Simonetta SOMMARUGA received at Unity Palace

The Head of State His Excellency Paul BIYA granted audience to the visiting Vice-President of the Swiss Confederation, Simonetta SOMMARUGA, on Saturday 27 September 2014 for discussions on the bilateral relations between the two countries.

Speaking to the press at the end of the audience that lasted well over one a half hour, the Vice-President of the Swiss Confederation, who is also the Chief of the Federal Department of Justice and the Police, told the press that the discussions with the Head of State dwelt mainly on migration. This is a matter of great concern to all Nations, she said, as she is coming to Cameroon when the country has an influx of refugees from neighbouring countries.

Simonetta SOMMARUGA was accompanied to Unity Palace by Mario GATTIKER, Secretary of State, Director of the Office of Migrations and Claude ALTERMATT, Swiss Ambassador to Cameroon.

The Head of State was assisted during the audience by the Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic, Ferdinand NGOH NGOH.

INVEST IN CAMEROON: COUNTRY INFORMATION

• CURRENCY

CFA FRANC (Communauté Financière Africaine) with a fixed parity of 0.01 FRF

 - 1 FRF = 100 CFA (since 12 January 1994)

 - 1 Euro = 655.96F CFA.

 - 1 Dollar = 502.53 CFA (as of 19 April 2013)

• HEALTH

Health formalities: only the yellow fever vaccine is compulsory in Cameroon. Hepatitis vaccine is advised.

• TOURISM

Located between West and East Africa and stretching from the Gulf of Guinea to Lake Chad, Cameroon presents specificities in terms of its relief, climate, wildlife and vegetation which provide throughout the year various forms of tourism : sea-side tourism, mountain tourism, congress and business tourism, safari and hunting tourism, eco-tourism and cultural tourism.

SEA-SIDE TOURISM

Cameroon’s 400 km coastline is propitious for sea-side tourism, the key attractions of which are picturesque bays, natural and sandy beaches, islands, mangroves and waterfalls dropping directly into the ocean.

SAFARI AND HUNTING TOURISM

Cameroon has seven national parks including the Waza Park in the Far North Region which is home to animals that are a reflection of African wildlife (elephants, lions, giraffes, black rhinoceros, panthers, buffalos, antelopes, hippopotamus, hyenas, gorillas, hartebeest, cheetahs, etc...). Apart from national parks where hunting is prohibited, the northern region of Cameroon has 14 game areas with over 500 km of tracks suitable for motor vehicles.

ECO-TOURISM

The taking into account of environmental concerns in tourism development projects in Cameroon has led to the classification and protection of natural sites for scientific and ecological reasons.

In particular, the Korup National Park which harbours plant species several million years old, the Dja Reserve classified a World Heritage by UNESCO, Mount Cameroon, 4 070m high, with a quaternary vegetation cover, or the Mayo-Rey sites that still present dinosaur footprints.

CULTURAL TOURISM

Cultural tourism draws its wealth from the diversity of the Cameroonian way of life, handicraft, folklore, religion, housing, cuisine and the country’s very rich historical heritage. 

CONGRESS AND BUSINESS TOURISM

The major cities of Douala and Yaounde, thanks to their international-standing infrastructure, (conference centre, international airports and international-class hotels) are the main drivers of congress and business tourism development.

The following police formalities are required:

 - Visa : the maximum validity for a tourist visa is three months with multiple entries and exits. If you intend to stay with friends, ask them to send you a duly certified and stamped lodging certificate. The visa is issued by Cameroon’s diplomatic and consular representations abroad. However, if you are coming from a country where Cameroon is not represented, you can obtain a visa at the border post.

 - Valid passport

Airport tax:

 - International flight: 10 000 CFA F

 - Domestic flight: 500 CFA F

TOAST BY H.E. Paul BIYA at the luncheon offered in honour of Madam Irina BOKOVA

Madam Director-General of UNESCO, 

Permit me to tell you how delighted my wife and I are to welcome you on the occasion of your visit to Cameroon.

I need not remind you that you are very much at home in Cameroon. By some happy coincidence, you bear the same name as a well-known locality in the south-west of Cameroon. By the way, you are an illustrious dignitary of Bokova. The custodians of tradition have granted you the attributes of that status. 

This once again shows how pleased we are to welcome you here today, Madam Director-General.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As you are aware, our relationship with UNESCO is longstanding, coming on the heels of our accession to international sovereignty over half a century ago. Our belonging to this body was driven by our desire to draw closer to all peoples of the world. As a protector and promoter of the equality of cultures, UNESCO was the most appropriate interlocutor. 

We stand proud of the ground covered together. To refresh your memory, I would like to recall the leading role played by your Organization in the creation, running and functioning of the Yaounde Higher Teachers Training College (ENS) which recently commemorated its 50th anniversary. 

