BACDU holds 35th annual congress

Written by Etule Banjo, The Standard Tribune

Saturday, 23 January 2010 10:15

Kumba--At last Kombone Misoh in Mbonge Subdivision has successfully hosted the 35th annual conference of the Bakundu Cultural and Development Union - BACDU despite efforts by some non-natives of the village to disrupt the event.

The refusal of the Bangwa's (from Lebialem Division) who make-up more than 75% of the population of Kombone Misoh to contribute towards the event became a cause for concern and Mbonge administration had to be brought in to resolve the issue.

Commenting on the situation before the celebration, the DO for Mbonge, Sone Clement Ngoe urged non-natives to respect the culture of the natives and respect their tradition.

He said, CFA100.000 was first demanded from the Bangwa community in Kombone Misoh to help the native of village host their annual cultural conference which was small as they constituted more than two-thirds of the population. And when the sum was later changed to 400.000FCFA because of their population it almost led to conflict between the Bangwa community in Kombone Misoh and the natives.

Speaking on the last day of the three-day event on Sunday 17 January 2010 the 1st Assistant SDO for Meme, Fofe Christophe, urged the Bakundus to be united if they want to develop fast and shun vices such as petition writing and gossiping, which hinder development.

On his part the secretary general of BACDU, Sesseh Nopanjo Barister Mosima George Lobe thanked the government for development projects earmarked and the executive of the projects in Bakundu villages during the 2009 investment budget.

He, however, said out of the 34 Bakundu villages only eight villages benefited from the financial allocations and entreat the authorities to upgrade these allocation horizontally and vertically.

At the end of the event, the Bakundu people resolved to renew their confidence in President Paul Biya's exceptional leadership and support his candidature for the 2010 presidential elections.

The ceremony that was characterised by roundtable discussions, traditional singing and dancing depicting the culture of the Bakundus brought together Bakundu elite from in and out of the country, chiefs and delegations from the 34 villages that make-up the Bakundu tribe.

Some of the Bakundu dignitaries present included the board chairman of the CDC, HRH Chief Elangwe, Tatah Nganda Mataka wa Bakundu, Justice Benjamin Motanga Itoe, special Adviser at the prime minister's office Madame Bertha Ndoh nee Bakata, the South West Regional executive secretary-general of FECAFOOT, Diony William.

The next BACDU Annual congress has been slated for Kwakwa Bakundu in Mbonge Subdivision.