Have Conflicts Derailed the Agenda of Manyu Organizations in the Diaspora?

In the United States, Manyu community organizations were the first to organize themselves within the larger Cameroon community. They did so by bringing their people who live in close proximity together and have a shared interest. They also drew inspiration and lessons from their parent organizations like MECA back home. Quite often, the interest of these new found organizations were to build coalitions for a common cause or assisting in the social, economic and cultural development of the homeland and division. In attempt to formulate policies and organize, these associations elect leaders, hold annual conventions, develop bylaws and seek for resources through member contributions and charity.

Despite the good intentions of these bodies to foster development back home, their foundations and reason d’être began to crumble. The organizations started developing unmanageable conflicts, derailing gains and impeding development efforts and initiatives. We all know too well that the potential for conflicts exists when and where people have contact. We also know that some Manyu men often display a pesky, aggravating personality, espouse a sense of superiority, and stubbornly refuse to give in during disputes. This display of non-negotiable skills and macho attitude has finally caught up with some in the leadership of the Diaspora organizations.

Although we tend to believe we know what causes some conflicts to emerge in our communities, we forget to imagine conflicts can be used effectively by groups as a strategy to bring desired changes. Indeed, not all conflicts are bad, although unmanaged conflicts which tend to linger for a long time can be a threat to the building blocks of a community group and thereby render it less effective as we may see in some cases.

Within the Manyu Diaspora community, we have witnessed a trend where individuals cultivate a dislike and disdain for certain people with whom they come into frequent contact. As a result of harbored conflicts, certain behaviors are manifested in public within the community and the long term effect seems to be aggression, disrespect and disregard to community building, solidarity and the unique thread that binds us all together “the Manyu culture and eyongemot”.

How then can the Manyu Diaspora community address its conflicts without demonizing one another and extending such aggression and disrespect to the children? Have we finally lost the moral fabric of a Grande Manyu community that was founded, carved and preserved by those who came before us? Is it ordained that every Manyu child must be a leader, Chief or Sesekou? These are some of the intrinsic questions we must reflect on.

The Manyu Diaspora like never before is today interwoven with conflict as a result of ethnocentrism. We tend to believe that our way of thinking and doing things is not only the best but the only right way. It is a belief that fuels a false sense of superiority even amongst our peers and thereby shows the lack of a shared sense of humility. We are therefore threatened by division and conflicts, dividing friends and families. At the very least, we fail to accomplish much as we compete, take sides on issues and lose sight of our common struggles and values. Today, there tend to be increased bitterness, alienation and divisions that will have long lasting impacts upon future cooperation amongst individuals holding positive views.

The way forward is for us to restructure our community organizations, deal with internal dissension and allow dissatisfied members to voice their complaints and opinions without penalty. Regardless of our levels of education, economic base or family heritage, we must recognize we approach life from different perspectives. It is therefore imperative to understand, if conflicts are not managed early and well, they tend to bring disinterest, lack of action and a breakdown of the community. Ultimately, members tend to withdraw and find it unwilling to participate in group projects. Although the best conflict control may be catching it early, avoidance whenever possible may be the best solution. As in the case whereby the conflicts already exist, a procedural resolution by reconciliation and/or compromise is the most appropriate solution.

For Manyu Diaspora, and in view of the conflicts harboring around the communities, the only option left on the table is to come to terms to negotiate for the interest of the community and division. Otherwise, if sharing common goals is no longer an option to those who have developed an ingrained hatred for their brethren, then living with conflicts to attain power and name recognition may be the only solution. The question is for how long and how far? That is a price too high to pay since it involves compromise and capitulation. Are we willing to compromise and capitulate for grand Manyu as we usher into a new year? The gods of Manyu will be watching and listening keenly.

Simon Etta

MEDWC Volunteer

Manyu Cultural Ambassador Dazzles Washington D.C.

Some have dubbed culture as the cry of men in search of their identity; whereas others see it as a broadening of the mind and spirit. In the words of Albert Camus, “without culture and the related freedom it implies, society even when perfect is but a jungle”. It therefore surmises that a society and people that fail to promote its culture eventually loses its identity.

