By DOH JAMES SONKEY
Quizzed to know if it is still worth celebrating the New Deal policy despite all the troubles Cameroon is facing under the current CPDM regime, like imminent eviction of Cameroon from AGOA by the US, unresolved socio-political crisis in the North West and South West regions, killings, tensed political atmosphere, increased tribalism, embezzlement, corruption, natural disasters etc, Political Scientist and university don, Prof Ngolle Ngolle Elvis is unequivocal that “statistically, the New Deal of H.E President Paul Biya is as significant today 37 years later as it was 37 years ago.”
The former Minister and National Coordinator of CPDM Academy was speaking to The SUN in an exclusive interview ahead of the November 6, 2019 celebration of President Paul Biya’s ascension to Supreme Magistracy in Cameroon.
The political scientist explained that “Is it worth to celebrate this 37th anniversary on November 6, 2019? My answer is yes and I have always said so. I am not saying it as a politician but from the standpoint of pedagogy and a scientific standpoint as well. I say so because the New Deal was launched to usher in a new dawn, a new Cameroon by a new President who said he wanted to change Cameroon from the way he met it. He gave indications as to what ingredients (moralisation, liberalisation and modernisation) will be included in that new Cameroon which he referred to as the Cameroon of the New Deal.”
Prof Ngolle Ngolle further said “After noticing in 1982 when he took over power that Cameroon did not have all these ingredients, the Head of State concluded that for the country to move forward, it needed to change and be driven by some sort of public service ethics based on moralisation, liberalisation and modernisation.”
Admitting that some citizens chosen to implement the New Deal as a policy package have failed in what was expected of them, the former Minister urged citizens to remain optimistic, arguing that “bad news, disasters, evil, misfortune etc which are realities of human life should not prevent one from continuously thinking positive about life.”
He further indicated that, “the celebration which is not limited to the CPDM party will also be an ideal opportunity for people to sympathise with other citizens who are in pains. The New Deal is therefore good for all Cameroonians and that is why it is not a CPDM affair. We are therefore celebrating triumph of humanity over evil, the triumph of life over death, the triumph of solution over problems, the triumph of a better future over the past etc.”
Prof Ngolle Ngolle concluded that “the removal of Cameroon from AGOA list does not mean that bilateral ties between our country and the United States of America have come to an end. Both countries are still enjoying other areas of cooperation.”