Parliamentary Network for Circular Economy Builds Effective Prospects for Cameroon
TimesNews2 novembre 19, 2020
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Parliamentary Network for Circular Economy Builds Effective Prospects for Cameroon

Members of the parliamentary network for circular economy have been challenged to build a strong force of proposal and set up important issues that will be at the heart of their advocacy talks. The call was made by Theophile Baoro, second vice speaker at the national assembly as a multi-stakeholder dialogue and capacity-building partnership workshop took place on Wednesday November 18, 2020.  The workshop being part of the ongoing November session of parliament was placed under the theme:” circular economy: working towards a sustainable future”. With the covid-19 pandemic hitting the economy worldwide and creating low inputs, the parliamentary network for circular economy (PANCEC) has been reflecting on means that will help in revamping various works of life by partnering with the United Nations. Honorable Ngala Gerard, coordinator of the network said in his key address that it is imperative to put hands together in order to encourage and favour small and medium sized enterprises. Ngala Gerard equally mentioned the fact that circular economy has a great role to play at a moment the country is aligned to achieve sustainable development goals and emergence by 2035 as stated by the Head of state, Paul Biya.  He said: “Circular economy is very important because this is one of the measures put in place to create jobs for the youths and to move the economy of Cameroon to another level. You know well that one of the wishes of the president of the republic is to get Cameroon emergent by 2035 and this could only be done by the decentralization put in place. Now we want to make sure that all decentralized councils are autonomous financially. Councils will make use of circular economy to be make a lot of gains in their communities. Circular economy has come in place in order to create jobs and industries that will help in transforming waste into worth. And make sure that we don’t dump waste onto the land and pollute our environment.” The Yaounde workshop gave room to discussions on the disposal and management of hazardous waste, the production of brewing industries with some local enterprises like the Brasseries, Hysacam, BOCOM, Foncham international just to name these few. According to its members, the parliamentary network for circular economy, PANCEC entails to provide sustainable solutions for linear economy which is outdated. The network created months ago and presented to the public has as main objective to re-invent the parliamentary as well as government’s role in key sectors by prioritizing environmental and climate change issues.                 Elise Kenimbeni

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Session Parlementaire de Novembre : Célestin Tabouli, intrépide et Prêt à relever de Nouveaux Défis
TimesNews2 novembre 18, 2020
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Session Parlementaire de Novembre : Célestin Tabouli, intrépide et Prêt à relever de Nouveaux Défis

