one
If you have to pay to bury the dead not just
the traditional things demanded by the palace what else will you not pay for...
The fact is we pay now for everything to keep our lives and the ones of dead
relatives.... What an experience
As these grave sites get full and financial
sources get dry one may ask what shall we do with the remains of our love ones
when death comes calling... Please can someone stop these buying of roads for
corpses and allow our dead enjoy a safe journey home? This is My Check Point .
#AllLivesMatter #Stand4HumanRights, #RestoreSanity2Life #NoSaintNoSinner #MyCheckPoint.
#AllLivesMatter #Stand4HumanRights, #RestoreSanity2Life #NoSaintNoSinner #MyCheckPoint.
I am. Bakah Derick your ground zero media man
MY CHECK
POINT 005
Before you pass my check point today, please
you will have to provide an answer to this question because it's a question I
am still searching answers to since meeting my trader friend upon my return to
ground zero...
After all the pleasantries that ended with a
bottle of a booze no matter what my friend asked me:
What is government loosing when I lock my
shop because of Ghost Town? mmmmmmmm na which kind question this (I told
myself)
Sounding as if he no longer trust me which is
a common thing now he adds "bro we have suffered in this country but if I
know what the government is loosing and we are gaining by organising and
respecting Ghost Towns I will lock and even double the doors and keys to my
shop on GT days."
In my pride off course: I didn't say I don't
know but I played smart since I no longer trust him too and said bro I will
check from the internet.... Hahahahhaha he is not as smart as me though....
As I left I reflected on a couple of issues:
1: Why is government no longer making anti
ghost town calls? Could it be it's because they are loosing nothing?
2: What happened that we did Ghost towns last
year and the NW still contributed over 98percent as revenue into the government
treasury? Could it be a lie that NW did not contribute that? If it's a lie what
will be government interest in saying that when they did not?
3: On such days in my town government services
are most efficient (not in rural NW though) obviously because only few people
come to the offices. How could the government be affected?
4: Many councils organised their budgetary
sessions in town which means they have money to pay the seating allowances of
their councilors and other expenses whether functional or not. Could it be
councils are not loosing too?
As many continue to rush to urban areas in
search for birth certificates, NID card (dare you not have one on demand by a
military officer), apply for public exams and so on and contractors continue to
nyaticiously or Nicodemusly continue to pay their taxes, the government
continuous to make gombo at the detriment of the people hahahahhahaha I am
almost getting an answer but to past My Check Point today you must give your
own answer...
I am Bakah Derick your ground zero media man
MY CHECK
POINT 006
"My brother please wait don't start yet.
Those boys are here and we are trying to sort them out before we begin"
These are the words of a trembling groom sweating terribly after just stepping
down from the altar and out of Church where he had just blessed his marriage...
Instead of looking glowing and handsomely happy as it is always the case, here
is the young man sweating and running allover the place to sort "the
boys."
I am well suited ready to deliver a Master Class Emcee event to guests the couple had
invited to share the joy of their wedding. Automatically I started sweating
myself because I heard that "the boys" were here. Then there is some
uneasy calm.
Not long though the couple walks up to me and
apologize, "we are sorry for the inconveniences Derick please let's just
begin." Then they complicated my work now "please try to help us
enjoy our day. It has not been easy." I smile back and then ask
"please what did you do to the boys " We had to give 200000frs
because they threatened to kidnap my wife if the money was not given.." A
man struggling to smile tells me. As to how they wanted me to do this with the
freight only them know .....
I will try to make it good though but like
seriously, I am not sure it was as good as planned. As I went home I questioned
myself on how respected or dreaded or feared "the boys" are. That
someone will organised a wedding reception with over 1000 guests all seated and
"the boys" will come and take the event hostage and the couple cannot
say a word! That I was sweating so seriously that I cannot take any action!
That I was to speak grammar for over two hours and earn just 1/4 of what the
boys collected in less than 20mims! Wandas
This couple did not come from anywhere else,
they live on ground zero, struggling and suffering like we all are doing here.
The guests and everyone else lives around. In fact it was a village arrangement
yet our own brothers will come and hold us at gun point to provide 200k else
nothing takes place? This is not funny. This is My Check point..