For Manyu and its people, the authentic creation of our culture is nothing but a gift to the future generation that must be preserved and protected by its stewards. As in every generation, ours is blessed to witness such a creation in the talents of Arrey Bate Nico whom some have titled the “Manyu Cultural Ambassador”.

On Saturday October 16, 2010 and for the first time since the first Manyu immigrant arrived the land of the pilgrims, the Manyu cultural ambassador took Washington DC and its environs by storm. For over twenty years since the creation of MECA - with a primary goal of promoting our culture in the Diaspora, no event has captured such imagination, attention and anxiety of the community like the Bate Nico concert. It was a well planned cultural merriment, calling on the Manyu community at large to turn out, witness, celebrate and be part of our common destiny. Over 300 showed up across the continental United States - including parents, children, friends and non Manyu folks at the event center in Beltsville Maryland.

The curtains came tumbling down at midnight as Ekpe USA members dressed in custom designed regalia’s with elephant tusk made bracelets, necklaces and red/white embroidered hats - dancing in uniform motion, led the cultural icon to the lighted hall. It was a dazzling and eye watering spectacle as Bate Nico holding a microphone on one hand and dancing to the applause of spectators, led the troupe in a typical upbeat Ekpe rendition. As dancers paraded the hall, the awe, beauty, pride and personification of the Manyu culture was finally on display. It was a rare spectacle that seems to crown the efforts of the founders of MECA in the Diaspora, a spectacle that reminds us of other struggles in human existence with the echo “finally, the pride of a people can be heard a few miles away from the seat of power in the world”.

One song after another, Bate Nico as a true cultural ambassador, and by displaying different dance moves was able to split “from the physical to the spiritual, from the body to the soul in dazzling fashion. As the mesmerizing Ngoh Njoh dancers of Washington joined him on stage, the tasteful acoustic guitar lines, drum beats of music, and uniform steps of the Ngoh Njoh dancers underscored tales about peace, family, faith and tradition. The highlight of the evening was when Bate majestically walked several Sesekous to the dance floor. He had composed special songs for these Ekpe Chiefs and was about to pay homage by singing and dancing in their honor. As a master artist, he taped his feet, tuned his soprano voice and took the audience as far back as anyone can trace the Manyu culture, reminding us that songs are handed down as part of oral tradition and that humans are better glorified in the midst of their peers.

In the final analysis, our Manyu culture can be referred to as our images. It is a reflection of who we are as a people, community and society with a common identity. There is nothing more that binds us together than our culture. It is a tradition that has passed on from one generation to another, uplifting our spirits and promoting not only our identity but self esteem. With a cultural ambassador like Bate Nico these images of us will never be extinct and forever the Manyu culture will remain a master piece of our intangible heritage of humanity.

As Bate Nico left the stage in the early hours of the morning, he was crowned with over ten awards and prizes befitting not only an ambassador but a prince. For those who missed this remarkable performance and concert in Washington, it was a lost opportunity to witness the true Manyu culture in display by a legend and icon of our time.

** Simon Etta blogs for the Manyu Economic Development World Conference. He lives and works in Baltimore, MD.**

A Grandfather's Inspiration: A Musical Star is Born - Bate Nico

No Manyu artist in recent memory has influenced traditional pop culture the way Bate Nico has done. With a prolific silky rythmn, Arrey Bate Nico got inspiration to sing from his grandfather who was a custodian of the Manyu culture. He uses his music genre, form and style to promote and challenge cultural taboos and norms, believing music to be the most appropriate medium to communicate, heal, and emotionally connect with people of diverse backgrounds.

Bate Nico (alias) is the fourth child of a family of seven. Born to Pa Arrey Ebot Joseph and Ma Pauline Bate of Kembong, Nico began his musical career in 1987, three years before his maiden album named “Na Money di find money”. Soon after the release of that album, Bate was on a roller coaster though with difficulties finding a major producer. His love for music, especially folklore and translating Manyu tales did not slow down this future legend. As a writer and composer, he went on to produce 5 albums and over 20 singles.

