Associate Professor, Department of History, Faculty of Arts Letters and Social Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon. Address: Department of History University of Yaounde I P.O. box 755 Cameroon.
African sovereigns were held at very high repute during the pre-colonial period by their subject... more African sovereigns were held at very high repute during the pre-colonial period by their subjects. During the colonial period, Europeans co-opted them as important economic, political and socio-cultural associates because of the place they occupied in their societies. This trend somehow altered during the post-colonial period, with some degree of power shift to western educated elites. In Cameroon, the ruling elite transformed the country into a one party system in 1966. Although auxiliaries of the administration, traditional authorities helplessly watched their powers shrink. They saw the reintroduction of multiparty politics in the 1990s as a means to regaining their legitimacy. This was nevertheless to a lesser extent as they could barely partake in the socio-economic development of their polities, urging them to demand for more recognition, in March 2011, through a launch of the Cameroon National Council of Traditional Rulers (CNCTR). This paper is constructed on secondary and primary data, interpreted qualitatively and presented chronologically. It accentuates on Anglophone Cameroon and contends that traditional leaders were almost shelved from the sustainable local development process of the country.
Key words: Traditional authority, Partisan politics, Pathway, Sustainable development, local development
In the backdrop of a visibly disenchanted economy during the immediate post-independence period, ... more In the backdrop of a visibly disenchanted economy during the immediate post-independence period, the government of Cameroon took upon itself to promote the economic development of the country. The desire for rapid development was rooted Cameroon’s principles of planned liberalism and self-reliant development. A series of Five Years Development Plans were put in place in this regard and the government partnered with countries like France, the United States and West Germany to fund them. As far as West Germany was concerned, an Economic and Technical Cooperation was signed between her and Cameroon on the 29th June 1962 to assist one another in economic and technical matters. In this framework, a protocol agreement was signed on the 20th October 1965, to assist in the socio-economic development of Menchum Division. This paper propounds that Menchum Division was very economically unattractive before the technical cooperation, with poor agricultural output, lack of industries, rural infrastructure and general underdevelopment, leading to inauspicious ramifications. It is therefore devoted to examining how and why these factors influenced both countries to embark on cooperation. Key Words: Economic Factors, Antedating, Cameroon, Germany, Technical Cooperation.
Before the independence and reunification of Cameroon were informal relations between the territo... more Before the independence and reunification of Cameroon were informal relations between the territory and Germans. After 1961, Cameroon was faced with severe development problems due to limited domestic resources and thus relied more on foreign assistance, loans and grants for financing. Aside France, West Germany became one of its privileged partners for development. An Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement was signed in this regard between Cameroon and West Germany on the 29th June 1962, laying the basis of the creation of the Agricultural Training Centre (ATC) in Wum on the 20th October 1965. This centre was aimed at offering modern agricultural training to school leavers, who were later to disseminate such skills in their respective communities, thereby providing useful employment and improving on the living standards of the populations. The outcome was however that the project did not achieve the expected results and was at the request of both governments transformed to a public establishment of industrial and commercial character: Wum Area Development Authority (WADA) in 1973. The paper examines the motives, evolution and impact of the ATC in Menchum Division and contends that although it did convey some inroads, it nevertheless did not achieve the purpose for which it was established.
Key Words: Agricultural Training Center, Wum, Cameroon, Germany, Technical Cooperation.
Annales de la Faculté des Arts Lettres et Sciences Humain, Université de Yaoundé I, 2018
Economic development is a perennial defy in emergent countries. During the immediate post-indepen... more Economic development is a perennial defy in emergent countries. During the immediate post-independence period, most developing states embarked on transforming their economies. A strategy of “planning for development” was instituted in Cameroon, where a series of Five Years Development Plans, were put in place. This approach, combined with the discovery of oil in the late 1970s ensued in marked growth. This was however charted by an economic crisis in 1986, with adverse effects on the country’s economy. The government retorted with a series of intramural measures, to no concrete avail. It was in this backdrop that it subscribed to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) support program, based on an aid package worth 150 million US dollars and the Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) loan of the World Bank in September 1988. Despite its slow progress, Cameroon recorded significant results, leading it to the completion point in 2006. This paper studies the different slants employed in bracing economic sustainability in Cameroon during the period of the economic crisis and argues that the completion point was just an opportunity for more sacrifices to be made for sustained economy. It is built on primary and secondary data, interpreted qualitatively and presented thematically. Key Words: Cameroon, Refitting, economic sustainability, retorts, miscarried state.
