About Talented Cameroonians at Home and Abroad

N° 016

Educating Africa on the Benefits of Information and Communication

Technologies

Roland Kwemain

Jacques Bonjawo

Dr. Ernest Simo

“Africa missed the industrial revolution; we can’t afford to

stand aside and let the

communication revolution go by, too.”

Late Houphouet Boigny Former President of Côte d’Ivoire

1987

W elcome, dear readers, to yet another issue of THE SUCCESS STORY E-MAGAZINE that focuses on the efforts by some talented Cameroonians to bridge the digital divide and empower more Africans with skills necessary to take full ad-vantage of information and communication technologies so as to speed up development.

To set the ball rolling, we take you through the different activities and discussions organised during the four days ICT For Africa Conference that was recently organised in Yaounde. Throughout the discussions and presentations, participants were satisfied with the different research findings presented and were convinced that Africa needs to move at a faster pace towards information technology in order to secure meaningful sustainable development. At the end of the Conference, we met the Di-rector of Louisiana Southern University’s International Center for Information Technology and Development (ICITD) Professor Victor Mbarika, to better understand Africa’s achievements in the ongoing rush towards digital technology.

We also discussed with Mr. Roland Kwemain, the Executive Director of ADCOME, a Buea-based organisation that is successfully implementing a bold mission to bridge IT and education through activities that are receiving support from the Government, the private sector as well as international organizations.

The impact of Information and Communication Technology is now visible in every behaviour, household and city in Cameroon, hence some municipalities have set up IT Training Centers to empower their population with ICT skills in order to combat the ills of poverty and unemployment. One of such Centers is the Limbe City Council Computer Training Center that has set so many youth and women on the path to employment. Likewise, the TK Computer and Linguistic Foundation is a private initiative to empower

women and other vulnerable groups with ICT and other professional skills to enable them secure employment in the fast-growing industrial city of Limbe.

Cameroon has been blessed with so many sons and daughters around the world who have written their names in gold in the domain of information and communication technology. We selected two very successful individuals whose achievements are just outstanding. Jacques Bonjawo has risen to fame for his performance in great com-panies like Microsoft. Likewise Dr. Ernest Simo’s track record in information and communication technology is ex-

ceptional. In this issue, we give you just a taste of their profiles and promise to approach them, on your behalf, with questions about their achievements.

To end, we take you briefly through a few newsworthy stories and join the OBAMA couple on the dance floor. Enjoy... 3

Tonge B. Ebai

About Cameroonians at Home and Abroad

About Cameroonians at Home and Abroad

T he city of Yaounde played host to the Interna-tional Conference on Information and Communi-cation Technologies (ICTs) for Africa, from De-cember 18 to 21, 2008.

Scholars, researchers, students, workers, industrial, and corporate professionals joined ICT experts from all over the world to reflect and exchange views on the theme “Sustaining Africa’s Socio-Economic Renaissance.” Throughout the four-day conference, participants effec-tively shared knowledge and experiences on how the use of ICTs promotes business, education, public service de-livery, healthcare, agriculture, and research. The conference set the premises for the acceleration of efforts by ICT experts and sub-Saharan African govern-ments to lay down concrete actions aimed at introducing ICT technology and equipment in every sector of commu-nity life so as to finally bridge the narrowing digital divide separating Africa from developed countries. The Conference was organised by the International Center for Information Technology and Develop-ment (ICITD) based in Louisiana, USA in collaboration with ADCOME Cameroon. These organizers were sup-ported by a number of other US-based partners including the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA), the Louisiana Board of Regents and other Cameroon-based partners like ANTIC and AIESEC.

About Cameroonians at Home and Abroad

T he Opening Ceremony was marked by keynote addresses from representatives of the US Em-bassy in Yaounde, the Cameroonian Government and the organizers.

The Deputy Chief of Missions at the U.S. Embassy, Stephen Fox affirmed that Cameroon is a promising destination for every industry or company dealing in ICTs, but he urged the conference organizers to think of how ICTs could be used to strengthen the fight against corruption and create a more favourable climate for for-eign investment. On his part, the representative of the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, Mr. Edouard Ebah Abada it-erated Cameroon’s firm commitment to promote the use of ICTs in Cameroon. “The Government of Cameroon is highly engaged in promoting the use of ICTs as well as the development of ICT infrastructures in Cameroon. Infact, the sector strategy document of the Telecommunication and ICT domain attaches a lot of importance not only to the development of ICT infrastructures but also the integration of ICTs in the educational system. In this regard, the document ear-marks the creation of an interuniversity telecommunications network as well as the interconnection of primary and secondary schools, through a high-speed optical fibre national backbone...this falls in line with the national vision of universal access to the Internet by the Cameroonian people, as stated by the Head of State, His Excellency Paul Biya,” he said. The lunch that followed was spiced with keynote ad-dresses from ICITD’s Director, Professor Victor Mbarika and Auburn University’s Professor Terry Bryd. Both speakers justified why Africa needs the ICT to speed up its socio-economic and political development.

T he ICT for Africa Conference hosted a Doctoral Con-sortium that was an international workshop for PH.D students working in the area of ICTs and develop-ment related to Africa.

It was co-chaired by Professor Adekunle Okunoye from the Xavier University (USA) and Professor Enoh Tanjong from the University of Buea (Cameroon). The Doctoral Consortium offered PH.D. students the oppor-tunity to present, discuss, and receive constructive and critical feedback on their research in an interdisciplinary and international setup. It was marked by a keynote address from Professor Joseph Tan. Beyond the presentations, the Doctoral Consortium offered students the opportunity to meet with experienced scholars and professionals in the domain of ICTs. From the questions that the students asked and research challenges explained, there were indicators that the Consortium was intellectually enriching for the participants.

