tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17396951533704082592024-03-13T14:21:19.963-07:00THE TIKUM MBAH AZONGA BLOGA forum that examines problems undermining the development of Cameroon in particular and Africa in general, with a view to charting the way forward. The development of Africa is first and foremost an African task.Tikum Mbah Azongahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267421001818870420noreply@blogger.comBlogger1814125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739695153370408259.post-56718860982304579452011-07-23T14:24:00.000-07:002011-07-23T14:26:09.785-07:00THOSE WHO DARE TO PREACH TO US<span style="font-style:italic;">By Tikum Mbah Azonga</span><br /><br />I will spread it out<br />I mean, spread it out<br />With my index finger<br />It doesn`t matter if it`s too thinly<br />As long as we square the half mile<br />We won`t accept any grren notes<br />Nor the baker`s long loaves<br />Nor loose euros blowing in the wind<br />We will tone down any strident calls for blood from DC<br />We will question and vet<br />Any petitions to Amnesty and Transparency from Brussels<br />They`re all talking drums that sound hollow<br />Because their music is drenched and drowned in sour cheese droplets<br />And odd bits and pieces of chicken and chips<br />And left-overs of last night`s burgers.<br />We want our own voices to rise up and tower and dwarf<br />We want our young to grow and step forward<br />We want our on to show us the way<br />We want our type to rule and govern <br />But we reject any go-between<br />We don`t want godfathers<br />Just let us be<br />We turn down all mediators and arbiters<br />Why should we trust them?<br />They have betrayed their own people<br />They carry guns wantonly and shoot randomly like Adolf`s underlings<br />They coldbloodedly strap up humans and inject them to death<br />They wire them up like some new building and electrocute them<br />Their stages and arenas are worse than Hitler`s gas chambers<br />So who are they to stand and give us lessons?<br />They`re nothing but opportunists who say one thing and mean another<br />They can be all over the place<br />They can be everwhere<br />Yet nowhere<br />They`re brief<br />Fleeting<br />Passing<br />Short-lived<br />Momentary<br />Ephemeral<br />A nine day wonder<br />So why trust them?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Copyright 2011</span>Tikum Mbah Azongahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267421001818870420noreply@blogger.com54tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739695153370408259.post-32083677553607988202011-07-20T03:21:00.000-07:002011-07-20T03:27:01.926-07:00THE SILENCE FROM ROME<span style="font-style:italic;">By Tikum Mbah Azonga</span><br /><br />The priest is tired<br />His silk cassock has gone grey<br />His hands tremble<br />His mantle no longer fits<br />His crook looks too heavy for him<br />Isn`t it time he went?<br />Shouldn`t he also get a rest?<br />Or must it only be the pastor?<br />Leadership is leadership<br />Unless Rome thinks otherwise.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Copyright 2011</span>Tikum Mbah Azongahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267421001818870420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739695153370408259.post-31667401345800131702011-07-19T14:15:00.000-07:002011-07-19T14:17:29.697-07:00WHAT COLOURS MEAN TO ME<span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />(For Marelen)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">By Tikum Mbah Azonga</span><br /><br />The girl in white and purple<br />That’s who I am today and tomorrow<br />That’s who I was yesterday<br />I am my own mistress<br />I build my own bridges<br />I trace my own path<br />I fight my own battles<br />Life has taught me that the world is inside of us<br />Not somewhere else<br />That’s why I’m the girl in white and purple<br />But the colours are the Almighty’s, not mine <br />He alone pulls the strings<br />And I go at his bidding.<br /><br />My white and purple<br />Are not bows without their arrows<br />They are not the valley lily birds fed yesterday<br />No, they are a new breed of flower sash from the seamstress<br />But certainly not a re-enactment of Benson and Hedges.<br />When we read the Wife of Bath<br />We do so with due regard for her rattles<br />That’s why my students come here daily without fuss<br />And my staff work harder than Oscar Wells.<br />Here at ABCIT where standards are high and far from rubble<br />We invite all and sundry to come and discover our deep gold mine<br />If there is anything tied here, it’s certainly strings<br />That’s why with my verse stringer, I’m prepared to go in hiding.