I am Bakah Derick your ground zero media man
MY CHECK
POINT 007
"The Anglophone General Conference aims
to:
✓ Bring the different dynamics within the Anglophone community at home and in the diaspora to the dialogue table;
✓ Discuss the impact of the system of governance in Cameroon since reunification in 1961 on the Anglophone territory, population and heritage in various domains;
✓ Discuss the impact of the current crisis on the population in such areas as education, administration of justice, civil and social services delivery, commerce and transportation, agriculture, etc. and make proposals for adequate ways to deal with it;
✓ Develop a common agenda for addressing Anglophone grievances and adopt astrategy to convey, present and defend this agenda at a national dialogue;
✓ Designate representatives of the Anglophone population at home and in the diaspora at the national dialogue." Concept Note of the Anglophone General Conference
✓ Bring the different dynamics within the Anglophone community at home and in the diaspora to the dialogue table;
✓ Discuss the impact of the system of governance in Cameroon since reunification in 1961 on the Anglophone territory, population and heritage in various domains;
✓ Discuss the impact of the current crisis on the population in such areas as education, administration of justice, civil and social services delivery, commerce and transportation, agriculture, etc. and make proposals for adequate ways to deal with it;
✓ Develop a common agenda for addressing Anglophone grievances and adopt astrategy to convey, present and defend this agenda at a national dialogue;
✓ Designate representatives of the Anglophone population at home and in the diaspora at the national dialogue." Concept Note of the Anglophone General Conference
I decided to go back to this document again
as I waited for clients at My Check Point wondering what is in these objectives
or aims that makes this initiative not good for key actors in the ongoing armed
conflict in the South West and North West Regions of Cameroon.
Well we maybe wondering why I concluded that
the key actors do not think that this initiative is good. If you are in that
group let me note that a lockdown of the regions was announced by one extreme
at the time the conference was to take place in Buea and the other refused to
permit the event take place and it was postponed indefinitely.
I saw a resolute Christian Cardinal Tumi in
Bamenda together with the Moderator of the PCC and the Executive President of
the CBC, The Imams and others expressing the wish for the people of the SW and
NW region to regain their peace with justice. At 88, this "monument"
of the Roman Catholic Church from amongst the warriors of Nso has seen it all.
Him like many of the fellow conveners may not be searching for any job than
protecting the spiritual flog the religious bodies they belong to have put
under their pastoral care.
Could it be that the key actors are against
the people of the SW and NW gaining peace? If the answer is no then please let
this event take place so we can live again like a free people with the right to
life, freedom of movement and association like others elsewhere in the
world.... If truly this fight for self determination is genuine then we should
be positive and unanimous towards any initiative that breeds hope.
To be at peace with others, your must start
by being at peace with your self. If truly someone claims to be for some
dialogue as a means of searching for a solution to the armed conflict, then
such a person will not ignore any opportunity that provides a better and
organised forum for such a dialogue. I think the AGC provides such preliminary
ground for such national dialogue which I want to style a High Table National
political and presidential dialogue (I will explain later). And this is My
Check Point
I am Bakah Derick your ground zero media man
MY CHECK
POINT 008
Simply put; Economic hardship can be defined
as the inability to meet reasonable basic living expenses. Well known Cameroon
folklore musician of Kom extraction Yerima Afo-Akom summarily calls it poverty
and explains that it is "the inability to satisfy ones needs"
For some people the root cause of economic
hardship is physical, mental or emotional disability.
According to George Scott a Social
Anthropologist "In larger numbers, the cause of economic hardship is a
lack of necessary education. Young people need to understand that a successful
adult life begins with a lot of hard work while they are still kids.
For a surprisingly significant number of people it is poor financial management (even among some people who make good salaries). For others it is drug or alcohol addition. For others it is a lack of self-discipline regarding work. A good work ethic, including a positive attitude, is essential for success."
For a surprisingly significant number of people it is poor financial management (even among some people who make good salaries). For others it is drug or alcohol addition. For others it is a lack of self-discipline regarding work. A good work ethic, including a positive attitude, is essential for success."
Mih Bibiana Mbei D. Founder of BIHNDUMLEM
Humanitarian Foundation of Peace and Hope in her book Rwanda-Horrors of
Genocide: Prevention in our world today, she states clearly that one of the
major causes of Genocide is economic hardship.
Just looking at the causes of economic
hardship, there is no argument over that fact that the crisis hit SW/NW regions
may soon enter the state of a Genocide as economic hardship approaches.