T he ICT For Africa Conference was successful in bringing together some of the most productive researchers in the domain of ICTs. Prior to the Conference, more than 50 papers were received and peer-reviewed. During the Conference, more than 20 approved

papers were presented in several sessions. Papers presented dwelled on ICT and Business; ICT and Education; ICT and the Public Sector; ICT and Healthcare; ICT and Society; and ICT and Development. The speakers proved, from different angles, that the penetration of ICTs in all domains of life will speed up development and improve on liveli-hoods in Africa. The panellists and chairs included: Dr Ebote (Director of ANTIC Camer-oon), Professor Vincent P.K. Titanji (Vice Chancellor, University of Buea), Professor Sammy Beban Chumbow (Dept of Linguistics, Univer-sity of Yaounde I), Professor Terry Bryd (Auburn University), Dr. Lind Bryd (Auburn University), Professor Michael Best (Georgia Institute of Technology), Dr. Carlos Thomas (College of Business, Southern Univer-sity), Mr. Roland Kwemain (Executive Director, ADCOME Cameroon), Professor Mohammadou Kah (American University of Nigeria), Dr. Rich-ard Boateng (ICITD, Southern University), Professor Adekunle Okunoye (Xavier University, USA), Dr Abiodun Bada (George Washington Univer-sity, USA), Dr. Felix A. Bollou (American University of Nigeria), Dr. Pa-tience Akpan-Obong (Arizona State University, USA), Prof. Anele Nwokoma (American University of Nigeria) Dr. Mathias Fonkam (American University of Nigeria.

About Cameroonians at Home and Abroad

T he ICT experts furthered exchanged information during different Panel Discussions that were held during the Con-ference. Most remarkably, was the presentation on Telemedicine

and the Multimedia, in which panellists explained the possibili-ties for integrating ICTs in solving complex health problems in Africa with patient and doctors at different sites. From simple text messaging between doctor and patient in man-aging hypertension, to effective interactive surgical interventions, Telemedicine could limit expen-sive evacuations of patients to developed countries for treat-ment.

T he ICT For Africa Conference was crowned with a VIP Summit, in which the participants and emi-nent scholars, as well as ICT ex-

perts, discussed the way forward and the stakes for ICT implementation and De-velopment in Africa. The participants were satisfied at the end of the Conference to have enriched their experiences on ICT promotion in Africa.

O ne of the highlights of the ICT For Africa Conference in Yaounde was the signing of a Memorandum be-tween the University of Buea (UB) and ICITD. The partnership agreement includes an exchange

programme and collaboration to help UB doctoral students and lecturers tap from ICT wealth and knowledge of Western universities, which would enable them produce and transport knowledge to de-velop their country. Outlining expectations, Professor Mbarika called on research stu-dents in UB to develop research proposals that address local reali-ties.

Professor Mbarika Victor. Welcome once more to the pages of the SUCCESS STORY E-MAGAZINE. For the sake of our new readers, could you tell us who you are? Wow... difficult question. I would rather someone else answer that about me. However, I am a child of God who believes ALL knowledge stems from Him and he is Lord of the sciences and technology. Professionally, I am a Professor of Information Technology and a lover of research in the domain. I am also a Visiting Professor as well as an external examination member for several African universities including Makerere University, University of Mauritius, University of Cape Town and more recently, the University of Buea. Further, I consult in the ICT arena with companies and governments.

You are an Information Communication Technology (ICT) crusader in the Third World. How do you define Information and Communi-cation Technology and how is it different, similar, or synonymous to Informatics, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence? ICTs include all the above with the difference being the level of techno-logical complexities. For instance, I can run a telemedicine modality whereby I use just text messaging - like we are doing with some col-leagues at the Reference Hospital-Yaounde - or using robotics whereby the robot is in a different location from the main person operating it. Again, both are ICTs but with different levels of complexity. In the case of Africa, we continue to advocate keeping things as simple as possible. It is wrong to want to adopt the same technologies as Europe and the U.S. These are regions with totally different socio-economic and cultural settings from those of most African countries.

From December 19th to 21st 2008, you organised the ICT FOR AF-RICA 2008 Conference in Yaounde. What was the purpose of this Conference and why Yaounde? The main purpose of the conference was to bring together ICT intellectu-als from all around the world (including Cameroon) to brainstorm on best practices for transfer and adoption of ICTs within the African con-text. For example, how can a “bayam sellam” use ICTs to promote her business? Or how can a subsistence farmer use ICTs to obtain crop/fertilizer information? It was all about moving the ICT focus beyond the urban areas to help the less advantaged in our rural societies in Africa.

Could you give us some of the highlights of that Conference as well as the most important outcomes? During the Conference, a number of new ideas on the opportunities and challenges of using ICT in education, business, healthcare and develop-

ment in Africa were shared. Recommendations and solutions from the VIP summit had a key emphasis on education and policy implementation. More im-

portantly, partnerships between American and Cameroonian educa-tional institutions were established during the conference to support doctoral research in Africa. With peer-reviewed paper presentations, a panel session on telemedicine, a VIP Summit, and networking during lunch and dinner events, the 2008 ICT for Africa conference was an unforgettable educational and practice-oriented event. The most visible outcomes were: First, the International Center for Information Technology (ICITD) signed a memorandum with the University of Buea to support doc-toral research in the University of Buea. Second, to extend support given to the Doctoral Consortium partici-pants at the Conference, an online/electronic resource portal will be developed to support research students in Africa. This will also be a platform for resources on ICT research in Africa as explained at www.ictforafrica.org/eresources . The platform is managed by Dr. Richard Boateng and inquiries can be made through email -eresources@ictforafrica.org. Third, a number of selected papers from Conference proceedings are to be published into a book and a special issue of the African Journal of Information Systems. The lead editor of the book is Dr. Patience Akpan-Obong. If you visit www.ictforafrica.org - and click on Book Publication you will get more information. The Lead editor of the special issue of

About Cameroonians at Home and Abroad 10

Educating Africa on the Benefits of Information and Communication

Technologies

“I can predict that in about 10 years we will see a growing trend of

software development outsourced from the ‘West’ to Africa.”