 Au moment où les travaux de la session parlementaire de Novembre 2020 s’ouvrent à Yaoundé, capitale camerounaise, le député du Mayo-Danay Sud compte pleinement porter la voix de ses populations à l’hémicycle.     Honorable Célestin Tabouli, député du Mayo-Danay Sud dans la région de l’Extrême-Nord a pris part à l’ouverture de la session de novembre 2020 de l’assemblée nationale au palais des congrès de Yaoundé. Il estime que l’interpellation du très Honorable Cavaye Yeguié Djibril, président de l’assemblée nationale en ce qui concerne les nombreuses crises qui affectent le pays devraient être au centre des échanges qui vont, entres autres, meubler cette session dédiée à l’examen du budget 2021 de l’Etat. Les crises qui minent le vécu quotidien des populations dans les régions de l’Extrême-Nord où sévit Boko Haram, le Nord-Ouest et Sud-Ouest où les sécessionnistes sèment la terreur, doivent trouver solutions selon le député du Mayo-Danay Sud. Toutefois, il reconnait la résilience des gouvernants face à ces tumultes.  « Le Cameroun est débout, nous devons le maintenir sur cette lancée » dit-il pour corroborer au discours du président de l’assemblée nationale. En ce qui concerne ses attentes durant la session budgétaire qui s’annonce très riche et fastidieuse, le digne fils du Mayo-Danay Sud plaide pour une augmentation des enveloppes allouées aux parlementaires pour des projets de développement. Le souhait de l’honorable Tabouli est de relever le niveau de vie des populations de sa circonscription. « En tant qu’élus, nous souhaitons que les enveloppes en matière d’investissements  publics dans nos zones et surtout nos circonscriptions politiques soient consistantes pour permettre à ce que des travaux soient effectués au profit de la base. Pour permettre justement le relèvement de niveau de vie de ces populations-là afin qu’elles se retrouvent en l’élu que je suis. » Connu pour son dynamisme et ses qualités humaines, le député n’a cessé d’être  sur le terrain, ceci dans les quatre arrondissements de sa circonscription pour palier  certains problèmes auxquels font face ses populations. « En réalité la vie d’un député en inter-sessions ne devrait pas être de tout repos, parce que le député après chaque session devrait se consacrer à d’autres problèmes de développement de sa base. Je pense que c’est à cela que je me suis attelé. J’ai d’abord formé  399 jeunes aux petits métiers générateurs de revenus parce que nous savons aujourd’hui que le chômage est quelque peu ambiant dans notre pays. Il est question à travers notre réseau PROMO-ENTREPREUNARIAT de nous mettre résolument aux côtés des pouvoirs publics pour apporter ce coup de pouce en formant des jeunes qui puissent s’autonomiser dans le cadre des micro-projets. A titre de rappel, l’élu du peuple de la campagne jusqu’aux élections n’a cessé d’être au chevet des populations de sa circonscription dans le Mayo-Danay Sud. Durant des mois, bien avant la session de Juin dernier et celle en cours, l’honorable Célestin Tabouli a été au four et au moulin dans le cadre de la lutte contre la Covid-19,  ceci en distribuant des kits d’hygiène et masques afin de barrer la route au virus. Il a également procédé à la distribution des sacs de mil aux familles nécessiteuses. En termes d’infrastructures, le digne élu du Mayo-Danay Sud a fait parler de lui à travers la construction de la route Yoldeo-Lera, longue de 1kilometre sur l’axe Saotchai-Doukoula, dont le cout des travaux est estimé à 2.690.000 FCFA. Une aubaine pour les populations de cette partie du pays qui depuis plus de 9ans sont dans l’attente du bitume du tronçon attribué à l’entreprise Entrebatt Sarl.Contrat résilié en 2014 du fait de la défaillance de cette entreprise, qui malgré tout s’est vu être attribuée une fois de plus ce marché en 2014 selon des informations recueillies dans le journal hebdomadaire midi libre.             Elise Kenimbeni

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33% Home Deliveries Hampers Birth Records, Members of Parliament Move In
TimesNews2 novembre 17, 2020
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33% Home Deliveries Hampers Birth Records, Members of Parliament Move In

As activities heighten at the November session of the national assembly in Yaounde-Cameroon, members of parliament diagnose various issues at stakes and among which is the declaration of birth certificates. A special session held on November 16, 2020 and chaired by honorable Hilarion Etong, senior vice speaker at the national assembly, was placed under the theme: “The issue of establishing birth certificates in Cameroon.” Seven communications were made during the session by decentralization and local development minister, public health minister, women’s empowerment and the family minister, minister delegate of justice, the president of united councils, the general manager of the national civil status bureau and the representative of basic education’s minister. Different strategies and actions put in place by the government to ease the process of birth certificate were disclosed to MPs. Despite the fact that the process is hampered at an extent by people who still find it difficult to get their children registered on civil status registry. It said 33% of deliveries in Cameroon occur at home and close to 32% of children in primary schools do not have birth certificates. A situation which has triggered many discussions as members of parliament have identified specific regions were figures were alarming.  They have also amongst others recommended that the period for free issuance of birth certificates should be extended to 180 days after birth. Some MPs have suggested the putting in place of a law that will enable everyone to have a social security number. As soon as a child is born he should be registered. Honorable Koupit Adamou of the Cameroon democratic union believes government has to increase significant campaigns on this issue. And as an MP, he will in his own way lead some activities on the field to get population more informed on birth certificates’ registration. He said: “The solution is in two domains. The preventive and curative solutions could solve this issue of birth certificates registration. I think in the first place, administrative and judicial procedures must be made more accessible than they are now.  And then, we should put a lot of emphasis on sensitization, even in health centres.” The current era of decentralization witnessed by Cameroon has a key role to play in easing the process of birth certificates’ registration as underscored by Ngala Gerard, CPDM MP of the Donga Mantung constituency in the North West region. “We are now talking to mayors to act. As you know, we are in the face of decentralization. Meaning that mayors have to understand the different peculiarities and problems they face in their communities. They can easily come in place and see how to help in such situations. And as members of parliament, we can bring out something general to be applied in the whole nation. We will be studying that and evaluate. And if it is expensive, we will see how to make it affordable, so that all children should be able to have birth certificates. It is very important and yet dangerous for a child to have no birth declaration.” He said. Civil status registration facilitates essential services such as health care, education and social protection and most importantly reduces the risk of statelessness, child mariage and human trafficking.                   By Elise Kenimbeni  