Not only have key actors in the crisis made
sure that the ordinary person lacks the means to generate revenue but they are
also collecting the little the people have.
Remember according to Raphael Lemkin,
Genocide is the deliberate and systematic destruction, in whole or in part, of
an ethnic, racial, religious or national group. It is defined in Article 2 of
the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide
(CPPCG) of 1948 as "any of the following acts committed with intent to
destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group,
as such: killing members of the group; causing serious bodily or mental harm to
members of the group; deliberately inflicting on the groups conditions of life,
calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part;
imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group; and forcibly
transferring children of the group to another group... We have no problem
concluding that lots of things similar to these have happened in SW/NW but we
may have a problem of concluding who is guilty as a perpetrator....
The preamble to the CPPCG states that
"genocide is a crime under international law, contrary to the spirit and
aims of the United Nations and condemned by the civilized world" and that
"at all periods of history genocide has inflicted great losses on humanity
If we must avoid a Genocide (which some people say is already here) we must avoid economic hardship. That can not be avoided when guns continue to smoke, shops stay locked, roads stay blocked or cut, when we continue to kill as a national policy (neutralise), when we torture for pleasure and the list can go on and on...And this is My Check Point
If we must avoid a Genocide (which some people say is already here) we must avoid economic hardship. That can not be avoided when guns continue to smoke, shops stay locked, roads stay blocked or cut, when we continue to kill as a national policy (neutralise), when we torture for pleasure and the list can go on and on...And this is My Check Point
I am Bakah Derick your ground zero media man
MY CHECK
POINT 009
"My brother we have not had water for
three weeks"
what? I exclaimed then she adds "it is a pity that not only have basic communities become very expensive so too is any other thing and no water. Bro i am fade up and i cant live in Kumbo again"
what? I exclaimed then she adds "it is a pity that not only have basic communities become very expensive so too is any other thing and no water. Bro i am fade up and i cant live in Kumbo again"
This is the story of a medical staff sent to
Kumbo who practically trekked a good part of her distance to BAMENDA my base
right?
As disappointed and frustrated as she looks,
only signs of never again can be seen on this land.
Truly my interest was not her pain but the
pain of those she has abandoned and is not ready to go back to them. Her
departure means people can now die of simple medical concerns like headache,
running stomach, belly bite and so on because like her many others are leaving
kumbo and other parts of the region.
In addition My interest is not the difficulty
she went through in getting to Bamenda nor what others will suffer because of
nor water but because of the fact that in this crisis we are so care free that
we attack even water sources.
I think its a shame that we can do this. The
report i got from limbe is the same i got from Kumbo and i will not be
surprised if i hear from other parts of the SW/NW. How on earth will you
transform a water source as a battle?
How can we go so low that we think destroying
our own water sources (sources i am told we struggled to construct) will help us
achieve anything other than killing our own people?
No matter what point we want to proof, can we
at least spare our water? they say water is life...A lot has been taken away
from us already please don't touch our water sources. This is My Check Point
I am Bakah Derick your ground zero media man
MY
CHECKPOINT 010
Politically
speaking and thinking, self-determination evolved as a by-product of the
doctrine of nationalism. This expression was given by the French and American
revolutions during World War I as a peace aim. This principle has been mentioned
more than once by many with a fair interpretation of the armed conflict in the
North West and South West Regions of Cameroon.
Off
course those in this group cannot be taken for granted because they believe
that what is happening is because a people wants to take charge of the
management of their activities like economy, education, culture, judiciary,
development and so on.
The
Underrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation UNPO admits this and says
"all peoples have the right to self-determination. By virtue of that right
they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic,
social and cultural development. The organisation's Members are indigenous
peoples, minorities, unrecognised States and occupied territories that have
joined together to promote their right to self-determination, while also
defending their political, social and cultural rights and preserving their
environments."
Expert
opinions have it that to achieve ones self determination dream defining
success, Setting goals, Keeping expectations high, Understanding your abilities
and disabilities. Playing to your strengths, developing strategies to meet set
goals, Using technology as an empowering tool, Working hard, Perseverance and
being flexible are indispensable...
The
Self-Determination Theory according to the originators Edward L. Deci and
Richard M. Ryan, psychologists at the University of Rochester "is a theory
of motivation and personality that addresses three universal, innate and
psychological needs: competence, autonomy, and psychological relatedness."
