A life of opportunities and challenges

Publication of a collection of Poetry (Poèmes d’exil) at Éditions CLE, Yaoundé (2009), Cameroon; of a novel, «Modam» at Monpetitediteur/Publibook in Paris, France (2011) and of an essay on rethinking governance beyond Montesquieu and John Locke’s box of the classical three Estates, ie the Legislative, Executive and Judicial Branches at «Éditions Universitaires européennes, Germany (2013); I suggest innovative ways forward, for citizens’ genuine democratic empowerment in these countries, and a more formal role for the media in true democratic political dispensation systems. The first part has been publishced, while the last two have been written and are under revision now;

International Development Career in Media and Capacity Development, Governance (Public Administrations Reforms, Decentralization, the fight against corruption, Education) as a Consultant, international civil servant, Chief of Party, contract staff with the World Bank, UNESCO, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) USAID/Office of Transition Initiatives or European Union funded programs/assignments, the Belgian Technical Cooperation Agency (BTC/CTB), in 14 countries: Albania, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Laos, Mozambique, Rwanda;

Postgraduate studies in Montreal, Canada at the Université de Montréal, Université du Québec à Montreal (UQaM), the Quebec National School of Public Administration (École nationale d’administration publique du Québec-Énap);

• Completion of a Master’s Degree in Sciences (M.Sc) in Organizational Sciences and Communications, with focus on Communications and Public Administration); of a Postgraduate Diploma in International Public Administration, Management and Economics (Diplôme de 2ème cycle en Administration internationale) from the Québec National School of Public Administration (Énap);
• Furthermore, I was the first to complete in five years a PhD in Communications and International Development Studies, from the Joint PhD in Communications Studies by three Montreal Universities: Université de Montreal, Concordia University and Université du Québec à Montreal (1993);
• Lectureship, Assistant Researcher and International Development, Public Relations positions with the Université de Montreal, du Québec à Montreal and Télé-université, the distance education branch of the Quebec National University Network.

Media & Communication Advisor at the prime Minister’s Office (1977-1983), then promoted at the President of the Republic’s civil cabinet (1983-1985). Performance level lauded by the Prime Minister, the Head of State and close collaborators.

• After successfully passing an internal competitive examination within the Cameroon’s Civil S4rvice, I became a Senior Journalist (Journaliste principal, A2 category, the highest in the Civil Service);
• Two years studies in French Public and Private Law, English Commom Law at the Université de Yaoundé;
• Scholarship for further studies in Canada, after successful completion of a competitive examination by the former Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA/ACDI);

Career as a Print Journalist with the first Cameroon’s national daily newspaper «Cameroon-Tribune» as its Littoral Province Head of Office in Douala, the country’s economic Metropolis and Business hub for all of Central Africa: Management of a team of 6 permanent staff and freelance media professionals, 4 support staff. Production of features, editing of staff and contributiors’ productions, management of distribution and advertisement (1975-1977). High level performance, with increase in the distribution of the newspaper and consequently, of its adverting revenues;

Secondary School and University Studies in Yaoundé, Douala (lycée Joss), Yaoundé University’s International Higher School of Media Studies (École supérieure internationale de journalisme de l’Université de Yaoundé), Université de Paris II Assas, African Journalists Training Centre (France), Université de Montreal’s Audiovisual Centre, African Communicators’ Training Program (Montreal-Canada); Urban studies training workshops at Columbia University, New York City, USA. The program included students from 10 Western and Central Africa’s countries, French, Gabonese, Cameroonian, Canadian and US Professors;

• Completion of a B.A in Journalism and Media Studies;

Childhood and primary school studies at Public schools of Somalomo (place of birth), Dimpam (25 km away), Messamena, headtown of the District then, 60 km from Somalomo, Eastern Province, Upper Nyong Division, Cameroon.

• Completion of the First School Leaving Certificate (CEPE – Certificat d’études primaires élémentaires);

• An essay in Public Administration, Communication and Governance in Africa, taking into consideration the social role of this institution in newly formed States, as well as its contribution to good, or bad governance, especially with the new trend of open government and open data.
• Another one on how perceptions of Africa have changed from the independence phase of the 60s’ through different political and economic crises of the 80s-90s, up to now;
• Another one on an often quoted philospher of the Koozime people, Esatern Cameroon, reflecting on the links between traditional, Bantu wisdom and the universal wisdom;
• Short stories about different individuals caught in the cobweb of life;

Full fluency in written, spoken, read French, English; in spoken Bantu grandmother and father’s two tongues; advanced general and practical knowledge in Spanish, Lao language (Southeast Asia), Swahili, Lingala; Basic skills in Kirundi-Kinyarwanda.