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Copyright 2011</span>Tikum Mbah Azongahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267421001818870420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739695153370408259.post-31072626051107390782011-07-19T13:55:00.000-07:002011-07-19T13:56:50.159-07:00GOD`S CHANGING WEATHER<span style="font-weight:bold;">(For Bernadette)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">By Tikum Mbah Azonga</span><br /><br />Wao! What a good weather!<br />Don’t you simply love it?<br />See how meek and lowly<br />Yet how sweet and charming it is<br />Yes, it may change<br />We all know the weather is fickle<br />But who isn’t?<br />That’s life.<br /><br />For all the exotic readings, I thank the Father<br />The cumulus, the nimbus, the stratus, they all do it<br />So does the torrential rain when it rumbles slowly<br />As a Gemini, I know when the weather is amiss<br />Like a true child of Babungo, I can measure its full range<br />So it doesn’t matter whether it’s a down pour or a trickle<br />Thank God for the splendid weather and the snow it isn’t<br />After all, without the changes, our Faculty has no real life.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Copyright 2011</span>Tikum Mbah Azongahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267421001818870420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739695153370408259.post-84530986214168667802011-07-17T13:57:00.000-07:002011-07-17T14:02:36.351-07:00ELECTIONS AS A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD<span style="font-style:italic;">By Tikum Mbah Azonga</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />A contribution to the ongoing debate on FACEBOOK about the forthcoming presidential election in Cameroon and incumbent President Paul Biya`s supposed role in it.</span><br /><br />Victory in politics comes from action. It does not come from rhetoric alone. It is not enough to simply WISH that Biya goes and you expect to get up from your bed the following morning and find him gone. Elections are round the corner. What have you done concretely in preparation? Apart from Biya, there are at least ten other candidates. Are you throwing in your weight behind any of them and giving that one total support? Or better still, are you running as your own candidate, instead of expressing wishes at the sidelines while the real battle goes on with you only as a commentator. The SDF for instance is `doing something about it`, by being there and challenging and opposing and arguing. They are engaged, they are committed. They may not make it now, but if they persist, they may make it some day. It might not be them as such but their children. . It doesn’t matter. People come and go but the nation remains. Biya is at least present and fighting his own battle. The best arena on which to challenge him and effect change is through the ballot box. Shouting and insults and emotions will not change anything.<br /><br />Copyright 2011Tikum Mbah Azongahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267421001818870420noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739695153370408259.post-54943467094492291052011-07-17T13:41:00.000-07:002011-07-17T13:44:51.739-07:00TOO BIG FOR CHARING CROSS<span style="font-style:italic;">By Tikum Mbah Azonga</span><br /><br />I’m not a man to roam<br />I carry heavy bagpipes<br />Like the Kilimanjaro poet<br />Watch my eyebrows<br />Don’t you see them twitch?<br />So, what more of the wanton birds at Charing Cross?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Copyright 2011</span>Tikum Mbah Azongahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267421001818870420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739695153370408259.post-79064641680028061422011-07-17T13:36:00.000-07:002011-07-17T13:40:53.688-07:00INCHES TOO SHALLOW<span style="font-weight:bold;">(For the victim`s of Schindler`s list)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">By Tikum Mbah Azonga</span><br /><br />Some inches were unspeakable<br />Frankly<br />Imagine a yarn without fins or spreadsheets<br />Where on earth would you then begin?<br />Where?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Copyright 2011</span>Tikum Mbah Azongahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267421001818870420noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739695153370408259.post-24769787655287638162011-07-17T13:32:00.000-07:002011-07-17T13:35:55.540-07:00THE WRONG DRINK<span style="font-style:italic;">By Tikum Mbah Azonga</span><br /><br />I couldn’t find the gas pedal<br />Nor the gradient level<br />So did I have to sip Ukrainian Cognac?