"The
importance lies in the right of choice, so that the outcome of a people's
choice should not affect the existence of the right to make a choice. In
practice, however, the possible outcome of an exercise of self-determination
will often determine the attitude of governments towards the actual claim by a
people or nation. Thus, while claims to cultural autonomy may be more readily
recognized by states, claims to independence are more likely to be rejected by
them. Nevertheless, the right to self-determination is recognized in
international law as a right of process (not of outcome) belonging to peoples
and not to states or governments." UNPO states
Don't
ask me why i decided to look back at all of these lectures but i think it was
necessary so as to allow us move forward ...
One
of the things we might have noticed is that none of these cited authorities
talk about the strategy to achieving self determination surely because they
want to avoid areas where other international pieces of legislation may find
them wanting. But permit me indicate that in the course of this discourse,
there was no where i was told that the right to self determination is stronger
or bigger than the right to life ...
Though
many seem to be avoiding the group that calls what is happening in the SW/NW
self determination while instead subscribing to revolutionary and rebellion
theories maybe because of the activities, i think it is important to agree that
in as much as self determination is a right and accepted by many, the right to
life and wellbeing remains cardinal at all times.
Consequently
once a self determination strategy does not protect life it should either be
discarded or revised. This is what needs to be done in the NW/SW because the
number of lives taken are already too many....
Like
the immediate past Presidents of Nigeria and South Africa Dr Goodluck E.
Jonathan and Jacob Zuma respectively said on their ways out of office
(paraphrasing) their stay in office is nor worth the life of any citizen. Can
someone stop the killing? Not only have people been physically and wilfully
killed so too have the education, economy and culture that we so much cherish
have been killed. This is My Checkpoint.....see u on Thursday.
I
am Bakah Derick your ground zero media man
MY
CHECKPOINT 012
And
finally it seems all is set for the start of the leagues in the country! Yes
and as a matter of fact Bamenda will host matches again..
Well
for the last two years, the little of what is left of Bamenda's football glory
has survive thanks to the generosity of the Yong's family .
You
may think i need a psychiatries if I say what the world knows as the Bamenda
municipal stadium is one of the oldest created in Cameroon. But if you visit
you ask questions including if the place is worth the appellation a stadium.
This is the first major thing that happened to my beautiful Abakwa town in the
60s just shortly after "independence." It was the goodwill of then
Cameroon President Amadou Ahidjo. Leave the details about the number of
seats..I am not prepared for the emergency ward of a hospital now..
The
then Public Works Department PWD not the team though was charged with its
construction...I can't say what they constructed for now .... But that thing
they constructed will later give birth to a football team; PWD social Club of
Bamenda. Maybe it was a way to say they actually constructed the stadium and
took up the responsibility of funding the team. God was on their side. Pope
John Paul will use it and others including Ahidjo himself but before then PWD
social club will justify the existence of the stadium with a Cup of Cameroon
final ticket in 1979... Don't ask me what happened at least I know Ngia P is
not a Cup tittle holder; well as runners up though .....if you must know then
go and look for Agwa Joseph, Nji Sunday, and others...they are alive around
Abakwa or na old town? Even if you go to Ntarikon Chairman can tell you....
Our
celebration will be on for sometime in the stadium until when attention will be
shifted to Tobin after the coming of the Cup of Cameroon in the year 2000. The
ill luck for Kumbo Strikers that came with the cup was in quantum as they will
later fall even below ground level. Don't ask me where they are now.. I am sure
only Mbigha Felix the Regional FECAFOOT President and his SG Elvis Ndi Tsebom
can know.
No
Ngia P! No Kumbo Strikers... So we managed regional soccer for many years with
most of our teams based in Bamenda battling with Pa Akenji and his infamous
stadium director bosses just like FECAFOOT President(s) and SG(s) watching and
collecting gate fees.. with no concern about the development of the stadium
after all PWD is no more and the team they created abandoned to the population
battling in the regional league. I am sure they abandoned the field too...
