Kini Nsom
19 October 2007
Over 2500 pupils trooped to the premises of Ecole du Centre, a Primary School in Yaounde last October 16 and called on the government to accelerate the execution of reforms that will help Cameroon attain the UN Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, that will eradicate poverty in the country.
The event that was organized by UN officials in Yaounde was intended to stimulate the fight against poverty and raise awareness on the importance of achieving the MDGs. The occasion that was part of the commemoration of the UN Day for the eradication of poverty, was dubbed "Stand Up and Speak Out Against Poverty and for the Millennium Development Goals"
It was within this context that one of the pupils read out the stand up pledge as follows; "We are standing now with millions of people around the world on this symbolic day, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, to show our commitment to fight against extreme poverty and inequality.
We are standing because we refuse to accept more excuses in the world where 50.000 die every day as a result of extreme poverty and the gap between the rich and poor getting wider..."
The children who all stood up symbolically said, they were standing because they want their government to honor its promises to meet the MDGs. They said they would continue to stand and speak out against poverty and inequalities. They called on the government to tackle inequalities, be accountable, govern fairly and justly, fight corruption and fulfill human rights. According to the children, they were not asking for charity but justice.
Speaking at the occasion, the Resident Representative of the UN systems in Cameroon, Madam Sophie De Caen, said after 129 countries pledged to attain the MDGs by 2015, it is time for citizens to mount pressure on the various governments given that it is only eight years to the deadline when little has been achieved.
She said it was important to sensitize citizens the importance of achieving MDGs for the eradication of poverty and for better living conditions.While harping on the importance of MDG number two, the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Basic Education, Manga Awolo, said there couldn't be any meaningful development in any country without the quality education.
He said government was fighting hard to ensure that universal primary education for all becomes a reality by 2015. He said the pupils would also be fighting poverty on their own part if they take their lessons seriously, stating that government is prepared to give them quality education by making qualified teachers available to them.
He said the Cameroon government was committed in achieving the millennium Goals because they represent the global vision of world leaders to get rid of poverty and brighten the future of humanity.
Enter Ngolle Ngolle
Given that MDG No. 7 borders on environmental protection, the Minister of Forestry and Wildlife, Prof. Elvis Ngolle Ngolle was part of the Stand-up campaign. The Minister pledged government's commitment to environmental sustainability, noting that his Ministry and that of the Environment and Nature Protection were doing everything possible to make sure that MDG No. 7 become reality by 2015.
He said his Ministry will soon launch the reforestation program and will make 2008 a year of tree planting. Apparently marching his words with action, Ngolle Ngolle planted a few trees at the premises of Ecole Du Centre.
The climax of the event was when the UN Resident Representative joined the pupils, the Minister Delegate in the Ministry of Economic Planning, Programming and Regional Development, Daouda Abdoulaye, the British High Commissioner to Cameroon, Syd Maddicott, the Italian Ambassador to Cameroon, Antonio Bellavie and other dignitaries to stand up symbolically to declare war against poverty and press for the attainment of the MDGs.
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