Agriculture is the oldest incentive to rapid economic development. The uneven distribution of nat... more Agriculture is the oldest incentive to rapid economic development. The uneven distribution of natural resources in different geographical zones in the world, makes it such that some areas are parsimoniously motivating than others. The rush and acquisition of African territories by European powers in the 19th century was actively ingrained in her abundant natural and human resources. Colonisation was thus, a means by which they secured and monopolised control over the economies of conquered territories. When Cameroon was annexed by the Germans in July 1884, a colonial road map was drawn, based essentially on the economic interests of German traders (Woerman and Jantzen und Thormaehlen). Aside trade, plantation agriculture was top on their agenda due to the need and importance of raw materials (cocoa, coffee, rubber, palm oil and others) at the time. In order to attain this objective, they favoured the establishment of agriculture and vocational training centres in the territory. This study therefore, focuses on why and how agriculture was requisite in vocational training during the period of the Germans in Cameroon. Key Words: Drives, Prospects, Agriculture, Vocational Training, Germans in Cameroon.
The movement and settlement of peoples is as old as human history. This brings together different... more The movement and settlement of peoples is as old as human history. This brings together different ethnic entities, with analogous and/or discordant economic, political and socio-cultural activities to specific locations. These peoples are often distinguished primarily by terms such as “early” and “late” settlers in Cameroon. In the North West Region in general and Menchum Division in particular, the indigenous population, also known as “early settlers” were predominantly farmers while “late settlers,” the Fulani were mainly graziers. Conflicts began emerging between both groups over land control in as early as the mid-1950s, when groups of Fulani graziers penetrated the division in search for favourable grounds to settle and graze their cattle, later wreaking destruction on farms. Although early efforts were made by the British colonial administration to check conflicts between both groups, the advent of the Wum Area Development Authority (WADA) in 1973 marked a turning point in curbing this trend. The question is: To what extent did WADA contribute in resolving indigenous-Fulani disputes in Menchum Division? The paper seeks to discuss the root causes of indigenous-Fulani conflicts, the contributions of WADA in their management and impact in Menchum Division. It establishes that this structure played a foremost role in limiting indigenous-Fulani disputes, even though its liquidation created a vacuum, peaking in 1993 with the Esu uprising against the damage of their crops by cattle. In constructing the paper, data was got from secondary and primary sources that were interpreted qualitatively and presented chronologically and thematically.
Many African states nurtured the desire for rapid economic development at independence. This asse... more Many African states nurtured the desire for rapid economic development at independence. This assertiveness urged them to rely on the West and most particularly former colonial powers as counterparts. This brought to fore the idea of technological transfers based on the assumption that development could only be achieved through following the same processes developed countries experienced. It was in this regard that Cameroon earmarked varied development projects within the framework of development planning to meet growth, although financing remained a cause for concern. The Wum Area Development Authority (WADA) was one of those development projects that emerged from this development policy in as early as 1965 through a Technical Cooperation Agreement signed between the governments of Cameroon and West Germany. This entailed the transfers of heavy technology from West Germany to the Country to enable this project function and enhance development in the Wum Area. The paper focuses on the implementation and outcomes of the technology that was transferred from West Germany. It establishes that it was far too mechanised and inappropriate for the development needs of the people. Key Words: Complex Trends, Technological Transfers, Outcomes, Cameroon, WADA.
Au lendemain de l’indépendance, le gouvernement camerounais a souscrit à l’idée d’un dévelop... more Au lendemain de l’indépendance, le gouvernement camerounais a souscrit à l’idée d’un développement équilibré afin de lutter contre les disparités économiques causées par les mouvements de la majorité de la population des zones enclavées vers les zones plus développées du pays. Une politique de développement régional basée sur la planification a été mise en place dans le cadre des plans de développement quinquennaux. L’Autorité de développement de la région de Wum (WADA) est l’un des nombreux projets, inscrit dans la stratégie de l’époque pour promouvoir les développements socio-économiques et réduire l’exode rural dans la division de Menchum (Nord-ouest Cameroun). Il s’agissait d’un programme exhaustif axé sur le développement de l’agriculture et des infrastructures, visant à endiguer l’exode rural des jeunes dans leurs localités. Ce fut un tournant dans l’histoire socio-économique de Menchum, dans la mesure où le WADA favorisa plutôt l’afflux des populations urbaines vers les zones rurales. La disparition de WADA en 1989 a toutefois favorisé la pauvreté extrême, le chômage, les infrastructures médiocres, la grande vague de criminalité, la récession économique générale, les conflits aggravés entre agriculteurs et éleveurs, la forte mortalité et la baisse du niveau de formation. Cette recherche vise à donner quelques indications sur les contributions de WADA et affirme que sa liquidation a intensifié les migrations rurales-urbaines; alors qu’il avait tout pour survivre et promouvoir les politiques gouvernementales dans et au-delà de la région. Cet article repose sur des données obtenues à partir de sources d’archives et des données interprétées qualitativement.
Mots-clés : Développement, rural, exode, Cameroun, WADA.