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North West Region: Mounouna Foutsou Praises Former Ambazonian Fighters for Turning the Back at Terrorism
TimesNews2 novembre 16, 2020
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North West Region: Mounouna Foutsou Praises Former Ambazonian Fighters for Turning the Back at Terrorism

Youth affairs and civic education minister and his delegation were warmly welcomed in Bamenda by administrative and traditional authorities of the North West region. The first phase of Mounouna Foutsou’s official tour was marked by his visit to the deradicalisation, disarmament and re-intertegration centre of Bamenda. Taking the floor to address government officials, the representative of ex-combattants expressed on behalf of his peers their regret for the damages caused in the society. He reiterated their determination to collaborate with government to build the nation.  On his part, the Regional coordinator of the national disarmament, deradicalisation and re-intertegration Centre of the North-West region in his welcome address, expressed his gratitude for actions undertaken to empower young people.  He said the former ambazonian fighters were been trained on how to embrace government’s initiative in order to ensure their effective reintegration in the society. As a father talking to his children, Minister Mounouna Foutsou used words of advice and praise their decision as they decided to turn the back at terrorism. He said: “I prepared a word but I would rather talk to you from my heart. I was really touched from the moment I stepped my feet at the entrance to the centre. I have hope that you will be successful citizens. I congratulate you all. Believe me the partnership we are building is a reliable one and I plead on you to exploit it for your good. My dear children. The Head of State HE PAUL BIYA pleads on you to be Patriotic citizens and he is very happy with the wise decision you took. Be messengers and Ambassadors of peace by relaying this information to other fighters who are still adamant to change”. After meeting the former ambazonian fighters, the Minister and his delegation went to a poultry centre created by young learners involved in poultry farming. The occasion was seized by the minister to exchange on the various stakes and challenges of their business. And later followed the official ceremony to hand over support materials and installation equipment to the young beneficiaries of the three year special youth plan and those engaged in the Reamorce programme. The Mayor of the Bamenda City Council, Paul Achumbong in his key words promised to support the government in empowering youths. In his address, the minister stressed once more on the importance of the three year special youth plan. He said: “The TYSYP aims to be inclusive and integrating, taking into account specific local and regional characteristics. To this end, every youth can register at the national youth observatory wherever he or she is on the national territory, online or in person in multipurpose youth empowerment centres, including those in the diaspora. On the other hand, as regards to the process of moral, civic and entrepreneurial rearmament (Reamorce), which is validated through community service (Voluntary Service), youths have to carry them out in the place where their projects are located, particularly in their sub-divisional MYECs, for a close “liaison” with the local youths and local host communities who need to benefit from the outcomes of such a project.” He equally addressed youths awaiting funding, calling on them to be optimistic and confident towards the government as he reiterates government’s engagement to ensure their empowerment through initiatives like the Youth Connekt Cameroon and it’s components. The different beneficiaries of the TYSYP were at the end handed over materials and cheques.                   By Elise Kenimbeni

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Covid-19: Government Strives For an Inclusive Communication to Help People Living with Disabilities
TimesNews2 novembre 16, 2020
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Covid-19: Government Strives For an Inclusive Communication to Help People Living with Disabilities

