CDVTA Creates The Unexpected

-Leads Elderly Persons to Present New Year Wishes to Government

Francis Njuakom

For the first time in Cameroon, Elderly persons have constituted themselves to present New Year wishes to government. This came barely a month after the December 5, 2012 3^rd National Convention of the Elderly people in Cameroon staged at the behest of the Community Development Volunteer for Technical Assistance, CDVTA. This body headed by Francis Njuakom Nchii stands as the undisputed leading crusader for the rights of the elderly people in Cameroon. The strive of CDVTA has been acknowledged by varied personalities in Cameroon, including the Prime Minister Philemon Yang and Bakang Mbock, Minister of Social Affairs respectively. Last Wednesday January 16, 2013 therefore when CDVTA led a delegation of elderly people to present New Year wishes to Minister Bakang Mbock, it was a pointer of the body towards reinforcing its commitment and partnership with government, to alleviate poverty  the plight of the elderly in Cameroon.

It was Wilfred Mundama, the Program Manager of CDVTA at the head of the delegation to Yaounde. The venue was the City Council Hall. Traditionally, the presentation of New Year wishes is limited to handshakes for a few seconds with the minister. But then, with Mundama led CDTVA team, the scenario was different.

Minister Bakang Mbock took over 10 minutes to receive New Year wishes from the CDVTA and the elderly. This was in fact a special delegation as a bouquet of flower and a special gift was presented by CDVTA to the minister. She was visibly thrilled by the group and exchanged of pleasantries with them.

Quizzed by Chronicle to comment on what they actually discussed with the minister, the CDVTA Program Manager averred:

We told her that we heard about this presentation of New Year wishes and CDVTA shouldn’t have stood behind without coming, that her presence to come to visit the CDVTA structure in 2009 was already a sign that the ministry was looking up to the serious organization that are actually standing up to support government because government do it alone. Structures like CDVTA and others should be encouraged.

The minister was actually telling us that, please, you people should keep up with the good work; I am seeing how these elderly people are looking so young because of the activities that CDVTA is carrying out with them; CDVTA should continue; that government will not relent her efforts in supporting to see that CDVTA continue with the good work that they are already doing.

CDVTA’s Expectations from Government

When Francis Njuakom, the productive and highly innovative Director of CDVTA led a delegation of 12 elderly persons and were received at the Star Building, it was an indication. This was on November 30, 2011. There, Prime Minister Philemon Yang was very grateful for what CDVTA had been doing in helping to build Cameroon rather than ask government to help them build. Yang appreciated the fact that elderly people had realized how they had full potentials to build themselves through CDVTA. Njuakom on his part hailed government and singled out minister Bakang Mbock for supporting the elderly and in accepting to the putting together of a national policy for the elderly.

Wilfred Mundama told Chronicle shortly after presenting New Year wishes to Minister Bakang Mbock that CDVTA is working in collaboration with the ministry of social affairs on the National policy for the ageing. He said a new sub directorate put in place was great progress by government. CDVTA Program Manager however vouched to see step up its efforts by empowering structures that take care of Elderly people. He added that government should also facilitate that in the nearest future, the non contributory pensions should actually be extended to all the elderly people (those above 70).

CDVTA has actually been working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Social Affairs on the matter of the elderly. A day after the presentation of New Year wishes, Chronicle learnt that the CDVTA Program Manager held a meeting with the Director of Ageing alongside the sub Director and the Chief of Service for the Ageing in the Ministry of Social Affairs. This, in preparation ahead of an International Conference to be hosted in Yaounde in May 2013. It is organized under the aegis of the Ageing, a charity based in Canada.

Acknowledgement/ Accolade

CDVTA has staged three national conventions for the elderly in Cameroon: the first was in Belo (Boyo Division) in 2010 pulled some 10.000 old people; the second was in Oku (Bui Division) in 2011 witnessed over 15.000 old people in attendance; the third last December 5, 2012 in Bamenda had in record 20.000 elderly persons present. Marveled by the mobilization, North West Governor recommended a special medal award for Francis Njuakom. The CDVTA Director was urged to contact a protocol service of the Governor’s office to finalize moves for the award. This may probably be bestowed on him on May 20^th  the National Day of Cameroon. This notwithstanding, Njuakom had earlier received a traditional title from the palace of Kedjom Ketinguh “ Cheuh Fon” is the title bestowed on him in March 2012.

The CDVTA Director, however has the Sheila McKenin award, bestowed on him in 2008 by Gordon Brown, then British Prime Minister at the Number Ten Downing Street in London. On June 12, 2009 Minister Bakang Mbock visited the CDVTA head office at Metta Quarters in Bamenda to be acquainted with the realities which she had been told. Then on April 18, 2011, Minister Bakang Mbock signed a letter of congratulations and encouragement to CDVTA for its positive billings about its strive for the wellbeing of the elderly. Last week’s New Year wishes presentation was therefore a testimony of the exceptional trappings of CDVTA.