L'Effort Camerounais (English Version)

Editorial:“Democratic” monarchies: Sharpening French Africa’s new political dispensation

By Ireneaus Chia Chongwain

A new, but indisputably dangerous political option, is surreptitiously being implanted in French speaking African countries- that of sons of African presidents taking over power from their fathers when they pass on. There are fears that the scheme designed in Togo, tested in the Democratic Republic of Congo and confirmed in Gabon, could equally be extended to other French speaking African countries. Good bye France-Afrique, welcome “democratic” monarchies!

Health Insurance In Cameroon:Church Taking The Lead Where The Government is Dragging Its Feet

The four Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province bishops are not only curing Souls, but also concerned with alleviating physical suffering. They have put in place the Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province Health Assistance, BEPHA, scheme, which provides health care services to members and beneficiaries at affordable rates. Though the scheme, undoubtedly ambitious, is still in its embryonic stage in the dioceses concerned, many members and beneficiaries continue to sign up. BEPHA, which is non-denominational, also seeks to provide solutions to some of the problems that blight Cameroon’s health sector like exploitation, over-prescription and scandalous delays in getting assistance at the time people are most in need. BEPHA operates in strict respect of the Church’s Doctrine in moral and ethical matters. L’Effort Camerounais lefts the veil over BEPHA. 

BEPHA in Buea Diocese

I. INTRODUCTION:

BEPHA stands for the Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province Health Assistance. This is a Mutual Health Organization, set up by the four Bishops of the Ecclesiastical Province of Bamenda, as a response and contribution of the Church towards alleviating misery caused by poverty, in the domain of health. BEPHA has the status of a Common Initiative Group (CIG). The principles on which BEPHA operates are: Insurance, Participation and Solidarity.

Buea Diocese BEPHA coordinator says the scheme has come to stay

Interviewed by Jude Abanseka

The Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province Health Assistance scheme, BEPHA, is just into its second year in Buea Diocese and its coordinators, Rev. Fr. Nestor Ngube, says it is already taking giant strides in the right direction. He says for BEPHA to be sustainable many people have join the scheme.

“People in Kumbo consider BEPHA as God sent,” Marvis Chichi, Kumbo BEPHA Coordinator

Interviewed by Livinus Tal Bam

As the Bishops of the Bamenda Ecclesiatical Province recommend, Kumbo Diocese runs a fully functional BEPHA branch. L’Effort Camerounais caught up with the Coordinator, Marvis Chichi, who throws more light on BEPHA activities in Kumbo. Excerpts:

School Health Insurance in Douala Archdiocese: “Most insurance companies are swindlers”: Father Jean-Baptiste Iourah Kwedi, Douala Diocesan Catholic Education Secretary

Interviewed by Claude Zéba

At the start of every academic year and throughout the year, the risk of students falling ill or getting involved in accidents, increases. In most cases, parents bear treatment costs either because they are not aware of their right to receive compensation from the insurance company covering the school the child attends or because of bad faith on the part of the insurance company in honouring its commitment. L’Effort camerounais met the Douala Diocesan Catholic Education Secretary, Fr. Jean-Baptiste Iourah Kwedi to shed light on this controversial issue. 

Reactions of some Christians about BEPHA

Views sampled by Jude Abanseka

Rev. Fr. Celestine Diang

I have benefited from BEPHA once and I think it is a very good scheme especially for those who always have difficulties when they take ill or have a patient to look after. The Church’s mission is to bring joy to people and that is exactly what Christ did each time He healed the sick. When BEPHA assists people pay their hospital bills, they are happy. So far the Church is succeeding in that aspect.

The Catholic Men Organisation is not an elitist group, says Bonamoussadi CMO president

Interviewed by Grace Ongey

The Our Lady of Annunciation Parish Bonamoussadi will on September 27  host  a general assembly of the Catholic Men Organisation of Douala Archdiocese. Participants are expected from all the parishes of the archdiocese where the CMO is represented. Ahead of the event, which will be the last the outgoing Chaplain, Fr. Christian Achinivu, will witness and the first the new Chaplain Fr. Ignatius Musi, will   preside the president of CMO Bonamoussadi, Commandant Augustine Njotsa, puts the upcoming event in its proper perspective.

Fire almost ravages Kumbo Bishop’s residence

By Livinus Tal Bam in Kumbo

Fire, which is said to have originated from an electrical short circuit, almost burnt down the Kumbo Bishop’s residence recently. In what turned out to be an interplay between Divine Providence and quick human response, the hungry flames were rapidly put out. Technicians have attributed the fire outbreak to irregular energy supply from the National Electricity Company, AES SONEL.

Rev. Fr. Joseph Bomnsa celebrates Silver Jubilee

By Jude Abanseka

It is now 25 years since Rev. Fr. Joseph Bomnsa was ordained priest for Buea Diocese. A Pontifical Mass, which opened Silver Jubilee activities, was celebrated at Sacred Heart Parish, Fiango-Kumba on Saturday, August 29, 2009; Feast of St. John the Baptist.