The workshop organized by the ministry of social affairs on November 13, 2020 in Yaounde-Cameroon, gathered various stakeholders and some mayors of targeted councils. This one day meeting was aimed at assessing the implementation of the operational action plan to protect persons with disabilities as part of the national response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Opening the session, Pauline Irène Nguene, minister of social affairs stressed on the fact that the workshop enters within the framework of government’s national strategic development plan. “The present evaluation session of our action towards socially vulnerable people in the context of the fight against the spread of the coronavirus is part of the execution of high directives of the Prime minister, Head of government. Moreover, it is being held at a time when the government reminds the national community of the duty of vigilance and remobilization in the face of the resurgence of the pandemic around the world.” She said. Pauline Irène Nguene said concerted efforts have been put in place by the government, so that people living with disabilities have more access to inclusive means of communication and adapted materials that will help them to fight against the coronavirus disease. She added that there is great need to increase the fight at the level of vulnerable and marginalized groups and take into account inequalities that could favour the peak of the pandemic. Besides the minister’s speech were key addresses of the country director of Sight savers and the resident representative of the world health organization (WHO) who are partners in this project. The humanitarian organisation Sight savers got engaged in the project as part of its mission in Cameroon. The charity organisation presently led in the country by Dr Joseph Oye, works to ensure that children with disabilities, including those with visual impairments are able to go to school and can be educated alongside their peers. It has been estimated that two million people in Cameroon have some form of disability, reason why Sight Savers has increased some of its actions on the field. The World Health Organization as a UN agency responsible for public health keeps accompanying the government in various actions notably in tackling the current pandemic threats of the Covid-19. In his address, Phanuel Habimana, resident representative of WHO said disability is more common amongst women, older people, children and adults who are poor. “People with disabilities often have less education and have deprived living conditions-including insufficient food, poor housing, lack of access to safe water and sanitation. This causes disabled individuals to have the highest risks for infectious and non-infectious diseases. People with disabilities often do not receive the needed health care and approximately half cannot afford it. Data from four countries in the WHO African Region found that only 26% to 55% of people received the medical rehabilitation they needed, while only 17% to 37% received the assistive devices they needed such as wheelchairs, prostheses and hearing aids. In order to improve access to health services for people with disabilities, WHO provides guides and supports Member States to increase awareness of disability issues, and promotes the inclusion of disability as a component in national health policies and programmes…” Phanuel Habimana said. The will and need to protect vulnerable groups from the Covid-19 is a progressive action set up and some mayors were handed over various tools and equipments that will help them in their respective councils.                   By Elise Kenimbeni

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PTS-Jeunes : Coup de Maitre Réussi à l’Est Cameroun
TimesNews2 novembre 14, 2020
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PTS-Jeunes : Coup de Maitre Réussi à l’Est Cameroun