This fervant artist is guided by a career that is lively and comprehensive, showing indefatigable wit, creativity and originality of vocals. He fully participates at national events like Mount Cameroon international race of hope amongst others. Bate’s musical troupe named “Ache Manyu” consist of his wife Nkongho Regina, two sons, a daughter and numerous dancers. Because of inclusion of typical traditional costumes and folklore in his rendition, the artist was nicknamed “Cultural ambassador”.

Bate's brand of folklore promotes the rich Manyu culture in an appealing sound bit. His music has enough verve vaulting his presence in homes across Manyu, Cameroon and the international scene. He displays a charming consistency on and off stage with alluring perfect and comforting tunes. The power of its catchy refrains simply makes you dance to sleep.

It is noteworthy to state that, Alias “Bate Nico” is a likeable personality with an ever pleasing smile, electrifying dance steps, great vocals and great sense of humor. His resourcefulness is a pride to Manyu, his peers, numerous fans and his country. It is for this reason that, this great star in the making and a future Manyu folklore legend is in great demand with concerts planned for North America, Europe and Africa. We are yet to see the best of Arrey Bate Nico.

The Gap between Computer “haves and have nots”: An early start for our Primary and secondary school bound.

In Cameroon today, the computer revolution has affected almost everyone's life. Computers are utilized for business communications, shopping, postal service, banking and much more. Being computer literate is a useful skill in today's society. However, to become familiar with computers, one must first have access to them. Generally these skills can be learned at school, but a problem arises in the fact that there is not equal access to computers in most of our schools. There continue to be a large gap between the computer "haves" and "have nots," especially among our primary and secondary schools and worst off, schools in rural areas where there is lack of electricity.

According to the U.S. National Center for Education Statistics, computer literacy may be defined as "whatever a person needs to know and do with computers in order to function competently in our information-based society". Competency is therefore broken down into three categories: skills to use computers in learning and information management; knowledge of the capabilities, functions and social implications of computers; and understanding to learn and evaluate new applications and social issues of computers. These three areas encompass virtually every aspect of literacy in terms of computers.

Our information based society is fast becoming more dependent upon computers as resources. To function in many situations, familiarity with computer systems is necessary and therefore kids must acquire the required skills at an early age. In a minimal case, all stakeholders including the private industry, local and national government should be investing in computer literacy for the future generation by equipping schools with the right hardware and software.

Computers in education can be the foundation for students to learn technology based skills which are desirable for and often demanded in today's job markets. Generally, being accustomed to utilizing systems or being computer literate at an early age can aid not only in developing motor skills but being competitive on the global stage. Working together with the private sector, parents and government officials must therefore seize the opportunity and make sure young minds are not wasted at an early age. On a larger scale, our governments and development advocates have a responsibility to ensure diffusion of computer technology in our schools does not remain a national policy and lofty goal in paper but in practice.

Manyu Energy Crisis: Potential & Realistic Solutions by Simon Etta.

A question that often comes to mind is - how do we start attacking the energy crisis that has plagued our people for many years? The absence of reliable energy in Mamfe means the entire division, and more so the rural areas will continue to witness poverty, falling standards in education, healthcare and water crisis linked to lack of access to electricity. The idea of renewable energy as a viable solution or an alternative in lieu of diesel generators producing noise and polluting the environment sounds plausible. However, introducing renewable energy has not been practical in years past due to the high cost of Solar panels and understanding technology applications. Despite falling prices and eventual diffusion of alternative energy solutions in rural communities across Africa and the World, questions still remain in the case of Manyu. What is our strategy to relieve the many poor villages and rural inhabitants of Manyu out of darkness and isolation? How long will it take for us to realize we have a role to play in initiating the change and development we seek – either as advocates or implementers? Will our children in some far remote villages ever work on a computer before they graduate from secondary school? How many more kids will die in villages because they were bitten by a snake and the nearby local clinic had no anti snake venom due to lack of a refrigerator. These are some of the questions we
must analyze, and seek potential and realistic solutions.


A greater portion of the rural inhabitants of our division have no access to modern forms of energy such as electricity. The energy needs of our people are mostly met by traditional fuel that has been in use for centuries. With over 90% of our folks living in villages, traditional fuels such as wood and crop residue are the only energy source they have ever known. Whereas this type of energy has served them for cooking and kerosene lightning, the accumulated adverse effect over many years can become a health hazard. Science has taught us that burning fuels increases indoor air pollution, which affects the health of vulnerable young people and the elderly.