Elite
football will only return to the region in 2009 when YOSA FC of the ever missed
Bobe Yong Francis will beat Caiman of Douala to grab an elite one ticket. The
excitement is total and Bobe will quickly agree a strange deal to rehabilitate
the stadium (hope his money was refunded)...some sand is added and renovation
on the fence separating players from spectators...na ndamba this ..... We will
train, play together with many other teams in the city on the same pitch and by
2013 YOSA FC will win the Cup of Cameroon with football made in our kind of
stadium. Bobe Yong will not see the Cup..unfortunate
Already
we forgot about Ahidjo and his public works department stadium...and will stay
us jejely until one Tombi A. Sidiki of "FECAFOOD" , with his friend
Ben Mondo of Prime Potomac together with the unelected City Mayor of Bamenda
will come in 2016 to tell us that they will build us a stadium ...we no
askam.....hear number 2500 seats...then I exclaimed What! hahahaha someone
tells me the contract period is six months and it is only a temporal stadium.
The big stadium is coming and I am consoled.
We
will now quietly go us to Njenefor Mile six Nkwen. Again it is Bobe's family
that will come to our aid with their Training Center Stadium. Surely because
the team was theirs so what would have happened if they had no team.... Today
everything regional football happens there and many six months have past no
stadium...
Before
2018 faded away, I heard someone on the State broadcaster the CRTV say Bamenda
was among five cities in the country chosen for a stadium... I shouted
Akumkum!.....the name again is Prime Potomac....Now i say wandas
The
fluency and sweet tongue with which the 2500 was presented is the same with
which another has been presented and the number this time is 20, 000 seats
hahahahha Akumkum well this one has no time line so I am not worried....i am
not waiting for it....
Take
off Pa Yong's center and we are stadium less..... 59years after independence no
stadium? Akumkum
Today
the city boast of two Elite One teams ....don't ask me where they will play
home matches but one thing I am sure of is that it will be difficult for PWD to
see the YOSA FC training stadium as home ground.
But even if they do they can never be as comfortable as they would have been if they played in their own temple.
But even if they do they can never be as comfortable as they would have been if they played in their own temple.
At
every instance that any administrator has to tell us about this stadium, its a
lie that comes out..... When PWD qualified in July of 2018 another one said
everything will be done to make sure the infrastructure is ready.... Mister
Administrator the league starts this weekend...is the stadium ready? Please
tell the people you are sorry. we will continue to play like we did and won two
cups, continental tickets and qualifications ...Don't boarder yourself
again.....we are already use to bad roads and stadia...and this is #MYCHECKPOINT..
I
am Bakah Derick your ground zero media man
MY
CHECKPOINT 013
Sometime
in 2017 a story spread in Bamenda talking about a priest who was kidnapped and
he said he asked his abductors to pray with him and they all made what the
Roman Catholic Church calls the Sign of the Cross.
Don't
ask me if that means the kidnappers were Catholics because you have the answer
yourself.
Let
me note that this reflection maybe judgemental but lets agree that I will use
we which includes me.
It
is very shameful the way we act and shortly after we are in Church and
churching and acting prayers as Christians.
According
to Dan Jarms (Dr. Dan Jarms is teaching pastor and team leader at Faith Bible
Church in Spokane Washington, as well as associate dean at TMS Spokane) in his
publication "The Model and Power of Christian Unity "Self-centered,
self-aggrandizing, self-glorifying pride is the modus operandi of human
existence. It is the fuel for division. It is the train operator that derails
whole churches from their mission while leaving spiritual carnage scattered
across a city. Every local church faces many threats. False teaching and
persecution threaten from without. But the one that threatens from within is
selfish pride."
To
justify this submission published on The Master's Seminary blog, he quotes
several biblical texts explaining: "The Apostle Paul saw just such a
threat brewing in Philippi. The church in Philippi was faithful in its
partnership with Paul in the gospel. His earnest desire was to see them
continue unified in their mission of bringing the gospel to their city. Paul
writes to the Phillipians, “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the
gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will
hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving
together for the faith of the gospel.” (Phil 1:27) Later in his letter, he
directs attention to alleviating this threat before it wreaks havoc in the
church. “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of
mind regard one another as more important than yourselves.” (Phil 2:3)
This
actually sounds like a good justification for Christian Unity but of course he
still keeps his convictions about his own Church and sticks to it and unifying
with others.... I have heard similar submissions over and over around Bamenda
during the annual week for Christian Unity. Trust me this year I was too busy
to attend any of the sessions...don't ask me why but i had time to exploit some
documentation to that effect and Bamenda Christian resolution which for the
first time generates call for action with more feasible resolutions.