This paper studies the Green Revolution and its input to Cameroon’s planned development agenda fr... more This paper studies the Green Revolution and its input to Cameroon’s planned development agenda from 1973 to 1986. After attaining statehood, Cameroon like most African states, espoused strategies, aimed at enhancing its socio-economic developments. All these emerged from its foremost planned development policy, introduced in 1960. This policy initially laid emphasis on industrialisation, which was too costly and inert to spur socio-economic growth. Agriculture was thus reconsidered as the basis for real development in the country and the green revolution ideology was adopted to embolden this ambitious quest. Launched in 1973, the revolution did swiftly and hugely enhance Cameroon’s socio-economic development, but nevertheless faded due to obvious deficiencies and the setting in of the economic crunch in 1986. This paper argues that despite its merely ideological bearing and hasty end, the Green Revolution remained a very vital spur to Cameroon’s planned development programme and pro...
The paper examines the sway of Agro-pastoral shows in Cameroon during the period of planning for ... more The paper examines the sway of Agro-pastoral shows in Cameroon during the period of planning for development. Planned Liberalism was a post-independence economic development policy aimed at integrating the economies of East and West Cameroons. Initially, two medium term plans were put in place covering the periods 19601965 and 1966-1971, with much priority on industrial rather than agricultural development, considered a key prerequisite of any meaningful economic take off point. Realizing that industrial development was costly and slow in reducing poverty and stimulating socio-economic change, greater attention was shifted towards agricultural development in the 1970s, more precisely during the periods of the 3 rd (1971-1976) and 4 th (1976-1981) Five Years Development Plans. In the wisdom of the time, agriculture was reconsidered as the primary and most important stage to real development in the country. Agro-pastoral shows were conceived and instituted, to stimulate, incite, infor...
The arrival of the cattle Fulani in the Bamenda Grasslands of Cameroon in the first half of the t... more The arrival of the cattle Fulani in the Bamenda Grasslands of Cameroon in the first half of the twentieth century coupled with the systematic increase in herd sizes and attempt to modernize cattle breeding against an increasing human population brought tremendous pressure to bear on land resources. This paper examines the Esu-Elba ranch clash in the North West Region of Cameroon. It argues that although there were disputes over geographical space, especially between Esu, her neighbours and the immigrant Fulani grazier population over the use and ownership of land, the situation became endemic with the establishment of the ranch in 1987. The article establishes that, the Esu-Elba ranch contention was centrally motivated by the irreconcilable power perception between progressive elite land exploitation and the conservative traditional discernment of the use and meaning of ancestral land. The investigation was based on secondary and primary sources which were interpreted following a qu...
The Lake Nyos linmic gas eruption that occurred in Menchum Division, North West Region of Cameroo... more The Lake Nyos linmic gas eruption that occurred in Menchum Division, North West Region of Cameroon on August 21 st 1986 was considered as one of the deadliest in the World. This led to perish of several thousand persons and other sources of livelihood. It was a rare misadventure that necessitated rapid responsiveness. In spite of the tremendous worldwide financial, material and logistics succour, the well-timed intrusion of the Wum Area Development Authority (WADA) was crucial in dealing with the crunch. WADA intervened in the rescue and resettlement of survivors over different locations in Menchum Division. It did also in conjunction with other backers; coordinate delivery and provision of basic needs to the affected. All these, combined with other factors led to its liquidation in 1989, with heightening ramifications in 1996. This paper sustains therefore that, the contributions of WADA in the management of the disaster were colossal, even though with distressing repercussions on the authority and division in general. It is constructed on data, assembled from some secondary and primary sources, construed qualitatively and presented thematically.
The arrival of the cattle Fulani in the Bamenda Grasslands of Cameroon in the first half of the t... more The arrival of the cattle Fulani in the Bamenda Grasslands of Cameroon in the first half of the twentieth century coupled with the systematic increase in herd sizes and attempt to modernize cattle breeding against an increasing human population brought tremendous pressure to bear on land resources. This paper examines the Esu-Elba ranch clash in the North West Region of Cameroon. It argues that although there were disputes over geographical space, especially between Esu, her neighbours and the immigrant Fulani grazier population over the use and ownership of land, the situation became endemic with the establishment of the ranch in 1987. The article establishes that, the Esu-Elba ranch contention was centrally motivated by the irreconcilable power perception between progressive elite land exploitation and the conservative traditional discernment of the use and meaning of ancestral land. The investigation was based on secondary and primary sources which were interpreted following a qualitative analyses and presented thematically.
Abstract: Toppling from an economic growth rate of 7 percent per annum in the 1970s, Cameroon lu... more Abstract: Toppling from an economic growth rate of 7 percent per annum in the 1970s, Cameroon lumped into an entrenched economic crisis in the mid-1980s which triggered negative growth. The paper upholds that the economic policies and structures that were put in place since independence in 1960 to the onset of the economic crisis in the late 1980s, to ensure development and growth were unhealthy mergers of totalitarian and democratic capitalism. Though some of the intentions bore the necessary parameters and good ordering to ensure balanced growth and development, implementation was entombed in a managerial web that based its planning and performance on a pseudo market. This paper maintains, therefore, that the paradigmatic development plans and parastatal explosion were cosmetic agendums for balanced development. The research builds on data collated from some secondary and primary sources which were interpreted qualitatively and presented thematically.