La ville d’Abong-Mbang dans la région de l’Est Cameroun a été le 10 novembre 2020, l’hôte de la cérémonie officielle de remise des chèques et des kits d’appui aux jeunes.     Ce sont les jeunes bénéficiaires du plan triennal spécial jeunes (Pts-jeunes) qui ont reçu officiellement leurs chèques et ceux initiés au programme Reamorce leurs kits d’appui. Une cérémonie riche en couleurs de par la qualité d’accueil à la place des fêtes de la ville d’Abong-Mbong où le ministre de jeunesse et de l’éducation civique et son homologue de la fonction publique, Joseph Lé ont été accueillis par des nombreux jeunes de cette région qui sont venus communier avec leurs paires et les membres du gouvernement. Le Maire de la ville hôte, Charmant Oyal a ouvert les hostilités avec un discours d’accueil. Le magistrat municipal d’Abong-mbang a remercié le gouvernement pour la conception et la mise en œuvre du Pts-Jeunes qui va permettre à de nombreux jeunes de la région de s’insérer professionnellement. Selon Charmant Oyal, cette initiative va renforcer l’engagement de la commune qui dans sa feuille de route promeut l’entrepreneuriat jeune. A son tour, le président du conseil régional de la jeunesse de l’Est s’est réjoui de la tenue de cette cérémonie dans la ville d’Abong-Mbang. Il a apprécié l’intérêt que la haute hiérarchie porte à l’épanouissement des jeunes de cette région. C’était l’occasion idoine pour soumettre au ministre quelques doléances parmi lesquelles; l’absence de locaux pour l’équipe régionale du conseil de la jeunesse, le manque de matériels de travail et bien d’autres. La directrice de l’insertion des jeunes et du volontariat au ministère de la jeunesse et de l’éducation civique dans son allocution a présenté  la nouvelle orientation du plan triennal spécial-jeunes. Yvette Eyenga a fait un état des lieux de la mise en œuvre du Pts-Jeunes dans la région de l’Est. L’on retient que pour le compte de l’année 2020 dans la région de l’Est, 50 jeunes au total ont vu leurs projets financés pour un montant global de plus de 141 millions de FCFA. La région de l’Est compte 13 villages pionniers. Aussi, près de 150 jeunes y sont investis et un montant global d’environ 367 millions a été débloqué pour l’aménagement desdits villages pionniers. Le ministre de la jeunesse et de l’éducation civique, Mounouna Foutsou dans son discours de circonstance a débuté par la traditionnelle “Minute du civisme” appelant à une lutte acharnée contre l’extrémisme violence. Mounouna Foutsou a tenu dans sa prise de parole a tenu à informer l’assistance qu’un partenariat a été noué entre le ministère de la jeunesse et de l’éducation civique et le ministère de la fonction publique et la réforme administrative(Minfopra). Un partenariat mis sur pieds pour faciliter l’accès des jeunes à la fonction. Mounouna Foutsou a rappeler comme à chacune de ses sorties que les jeunes peuvent s’inscrire en ligne sur la plateforme de l’observatoire national de la jeunesse afin de bénéficier des différents concours administratifs ceci à travers les arrondissements du pays. En soulignant que 13 villages pionniers sont en cours de viabilisation dans la région de l’Est, le ministre a indiqué que la région de l’Est compte parmi les trois premières en terme de villages pionniers. Pour ce qui est du programme Reamorce, les jeunes doivent impérativement le réaliser autour du lieu de l’implantation de leur projet en vue d’un brassage avec les populations locales qui devraient bénéficier des retombées de ces projets. Car, c’est aussi l’occasion pour ces porteurs de projets de prendre langue avec les autorités locales a souligné le ministre. Dans ses propos, il a réitéré le fait que de nombreux projets sont encore en attente de financement, ceci en raison des crises multiformes auxquelles le pays est confronté. Cependant, en dépit de cette situation, il a été instruit que le montant de l’enveloppe globale du Pts-Jeunes soit conservée.  En félicitant l’élite locale particulièrement attentive aux questions de jeunesse, le ministre a fait appel à la création des cellules locales de suivi du Pts-Jeunes. Après son discours, il a procédé en compagnie des autres autorités présentes à la remise des kits et chèques aux différents bénéficiaires. Pour clôturer la cérémonie, Mounouna Foutsou et son homologue Joseph Lé ont fait une descente sur le site du village pionnier de Mazabe. De ce côté, les ministres ont saisi l’occasion pour échanger avec les jeunes entrepreneurs sur leurs projets.                 Elise Kenimbeni

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Three Year Special Youth Plan: Mounouna Foutsou Hands Over Support Materials in the West Region
TimesNews2 novembre 14, 2020
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Three Year Special Youth Plan: Mounouna Foutsou Hands Over Support Materials in the West Region