AJIS is Prof. Victor Mbarika. Fourth, from policy to practice: the Conference Chairs will support AD-COME to seek ways of developing projects from ANTIC’s policy docu-ment. The next ICT Africa conference will be held in Cameroon in 2009 at a venue and time to be announced. We will inviting interested persons to the conference website – www.ictforafrica.org – for updates or to sign up to our mailing list by clicking on the "Subscribe Now" icon on the left menu bar.

When you look at the boom in some domains of ICT and the corre-sponding lack of resources to promote the sector, how could ICT play a critical role in improving the socio-economic and governance per-formances of developing nations in general and states south of the Sahara most particularly? First, it is essential to keep it simple. Do not rush to “latest” technologies all the time. The technology does not do the work for you. You make it happen using technology as an “enabler” and not as “the solution.” There is a lot yet to be done with the technologies we have in Africa. Let’s start from there and move onto the newer ones in due time.

Unlike other domains, there has been very little production of theory on ICT in Sub-Saharan African countries. What accounts for this lack of interest from ICT researchers and promoters? One of the biggest hindrances all across Africa is that research is encour-aged, but not rewarded. Hence, it is just a matter of words with no action to encourage university faculty to perform theory-based research, which requires resources. For example, I was talking with two doctoral students from University of Yaounde II (Soa) who lamented not having reliable Internet access on campus to conduct research. Today, such researchers need Internet access to get research materials such as online journals much needed to build “theory.” I do not want to join the complaining line; hence, I am working out some opportunities to help in this domain, mainly with students and professors collaborating with my research team. That is a start; we hope to extend this all across campuses as we acquire the much-needed funding. I have the faith it will happen.

As an expert in ICT, you know much about the growth of the Silicon Valley in the U.S. and Bangalore in India as major ICT nerve centers. When should we expect to see the growth of some towns or cities as ICT strongholds, south of the Sahara? I can predict that in about 10 years we will see a growing trend of software development outsourced from the “West” to Africa, hence being an impe-tus to an African ‘Silicon Valley’ (though very limited). You must, how-ever, see a major obstacle being that of piracy in Africa. People are so used to piracy that it might seriously discourage local software developers from making the kind of income they deserve for their talents.

You have lots of experience working with several African countries. Which of these African countries has so far been successful in show-casing best practices in the transfer, adoption, and use of ICTs to fos-ter socio-economic and political development? I must say Uganda; there are several cases of rural ICT adoption in that country. Ghana is also making strides in ICTs with a slowly growing soft-

ware development sector.

How much emphasis do you place on the use of ICTs to strengthen the empowerment of Women? I have researched and published several articles in this domain. There is great promise in empowering women through ICTs. By the way, women manage a large percentage of cybercafés all across Africa. Why leave out such a major demographic if one is serious about change?

You have been writing so many projects on ICT development in Sub-Saharan states. Could you name a few that have been funded? Some of my funded projects follow: - Information technology transfer to developing countries: an e-medicine model for Sub-Saharan Africa; - Using Louisiana’s supercomputer optical network (LONI) to optimize devel-opment, delivery and assessment of multimedia instructional technologies: impli-cations for improving higher order decision-making skills; - Optimizing development, delivery and assessment of multimedia instructional technologies for e-business training: a multi-institutional study; - Determinants of social networks: ICT inhibitor and facilitator factors for youth groups in developing economies; and - Adapting multimedia instructional materials to communicate engineering and information technology issues to business students

What similarities and differences could exist in the telecommu-nications stakeholders’ perspectives of specific strategies used to address teledensity limitations in Latin America as well as Sub-Saharan Africa? The results of a study in this regard revealed that while there was great similarity in perspectives of strategies for overcoming organ-izational obstacles to teledensity growth, this was not the case for financial and geographical obstacles. This is an indication that one-size strategy may not fit all regions of the world. Rather, strategic response to teledensity obstacles is more specific to the contexts and unique problems that define each different global region. However, there seems to be an emerging, if not underlying com-monality in how to respond most effectively to organizational tele-density growth obstacles. This may be a reflection of emerging “best-practices” or standards as the various countries of the world converge in their approaches to organizing and governing the tele-communications infrastructure. It is difficult to predict if the same result will be forthcoming in the approaches for addressing the financial, geographical, and perhaps also the technological obsta-cles. These obstacles are much more sensitive to local contexts than is the organizational set of obstacles. They are also much more complex. Therefore, re-sponding to them effectively may still call for

About Cameroonians at Home and Abroad 11

“I am also a Visiting Professor as well as

external examination member for several African

universities including Makerere University, University of Mauritius, University of

Cape Town and more recently, the University of Buea.”

“There is great promise in empowering women through ICTs.”

localized strategic approaches, even in the distant future. In Cameroon, the mobile telecommunication industry is booming alongside the Internet. Most secondary schools have computer laboratories. Cyber Centers are on every street in the urban areas. How do you see the future of ICT in Cameroon? Hold on… I want us to look at Cameroon’s (as well as Africa’s) tele-communications progress with cautious optimism. Yes, the infrastruc-tures are fast improving largely due to privatization. However, what is the effect of this in the long run when almost all the companies buying our telecommunications incumbents are foreign companies. The prof-its are going back to develop the “Western” world. Local investments must be encouraged to keep long-term economic sustainability in our nations. Many African countries still do not insist that these foreign telecommunications companies reinvest in rural areas. Hence, we keep developing mainly the urban telecoms…. That is pseudo-development. Absolutely not sustainable in terms of the general populace.