Despite some advances, electrifying rural areas in Manyu division will no doubt remain a unique challenge even for the government of Cameroon for many years to come. From an economic standpoint, our remote and scattered rural homes are costly and often impractical to connect to the national grid. The current policy of the Utility Company is to satisfy urban customers and major industries who pay more. Secondly, the government has not formulated a national policy or effectively promoted renewable energy as part of its overall rural electrification strategy to enhance economic and social life.

A cursory look at the energy statistics in Cameroon paints a gray picture, and reminds us of the enormous task ahead. Overall electricity access is 46%, with 11% of rural households having electricity but subject to constant cuts, and interruptions lasting days. Approximately 80% of the rural populations use wood fuel or charcoal to meet energy needs. Out of 15,000 villages, 14% have electricity that is 1 out of every 1500. It is estimated that the lack of reliable energy service is costing the economy tremendously in terms of GDP growth.

In 2001, Sonel was privatized through a 20 year concession and granted monopoly over transmission and distribution of electricity throughout the country and the right to own 1000MW of installed generated capacity. Cameroon is dependent on hydroelectricity with an installed base of 77% hydro and 22% thermal (diesel and heavy fuel), but the major rivers are drying up due to global warming. In essence, investment in hydro dominated power system has not kept up with demand growth - risking shortages’ and load shedding particularly in rural and peri-urban areas.



There are 3 existing reservoirs in the nation but they do not have sufficient storage to maintain reliable power supply during the dry season. Currently there is a project to build the Lom Pangar dam. However the country will still need additional hydro power from 2012-13 and up to accommodate planned industrial projects such as expansion of Alucam, several iron, cobalt, bauxite and other mining projects under negotiation. It must be noted that Alucam accounts for 35% of total power consumption in the country and benefits from a guaranteed supply of 20% of national output.

So what is the panacea for the energy situation in Manyu? Every day we hear horror but true stories of Mamfe with no light and no water for two weeks. The power grid reaching Mamfe passes through the dense equatorial forest from Bamenda and is subject sometimes to trees, birds and snakes falling on high tension lines and causing short circuits. However, that is an iceberg to the problem. As illustrated above, there isn’t enough energy supply to reach Mamfe and nothing will change for the foreseeable future. Energy sector development in Cameroon has been subject to economic interest, political influence and weakness in sector planning.

We as a people have an obligation and a moral/economic duty to address and find a solution in the short term to our energy crises. We must start thinking out of the box and take proactive positions which will enhance the living conditions of our people. No electricity in Manyu means kids cannot do home work at night. Our parents will drink water from polluted streams and rivers. Standard of living will continue to deteriorate, more social exclusion and increased inequity between urban and rural areas, increased unemployment and urban migration in search of jobs.

Renewable energy and standalone energy such as Solar and wind power are the only solution to help fill the electricity void in Manyu. The sun is free and inexhaustible in our area with a solar irradiance of about 5 hours a day. Solar photovoltaic panels – convert the sun’s radiation directly to electricity with no pollution, little maintenance and long term reliability lasting 20-25 years for a one time investment. The panels generate enough power to run stoves, pump water, light clinics, schools, community centers and entire villages and towns. It is time to move Manyu out of the less traditional energy sources such as wood, biomass (crop waste) dominant for cooking. This comes at a huge cost to our long term health and environment with falling of trees. Manyu must therefore embrace Solar technology as other rural communities around the world are doing – India, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Ethiopia etc, to witness economic expansion, unprecedented social uplifting and poverty alleviation. The time is now and organizations such as MECA USA must take the lead in education, sensitization and development of pilot initiatives. We cannot wait another 20 years for the power grid to come to our communities. Our educational levels and standard of living will continue to fall and we as a people will hence play second fiddle to the future development of Cameroon. Can Manyu afford to wait idle as development passes us by in this age of internet technology and globalization?


Note: Summary of a power point presentation delivered during the MECA USA 20th annual convention in Atlanta, Georgia - July 3, 2010. The writer has a strong background in Telecommunications and serves as Acting Director of Communication Services for the City of Baltimore - Government.