Inspired by Deuteronomy 16:20, the theme was chosen as "Justice, Only Justice, You Shall Pursue” certainly to promote truth, equality and unity.
I
remember reading from Fr. Tom Orians, SA Associate Director of the Graymoor
Ecumenical and Interreligious Institute after the meeting of the International
Committee of the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches
and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity that during the week
of prayer for Christian Unity "Christians across the world gather in
prayer for growth in unity. We do this in a world where corruption, greed and
injustice bring about inequality and division. We are called together to form a
united witness for justice and for Christian Unity that becomes a means of Christ’s
healing grace for the brokenness of the world."
On
Sunday January 27 2019 several questions went through my mind as I listen to
"My Catechist" Rev Fr Tatah Mbuy in his regular Catholic Meditation
produced every Sunday Morning. Like the determined, informed and convinced
Catechist, I wondered to myself who are those who perpetrate this corruption,
greed and injustice particularly in my country where I am told that
approximately 70 percent of the population is at least nominally Christian, 19
percent is nominally Muslim and 10 percent practice traditional indigenous
religious beliefs with 1percent practicing other religions.
Paul
Louis Metzger writes "Biblical justice involves making individuals,
communities, and the cosmos whole, by upholding both goodness and impartiality.
It stands at the center of true religion, according to James, who says that the
kind of "religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is
this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself
from being polluted by the world" (James 1:27). Earlier Scripture says,
"The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no
such concern" (Prov. 29:7).
I
may not be a Priest, Pastor or even an Evangelist or related to one though I
have a few theologians around. After hearing a resolve by the Christians who
came together to push for justice, truth and stand for one and other every time
the opportunity shows up, I concluded that there is hope for a united Christian
front BAMENDA....
I
want to give a 21 gun salute to those who assembled in Bamenda for the
resolutions taken to intensify Christian Unity resolving to be one and others
keeper and demanding justice at all times...
I
have written really long because i feel directly connected to this because I am
tired of seeing the level of killings, destruction, kind of leadership i see in
my country, the level of injustice, greed corruption and so on...However let me
not be like the people who worry as Jesus said "I tell you not to worry
about your life ... only people who don't know God are always worrying
..." Matthew 6:25,32 ..... Much can be achieved in Unity and this is My
Checkpoint....
I
am Bakah Derick your ground zero media man
MY
CHECKPOINT 014
That
everyone has been running all over the place buying rice and oil in fact food
not because they have a family meeting or a party at home but because someone
has ordered them to lock themselves and stay home is a call for concern but may
not constitute a reason to stop at My Checkpoint because it is also a clear
demonstration of our inherited and traditional docility. If you ask us what
results that will produce if not more killing destruction and hardship we can
not say... Abeg lets talk something else Akumkum
Recent
developments around football are just sufficient to keep me at the checkpoint
for long since I don't give or collect bribe worst still from dead and
suffering of others.
Two
files are available for scrutiny... The glisement AFCON from 2019 to 2021 and
the official launch and official official final launch of the football leagues
in the country.
I
like the first one but i love the second..So let me start with the 21 gun
salute for Seidou Mbombo Njoya FECAFOOT President for stepping in to broker a
peace deal through the ad-hoc Committee for the official official final launch
of the season.
But
what happened that the first launch failed? 14 of the 18 Clubs refused to show
up for the games as programmed.. Yeah in a largely divide and rule system like
ours, it was okay to have at least four refuse to stand by what looked like a
collective decision.. Well it is certain their show up had a more personal
interest than a collective interest...
Let
me however say i was shocktalised that such a decision could work in our
football such that club president could hold the competition organisers by
their balls and press so hard until they surrender... accepting an official
official final launch. hahahahaha Aa la feeee..... fo mo feen...
But
wait ooo..How come you could unit and act on simple issues like this when you
cannot do for others? Do you remember that its getting to ten years since the
minimum pay for elite 1&2 players was agreed? you cannot agree and act on
this one hahahahhaha How come you could agree and act on matters of
infrastructure? How come you could not agree and act on the publication of a
football calendar in the country? How come you cannot unit and officialise cash
prizes for the league or cup winners? While you stand at this checkpoint we
assure you that you have the courage and capability to fixed our battered
football image...
With
an FA leadership that looks like it is ready to listen, change and take
action...I think this is the time.... As you prepare for the February 28
General Assembly, know that we have scored you very high because of your
action. Don't come out with a lesser score... You will certainly not like your
next stop on this checkpoint...