<br />Just because of that?<br />What about the charcoal trade?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Copyright 2011</span>Tikum Mbah Azongahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267421001818870420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739695153370408259.post-45626527527101166062011-07-17T13:24:00.000-07:002011-07-17T13:25:06.445-07:00LONE BATTLE FOR CHRIST<span style="font-style:italic;">By Tikum Mbah Azonga</span><br /><br />I quenched it<br />Not with holy water<br />Nor tears for fear<br />But with God’s own spirit<br />It didn’t take long<br />Although the breath of it was so short<br />And its Fallopian tubes severed<br />I did it standing on the Kilimanjaro<br />Yet, I did it<br />Don’t mind the band master.<br /><br />We’re all damned, profit or no profit<br />Even if we’re offered the best Twin Otter<br />That’s why for ever our offspring will speak from the rear<br />Especially for those who know Tikrit<br />And the scapegoat Washington gnawed and gored for so long<br />The charge is nothing short of tort<br />It’s also nothing short of the leader who once was revered<br />Forget the dirty bodices and shrunken payroll<br />What really matters is the last candle no one really lit<br />And the fact that son is equal to father. <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Copyright 2011</span>Tikum Mbah Azongahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267421001818870420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739695153370408259.post-13188008489272217682011-07-17T13:00:00.000-07:002011-07-17T13:10:43.405-07:00A PRAYER FOR VICTORY<span style="font-weight:bold;">(For Lydienne Blanche)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">By Tikum Mbah Azonga</span><br /><br />Give me an example, dear Lord<br />And a good one, too<br />For too long I have groped in the dark<br />Today I want light<br />I want sunshine<br />I want your shoulder<br />I want your hand.<br /><br />Give me grace, but of your own accord<br />I don’t want to stick like glue<br />I want to run and worship you like in the park<br />I want to win with you without a fight<br />Lord, be my grapevine<br />Be my solace, my fortress and my giant boulder<br />So that I too can see the Promised Land.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Copyright 2011</span>Tikum Mbah Azongahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267421001818870420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739695153370408259.post-33193083873606392942011-07-15T13:27:00.000-07:002011-07-15T13:29:39.679-07:00A CERTAIN POINT IN TIME<span style="font-weight:bold;">(For Linda)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">By Tikum Mbah Azonga</span><br /><br />I’ll think<br />I’ll think and grow rich<br />Just like Napoleon<br />Just let the tides ebb away<br />And the bottom line of Ant & Soc, thicken<br />That’s when we’ll even the scores.<br /><br />I’m not at the brink<br />That’s why I refuse to twitch<br />Instead, I demand brand new dandelions of neon<br />If you will, that’s my way<br />That’s why I must think and ripen<br />And then get rid of all the pores and sores.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Copyright 2011</span>Tikum Mbah Azongahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267421001818870420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739695153370408259.post-71564971664652240542011-07-15T05:36:00.000-07:002011-07-15T05:37:51.945-07:00MY NEWEST CREATION<span style="font-weight:bold;">(For Mayayong)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">By Tikum Mbah Azonga</span><br /><br />Every new creation is good<br />On condition that it doesn’t get stuck in the mud<br />And in the process<br />Attract odd bits of iron filings<br />Or some adulterated God’s bits of wood<br />Or even get steeped in sour lime wine.<br />And that’s the plain truth.<br /><br />Whether I’m called Sandrine or Vera<br />As long as Spanish is my oyster<br />And the instructor, this man who makes me laugh<br />And forever I have this leg in JMC<br />The world shall continue to spin on its axis<br />I’m not reinventing the wheel<br />No, far from it, I’m calling a spade, a spade.