Cameroon has so many of its sons and daughters abroad who have gained international reputation in the domain of ICT. Besides you, one could cite the achievements of Ernest Simo and Jacques Bon-jawo. What do you think of these Cameroonians and when should Cameroonians hope to see all of you come together in one ICT scientific community and set a city in Cameroon on the path to-wards being the first African ‘Silicon Valley’? I have the utmost respect for these very accomplished individuals. You are very correct; we need to bring our efforts together to make greater impact. The question is how do we begin to do so? It is easier said than done; but it is my earnest wish. For one thing, Cameroon needs to consider allowing dual citizenships for its citizens abroad. I am sure you would agree with me that it is disheartening for a Cameroonian with British Citizenship to request for a visa to enter his/her own country of birth. While it may be easy to accuse some of us living abroad as “sellouts,” it is extremely important to do something for those that have a heart to do much for their country. Believe me, there are many who want to. To build a ‘Silicon Valley,’ Cameroon needs all the ICT and managerial talents we can put together. These little things I have mentioned do matter in making this possible.

Professor, you have risen to prominence at a very young age. Who do you give credit to for your success story and how could young Cameroonians who see you as a role model follow your footsteps? All glory to God. I am sure you know that is my answer. There is still much I believe He will do for my beloved country, and I am very hope-ful as I look at the future. I encourage many young Cameroonians who come to me for mentoring to realize that success is not about being smart. It is about trusting God as all and in all. He gives the tenacity to succeed. However, never think you have succeeded; else you stop moving forward. My dad (and hero) has always advised me never to stop learning. He always says just learn it even if you do not know where or how you would use that knowledge. I encourage young Cam-eroonians to take that advice. Finally, success comes with a lot of bit-terly jealous individuals who will do all it takes to bring you down. Pray for such individuals and MOVE ON. There are many whose job is sit down, do nothing, and specialize as critics. Listen to them and take what is constructive. Remember only the ripe mango on the tree at-tracts people to shoot it. If God is blessing you and you are moving on, many will aim at you as that ripe mango. Again just MOVE ON! And love them as Christ loved His enemies. I always remember this advice from the American humorist and writer, Mark Twain (1835-

1910), “Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.”

The SUCCESS STORY E-MAGAZINE is a collective effort by Cameroonians to promote excellence using ICT. How do you appraise the impact that this online publication could have on mo-bilizing views and experiences for the development of Cameroon? George, the editorial team of the Success Story E-Magazine is a gift to Cameroon. Believe me, I have been thinking of what best ways to en-courage your most respected publication; and believe me I am sure I will figure out a way. I see this publication going well beyond Camer-oon to impact other African countries. These countries face VERY SIMILAR challenges as we do in Cameroon. Keep up the great work.

Professor, what is your last word to our readers? You can do ALL THINGS through Christ!!!

You just spent a few days in Cameroon. Which favourite tradi-tional meal did you catch up with? Eru, Eru, Eru. That should be named the meal of the century.

Professor, thanks for talking to us. I am most honored.

Interviewed by George Enow Mbella-Martin

“Cameroon needs to consider allowing dual

citizenships for its citizens abroad.”

“I encourage many young Cameroonians who come to me for mentoring to realize that success is not about being smart. It is about

trusting God as all and in all.”

“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions.

Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel

that you, too, can become great.” Mark Twain

“...the editorial team of the Success Story E-Magazine is a gift

to Cameroon.”

About Cameroonians at Home and Abroad 12

Why is it important to train youth and women in the use of ICTs? I believe in change. Youths constitute the most important category in our economy today and are the future leaders who need to be trained on how to lead, become active citizens; be results-oriented and pro-mote love for our fatherland. On the other hand, women are the bread winners in our families, and thus constitute a major determinant in addressing the problems faced in our country today. Equipping them with ICT skills will keep them abreast with the current chal-lenges faced by our leaders. They form part of our global economy which has been neglected for a very long time. If the world rejects, your family will always be there for you.

Welcome to the SUCCESS STORY E-MAGAZINE, Mr. Roland Kwe-main. You are the Executive Director of ADCOME. Could we know more about you? I was born on April 4, 1971, and reside in Buea. Married to Marjolaine with have two children, Patrice-William and Diana. I worked as Country Manager of the former Air-Affaires Afrique, for Sao Tome, and Equatorial Guinea before deciding to work and invest in Cameroon. I am the Founder and Executive Director of ADCOME since 1999, an NGO that focuses in bridging IT and Education.

ADCOME has been a leader in the field of ICTs in Cameroon. What vision and values underlie the ADCOME initiative? ADCOME’s vision is to create sustainable development in our communi-ties. It has five main values: commitment, leadership, integrity, discipline, and respect.

Cameroonians have embraced the use of Information and Communi-cation Technologies in various domains. What are the visible benefits of ICTs to the lives of Cameroonians? ICT has a contribution in every domain of business in the world of today. It provides individuals with variable opportunities, skill building, job crea-tion and placements, information from variable sources and above all, freedom to research and to communicate as a citizen wherever you find yourself. It also allows people to access, analyze, create, exchange, and use information and knowledge in ways that benefit not only the individuals, but the communities.