Keywords: Cameroon, Capitalism, Economy, Economic Crisis, Development, Growth, Parastatals, Pseudo-Market
The paper examines the sway of Agro-pastoral shows in Cameroon during the period of planning for... more The paper examines the sway of Agro-pastoral shows in Cameroon during the period of planning for development. Planned Liberalism was a post-independence economic development policy aimed at integrating the economies of East and West Cameroons. Initially, two medium term plans were put in place covering the periods 1960-1965 and 1966-1971, with much priority on industrial rather than agricultural development, considered a key prerequisite of any meaningful economic take off point. Realizing that industrial development was costly and slow in reducing poverty and stimulating socioeconomic change, greater attention was shifted towards agricultural development in the 1970s, more precisely during the periods of the 3 rd (1971-1976) and 4 th (1976-1981) Five Years Development Plans. In the wisdom of the time, agriculture was reconsidered as the primary and most important stage to real development in the country. Agro-pastoral shows were conceived and instituted, to stimulate, incite, inform and act as forums where farmers could learn and emulate from one another thereby enhancing agricultural development. The paper is based on primary and secondary data. It examines how agro-pastoral shows emerged and evolved in Cameroon. It starts with a contextual setting and examines why and how agro-pastoral shows emerged and evolved in West Cameroons and later on in the Unitary State. It ends with some agro-pastoral incentives. The paper contends that agro-pastoral shows enhanced Cameroon " s policy of planning for development, but clogged due to the lack of proper functioning mechanisms and advent of economic crisis in the mid-1980s.
Among all rural infrastructures, roads are considered of prime importance to poverty reduction. T... more Among all rural infrastructures, roads are considered of prime importance to poverty reduction. This is due to the widely accepted consensus that the transport infrastructure has a significant position and substantial impact on economic growth and poverty as it enhances the connectivity of isolated and remote areas. Roads in Menchum Division before the Wum Area Development Authority (WADA) were mostly seasonal and passable only during the dry season, introducing serious socio-economic problems. The division was one of the poorest in terms of roads network in the North West Region of Cameroon. The supply of farm inputs, purchase and evacuation of agricultural produce from enclaved areas was made difficult. In this backdrop, WADA was created with an objective of enhancing roads construction and maintenance, to ease communication within and beyond Menchum Division. The ensuing effect of WADA was that many farm-to-market roads were opened with several remote areas linking towns before its liquidation in 1989. The paper argues that although WADA did contribute immensely to the development of roads in Menchum Division, its liquidation had devastating effects.
The unstable and inauspicious political climate that characterised oil producing states especiall... more The unstable and inauspicious political climate that characterised oil producing states especially in the Middle East and Central Asia and more importantly the discovery of rich oil reserves in the Gulf of Guinea during the 1990s, re-shaped United States (U.S.) strategic interests on West Africa. Driving from a top foreign policy priority to increase and diversify America’s oil imports due to severe ‘shortages’ in various parts of the country, the Bush Administration in 2001, proclaimed the Gulf of Guinea a “zone of vital interest” in spite of the growing Chinese interest, ethnic strife, piracy, terrorist attacks, endemic poverty, corruption and territorial disputes in the region. The paper studies U.S. oil politics, stakes and prospects in the Gulf of Guinea and argues that oil security, peace, stability and prosperity was to an invariable extent dictated by the US political and economic machinations. Key Words: United States, Oil Politics, Stakes, Prospects, Gulf of Guinea, Africa
African sovereigns were held at very high repute during the pre-colonial period by their subject... more African sovereigns were held at very high repute during the pre-colonial period by their subjects. During the colonial period, Europeans co-opted them as important economic, political and socio-cultural associates because of the place they occupied in their societies. This trend somehow altered during the post-colonial period, with some degree of power shift to western educated elites. In Cameroon, the ruling elite transformed the country into a one party system in 1966. Although auxiliaries of the administration, traditional authorities helplessly watched their powers shrink. They saw the reintroduction of multiparty politics in the 1990s as a means to regaining their legitimacy. This was nevertheless to a lesser extent as they could barely partake in the socio-economic development of their polities, urging them to demand for more recognition, in March 2011, through a launch of the Cameroon National Council of Traditional Rulers (CNCTR). This paper is constructed on secondary and primary data, interpreted qualitatively and presented chronologically. It accentuates on Anglophone Cameroon and contends that traditional leaders were almost shelved from the sustainable local development process of the country.
Key words: Traditional authority, Partisan politics, Pathway, Sustainable development, local development
In the backdrop of a visibly disenchanted economy during the immediate post-independence period, ... more In the backdrop of a visibly disenchanted economy during the immediate post-independence period, the government of Cameroon took upon itself to promote the economic development of the country. The desire for rapid development was rooted Cameroon’s principles of planned liberalism and self-reliant development. A series of Five Years Development Plans were put in place in this regard and the government partnered with countries like France, the United States and West Germany to fund them. As far as West Germany was concerned, an Economic and Technical Cooperation was signed between her and Cameroon on the 29th June 1962 to assist one another in economic and technical matters. In this framework, a protocol agreement was signed on the 20th October 1965, to assist in the socio-economic development of Menchum Division. This paper propounds that Menchum Division was very economically unattractive before the technical cooperation, with poor agricultural output, lack of industries, rural infrastructure and general underdevelopment, leading to inauspicious ramifications. It is therefore devoted to examining how and why these factors influenced both countries to embark on cooperation. Key Words: Economic Factors, Antedating, Cameroon, Germany, Technical Cooperation.