Our
football can be better with your collaboration and this is My Checkpoint
From
Bakah Derick your ground zero media man...
MY
CHECKPOINT 015
I
certainly will not need to launch a special survey to know why attendance at
the PWD vs APEJES game was horribly low despite the fact that it was the first
time in 15yrs that the Abakwa Boys were staging a soccer dance of that repute
in Bamenda.
If
I were to do a survey I am sure it will be targeting the audience different
orientations and desires which will enable the decision makers to furnish the
suitable solutions in order to encourage the audience to return to the
stadiums. Normally my survey will be informed by personal reasons, such as not
interested, no time, stadiums not conducive to receive people on gender lines
objection.
Organisational
reasons, such as matches scheduled on the weekdays, stadiums too far, traffic
jams near stadium, too noisy, smoking or indecent expressions Or technical
reasons, such as lack of “local stars,” favourite team not doing well, not
tournament time, lack of confidence among fans and coaching staff and referee’s
level is “low”.
Others
can talk of uncomfortable seats if any, lack of facilities like mosques,
parking or restaurants, lack of transport to/from stadium and So on.....Wait
ooo Am I talking in Cameroon? Well football is a universal game. No bi so?
But
i am sure that if arbitrary security procedures and concerns were mentioned no
one will argue that but lets say audiences related reasons like not enough
fans, no relationship with club and audience and median related reasons, such
as modern technology and the ability to watch it on TV could affect turnout.
Sorry again i forgot i am not in Camair....
But
when a diehard supporter of P Ton Ton called me to ask the scores and told me
he was just around mile 3 Nkwen and explained he could not go to the field that
is the Yong Fancis Arena in Njenefor Mile 6 Nkwen that is when i understood
that there was more to worry about than can be explained in simple terms.
When
I asked him why he could not go to the field hahahah rhetorically he replied
"Derick don't you know those boys have a camp around there? I know the
boys he was talking about and I am sure you know too... but i asked, do you
think the boys will disturb the game? But he quickly said my brother no one can
trust those boys....Then we laugh and that was the end of our conversation as
we exchanged pleasantries....
For
the past two years and counting, this part of the country has been ravaged by
war and the stories that have been told are horrifying and dehumanising in
equal measure.
Since
the uprising began in 2016, there has been little positivity spoken in
connection with the NW, but then there is the remarkable story of NW's football
teams Bang Bullet, NPB FC, YOSA and PWD... I must at this juncture give 21gun
salutes to APEJES of Mfou for accepting to come over to this region that has
known and enjoyed only negative publicity.
The
relationship that exists between these teams and their people depicts the power
of sport on a personal, cultural and political level. It goes to the heart of
what makes sport matter.
Prior
to this game even Cameroon's state broadcaster reporters speculated that this
game may not play at the Yong Francis Arena not for fans trouble or economic
sanctions but security fears. They even speculated that no games can take place
inside the arena and they actually insinuated that Mbouda could be the playing
ground for home fixtures being neutral venues for Bamenda teams meaning in
front of very few fans.
Well
this is easier said than done when you are a region with very few friends on
the national stage due to your thoughts and actions. However when PWD played in
the near empty Arena and obtained a sweet 2-1 win it made their achievements
all the more incredible.
There
is perhaps no more telling indictment of the war or crisis in the NW than the
killings, destruction, displacements and the killed joy that came with football
games much more for Elite teams.
If
these players play for public attention for career growth, I am sure by now
many of them are looking for any opportunity to go and play professionally
outside the region or country so they can leave and get their family out of the
region and even country to have a better life since playing at home in front of
empty seats.
As
the leagues continues with no fewer than 25matches programmed in Bamenda now
city of uncertainty vis-a-vis the PWD vs APEJES game, will it be a bad idea
taking the games to a Mbouda or Bafoussam for the interest of the league and
players?
As
PWD and YOSA prepare to receive Colombe and Unisport in Bamenda during Day Two
fixtures maybe this weekend, It will not be a bad idea if someone strategies on
better was to have fans in the stadium particularly at the time even media
organ are almost boycotting matches. I am told that only six media organs or so
were present for the season's opener in Bamenda! mmmmm this is unheard of. And
this is My Checkpoint
I
am Bakah Derick your ground zero media man