Spreading

ICT Skills and

Equipment throughout

Cameroon

"ICT has a contribution in every domain of business in the world

today. It provides individuals with variable opportunities, skill

building, job creation and place-ments, information from variable sources and above all, freedom to research and to communicate as a citizen wherever you find yourself. It also allows people to access, ana-lyze, create, exchange, and use in-formation and knowledge in ways

that benefit not only the individuals but the communities.”

About Cameroonians at Home and Abroad 13

ADCOME is executing with success the School Connectivity Pro-gram. Which schools have benefited from this program and what challenges has ADCOME faced? The School Connectivity Program conceives, installs, and manages computer labs and multimedia centers in schools. Here is a brief de-scription on facts and figures of the SCP:

- ADCOME provides technical expertise for the rollout of the pro-gram (conception, installation, and management)

- At least 10 multimedia centers are installed per year under the frame-work of the ADCOME - MTN Cameroon partnership convention.

- 30 multimedia centers in secondary schools are already operational nationwide within the framework of the ADCOME/MTN School Connectivity Program. - A total of 37 young professionals have been inducted and deployed to deliver training in ICT to students and staff of the various schools. - More than 50,000 students and 3,000 teachers are impacted through

the program. - The Cameroon project was showcased as 2007 Best Case Practice project within the MTN network in 21 countries in Africa and the Middle East – Meeting of MTN Corporate Social Investment Manag-ers, 24th – 26th April 2007, Cape Town , South Africa. - Schools already connected and benefitting from the initiative include: GBHS and GHS Limbe. GTHS and GTC, Kumba, College Libermann, Lycée Bilingue de Foumban, GTHS and GHS, Buea. GBHS Tiko, Lycée de Ma-tomb, Our Lady of Lourdes College Mankon, Lycée de New Bell (Douala),Collège Polyvalent de Garoua, Collège de la Retraite (Yaounde), Lycée Classique de Foumban, ENSPT (P&T), GBHS Ekondo Titi, GBHS Mu-yuka, GSS Ekona, St. Joseph’s College Sasse, St. Francis College Fiango,Bishop Rogan College Small Soppo, Lycée Classique de Bangangte. Collège NKWIMY (Douala), Lycee de Nyalla (Douala), ISMAM (Nkongsamba ), GHS Kake, GHS Kombone, and many others.

About Cameroonians at Home and Abroad 14

“The School Connectivity Program conceives,

installs and manages computer labs and

multimedia centers in schools.”

“...30 multimedia centers in secondary schools are

already operational nationwide, within the

framework of the ADCOME/MTN School

Connectivity Program.”

ADCOME also runs a program to promote Rural Entrepreneurship with ICTs. What is the impact of this program? The ICT & Rural Entrepreneurship Program is an initiative developed by ADCOME to train local governments, community-based organizations and youths in rural communities on computer and information technolo-gies. The program provides a wide rage opportunity to extend technology skills and increase rural access, and also to solve the great challenge of information diffusion amongst venerable groups within communities. The impact with this program is greatly felt by women and farmers who thought that using computers was meant for particular class of people. With ADCOME’s initiative, they are grouped in similar and different fields and trained on how to improve on their farming techniques and how to look for suitable markets.

Cameroonians in Buea have been enrolling into ADCOME’s IT Academy. What programs do you offer in this Academy and why is it different from other IT academies? ADCOME IT Academy offers certified training programs in Microsoft, Comptia, Cisco, Maintenance and Repairs, Advanced Data Processing, and Web Developments. ADCOME differentiates itself from other IT centers in that, all students have computers connected to the Internet, Qualified IT instructors, recognized by the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training, provides jobs for some students who gradate from the school; provides internship opportunities to other big organizations which are partners to ADCOME; and finally offers free language course programs for the trainees.

About Cameroonians at Home and Abroad

“The Cameroon project was showcased as 2007 Best Case

Practice project within the MTN network in 21 Countries in Africa

and Middle East –during the Meeting of MTN Corporate

Social Investment Managers, April 24th - 26th 2007,

Cape Town, South Africa.”

“ADCOME IT Academy offers certified training programs in

Microsoft, Comptia, Cisco, Maintenance and Repairs, Advanced Data Processing, and Web Developments.”

Youth in Cameroon are facing so many problems in creating better lives for themselves. How could the Youth Leadership and Entrepreneurship (Y.L.E.) program help them? The Youth Leadership and Entrepreneurship program (Y.L.E) is designed to solve some out standing leadership and entrepreneurship problems faced by youth. The importance of the private sector and free enterprise system can not be underestimated, thus the need for knowledge development in practical Leadership and Entrepreneurial skills. Under the Youth Leadership and Entrepreneurship program, we organise sensitisation forums to support the creative thinking and later offer professional training and mentorship to young people, es-pecially young graduates, on generating businesses and wealth crea-tion. The awareness forums are organised mostly in collaboration with higher institutions of learning and offer opportunities for public participation. Young people get coaching support and mentorship on their business ideas, including support schemes in areas like how to apply for grants, scholarship, and also how to become the active citi-zens the African economies desire.

“Under the Youth Leadership and Entrepre-neurship program, we organise sensitisation forums to support the creative thinking and later offer professional training and mentor-ship to young people, especially young gradu-

ates, on generating businesses and wealth creation...Young people get coaching support

and mentorship on their business ideas, including support schemes in areas like how

to apply for grants, scholarship, and also how to become the active citizens the African

economies desire.”

“A total of 37 young professionals have been inducted and deployed to

deliver trainings in ICT to students and staff of the

various schools.”

How does ADCOME work with its local and foreign partners? Very cordially, each partner has a responsibility and we have been working very well with these partners both abroad and in Cameroon.

“...we have been working very well with these

partners both abroad and in Cameroon.”