Before the independence and reunification of Cameroon were informal relations between the territo... more Before the independence and reunification of Cameroon were informal relations between the territory and Germans. After 1961, Cameroon was faced with severe development problems due to limited domestic resources and thus relied more on foreign assistance, loans and grants for financing. Aside France, West Germany became one of its privileged partners for development. An Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement was signed in this regard between Cameroon and West Germany on the 29th June 1962, laying the basis of the creation of the Agricultural Training Centre (ATC) in Wum on the 20th October 1965. This centre was aimed at offering modern agricultural training to school leavers, who were later to disseminate such skills in their respective communities, thereby providing useful employment and improving on the living standards of the populations. The outcome was however that the project did not achieve the expected results and was at the request of both governments transformed to a public establishment of industrial and commercial character: Wum Area Development Authority (WADA) in 1973. The paper examines the motives, evolution and impact of the ATC in Menchum Division and contends that although it did convey some inroads, it nevertheless did not achieve the purpose for which it was established.
Key Words: Agricultural Training Center, Wum, Cameroon, Germany, Technical Cooperation.
Annales de la Faculté des Arts Lettres et Sciences Humain, Université de Yaoundé I, 2018
Economic development is a perennial defy in emergent countries. During the immediate post-indepen... more Economic development is a perennial defy in emergent countries. During the immediate post-independence period, most developing states embarked on transforming their economies. A strategy of “planning for development” was instituted in Cameroon, where a series of Five Years Development Plans, were put in place. This approach, combined with the discovery of oil in the late 1970s ensued in marked growth. This was however charted by an economic crisis in 1986, with adverse effects on the country’s economy. The government retorted with a series of intramural measures, to no concrete avail. It was in this backdrop that it subscribed to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) support program, based on an aid package worth 150 million US dollars and the Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) loan of the World Bank in September 1988. Despite its slow progress, Cameroon recorded significant results, leading it to the completion point in 2006. This paper studies the different slants employed in bracing economic sustainability in Cameroon during the period of the economic crisis and argues that the completion point was just an opportunity for more sacrifices to be made for sustained economy. It is built on primary and secondary data, interpreted qualitatively and presented thematically. Key Words: Cameroon, Refitting, economic sustainability, retorts, miscarried state.
Agriculture is the oldest incentive to rapid economic development. The uneven distribution of nat... more Agriculture is the oldest incentive to rapid economic development. The uneven distribution of natural resources in different geographical zones in the world, makes it such that some areas are parsimoniously motivating than others. The rush and acquisition of African territories by European powers in the 19th century was actively ingrained in her abundant natural and human resources. Colonisation was thus, a means by which they secured and monopolised control over the economies of conquered territories. When Cameroon was annexed by the Germans in July 1884, a colonial road map was drawn, based essentially on the economic interests of German traders (Woerman and Jantzen und Thormaehlen). Aside trade, plantation agriculture was top on their agenda due to the need and importance of raw materials (cocoa, coffee, rubber, palm oil and others) at the time. In order to attain this objective, they favoured the establishment of agriculture and vocational training centres in the territory. This study therefore, focuses on why and how agriculture was requisite in vocational training during the period of the Germans in Cameroon. Key Words: Drives, Prospects, Agriculture, Vocational Training, Germans in Cameroon.
The movement and settlement of peoples is as old as human history. This brings together different... more The movement and settlement of peoples is as old as human history. This brings together different ethnic entities, with analogous and/or discordant economic, political and socio-cultural activities to specific locations. These peoples are often distinguished primarily by terms such as “early” and “late” settlers in Cameroon. In the North West Region in general and Menchum Division in particular, the indigenous population, also known as “early settlers” were predominantly farmers while “late settlers,” the Fulani were mainly graziers. Conflicts began emerging between both groups over land control in as early as the mid-1950s, when groups of Fulani graziers penetrated the division in search for favourable grounds to settle and graze their cattle, later wreaking destruction on farms. Although early efforts were made by the British colonial administration to check conflicts between both groups, the advent of the Wum Area Development Authority (WADA) in 1973 marked a turning point in curbing this trend. The question is: To what extent did WADA contribute in resolving indigenous-Fulani disputes in Menchum Division? The paper seeks to discuss the root causes of indigenous-Fulani conflicts, the contributions of WADA in their management and impact in Menchum Division. It establishes that this structure played a foremost role in limiting indigenous-Fulani disputes, even though its liquidation created a vacuum, peaking in 1993 with the Esu uprising against the damage of their crops by cattle. In constructing the paper, data was got from secondary and primary sources that were interpreted qualitatively and presented chronologically and thematically.