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Copyright 2011</span>Tikum Mbah Azongahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267421001818870420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739695153370408259.post-76681853998391165192011-07-15T05:11:00.000-07:002011-07-15T05:24:31.639-07:00THE TAUNTED LION<span style="font-weight:bold;">(For Agbor Ambang)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">By Tikum Mbah Azonga</span><br /><br />SO what are you going to do about it?<br />Let all the chickens loose<br />Or get them pent up for another month?<br />Do you think that’s fair?<br />To show a hungry lion meat from the booby<br />And then abruptly withdraw it?<br />Is a hungry man not an angry man?<br /><br />I have come for my search<br />And I have a torch, just in case<br />I’m not seeking the heroin<br />Neither a I seeking the villain<br />I’m seeking the way to Mamfe<br />Call me another lotus eater, if you like<br />I will stand my ground.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Copyright 2011</span>Tikum Mbah Azongahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267421001818870420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739695153370408259.post-5501893986259945082011-07-14T11:35:00.000-07:002011-07-14T12:03:46.782-07:00MIS HERMANOS Y YO<span style="font-style:italic;">Por Tikum Mbah Azonga</span><br /><br />Cuando todos mis hermanos<br />Todos<br />Se van a la catedral<br />Me llevan solo a casa<br />No quieren que ir tambien <br />De ninguna manera<br />Nunca<br /><br />Cuando regresan a casa<br />Siempre, sin jaqueta<br />Y sin comentarios<br />Y que hay para comer<br />Me dicen que el vecina esta infermo<br />Pero cuando hay trabajo para hacer<br />Me llaman todos<br />Todos <br />En el mismo tiempo.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Copyright 2011</span>Tikum Mbah Azongahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267421001818870420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739695153370408259.post-41809766579457459102011-07-14T11:26:00.000-07:002011-07-14T11:28:22.784-07:00MY QUEST FOR LEADERSHIP<span style="font-weight:bold;">(For Kelly)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">By Tikum Mbah Azonga</span><br /><br />Why don’t I always have what I want<br />Why is this life this way?<br />I love my fellow human being<br />I offer help wherever necessary<br />But I also want something in return<br />It’s something for something<br />Not something for nothing<br />That’s what I want.<br /><br />Yet when I move nearer, they move away<br />When I go in, they go out<br />When I go out, the go in<br />When I call, they giggle<br />I want my presence to be felt<br />I want to be present<br />I want to be seen<br />I want to be heard<br />I want to lead<br />I want to rule the world.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Copyright 2011</span>Tikum Mbah Azongahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267421001818870420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739695153370408259.post-1222057181616662072011-07-14T11:14:00.000-07:002011-07-14T11:16:12.883-07:00IS MAN BY NATURE GOOD?<span style="font-weight:bold;">(For Ngong Bertrand)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">By Tikum Mbah Azonga</span><br /><br />Could people still be this good<br />Or am I dreaming?<br />Have heaven’s doors and windows<br />Suddenly flung open and whisked everyone up<br />With no ticket, no money, no strings?<br /> Why have all the girls` faces brightened up<br />And all the boys` grips become firmer?<br />Surely there must be something in the offing.<br /><br />Cars drive past and I am ticked off as ready food<br /> Amphi 750 is full to the brim and still streaming<br />All oil paintings I see are like obsolete bows and arrows<br />Any attempts at changing money simply flop<br />Science students talk of nothing but concentric circles and rings<br />When I attempt to walk up the wrong way, all strung<br />Multiple hands stop me short of the garner<br />Today, I wonder how so suddenly man can be so much of an underling.<br /> <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Copyright 2011</span>Tikum Mbah Azongahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267421001818870420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739695153370408259.post-9595355495586421422011-07-14T10:59:00.000-07:002011-07-14T11:01:01.851-07:00IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE ALMIGHTY<span style="font-weight:bold;">(For Ronard)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">By Tikum Mbah Azonga</span><br /><br />A girl with the fear of the Lord<br />That’s who I am<br />No more, no less<br />And I stand my ground<br />I do so because I know myself<br /><br />Each time I fall<br />I pick up myself promptly<br />And look up to the source of all life<br />Instantly my spirits return and I take off<br />The next minute, I`m hearing from him.