Mr. Roland Kwemain, you put up a remarkable performance, as Conference Co-Chair, at the recent IT For Africa 2008 Confer-ence in Yaounde, alongside other great names like Professor Vic-tor Mbarika. What were your contributions to the Conference and what lessons did you get from there? The emphasis on education and policy implementation were more captivating and necessary for me. More importantly, partnerships between American and Cameroonian educational institutions were established during the ICT for Africa Conference to support doctoral research in Africa, which I find very important for our educational sector.

What benefits did ADCOME draw from its participation at PROMOTE 2008? ADCOME seeks avenues for an inclusive approach for delivering our services to communities through communicating and engaging poten-tial partners and key stakeholders within our deferent programs. Dur-ing PROMOTE 2008, brochures, flyers, and other gadgets were dis-tributed to more 2000 people, notably the youth who were interested in entrepreneurship trainings and also on how to write business plans as well as gaining a government grant. We also had some potential partners whom we can trust. It was a good opportunity for AD-COME.

How do you see the future of ICTs in Cameroon? Very bright.

Thanks Mr. Roland Kwemain for talking to the SUCCESS STORY E-MAGAZINE. Thank you for approaching ADCOME with the E-Magazine.

Interviewed by Nkeng David

“partnerships between American and Cameroonian educational institutions were established

during the ICT for Africa Conference to support doctoral research in Africa, which I find

very important in our educational sector.”

“During PROMOTE 2008, brochures, flyers, and other gadgets were distributed more than

2,000 people, notably the youth who were interested in entrepreneurship trainings and also on how to write business plans as well as

gaining a government grant.”

“Technological innovation is the only road to sustainable

development. Africa in the 21st

Century must embrace this

paradigm shift if it seeks to get out of

the cycle of illiteracy and

poverty,” Jacques Bonjawo February 4, 2006

Harvard Graduate School of Education

L ike most growing cities in Cameroon, the seaside industrial city of Limbe has also witnessed a rise in the use of information and communication technologies in offices, businesses, homes, telephone booths, and cy-bercafés. The impact has been the creation of thousands of new jobs for

the great number of unemployed youth and women who have bothered to gain computer skills. Recognising the growing importance of ICTs in empowering city dwellers, the Limbe City Council created the Limbe City Council Computer Training Center two-and-a-half years ago, to offer special computer training to youth and women so as to give them an added advantage in the highly competitive job market. The Center also runs a special training session for holiday makers such as pu-pils and students to complement the initiation training that they receive in their respective schools. Conceived as social weapon against poverty and unemployment, the Center offers training at unbeatable prices. For example, the Center offers low pay-ment rate of 5,000 FRS per month per student and 2,500 FRS per holiday stu-dent. The Center is a challenging place where you meet people with various capaci-ties of understanding guided by two dedicated trainers who teach different ap-plication and operation system software programs. The proximity between the trainers and the trainees ensures that each person goes home satisfied with the knowledge gained daily. Testimonies from former trainees spread in the neighborhoods, leading to the rush of more city dwellers to the Center for training. With more jobs offered by more companies implanting in Limbe, the Limbe City Council Training Center ensures that more youth are employed and the popula-tion as a whole is prepared to fight computer illiteracy and bravely face the challenges of the Computer Age in this 21st Century. By Emma Yoyo Ngale

T K Foundation was begun in December 2005 in Newtown, Limbe by Mme. Tecla SuhNeba, as a women’s association that will intensify attention towards vulnerable women in Cameroon by addressing their most pressing development needs and risk mitigation in the face of a modern patriarchal society. In collaboration with a group of like-minded young women they began

with the promotion of computer literacy and ICT training programs for women working or owning small business enterprises and school dropouts. As the organization became more exposed to the multiple challenges facing women in society, other programs such as Women’s Human Rights , Economic Empowerment and Sexual Reproductive Health as well as Political Participation were introduced and became key aspects of the Foundation’s devel-opment intervention. Today, the Foundation has put in place an Organizational Secretariat, a Center for second chance education (Center for Professional Studies), an Ultra modern Internet facility and various program units to cater to the present needs of underprivileged women in society. The Foundation runs its activities under the tutelage of three outstanding women and youth-focused projects: The Center for Professional Studies (CEPS), the TK Multi – Media Center, and the TK Foun-dation Documentation Center. Under these projects the Foundation carries out the following knowl-edge sharing and exchange programs: Computer Literacy and ICT awareness amongst the women and youths in Cameroon; training of unemployed graduates and undergraduates, school drop outs, and women on business skills to facilitate self employment, welfare enhancement and social integration; mutual understanding and knowledge enhancement on HIV/AIDS, STDs, Family Formation, and Adolescence Reproductive Health amongst women and young people in churches, organizations, educational institutions etc; Vocational and Professional Training (VPT) Courses for School dropouts and graduates/undergraduates who seek marketable professional skill training; collaboration with government line agencies on specific development issues and project targeting women, Youth at risk and people with disabili-ties; and women’s right advocacy training seminars/workshops. The main goal of TK Computer and Linguistic Foundation (TK Foundation) through its activities, is to create active and empowered women and youth citizenry in society. An individual who understands his rights, is capable of contributing in the development of society and posterity in a way that is sus-tainable and enriching. As a way of giving back to society, the Foundation has put in place a Scholar-ship Fund, which provides awards in kind to outstanding young girls in secondary and high schools and equally provides partial or full scholarship to society’s underprivileged women and school drop-outs who are motivated to learn but can not afford the finances to study on their own. We give them the chance to enroll for the full duration of a particular course program at the Center for Professional Studies (CEPS). In the past the Foundation has organized the following events: ICT Workshops for Primary and Secondary Schools; Adult Computer literacy Training Workshops; Hardware Maintenance Trainings; Courses on Secretariat Duties; Short Courses on Accounting, Management and Marketing; Organized Radio Program on Gender and Societal Issues and organized Youth Empowerment Workshops So far the foundation has been moving on, but has not been having it easy, since it has been gener-ating its funds mainly from income generating projects. The National Employment Fund has been our lone funder, as it has been sending trainees to the Center on Scholarship. Interested persons who may benefit from or be of assistance to the Foundation can contact us at: TK Foundation Cameroon, Ground Floor, Petit Papa Building, Limbe, Fako, South West Province, P.O. Box 1232 Limbe, Office Tel : (+237) 33 33 31 75, Fax : (+237) 33 33 31 75, Mobile : (+237) 77 69 62 84, Email: tkclfoundation@yahoo.com, tkcompute-foundation!yahoo.com,