Many African states nurtured the desire for rapid economic development at independence. This asse... more Many African states nurtured the desire for rapid economic development at independence. This assertiveness urged them to rely on the West and most particularly former colonial powers as counterparts. This brought to fore the idea of technological transfers based on the assumption that development could only be achieved through following the same processes developed countries experienced. It was in this regard that Cameroon earmarked varied development projects within the framework of development planning to meet growth, although financing remained a cause for concern. The Wum Area Development Authority (WADA) was one of those development projects that emerged from this development policy in as early as 1965 through a Technical Cooperation Agreement signed between the governments of Cameroon and West Germany. This entailed the transfers of heavy technology from West Germany to the Country to enable this project function and enhance development in the Wum Area. The paper focuses on the implementation and outcomes of the technology that was transferred from West Germany. It establishes that it was far too mechanised and inappropriate for the development needs of the people. Key Words: Complex Trends, Technological Transfers, Outcomes, Cameroon, WADA.
Au lendemain de l’indépendance, le gouvernement camerounais a souscrit à l’idée d’un dévelop... more Au lendemain de l’indépendance, le gouvernement camerounais a souscrit à l’idée d’un développement équilibré afin de lutter contre les disparités économiques causées par les mouvements de la majorité de la population des zones enclavées vers les zones plus développées du pays. Une politique de développement régional basée sur la planification a été mise en place dans le cadre des plans de développement quinquennaux. L’Autorité de développement de la région de Wum (WADA) est l’un des nombreux projets, inscrit dans la stratégie de l’époque pour promouvoir les développements socio-économiques et réduire l’exode rural dans la division de Menchum (Nord-ouest Cameroun). Il s’agissait d’un programme exhaustif axé sur le développement de l’agriculture et des infrastructures, visant à endiguer l’exode rural des jeunes dans leurs localités. Ce fut un tournant dans l’histoire socio-économique de Menchum, dans la mesure où le WADA favorisa plutôt l’afflux des populations urbaines vers les zones rurales. La disparition de WADA en 1989 a toutefois favorisé la pauvreté extrême, le chômage, les infrastructures médiocres, la grande vague de criminalité, la récession économique générale, les conflits aggravés entre agriculteurs et éleveurs, la forte mortalité et la baisse du niveau de formation. Cette recherche vise à donner quelques indications sur les contributions de WADA et affirme que sa liquidation a intensifié les migrations rurales-urbaines; alors qu’il avait tout pour survivre et promouvoir les politiques gouvernementales dans et au-delà de la région. Cet article repose sur des données obtenues à partir de sources d’archives et des données interprétées qualitativement.
Mots-clés : Développement, rural, exode, Cameroun, WADA.
This paper studies the Green Revolution and its input to Cameroon’s planned development agenda fr... more This paper studies the Green Revolution and its input to Cameroon’s planned development agenda from 1973 to 1986. After attaining statehood, Cameroon like most African states, espoused strategies, aimed at enhancing its socio-economic developments. All these emerged from its foremost planned development policy, introduced in 1960. This policy initially laid emphasis on industrialisation, which was too costly and inert to spur socio-economic growth. Agriculture was thus reconsidered as the basis for real development in the country and the green revolution ideology was adopted to embolden this ambitious quest. Launched in 1973, the revolution did swiftly and hugely enhance Cameroon’s socio-economic development, but nevertheless faded due to obvious deficiencies and the setting in of the economic crunch in 1986. This paper argues that despite its merely ideological bearing and hasty end, the Green Revolution remained a very vital spur to Cameroon’s planned development programme and pro...
The paper examines the sway of Agro-pastoral shows in Cameroon during the period of planning for ... more The paper examines the sway of Agro-pastoral shows in Cameroon during the period of planning for development. Planned Liberalism was a post-independence economic development policy aimed at integrating the economies of East and West Cameroons. Initially, two medium term plans were put in place covering the periods 19601965 and 1966-1971, with much priority on industrial rather than agricultural development, considered a key prerequisite of any meaningful economic take off point. Realizing that industrial development was costly and slow in reducing poverty and stimulating socio-economic change, greater attention was shifted towards agricultural development in the 1970s, more precisely during the periods of the 3 rd (1971-1976) and 4 th (1976-1981) Five Years Development Plans. In the wisdom of the time, agriculture was reconsidered as the primary and most important stage to real development in the country. Agro-pastoral shows were conceived and instituted, to stimulate, incite, infor...