The ceremony that took place on Friday 13th November2020 in Dschang, West region was chaired by the minister of youth affairs and civic education, Mounouna Foutsou. All began with the visit of pioneer villages of young entrepreneurs before the official ceremony to handover support materials to young beneficiaries of the three-year-special youth plan (TYSYP) and Reamorce equipment to operational structures of the ministry. In his welcome address, the mayor of the host town has expressed gratitude on behalf of the population and underscored the stakes and challenges of the TYSYP initiative in his locality made up of many youths with an entrepreneurial spirit. The occasion was then seized by the mayor of Dschang to transmit the gratitude of young beneficiaries of the youth plan to the Head of State through his representative, Minister Mounouna Foutsou. With regard to the ongoing health pandemic that has caused more harm than good, the mayor of Dschang, Jacky Kemleu said despite the coronavirus that has ravaged the society youths are endowed to work. On his part, the regional president of the Cameroon national youth council has praised the various initiatives put in place by the government. Nsanu Lionel Neba mentioned the Youth Connekt Cameroon initiative which has connected them to various socioeconomic opportunities. He said youths of the Menoua division are actors of development and national integration. Youth Connekt Cameroon Ambassador, Françoise Puene who is an elite of the West region took part at the ceremony. She invited youths to be confident and determined in their projects and stressed on some key words that lead to success. Françoise Puene said only hard work and courage can enable young entrepreneurs to achieve their dreams. “My leitmotiv is to draw others upward, teach them how to be creative and dynamic. Dear youths, there has never been development where jealousy, hatred, pride and egoism reigns. I encourage you to work with an open spirit and share your experiences for that will guarantee your responsibility.” Said Youth Connekt Ambassador, Françoise PUENE.  She pointed out the fact that the Youth Connekt Cameroon initiative is an opportunity for Youth to do away with the challenges faced in their daily lives. And has encouraged youths to subscribe with the national youth observatory platform, many opportunities are offered to them. Another success story shared during the ceremony was that of Nde Ndonfack, a beneficiary of the three year special youth plan. Nde Ndonfack openly expressed and said how he emerges from a moderate family with parents not able to satisfy his aspirations. He began as a mobile shoe mender, going across the streets in search of basic resources to feed on. Yet, he believed in his dreams till he finally saw it become a reality when he benefited from the TYSYP funding. Today, he is a satisfied entrepreneur with spouses highly involved in economic activities.  One of the natives of the Menoua division presented the balance sheet of activities within the framework of the TYSYP. Alphonse TANKENG made mention of benefits arising from plan as he said close to 38 projects have been financed at the sum of fifteen million, five hundred and fifty three FCFA. 119 direct jobs emerged from the youth plan with the creation of 16 Cluster villages and two pioneer villages. Taking the stand, the young beneficiaries of the TYSYP promised to exercise professionalism and rigor in the implementation of their projects. They said: “We promise to be determined, emulate good examples. We shall be models and ambassadors of the Three-Year-Special Youth Plan. We shall always promote Moral, Civic and Entrepreneurial values, we swear to create durable jobs, pay our taxes for the emergence of our country.” As of tradition, the minister has urged youths to make proper use of funds and support materials granted to them. Mounouna Foutsou called on the beneficiaries to exploit innovative sectors, local opportunities that will help in leading their projects towards various potentials the locality is endowed with. He concluded by calling on all youths to merge their efforts and work together to pursue expected goals. “For us to meet the desired Goals of the implementation of the three-Year Special Youth Plan, so cherished by Our Head of State, His Excellency Paul Biya, I urge you to joint all our efforts, to continue to sensitize our youths to register at the National Youth Observatory, to remain focused and mobilized, so as to benefit from this very important plan and contribute to the development of our dear country…” Minister Mounouna Foutsou said. The officially distribution phase was then launched with cheques granted to beneficiaries of the TYSYP and support materials handed over to those involved in the Reamorce programme of the ministry of youth affairs and civic education.                   By Elise Kenimbeni

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November Session of Parliament Opens with Calls to End the Anglophone Crisis
TimesNews2 novembre 13, 2020
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November Session of Parliament Opens with Calls to End the Anglophone Crisis