ICT Legends

Africa’s

Outstanding Talent

in the Silicon Valley

J acques Bonjawo is one of Africa’s most outstanding and ambitious ICT professionals based in the USA. He is currently the chairman and chief strategist of GENESIS Futuristic Technologies Inc, after a bril-

liant and remarkable career at the software giant Microsoft where he served as senior program manager for MSN.com and later as senior manager of Microsoft’s IT Academy which was launched in 2004 to cover 46 African States. His concern for Africa’s digital maturity is remarkable. He participated in the organisation of Bill Gates’ first journey to Africa in 2003 and was present in President Abdoulaye Wade’s delegation to the World Economic Summit that was held at Davos, Switzerland, in 2004. Jacques Bonjawo has since become a respected voice in matters pertaining to Africa’s sustainable development through the progressive transfer and adoption of information and communication technology. Born on December 30, 1960, in Yaounde, Jacques Bonjawo traveled to France after completing his high school education in Cameroon. Graduating later from ESIP in France with an engineering degree in Computer Science, he opted to work for Philips in the Netherlands. Attracted by the booming software development industry in the USA, Jacques Bonjawo left for Washington D.C. in Autumn 1989 and immediately

secured employment at Nalu Technologies Inc, a software development company based in Washington. He dedicated his talent and hardwork to the company while studying for an MBA in Finance and Investments at the George Washington Univer-sity. He later moved to the international consulting firm Price-waterhouseCoopers in Fairfax, Virginia to serve as the chief of the IT Project. He also worked with Coopers & Lybrand in Ar-lington, Virginia. His performance attracted the attention of Mi-crosoft which invited him over to its headquarters in Redmond, Washington in 1997. Put at the head of Microsoft’s internet ser-vice MSN.com, Jacques Bonjawo was the first African to occupy a managerial position in Microsoft’s head office. He was 37 years old. Jacques Bonjawo became famous in Africa for his belief that new technologies of information and communication offered new op-portunities to African youth by facilitating access to knowledge. He took stands on technology at the service of education in Af-rica. He was called by the World Bank to help develop the Vir-tual University of Africa (www.avu.org) which he headed as Pioneer Chairman and Director in 2002. Jacques Bonjawo left Microsoft on July 3 2006 to join GENESIS Futuristic Technologies Inc. as chairman and chief strategist. He listens to Jazz Music and flies for leisure.

J acques Bonjawo is a celebrated speaker at Conferences on issues related to Africa’s development and information technology. During most conferences he has affirmed his belief in Africa’s capacity to develop thanks to technol-ogy, much like India.

On February 4, 2006, Jacques Bonjawo gave a lecture about Education, Technology and Sustainable Development at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

“Technological innovation is the only road to sustainable development. Africa in the 21st Century must embrace this paradigm shift if it seeks to get out of the cycle of illiteracy and poverty,” he said. Jacques Bonjawo has published several books and participates in several reviews. He is a member of Washington-based National Economists’ Club and the National Press Club, among others.

GENESIS FUTURISTIC TECHNOLOGIES Inc.

J acques Bonjawo is chairman and chief strategist of Genesis Fu-turistic Technologies, Inc., where he leads a young and dy-namic team dedicated to providing services oriented towards addressing the total IT needs of an organisation.

Genesis Futuristic Technologies, Inc. is a professional organisation dealing in providing highly customized soft-ware solutions for Industries and Management organisa-tions. See www.genesis-in.com

ICT Legends

NASA’s First

African-born

Astronaut Selection

Finalist

I n 1969, the world listened and received the news of man’s first landing on the moon with surprise and disbe-lief. The Apollo 11 mission ushered in a new era of man’s discovery of the unknown through technology.

In Cameroon, very few yet understood the impact that this major event was going to have on mankind’s development. Yet, in a high school called LYCEE LECLERC in Yaounde, a young student was so fascinated that he made the irreversible decision to break into technology and if possible make it to space. In Cameroon, nothing is impossible. Ernest Simo, as he then was, made it brilliantly through his Baccalaureate in 1974 with high scores in mathematics and obtained a British Council Scholarship to study engineering in Great Britain. He obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering in 1978 from the Polytechnic in Portsmouth and a Master’s degree in Telecommunications from the University of Essex in England in 1979. He returned to Cameroon to serve as the Chief of Service of Transmissions at the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunica-tions. In 1980, Ernest Simo returned to Britain because he was the beneficiary of a British Defence Scholarship in the AWRE (Atomic Weapon Research Establishment) branch. His research work led to his Ph.D. in 1983.