Bamenda - Mamfe Road - Real Transformation

Cameroon Tribune:
Godlove Bainkong
22 June 2010

Chinese engineers in charge of the project are working tooth and nail to make the once muddy and winding road a thing of the past.

Never in the history of the people of Batibo and Widikum (North West), Bachuo Akagbe and Mamfe (South West) Regions, has there been serious construction works, with high-level state-of-the-art equipment, like what is going on now. Passers-by and the local population alike do describe the area now as a vast construction site, with efforts to modernise the once muddy and bumpy road taking centre stage. This is within the framework of a joint Cameroon-Nigeria project, code-named, "Bamenda - Enugu Multinational Highway and Transport Facilitation Programme" which seeks to tar the 443 km road from Cameroon to Nigeria and boost relations and socio-economic ties between the two countries.

From the 42km Bamenda-Batibo stretch to the 62km Mamfe-Ekok section, the 203 km distance of the multinational project to be executed in Cameroon is increasingly gaining steam. Bulldozers are digging, engineers surveying and the road and its vicinities taking a facelift. Deviations are all over as engineers of the Chinese consortium charged with the execution of the much-heralded project are altering the hitherto winding nature of the road to give the new one better visibility. Bridges are being constructed as machines are working round the clock around the Widikum forest to extract and grind hard gravel being used on the road. A Yaounde-based indigene of Mamfe who travelled with this reporter to and from Ekok rejoiced that work is rapidly progressing on the road. "I passed on this road two weeks ago and so much has changed. Tarring this road is synonymous with giving life a boost in these localities", she rejoiced.

In course of the Minister of Public Works' visit to Mfum and Ekok last week to officially flag off the Bamenda-Mamfe-Ekok-Enugu Trans-African highway, the populations of these localities came out like one person to appreciate the life-changing venture. In all of the sites where Mr Messengue Avom and his delegation made stopovers, the joy was total. The villagers wore t-shirts and erected banners with inscriptions like, "Road for Development", "We thank the governments of Nigeria and Cameroon for this move to improve on our living". Their joy was understandable as in three years when the entire project is expected to round off, people cultivating cassava, plantains and other food crops as well as cash crops will make a choice of either staying home and attracting buyers or taking their produce to a market of their choice. Analysts say upon completion, the once nightmare users of the road had when travelling on the road will be history, the hitherto days or weeks they took from Cameroon to Nigeria will be reduced to hours and the volume of trade between the two countries will greatly increase

Chief Mbi Oruh Michael - Funds for the Project are available.

Cameroon Tribune

Chief Mbi Oruh Michael, Technical Adviser NO.1 in the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Technological Development and Project Coordinator.

What is the project on improving palm oil production all about?

The oil palm project has three components. The first component is technology transfer. We want to improve on existing mail, that is taking a small mail to a larger scale. The second phase is to increase the supply capacity. That is, helping farmers by giving them fertilisers and teaching them good agronomic techniques so that they can be able to improve their farm yields. Finally, we talk about market access and this means quality, for without good quality you cannot be competitive in the international market.

Does the project seek to modernise or industrialise palm oil production in the country?

Actually we want to industrialise it, you know that we are the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Technological Development. When you talk in terms of modernising, you move towards industrialisation. But we want to take those involved in the sector gradually. The Malaysians started this with four hectares per person and we think in Cameroon we can start it with five hectares per person but we are encouraging small and medium-sized companies likewise big ones into the sector. In the Malaysian context, we have the small producers about 80 - 90 per cent of the total production as against 5 - 10 per cent in Cameroon. So the agro-industries are producing about 90 per cent and that is why we have a problem of poverty. It is only when this is reversed that we can talk of improving the income generating potentials of oil palm production and stepping up the standards of living of the population.

How far with the project, some weeks after its official launching?

