Return To Normalcy In NW: Ngoketunjia Elite Strategise In Yaounde

Following the socio-political tension which has rocked the two English speaking regions of the country, elite and other sons and daughters of the Ngoketunjia Division of the North West Region met in Yaounde on March 27, 2021 to chart a way forward for peace and create an enabling environment for development projects to be executed. The event was patronised by the Minister in charge of Special Duties at the Presidency, Prof Paul Ghogomu.

In his preliminary statement, Prof Paul Ghogomu said what the division has experienced in the last four years has been traumatizing with painful reminisce of inter-village football come-together, annual traditional celebrations, national events and Fons’ meetings. “Peace is an essential ingredient for life. In fact, it is said that peace is everything. Meaningful development only thrives in a peaceful environment. We can be useful agents and instruments of this peace," he averred. The Minister added that the conference offers the opportunity for them to ponder where the division was, where they are now and where they should be going.

In his welcome address, the President of the Ngoketunjia Development and Cultural Association (NGODECA), Senior Administrator of Prisons, Ngangjoh Mama Lamya said the solution-seeking conference will surely pave the way forward for the people of Ngoketunjia. “Our children are deprived of their right to education, many schools burnt down, some of our markets burnt, health facilities destroyed, barbaric slaughtering of our people. As if that is not enough, our tradition is defiled. All these leading to massive rural exodus. Worst still, our Fons who are the custodians of our tradition are all out of their villages for fear of the unknown. Our economic and all our development projects are grounded,” he regretted. According to him, peace has no price and cannot be bought in the...