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Copyright</span>Tikum Mbah Azongahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267421001818870420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739695153370408259.post-68072836720385111582011-07-11T13:42:00.000-07:002011-07-11T13:57:47.764-07:00IS TIKUM MBAH AZONGA, BAMBUI?<span style="font-style:italic;">By Tikum Mbah Azonga</span><br /><br />Hi All,<br /><br />Our brother Akaba Ajitum asked whether I am Bambui, as a matter of genuine concern and not a challenge, I must say .I welcome that and below is my response:<br /><br />1. BAMBUI BY BIRTH<br /><br />I was born in Baforkum (Ala-akubeuh) which according to the beautiful write up posted on this forum by our brother, Tobby Neba, is one of the (five) “sub-chiefdoms of Manju, Mallam, Matula-ah, Fingeh, and Ala-akubeh.” I grew up in Baforkum with my parents who lie buried there today, in our compound currently inhabited by my elder sister, Ma Martina Ncha Mbah (who incidentally was a classmate of Mr Ephraim Amungwa`s, uncle of the present Fon of Bambui, at N.A. School). Our compound is being supervised by my Uncle Mr Victor Mbaku and overseen by the Chief of Baforkum. My father worked at the Agric Farm in Bambui from 1940-1984 when he died. I am his successor and a notable in Baforkum. Pa Geh who has a very large following of Bambui children was an elder brother to my mother.One of my father`s best friends was a certain Pa Forba from either Ntemban or Fulieh. His children and I interacted well with each other. Unfortunately I we lost touch with each other over the years. If anyone reading this knows how I can reconnect, I would be grateful. <br /><br />2. TOGETHER WITH THE FON OF BAMBUI<br /><br />When Yaounde hosted the annual jamboree of the Bambui Cultural and Devekopment Association of some years ago with the Fon of Bambui in attendance, I played a key role in terms of organization. I was instrumental in obtaining CRTV coverage of the even as at the time I was a full time employee of the corporation. I also got Bambui onto the TV programme, THE MONDAY SHOW. When in full view of everyone the Fon was given the honour to cut the cake with the Queen who accompanied him, he took everyone by surprise by basically saying that he would like that honour to go to one of his most distinguished sons. And so it was that it went down into the annals of history that it was I who cut the cake with the Queen. I once more thank the Fon for that recognition.<br /><br />3. INSIDE TUCUDA<br /><br />When the Tubah Union of Cultural and Development Associations was revamped some six or so years ago in Bambui with Dr. Mundi elected President, I was elected Publicity Officer and specifically counted as one of the statistics from Bambui. Just before the election took place, Tubah sons and daughter s were given some time to congregate under the canopy of the four main villages and plan their strategy. I was in the Bambui group along with other sons and daughters of Baforkum.<br /><br />4. A BAMBUI PRINCESS AT NACHO<br /><br />When I was principal of Nacho College in Bamenda from 1999-2001, I offered the palace of Bambui a 100 per cent scholarship so that the palace would send me a child to educate without the palace paying fee for the five years in the first cycle, as a way of returning something back to my own community. The Fon effectively gave me a little girl whom I enrolled in Form One. Unfortunately, relations between the prorpietors of Nacho and me turned sour and I had to leave. As a result, that plan disintegrated.<br /><br />5. ARE YOU THINKING OF BAFORCHU?<br /><br />I am also Baforchu by virtue of the fact that my parents were both born there and I have a large family there on both sides. I am also largely accepted there as a son of the soil. But both the Fon of Bambui and that of Baforchu who is a cousin of mine, know about about my “dual nationality”. In fact, some four years ago or so, when I invited the Fon of Bambui to the funeral of my uncle (father`s junior brother ), HRH did me the greatest honour and turned up heavily accompanied. His presenc e scored high points for me. While the Fon of Bambui sat with the Fon of Baforchu, the former joked by telling the Fon of Baforchu: ” Mokorokah (III), look, you know Mr Tikum has one leg in Bambui and one leg in Baforchu. I accept that but if you are not careful, I will drag him so that he has both legs in Bambui and no leg in Baforchu!” That was a joke that went down very well because we all laughed.