We launched it on March 4, 2010 and that was actually the inception where we are trying to identify the various pilot centres. We have visited some pilot centres; a lot of them have not met the criteria and based on that we are now trying to visit some other groups. However, the finances had been cleared. You know it is financed by the Common Fund for Commodities and to be executed by UNIDO. So everything is set in terms of implementation but we want to get the real actors because in a project you need to make a right choice so as to attain your objective. Cameroon has four centres and a big country like Nigeria has two. Another important thing is that we are going to help Cameroonians who have one hectare to move up to about five hectares and when you calculate you can realise that the person with five hectares can earn about FCFA 200,000 - 250,000 a month.

How much is the entire cost of the project and what will Cameroon government contribute?

We are talking about a project of about FCFA 2 .5 billion. The Cameroon government has what we call counterpart contribution which is about FCFA 400 million and it has started paying so we are on tract. So far, the money for the project is available.

What is national production, what is the actual demand and what is your target?

One difficulty we have in Cameroon is in terms of statistics. So far, we say we have a production level of about 200,000 tons yearly and demand is about 250, 000 tons so we have a deficit of 50,000 tons annually. Palm oil contributes greatly to the country's socio-economic development looking at the areas that are concerned with the product.

MEDWC USA bags $10,000 during Fundraising event for Akwaya

Maya Angelou once wrote, “I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver”. With more than $10,000 raised in less than 3 hours, Manyu elements in Washington DC and its environs liberated their souls by giving back to the needy and under-privilege children of Akwaya.

The occasion was the (MEDWC) fundraising dinner that took place in Maryland on Saturday March 6, in support of the 2010 Economic Conference bound for Akwaya on March 22, 2010. The joyous evening was hosted by Mr. & Mrs. Cletus Ayuk in their Burtonsville, Maryland residence and in attendance MEDWC USA Coordinator Sesekou Dr. David Tambe who flew in from Dallas, Texas to grace the occasion and present an overview of the organization’s activities.

Knowing too well that in tough economic times money becomes tight, and thus making it difficult for others to donate, the master of ceremony for the evening Ms. Ivert Tambe employed her superb fundraising theatrics and called on donors to dig deep in support of the children of Akwaya. The response was overwhelming as attendees spoke of their deep rooted love and pride in the development of Akwaya and its complete disenclavement.

MEDWC will therefore like to extend a big thank you to all who participated and contributed to the success of the event. In return, the organization will continue its charitable mission and implement short term conference projects by organizing a health fair, support IT awareness with computers to schools, assist in sustainable energy, providing generators to clinics and promoting academic excellence through financial aid packages to merited students.

For more on MEDWC - visit http://www.medwc.org

AKWAYA 2010 CONFERENCE SET FOR MARCH 22

The USA Cordinator for the Manyu Economic Development Conference (MEDWC) Sesekou Dr. David Tambe has once more called on sons and daughters of Manyu in the USA to work together for a successful economic conference in Akwaya. Reports from MEDWC Secretary General in Yaounde Mr. Enow Chris Oben confirm the official date for the 2010 event has been set for March 22, in Akwaya town with a possible delegation led by our patrons, H.E. Peter Agbortabi and Victor Mengot. It must be recalled that Sesekou Dr. David Tambe has professionally managed MEDWC efforts in the USA with two ground breaking conferences in Tinto (2005) and Eyumojock (2008) providing various forms of assistance to the local communities and the needy. The restructuring of the defunct Manyu world conference in 2003 created an enabling environment to rotate these events amongst the sub-divsions of Manyu.

Today, the Manyu Economic and Development World Conference operates as a regisitered Non-Governmental Organization - created in Mamfe in December 2003, in an attempt to integrate the efforts of the different organizations actively involved in Manyu development. Conferences thus provide a forum for the different organizations and stake holders involved in Manyu development to discuss and tackle problems of Manyu from a common Platform. Participants at each conference include the business community, non profit organizations, healthcare organizations and other NGOs.

For Akwaya 2010, conference projects will include, a health fair at a local health center. Conference health fairs provide an opportunity for participating health organizatons and physicians to provide health screening, free medical supplies and free medications to the local communities. Other conference projects will be donation of generators and computers to the Council and Health centers. Because tuition and fees has become an uphill battle for a lot of our young and bright, the conference promotes academic excellence by awarding financial assistance to secondary and high school students in the area.

For more information on MEDWC activites and its current organizational structure, please visit the website.