Meeting for the second time out of their usual building, members of parliament conveyed at the Yaounde conference centre for the third ordinary session of the 2020 legislative year. A session dedicated to the scrutiny of the 2021 state budget. Opening the session attended by government officials and other dignitaries, the speaker of the national assembly, right honourable Cavaye Yeguie Djibril condemned the various crises in the Far-North, North-West and South-West regions, notably the recent massacre of children in Kumba. “I wish to divest the beginning of this speech of the usual civilities by expressing, from the outset, my indignation about the spate of terrorist attacks against children and women in the Far-North, North-West and South-West regions and through which innocent children and women have been killed as a result of the barbarism of so-called separatist and Boko Haram fighters. Considering that no cause in this world can justify such barbarism, I therefore say: Enough is enough” He said.  The right honourable seized the occasion to draw the attention of some local leaders engaged in creating political turmoil in the country that the October 2018 presidential polls were grabbed by the Head of State, Paul Biya. The speaker said getting to power through a protest march is a good political option, but acceding to power through the ballot box is much better. During his opening remarks, right honourable Cavaye Yeguie Djibril equally noted the fact that, the current session begins within the context of health crisis affecting Cameroon and the world at large; talking of the Covid-19 pandemic. At the end of the official opening session, members of parliament (MPs) in interviews granted have all condemned the recent atrocities in Kumba and have urged government to seek for solutions to end the crisis. Being at the heart of the recent killings that occurred in Kumba, the member of parliament of the Meme division in the South West region has outlined the need to strive for peace. Honorable Tabot Lawson says drastic measures should be taken by the government together with the parliament to bring the situation at heels. Speaking to the media, the CPDM MP of the Meme constituency, Tabot Lawson said: “My concern as an MP is to find out what has been placed in the different budgets of the state in the various regions and particularly the constituency where I come from. What is more particular for me is whether the 15% allocated for local councils will be respected and also to see how we can bring out a bill or anything that will lead government to use extra force to solve the Anglophone issue, because we are really suffering. All we want is peace! We want peace!  The Assembly is there to help the President of the republic to enact any law that will bring peace. Let drastic measures be used to bring out peace.” On his part Dr Djibrilla Kaou, CPDM Member of Parliament from the Mayo-Tsanaga division in the Far-North region says all what is happening in the conflicting English speaking region is inhumane. He believes there is a solution to bring all these crises affecting Cameroon to an end. Talking to Cabral Libii Li Ngue of the PCRN party, he underscored the need for government to take the bulls by the horns in order to halt the ongoing crisis in the two English speaking regions. “We have to focus on the Anglophone crisis first because this criminality is inacceptable. Government should tell us what has been done to solve this crisis. Secondly, we are expecting from the government to set in motion the 15% budget allocated to decentralized councils. And more over as MP I wish the government to see into the problem of road networks. In this country it becomes more and more difficult to move from one place to the other.” Said Honorable Cabral Libii. In a meantime Joshua Osih Member of Parliament of the SDF Wouri constituency decries the way things are been handled at the level of the parliament. He said: «I think the speaker was trying to use parabola to call to action the government of Cameroon. I will like to precise here that government has to table the bill on finance law for 2021 latest 15 days before the start of the November session, this  hasn’t happen yet. And once again, they will try to pass with five thousand five hundred billion bill overnight. And this is how Kumba starts. Kumba did not started because people went and killed children in classrooms but Kumba started because there is no social justice, there are no equal opportunities. Because the most important exercise of parliament is not carried out the way it is supposed to be carried out. That is you need to give at least 45 days to members of parliament, to debate and orientate the state budget in order to make sure that any piece and parcel of Cameroon has an equal opportunity to make use of that money. So when you hand it to work on it overnight what happens is that you have one part of Cameroon having everything and another part having nothing. And then people stand up and they are marginalize and everybody is surprised. Then they send us to quench fire that’s not the way it works!” The November session that just kicked-off is holding at a time when the country is preparing for the first ever held regional elections. These regional polls have been slated for December 6, 2020.               Elise Kenimbeni

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Covid-19 : L’OMS Prévient l’Impact de la Pandémie sur les Services de Santé Essentiels en Afrique
TimesNews2 novembre 11, 2020
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Covid-19 : L’OMS Prévient l’Impact de la Pandémie sur les Services de Santé Essentiels en Afrique