<br /><br />6. A GOLD MINE FOR US IN BAMBUI<br /><br />Because of that Baforchu connection, we can bring a lot of good things to Bambui. If we have the fundraisng event as I suggested to Bambui Village Council Chairman, Mr Nchami, as a way of refurbishing the dilapidated Bambui Palace, and I invite my Baforchu family to come and support us, they will come. By extension, I can also invite the Batibo and Metta communities and they will come. This diversity can be a richness for us in Bambui.<br /><br />Long live our Bambui!<br /><br />Copyright 2011Tikum Mbah Azongahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267421001818870420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739695153370408259.post-18004629197473271752011-07-10T13:34:00.000-07:002011-07-10T13:37:28.647-07:00A FIELD DAY FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT<span style="font-weight:bold;">For Akye</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">By Tikum Mbah Azonga</span><br /><br />You didn`t look everywhere<br />Did You?<br />Did you look among the daffodil beds?Di you look under the enamel flower pot?<br />Did you look between the Tilly lanterns?<br />Did you look among the rejected ballot papers?<br />Did you even look on the honours list?<br />That of the newly elected ASJUB officials?<br /><br />I have a future cut out like Chinaware<br />I have no fear of that which is new<br />If you like, I can spin you new threads<br />What I hate is leadership rot<br />That`s why our new team will always carry lanterns<br />We do not doubt the value of our peers<br />So that when the time comes our names shall be on the scroll<br />That`s why the world, this world, needs presidents.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Copyright 2011<br /></span>Tikum Mbah Azongahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267421001818870420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739695153370408259.post-46605035815700177262011-07-07T14:06:00.001-07:002011-07-07T14:09:33.048-07:00SNAPSHOT OF THE CAMEROON ECONOMY<span style="font-style:italic;">By Tikum Mbah Azonga</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">This paper is an adaptation of an earlier one I delivered on the Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV) national radio station on the 3rd of April 2003. The paper was broadcast on the occasion of the meeting of the National Monetary and Financial Committee at that time. The piece was one of the daily political commentaries I delivered on the 6.30 a.m. prime time national and world news on CRTV, Yaoundé, between 2002 and 2005.</span><br /><br />_______________________________________________<br /><br />Whenever the National Monetary and Financial Committee meets, it is an event which economic operators and international donors such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank., monitor very closely because the meeting leads to a reading, if not an analysis of the state of the nation’s economic health, as it were. On the occasion, statistical analyses are done in comparison to previous periods and projections duly made for the period ahead. As such, the forum serves as a vital barometer for measuring the state of the economy.<br /><br />One major revelation that has emerged from the current meeting is that the Cameroonian economy is alive and kicking. Growth rate is positive, standing at 4 per cent, although falling short of the projected 5.3 per cent. Inflation on the other hand has performed better than expected, standing at 3 per cent, instead of 4 per cent as expected. Real term growth which had marked some key sectors in recent years has continued to firm up. The sector includes telecommunications with one major change within it being the mushrooming of call boxes all over the country. As a matter of fact, the speed with which call boxes as a business have taken hold of the country is breathtaking, compared with the abysmal failure that led to public telephone booths being swept away some years ago, almost as soon as they were installed by the State. Not only were the booths shunned by the public, but they were also largely vandalized by them. Call boxes, on the other hand, have literally received a warm embrace from the public. Perhaps this is because as a privatized business in which those who are capable are allowed to operate, and they do so with their personal touches so that the user can pick and choose.