Your support in the preservation, promotion, expression and influence of our culture is equally immeasurable. We proudly remember the brochure containing the findings of the survey conducted under your supervision on all the dances of Cameroon. We do remember your assistance in preparations for Cameroon’s participation at the first-ever Festival of Negro Arts in Dakar and the first Pan-African Cultural Festival in Algiers. 

Lastly, I would like to mention UNESCO’s contribution towards restoring historical monuments such as the Foumban Palace and preserving our wildlife, especially the Dja Reserve which features on your Organization’s list of World Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1987. 

Madam Director-General,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

With increasing ideological conflicts and trouble spots, UNESCO’s role in the quest for peace, highly commendable as it is, needs to be stepped up. For, we must bear in mind that victory through the force of arms cannot alone ensure peace, that is, lasting peace. 

Lasting peace cannot be imposed, it is built and lived daily by mutual acceptance and tolerance which lead to and promote dialogue. All these virtues indeed constitute the raison d’être of UNESCO.  

The Preamble of UNESCO’s constitution clearly states and I quote: “Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed”. Unquote.

Madam Director-General,

The preservation of peace also entails the fight against inequality and poverty.

You know this very well because in 2009 you placed your first tenure under the banner of promoting a “new humanism”; humanism based on solidarity and focused on the full development of the individual and all mankind. 

You gave priority to the development programmes of African countries. The geographical and operational reorganization of UNESCO’s services is also credited to you. By establishing five Regional Offices in Africa, you have brought your Organization closer to the people, making them more aware of UNESCO’s work.

Cameroon highly appreciates your support in your various areas of competence and we are sure that your visit will further enhance our multidimensional cooperation.

In this regard, I wish to commend the opening in Cameroon of a major UNESCO office for Central Africa. Pursuant to my instructions, the Government has taken all necessary measures to facilitate its establishment and ensure its proper functioning. 

Madam Director-General,

Allow me to conclude where I should have started. I wish to heartily congratulate you on your re-election at the helm of UNESCO. I wish to commend the mastery and skill with which you devote yourself to the service of humanity. 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

My wife and I now invite you to raise your glasses in honour of Madam Irina BOKOVA, Director-General of UNESCO, to the success of her mission at the service of peace and to the sustainability of Cameroon-UNESCO relations.

Thank you.

THE BEATITUDES OF A TEACHER

The Truth that brings Deliverance

BE FREE IN JESUS' NAME. AMEN!

Joel 2 – 5: I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten the cankerworm and the caterpillar and the palmerworm my great army which I sent among you.

Malachi 4:5: Behold I will send you Elijah the Prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.

Mathew 17:10 – 11: And his disciples asked him, saying, why then say the scribes that Elijah must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elijah truly shall first come and restore all things.

Luke 17:26: And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the son of man.

Revelation 10:7: But in the days of the voice of the Seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he had declared to his servants the prophets.

Revelation 11:15: And the seventh angel sounded, and there were great voices in heaven, saying, the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.

Revelation 19:7: Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come and his wife hath made herself ready.

Zechariah 14:6 – 7: And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark. But it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord, not day, nor night; but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light.

Daniel 12:4: But thou, O Daniel shut up the words and seal the book, even to the time of the end: Many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall be increased.

Amos 3:7: Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

2Chronicles 20:20: And they rose early in the morning and went forth into the wilderness of Teko’a and as they went forth, Je–hosh–aphat stood and said hear me, O Judah and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established, believe his prophets so shall ye prosper.

How to receive Jesus Christ as your Personal Lord and Saviour

Acts 2:36 – 38: Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God had made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their hearts and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Luke 24:26 – 27: And said unto them, thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Colosians 3:17: And what so ever ye do in word or deeds, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

1John 5:7: There are three that bear record in Heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost and these three are one.

Deuteronomy 22:5: The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.

Deuteronomy 27:15: Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image an abomination unto the LORD the work of the hands of the craftsman and putteth it in a secret place, and all the people shall answer and say, Amen.

Isaiah 3:12: As for my people children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.

Jeremiah 6:16: Thus saith the LORD stand ye in the ways and see and ask for the old paths where is the good way and walk therein and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, we will not walk therein.

Zephaniah 1:8: And it shall come to pass in the day of the LORD’s sacrifice that I will punish the princes and the king’s children and all such as are clothed with strange apparel.

Hebrews 13:8 – 9: Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today and forever. Be not carried about with diverse and strange doctrines.

Malachi 3:6: For I am the LORD, I change not therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

James 3:1: My brethren be not many teachers knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

1Timothy 2:11 – 14: Let the women learn in silence with all subjection: But do not permit a woman to teach nor to have authority over the man but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed then Eve. Adam was not deceived but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

1Corinthians 14:33 – 38: For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace as in all churches of the saints. Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak: but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also said the Law. And if they will learn anything let them ask their husbands at home for it is a shame for women to speak in Church. What? Came the word of God out from you? Or came it unto you only? If any man think himself to be a prophet or spiritual let him acknowledge that the things I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant let him be ignorant.