Emmanuel Kendemeh
1 December 2008
Prime Minister Ephraim Inoni on 28 November during a question time plenary sitting at the National Assembly, acknowledged that the government was aware of the exodus of Cameroonian intellectuals, technicians and medical officials to work in foreign countries. He said the exodus as well as Cameroonians trained abroad with public resources who do not come back to the country, drain the useful capital that could have been used in developing the country.
The Head of government was responding to the worry expressed by Hon. Joseph Banadzem requesting him to order a survey into the phenomenon of brain drain, as well as inform the Head of State of the situation. The Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Cavaye Yeguie Djibril presided over the plenary sitting. Prime Minister Inoni said brain drain was caused by lack of job satisfaction, inadequate infrastructure and lack of proper understanding between some local employers and employees. He said a survey conducted between 1987 and 1990, showed that there were about 70,000 highly qualified Cameroonian professionals working abroad.
In order to curb the exodus of intellectuals, the government has created seven State Universities, professional institutions and is also encouraging private initiative in the higher education sector. The Prime Minister told Members of Parliament that the Ministry of External Relations was coordinating a working group on the integration of Cameroonian intellectuals in the Diaspora, and encouraging businessmen to invest back in Cameroon by improving on the investment climate. Government, he said was working towards organising a Day for the Diaspora to enable Cameroonians abroad effectively contribute to the development of the country.
He also said, " we have to re-think our educational system" to bring back Cameroonians in the Diaspora, as well as stop those with intentions of seeking greener pastures abroad. The Head of government also answered questions on the execution of the Head of State's greater ambition's programme in the areas of electricity, mining, agriculture and industrial development
The Minister of Finance Essimi Menye answered questions on the fact that banks in Cameroon have over liquidity but poverty remains a problem, as well as uniformity in salaries The Minister of Environment and Nature Protection, Helé Pierre, explained government policy in handling carbon emission. The Minister Delegate at the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation, Emmanuel Edou answered questions on the creation of more administrative units in the North Region and the replacement of a Member of Parliament who dies. Louis Paul Motaze, Minister of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development also took to the rostrum.
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Mr Inoni u make may laugh . I don't know w hat u take Cameroonian for . U are there reason for intellectual exodus . I for one I can't come back unless the will be respect of human right . my father used to tell me this riddle " An adult can't bit a child and the adult start crying insterd of the child ". I wonder if u think befor u open ur mouth to vomit ur venom. May God bless cameroon from this evil clique. … [Read Full Text]