<br /><br />Public transport is another domain that has done well, with more and more inter-city bus companies taking their place on the market. Concerning urban transportation, taxi fares have remained relatively stable for over ten years at the rate of 150 Francs CFA per drop, on average. In the big towns such as Douala and Yaoundé, private bus companies and motor bike taxis are helping to solve the problem of congestion. Agriculture has continued to be the mainstay of the bulk of Cameroon’s active population. The decades-long support from the oil sector oil has continued unabated, even if there have been fluctuations in production quantities. Nonetheless, there is some feeling of disappointment on the part of some observers who feel that President Paul Biya has failed to lift the veil of secrecy his predecessor, Ahmadou Ahidjo, threw over oil production revenue.<br /><br />Cameroon’s balance of trade deficit was cut from -CFA114.6bn in 2001 to –CFA64.7 bn last year. The overall situation of the world’s economy has been favorable, thus lending the national economy a shot in the arm. For instance, the world economy has grown at 2.8 per cent, better than the 202 per cent growth rate registered two years previously. In the CEMAC region, GDP stood at 3.7 per cent, with projections for this year put at 4 per cent. Inflation is expected to level at 3 per cent. Furthermore, it is expected that once the Douala Stock Exchange goes fully operational, the overall reading of the economy will improve even further.<br /><br />Even so, it has not all been a bed of roses for Cameroon’s economy. The vexatious question of endemic power cuts from the national supplier, AES Sonel has put a sour taste in the mouth of many a Cameroonian and even businessman. The aluminum parastatal, ALUCAM, for instance, has been so rocked by inconsistent electricity supply that it now functions on only 30 per cent of its normal capacity. What is even more baffling about AES Sonel is that it is largely a “private” sector company which bought over the former SONEL when it was put up for privatization by the government. Paradoxically, many are those who wonder today why in the days when SONEL was owned by Cameroon and run by Cameroonians, power users were never subjected to such “torture”. On another sad note, the national carrier, Cameroon Airlines, has seen its turnover drop by 8.3 per cent to 37.9bn, mainly as a result of stiff competition from airlines such as SN Brussels and Swiss International Airlines. Although privatization has taken place at SONEL – despite the hitch – the same result is still awaited of the national telecommunications giant, CAMTEL, and its water distribution counterpart, SNEC.<br /><br />The state would do well to address these thorny issues, in order to place the economy on a better footing. Even so, no amount of first aid is likely to yield the desired results unless it is accompanied by indispensable accompanying cleaning up measures such as good governance, including and especially the intensification of the fight against corruption. It is only then that sustained economic growth can have any meaning for the country.<br />, <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Copyright 2011</span>Tikum Mbah Azongahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267421001818870420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739695153370408259.post-6064543386929708272011-06-29T14:57:00.000-07:002011-06-29T14:58:55.027-07:00WORMS THAT SNATCHED ME FROM BRIDGET<span style="font-style:italic;">By Tikum Mbah Azonga</span><br /><br />It wasn`t worms<br />At least not another battalion<br />Weren`t we infested and festooned enough?<br />Did we still have to be inundated, drenched, drowned and swept away<br />Like the fish in Pa Muka`s flooded fishponds?<br />Then what would Dr Oben say in his next peer-reviewed journal<br />After all he was our specialist in fish farming and aquatic science<br />This wizard knew all the secrets of the little beast.<br /><br />Anyway, the house, all of it<br />Didn`t leak, it just stank<br />And that was better, if you know what I mean<br />No amount of perfume from Pretoria<br />Or dollars from America<br />Or incense from the Orient<br />None of those could change anything. None <br />So we were all hemmed in, trapped, cornered, caught<br />I felt rotten as my body touched hers in the darkness<br />But there was no way I could get onto Facebook<br />And tell Bridget about it<br />All about it.