La situation de la Covid-19 ainsi que l’impact de la pandémie sur les services de santé essentiels en Afrique étaient au centre d’un point de presse virtuel organisé par le bureau de l’OMS Afrique le 05 novembre 2020.     Selon une étude préliminaire menée dans 14 pays par l’Organisation mondiale de la santé (OMS),et qui s’appuie sur cinq indicateurs de services de santé essentiels notamment la consultation externe, l’hospitalisation de patients, l’accouchement en présence d’un personnel qualifié, le traitement des cas confirmés de paludisme et la fourniture d’un vaccin pentavalent combiné, il a été révélé une chute importante sur la prestation de ces services entre janvier et septembre contrairement aux deux années précédentes. Les différences de prestation étaient les plus importantes en mai, juin et juillet, ce qui correspond à la période à laquelle de nombreux pays ont dû imposer des restrictions de mouvements et d’autres mesures sociales et de santé publique afin de contenir la propagation de la Covid-19. Au cours de ces trois mois, les prestations de services dans les cinq domaines étudiés ont chuté en moyenne de plus de 50% dans les 14 pays sélectionnés par rapport à la même période en 2019. Tous ces points clés ont été révélé lors d’un point de presse virtuel organisé le jeudi 05 novembre 2020 par l’OMS bureau Afrique avec sur le panel le Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, Directrice régionale de l’OMS pour l’Afrique. Aux côtés de la Directrice régionale de l’OMS, d’autres experts tels que Regina Kamoga, Directrice exécutive du Réseau communautaire de santé et d’information et par ailleurs présidente de l’Alliance des organisations de patients en Ouganda (l’UAPO) et Pr. Ifedayo Adetifa, épidémiologiste clinicien du programme de recherche KEMRI-Wellcome Trust et Professeur associé à la “London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine” du Kenya. Durant les échanges animés par le Groupe APO et modérés par la journaliste Tsepiso Makwetla, la Directrice régionale de l’OMS a souligné le fait que la pandémie est un véritable frein dans l’investissement d’autres maladies et de services de santé communautaires. Dr Matshidiso Moeti dit : « La pandémie de Covid-19 a eu des retombées indirectes et dangereuses pour la santé en Afrique. Dans la mesure où les ressources de santé sont fortement concentrées sur la Covid-19, à quoi s’ajoutent la peur et les restrictions affectant le quotidien des gens, les populations vulnérables font face à un risque croissant de passer entre les mailles du filet ». Occasion choisie par la Directrice régionale de lancer une fois de plus une alerte aux éventuelles crises qui pourront affecter le système de santé dans le continent. « Nous devons renforcer nos systèmes de santé pour mieux supporter les futures crises. Un système de santé robuste est la base de la préparation et de la réponse aux urgences. Tandis que les pays assouplissent les restrictions liées à la Covid-19, nous ne devons pas laisser la pandémie ressurgir…Une nouvelle vague d’infections à la Covid-19 pourrait perturber davantage des services de santé essentiels qui se remettent tout juste de l’impact initial. » Il est indiqué qu’avant la pandémie de Covid-19, la mortalité maternelle en Afrique sub-saharienne était à un niveau inacceptable, représentant environ les deux tiers des décès maternels dans le monde en 2017. L’étude menée par l’OMS indique également que la Covid-19 va probablement exacerber les défis sanitaires auxquels les femmes font face. Et une nouvelle analyse révèle que les accouchements en présence d’un personnel qualifié ont chuté dans les 14 pays. Au Nigeria, 362 700 femmes enceintes ont été privées de soins prénatals entre mars et août 2020. Plus de 97.000 femmes ont donné naissance hors des infrastructures sanitaires et plus de 193.000 n’ont pas eu de soins postnatals dans les deux jours suivant l’accouchement. Il y a eu 310 décès maternels dans les structures sanitaires du Nigeria en août 2020, soit près du double par rapport en août 2019. Concernant les nombreuses campagnes de vaccins chez les enfants, c’est un redressement accru qui est observé. 1,37 million d’enfants supplémentaires dans toute la région africaine n’ont pas eu le vaccin Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) qui protège de la tuberculose et 1,32 million d’enfants supplémentaires, âgés de moins d’un an, n’ont pas eu la première dose de vaccin contre la rougeole entre janvier et août 2020, en comparaison de la même période en 2019. Des campagnes d’immunisation contre la rougeole, la tuberculose, la fièvre jaune, la polio et d’autres maladies ont été repoussées dans au moins 15 pays africains cette année. L’introduction de nouveaux vaccins a été suspendue et plusieurs pays ont enregistré des ruptures de stocks de vaccins. « Maintenant que les pays allègent les restrictions, il est essentiel qu’il mettent rapidement en place des campagnes de vaccination de rattrapage. Plus un grand nombre d’enfants reste sans protection face à la rougeole et d’autres maladies infantiles, plus il devient possible de voir des flambées mortelles se déclarer et tuer davantage que la COVID-19. », a déclaré Dr Moeti lors du point de presse virtuel. Des lignes directrices sur comment fournir des services d’immunisation, y compris comment effectuer une évaluation minutieuse des risques avant de lancer des vaccinations préventives de masse, avec une attention portée sur l’adoption de mesures de protection pour éviter la transmission de la Covid-19 ont été publiées par l’OMS. La République Centrafricaine, la République Démocratique du Congo et l’Éthiopie ont déjà entamé un rattrapage des campagnes de vaccination contre la rougeole. 13 pays africains ont pour objectif de relancer des campagnes d’immunisation contre la rougeole, la polio et le papillomavirus humain dans les prochains mois et l’OMS fournit des indications sur les mesures de prévention Covid-19 afin d’assurer la sécurité des professionnels de la santé et des communautés. L’OMS a aussi fourni aux pays des conseils sur la façon de garantir la continuité d’autres services de santé essentiels en optimisant les paramètres de prestation de ces services, en redistribuant les moyens attribués aux personnels de santé et en proposant des manières d’assurer un approvisionnement continu en médicaments et autres biens de santé. Dans le cadre de la riposte à la COVID-19, des

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