The arrival of the cattle Fulani in the Bamenda Grasslands of Cameroon in the first half of the t... more The arrival of the cattle Fulani in the Bamenda Grasslands of Cameroon in the first half of the twentieth century coupled with the systematic increase in herd sizes and attempt to modernize cattle breeding against an increasing human population brought tremendous pressure to bear on land resources. This paper examines the Esu-Elba ranch clash in the North West Region of Cameroon. It argues that although there were disputes over geographical space, especially between Esu, her neighbours and the immigrant Fulani grazier population over the use and ownership of land, the situation became endemic with the establishment of the ranch in 1987. The article establishes that, the Esu-Elba ranch contention was centrally motivated by the irreconcilable power perception between progressive elite land exploitation and the conservative traditional discernment of the use and meaning of ancestral land. The investigation was based on secondary and primary sources which were interpreted following a qu...
The Lake Nyos linmic gas eruption that occurred in Menchum Division, North West Region of Cameroo... more The Lake Nyos linmic gas eruption that occurred in Menchum Division, North West Region of Cameroon on August 21 st 1986 was considered as one of the deadliest in the World. This led to perish of several thousand persons and other sources of livelihood. It was a rare misadventure that necessitated rapid responsiveness. In spite of the tremendous worldwide financial, material and logistics succour, the well-timed intrusion of the Wum Area Development Authority (WADA) was crucial in dealing with the crunch. WADA intervened in the rescue and resettlement of survivors over different locations in Menchum Division. It did also in conjunction with other backers; coordinate delivery and provision of basic needs to the affected. All these, combined with other factors led to its liquidation in 1989, with heightening ramifications in 1996. This paper sustains therefore that, the contributions of WADA in the management of the disaster were colossal, even though with distressing repercussions on the authority and division in general. It is constructed on data, assembled from some secondary and primary sources, construed qualitatively and presented thematically.
The arrival of the cattle Fulani in the Bamenda Grasslands of Cameroon in the first half of the t... more The arrival of the cattle Fulani in the Bamenda Grasslands of Cameroon in the first half of the twentieth century coupled with the systematic increase in herd sizes and attempt to modernize cattle breeding against an increasing human population brought tremendous pressure to bear on land resources. This paper examines the Esu-Elba ranch clash in the North West Region of Cameroon. It argues that although there were disputes over geographical space, especially between Esu, her neighbours and the immigrant Fulani grazier population over the use and ownership of land, the situation became endemic with the establishment of the ranch in 1987. The article establishes that, the Esu-Elba ranch contention was centrally motivated by the irreconcilable power perception between progressive elite land exploitation and the conservative traditional discernment of the use and meaning of ancestral land. The investigation was based on secondary and primary sources which were interpreted following a qualitative analyses and presented thematically.
Abstract: Toppling from an economic growth rate of 7 percent per annum in the 1970s, Cameroon lu... more Abstract: Toppling from an economic growth rate of 7 percent per annum in the 1970s, Cameroon lumped into an entrenched economic crisis in the mid-1980s which triggered negative growth. The paper upholds that the economic policies and structures that were put in place since independence in 1960 to the onset of the economic crisis in the late 1980s, to ensure development and growth were unhealthy mergers of totalitarian and democratic capitalism. Though some of the intentions bore the necessary parameters and good ordering to ensure balanced growth and development, implementation was entombed in a managerial web that based its planning and performance on a pseudo market. This paper maintains, therefore, that the paradigmatic development plans and parastatal explosion were cosmetic agendums for balanced development. The research builds on data collated from some secondary and primary sources which were interpreted qualitatively and presented thematically.
Keywords: Cameroon, Capitalism, Economy, Economic Crisis, Development, Growth, Parastatals, Pseudo-Market
The paper examines the sway of Agro-pastoral shows in Cameroon during the period of planning for... more The paper examines the sway of Agro-pastoral shows in Cameroon during the period of planning for development. Planned Liberalism was a post-independence economic development policy aimed at integrating the economies of East and West Cameroons. Initially, two medium term plans were put in place covering the periods 1960-1965 and 1966-1971, with much priority on industrial rather than agricultural development, considered a key prerequisite of any meaningful economic take off point. Realizing that industrial development was costly and slow in reducing poverty and stimulating socioeconomic change, greater attention was shifted towards agricultural development in the 1970s, more precisely during the periods of the 3 rd (1971-1976) and 4 th (1976-1981) Five Years Development Plans. In the wisdom of the time, agriculture was reconsidered as the primary and most important stage to real development in the country. Agro-pastoral shows were conceived and instituted, to stimulate, incite, inform and act as forums where farmers could learn and emulate from one another thereby enhancing agricultural development. The paper is based on primary and secondary data. It examines how agro-pastoral shows emerged and evolved in Cameroon. It starts with a contextual setting and examines why and how agro-pastoral shows emerged and evolved in West Cameroons and later on in the Unitary State. It ends with some agro-pastoral incentives. The paper contends that agro-pastoral shows enhanced Cameroon " s policy of planning for development, but clogged due to the lack of proper functioning mechanisms and advent of economic crisis in the mid-1980s.