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Copyright 2011</span>Tikum Mbah Azongahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267421001818870420noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739695153370408259.post-54046950007592008682011-06-27T12:51:00.000-07:002011-06-27T12:52:28.549-07:00LA FETE DES COPAINS<span style="font-style:italic;">Par Tikum Mbah Azonga</span><br /><br />Nous sommes en juin<br />Et entre copains et copines<br />Nous ne vivons pas dans la plénitude<br />Mais nous côtoyons la fameuse voie lactée.<br /><br />Pour ceux qui méconmnaissent le Roi Baudouin<br />Ceux-là ignore grossièrement leurs orignes<br />Le jour où ils mourront purement et simplement de lassitude<br />Toute surface trouée sera vite bradée<br />Alors, vivement que la fête soit belle!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Copyright 2011</span>Tikum Mbah Azongahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267421001818870420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739695153370408259.post-27463099853541356612011-06-27T12:40:00.000-07:002011-06-27T12:41:07.636-07:00THE AXE AND KNIFE OF AMERICA<span style="font-style:italic;"><br />By Tikum Mbah Azonga</span><br /><br />I won’t wait<br />For, why should I as if I was just a kid from Lower Mississippi<br />I won’t wait for the grass to grow under my feet<br />Neither will I look back at the Delaware rack<br />For fear of turning into a pillar of salt<br />Like Lot’s wife.<br /><br />Isn’t life already enough of a bait?<br />Unless you competed for ten hamburgers without a tie?<br />It would be crazy to go from Texas to Los Angeles by fleet<br />Because it’s only a short walk with a single track<br />Hide away your Green Card, unless you’re carrying Virginia’s basalt<br />Only then will you know whether you wield an axe or a knife.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Copyright 2011</span>Tikum Mbah Azongahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267421001818870420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739695153370408259.post-37923174418041006462011-06-27T11:42:00.000-07:002011-06-27T11:59:40.805-07:00WINE OF SUBSTANCE<span style="font-weight:bold;">For Vicky, for the good times</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />By Tikum Mbah Azonga</span><br /><br />Dignity can not be bought<br />Neither can it be sold<br />Try it and you`ll see, I bet you<br />You do so at your own risk and peril<br />It may not be quite Humpty Dumpty<br />But it will all hell let loose<br />No Kaiser will come dressed in a kimono<br />And no palm wine will flow<br />Not even a drop.<br /><br />Are you, just because of that, so distraught?<br />Then spare a thought for the Lord Mayor’s days of old<br />When he turned the municipality into one big zoo<br />I won’t forgive you for calling me, `Beryl`<br />Because I’m not just Vicky, but Victory<br />The big `V` sign, that’s the vocation I choose<br />I’m a born fighter, even only with my bow<br />And never, even for a kingdom, would I stoop low<br />For the last thing I want to do is hop.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Copyright 2011</span>Tikum Mbah Azongahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267421001818870420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1739695153370408259.post-26106923207691166842011-06-23T03:12:00.000-07:002011-06-23T03:13:04.774-07:00INCROYABLE FILLE DE LA LEKIE<span style="font-weight:bold;">(A la seule et unique Eyenga)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">By Tikum Mbah Azonga</span><br /><br />Je ne sais pas, Monsieur<br />Franchement, je ne sais pas<br />Et je ne mens pas<br />Etant donné que je ne sais pas lire dans les pensées des gens<br />Il n'y a que vous qui puissiez me le dire<br />Le soleil,<br />Oui, je veux bien. Mais je préfère celui de la Solex<br />Ma beauté, me dites-vous. Oui, mais je préfère vous envoyer là-haut<br />Regardez la lune. Comme elle est belle!<br />Moi je suis quoi par rapport à elle?<br />Rien. Le néant.<br /><br />Digne fille de la Lékié qui brille de toutes les couleurs<br />Je ne mâche pas les mots, peu importe le fracas<br />Voilà pourquoi personne ne peut me secouer à Obala<br />Ni maintenant, ni même dans cent ans<br />Alors, pour éviter le pire<br />Je conseille à tous mes prétendants de ne pas franchir le Niveau Seuil<br />Sauf s'ils sont en mesure de contenir le vortex<br />Sinon ils seront tous accusés de faux et d'usage de faux<br />Comme toi tu dis que je suis ton Journal Elle<br />On verra si je vivrai comme telle<br />Autrement c'est toi qui en sortira béant.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Copyright 2011</span>Tikum Mbah Azongahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267421001818870420noreply@blogger.com0