Tenets of Fruitful Survival

“ I do so Swear”, with this declaration on 6 November 1982, Paul Biya solemnly acknowledged before law makers, his compatriots and the Diplomatic corps his status of President of the Republic of Ca­ meroon. His predecessor, Ahmadou Ahidjo, Chairman of the Cameroon National Union CNU had on 4 No­ vember, resigned giving way to his constitutional successor. However, having taken over power from the country’s first president, Cameroon’s second Head of State on 24 March 1985 during an ordinary congress of the CNU in Bamenda launched, his own party, the Cameroon people’s Democratic Movement, CPDM. The birth of the CPDM was in effect, a launch pad for the New Deal agenda of President Paul Biya who harped on his policy of Rigour and Moralisation. He believed this could usher in vital changes needed for socio/economic development. Cameroonians welco­ med with enthusiasm, the new deal agenda of their new president whose experiences as Director of Cabinet in the ministry of Education, Secretary General at Pre­ sidency of the Republic and Prime Minister must have adequately equipped him to face rationally the challenges of a country with numerous diversities. Besides, patriotic Cameroonians knew what quotas they ought to contri­ bute if they were going to work together for the conso­ lidation of national unity and needed changes for a better future. Could they? Would they? Their support in words and action tell better the story. For past the 44 years, Paul Biya aware of the ever mounting challenges of Cameroon, spared no effort to prove that his governments must keep working to alter the unpalatable trends. The fight against corruption, tribalism, misappropriation, inertia in offices, deserved special attention. The struggle against these societal ills, demand political serenity and democratic governance which the New Deal Mastermind still consideres, important for the consolidation of national unity peace and development. Consequently, after striving to ensure peace, especially in the North West, South West and the Far North Regions through the national Dialogue, Decentralisation strategies, and Digitalisation strategies, the Biya admi­ nistration has since continued to survey other means of forging ahead despite a variety of constraints. In a circular to CPDM party militants for example, marking this 44th anniversary of President Paul Biya’s accession to power, the Secretary General of the CPDM, Central Committee Jean Nkuete regretted the mounting challenges and pressing need to provide, an impetus that enables the President to discharge his duties effi­ ciently and effectively. This supports theme for this year’s celebration which is “Unwavering loyalty and Republican mobilisation behind President Paul Biya to continue consolidating Cameroon’s Progress in an atmosphere of peace and Tranquillity “What a challenge to CPDM militants in par­ ticular, and mature Ca­ meroonians in gene­ ral”! After giving a leader power through the ballot, we cannot shy off from the fight against societal ills that retard progress and tarnish the image of the country. Hence, we must constantly ask ourselves how proud, are we of the nature of our roads, our output in offices, the ever wor­ sening state of corruption, misappropriation, violence in homes, and assiduity in stewardship. What loyalty and patriotism do we portray in our lifestyle when after more than half a century of ...