Among all rural infrastructures, roads are considered of prime importance to poverty reduction. T... more Among all rural infrastructures, roads are considered of prime importance to poverty reduction. This is due to the widely accepted consensus that the transport infrastructure has a significant position and substantial impact on economic growth and poverty as it enhances the connectivity of isolated and remote areas. Roads in Menchum Division before the Wum Area Development Authority (WADA) were mostly seasonal and passable only during the dry season, introducing serious socio-economic problems. The division was one of the poorest in terms of roads network in the North West Region of Cameroon. The supply of farm inputs, purchase and evacuation of agricultural produce from enclaved areas was made difficult. In this backdrop, WADA was created with an objective of enhancing roads construction and maintenance, to ease communication within and beyond Menchum Division. The ensuing effect of WADA was that many farm-to-market roads were opened with several remote areas linking towns before its liquidation in 1989. The paper argues that although WADA did contribute immensely to the development of roads in Menchum Division, its liquidation had devastating effects.
The unstable and inauspicious political climate that characterised oil producing states especiall... more The unstable and inauspicious political climate that characterised oil producing states especially in the Middle East and Central Asia and more importantly the discovery of rich oil reserves in the Gulf of Guinea during the 1990s, re-shaped United States (U.S.) strategic interests on West Africa. Driving from a top foreign policy priority to increase and diversify America’s oil imports due to severe ‘shortages’ in various parts of the country, the Bush Administration in 2001, proclaimed the Gulf of Guinea a “zone of vital interest” in spite of the growing Chinese interest, ethnic strife, piracy, terrorist attacks, endemic poverty, corruption and territorial disputes in the region. The paper studies U.S. oil politics, stakes and prospects in the Gulf of Guinea and argues that oil security, peace, stability and prosperity was to an invariable extent dictated by the US political and economic machinations. Key Words: United States, Oil Politics, Stakes, Prospects, Gulf of Guinea, Africa
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Papers by George Fuh Kum
transformed the country into a one party system in 1966. Although auxiliaries of the administration, traditional authorities helplessly watched their powers shrink. They saw the reintroduction of multiparty politics in the 1990s as a means to regaining their legitimacy. This was nevertheless to a lesser extent as they could barely partake in the socio-economic development of their polities, urging them to demand for more recognition, in March 2011, through a launch of the Cameroon National Council of Traditional Rulers (CNCTR). This paper is constructed on secondary and primary data, interpreted qualitatively and presented chronologically. It accentuates on Anglophone Cameroon and contends that traditional leaders were almost shelved from the sustainable local development process of the country.
Key words: Traditional authority, Partisan politics, Pathway, Sustainable development, local development
Key Words: Economic Factors, Antedating, Cameroon, Germany, Technical Cooperation.
Key Words: Agricultural Training Center, Wum, Cameroon, Germany, Technical Cooperation.
Key Words: Cameroon, Refitting, economic sustainability, retorts, miscarried state.
Key Words: Drives, Prospects, Agriculture, Vocational Training, Germans in Cameroon.
Key words: Curbing, Fulani, Indigenous, Skirmishes, WADA, Cameroon.
Key Words: Complex Trends, Technological Transfers, Outcomes, Cameroon, WADA.
Mots-clés : Développement, rural, exode, Cameroun, WADA.
Keywords: Cameroon, Capitalism, Economy, Economic Crisis, Development, Growth, Parastatals, Pseudo-Market
Key Words:Catalyst, roads, development, WADA, Menchum.
Key Words: United States, Oil Politics, Stakes, Prospects, Gulf of Guinea, Africa
transformed the country into a one party system in 1966. Although auxiliaries of the administration, traditional authorities helplessly watched their powers shrink. They saw the reintroduction of multiparty politics in the 1990s as a means to regaining their legitimacy. This was nevertheless to a lesser extent as they could barely partake in the socio-economic development of their polities, urging them to demand for more recognition, in March 2011, through a launch of the Cameroon National Council of Traditional Rulers (CNCTR). This paper is constructed on secondary and primary data, interpreted qualitatively and presented chronologically. It accentuates on Anglophone Cameroon and contends that traditional leaders were almost shelved from the sustainable local development process of the country.
Key words: Traditional authority, Partisan politics, Pathway, Sustainable development, local development
Key Words: Economic Factors, Antedating, Cameroon, Germany, Technical Cooperation.
Key Words: Agricultural Training Center, Wum, Cameroon, Germany, Technical Cooperation.
Key Words: Cameroon, Refitting, economic sustainability, retorts, miscarried state.
Key Words: Drives, Prospects, Agriculture, Vocational Training, Germans in Cameroon.
Key words: Curbing, Fulani, Indigenous, Skirmishes, WADA, Cameroon.
Key Words: Complex Trends, Technological Transfers, Outcomes, Cameroon, WADA.
Mots-clés : Développement, rural, exode, Cameroun, WADA.
Keywords: Cameroon, Capitalism, Economy, Economic Crisis, Development, Growth, Parastatals, Pseudo-Market
Key Words:Catalyst, roads, development, WADA, Menchum.
Key Words: United States, Oil Politics, Stakes, Prospects, Gulf of Guinea, Africa