Noted by his professors as extraordinarily brilliant and creative in research methodology, Dr. Ernest Simo’s re-search findings crossed the Atlantic in 1983 prompting an invitation from the U.S.-based firm Hughes Network Sys-tems to develop the VSAT (Very Small Aperture Termi-nals) satellite communication systems. From 1983 to 1986, Dr. Ernest Simo participated in the development of VSAT technology, particularly in the first VSAT operating in KU (12 and 14GHz) band. Infact, he demonstrated the very first VSAT installation in the world in Memphis, Tennessee for a Hughes’ client in the headquarters of the Federal Ex-press in 1984. Tireless and inspired, Dr. Ernest made another break-through from 1987 and 1991 when he participated in the development of the CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) which, in 1991, was adopted as the fundamental technol-ogy at the heart of the American cellular system and also used in Latin America and Asia. Europe and Africa adopted the GSM technology for their cellular systems. Dr. Ernest Simo’s fame in Satellite Communication technol-ogy enabled him to serve as consultant for several institu-tions such as Motorola.

I n 1991, Dr. Ernest Simo was recruited by the George Washington University to deliver conferences on VSAT technology. In that capacity and as a consultant, he has delivered lectures and conferences around the world on

VSAT and CDMA technologies, especially in the USA, Latin America, and Asia. Students of the Advanced School of Posts and Telecommunications were privileged to listen to his lec-ture in 1999. He also trained several engineers of private companies for the U.S. Defense Departments and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As destiny would have it, in 1994, one of NASA’s directors in-vited Dr. Ernest Simo to submit his candidature for selection of NASA Astronauts. His candidature benefited from the sup-port of senior politicians like Senators Bob Kerry (Nebraska), Ted Kennedy and John Kerry (Massachusetts) and Congress-man Charles Rangel (New York) and William Jefferson (Louisiana). Twice in 1994 and 1996, Dr. Ernest Simo reached

the finals of the NASA Astronauts’ selection program becoming the first African to get there. His jury included space icons like John Young who also walked on the Moon in the early 1970s. Dr. Simo also had as co-finalists the Flight Commander Rick Husband and the Pilot William Cool who commanded the space shuttle COLUMBIA which was lost tragically in February, 2003. While providing training through his Consulting Firm SPACE 2000, Dr. Ernest Simo has focused much attention recently on Africa’s development. He believes that Africa is a continent blessed by God but neglected by man. In February, 2004, Dr. Simo was part of a delegation of US businessmen led by Congressman William Jefferson that visited Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Sao Tomé, and Equatorial Guinea. On August 24, 2004, he was invited by the Whitaker Group to give a thank you message on behalf of Africa at a dinner to celebrate the prolongation of African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA).

CDMA ONLINE

CDMAonline.com is a meeting and virtual working place for CDMA profes-sionals from around the world. It was created by Dr. Ernest Simo and his team of Space 2000 professionals, and designed to support and supplement the live, instructor led, seminar training provided by Space 2000 since 1987 on a worldwide basis. Other members of the Space 2000 team include Mr. Scott Baxter, Kristi Glinski, and Kathy Simo. Since 1992, Dr. Simo has also trained more than 12,000 Telecommunica-tions Executives, managers and Engineers in the United States and around the world.

T he Military Indomitable Lions of Cameroon won the Mili-tary African Nations’ Cup tournament on Saturday, De-cember 13, 2008, in Kampala, Uganda by defeating Alge-ria after penalty shoot-outs that followed a 0-0 tie during

the encounter. The victory consolidated the strength of Cameroon’s military men in soccer after winning same tournament last year. Another feather on the hat of head coach Jean Paul Akono. The victory also qualified the military Lions for the next Military World Cup Soccer tournament in Brazil.

T he Yaounde City Council and its partners organised the 3rd Edition of the Yaounde Festival (Yà-fé) from Decem-ber 22, 2008, to January 2, 2009, at the May 20 Boule-vard. For two weeks, the Yaounde population visited the

mini trade fair stands as well as entertaining games for children. Most entertaining during the Yà-fé Festival was the giant MTN Musical Concerts that showcased more than 60 music entertain-ers. Besides local entertainers, the crowds enjoyed watching the Ni-gerian duo P-Square and Cameroon’s music legend Richard Bona. Yà-fé is organised every years to provide entertainment in the city of Yaounde during the end of year festive season.

U nder the framework of the Partnership Agreement that links his Foundation to the University of Yaounde II Soa, Cameroon’s goal getter Eto’o Samuel Fils offered 50 scholarships worth 100.000 CFA Francs each to the 50 best students of this institution last

Christmas. The Soccer hero saw this gesture as his support to excellence among his peers in the academic milieu, a gesture that was also praised by the Rector Jean Tabi Manga who hailed Eto’o Fils’ magnanimity.

T hirteen (13) students undertaking a degree in “Tourism and Hotel Management” at cfa Steven-son’s Vocational Training Center and at the Pan-theon IREST University in France, visited the divi-

sion from December14th to 19th 2008. During their stay in Buea, they enjoyed visiting Mount Cameroon, some German colonial relics, and the French Cultural Center (Alliance Franco Camerounaise). In Limbe, they were received by the Director of Fako Tour-ism Board office, Eko Victor Mosoke on December 16th 2008. Mr. Eko gave a lecture on the development of the tourism department (product, territory, method of produc-tion, management method, and so on) in Fako Division. The visitors were later entertained with a photo presenta-

tion of some tourist potentials of the Fako Division. Also, on the schedule were visits to some colonial relics (The Alfred Saker Monument and Bota Catholic Church) and the Limbe Botanic Gar-dens. Also included in the program were visits to the palm and banana plantations of the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC), Seme New Beach, and the Lava terminal of March 1999 at Bakingili before departure to Yaounde. The raison d’être of the visit was to understand the different mis-sions and activities of tourism actors and to exploit tourist re-sources in Fako. It should be noted; another batch of students of cfa Stevenson visited Fako Division in 2007 and spent four days in Limbe with the Fako Tourism Board Office. By Eko Victor www.fakotourism.com

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