Greetings and Politics aside,
I continue my narative on my experience of The Sullivan Summit in Malabo. I had harbored the dream
of being a Delegate at the Sullivan Summit for about 8 years since i came across the Foundation
and began reading about the Civil Rights Activist called Rev. Leon H Sullivan( now of Late).
Having read his Biography cover to cover, I can say I have a deep understanding of the Sullivan Principles of Self Help and Social responsibility. Attending the Summit was therefore a dream fulfilled. I am very
honored to have been part of this great Legacy.
Meeting His Excellency Lazare Mpouel, Cameroon Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea at the Summit.
Wherever I go, I will always be a Cameroonian first. I could not wait for break times to find where my people
were on a daily basis. Soon as the Opening Session was done and we had a little break, I jumped right up to find my fellow Cameroonians in the house. I was quick to introduce myself to His Excellency Lazare Mpouel, Cameroon Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea who of course was very happy to meet me and the rest of my delegation. After introducing his staff I asked if the Head of State His Excellency President Biya would be coming. I was told that He sent a Representative from the Presidency, Minister Philippe Mbarga Mboa, Minister in charge of Special Duties at the Presidency.
I turned around and there he was, very clean cut, well suited gentleman looking very much in control and polished. He was of course very happy to see us and I wasted no time to request for Audience with the Minister so I could have some quiet time to talk about real issues with him.
My 3 Miss Cameroons who traveled to the Summit: Queen Gigi Tchouaga, Miss Larissa Ngangoum and Miss Nora Ndemazia, with His Excellency Ambassador Mpouel Lazare, Minister Philippe Mbarga Mboa,
Member of Security, Cameroonian Businessman Jocelyn Tchakounte from Maryland and myself at the
Sullivan Summit.
On Day # 3 I got the call from the Ambassador saying the Minister would like to meet you and all the
Cameroonians at the Summit. The meeting took place at the home of the Cameroon Ambassador
in Malabo. This was a great opportunity to express and share some concerns about the sentiments
of Cameroonian Diaspora. Since the Conference was about bridging the gap and encouraging the
diaspora to come home and invest, I wasted no time on politics because i wanted the conversation
to focus around some of the frustrations that have been felt by those who go home to try to do business. The bottlenecks the bureaucratic spider webs that plague the system. I gave examples of some businesses that are really struggling to deal with the system and engaged the Minister to get his perspectives on the issue.
He Quickly assured me that His Excellency President Paul Biya is working hard to change all that and make the process of doing business in Cameroon very simple and straight forward. I said the President
may have all the good intention but the Directors on the ground don't seem to reflect that. People
are given the run around and time is wasted unnecessarily. Investors will take their business elsewhere
if Cameroon is not ready to do business. The Minister admired the idea
the Sullivan Summit and said Cameroon can certainly be host to such a Summit. He quoted the African Ancestry group from the United States that visited Cameroon recently and said such efforts should be hailed. He reminded us that we are all Ambassadors for our country and we should continue to advocate
and promote Cameroon wherever we are and show true patriotism for our country. My goal in this meeting
was to express the need for the government to learn from countries like Equatorial Guinea, Ghana and other African Countries who have opened their doors to welcome the diaspora as business partners for
development. CAMEROON SHOULD BE DECLARED OPEN FOR BUSINESS!!!!
Lunch with Minister Philippe Mbarga Mboa and His Excellency Ambassador Lazare Mpouel.
Our meeting concluded on a great note, I invited the Minister to take a trip to Washington DC lets hold
a meeting to explore this Diaspora come back mission with Cameroonians abroad, he told me he does not like to fly. I guess I will have to catch another Minister when the next opportunity arises. We have actively
engage our leaders and share our vision. At the end of the meeting, we sent our well wishes to the Head of State via the Minister.
We had to rush back to the Summit after lunch. To my greatest amazement, a beautiful, dynamic
very vocal, and powerful Lady took to the Podium to address the delegates on day 3. She delivered
the most powerful speech I heard at the Summit. Her name is Andela Beyela, President of French African
Diaspora movement headquartered in Paris. Invited by His Excellency President Obiang Nguema Mbassogo of Equatorial Guinea, this Cameroonian woman brought the house to their feet. She got the longest standing ovation for telling our African Leaders to stop stooping low to Western leaders like beggars.
With Ms Beyela of French African Diaspora Movement.
I caught up with her at the hotel: Sofitel Presidential where we all stayed and she gave me a little background of who she is and what she was all about. I learned that Sarkozy bowed down to her because she is a force to recorn with in French political arena. I am so proud of this sister.
Meet NJ Ayuk, one of Equatorial Guinea's finest Lawyers, actually let me take it back, he is the best. This brother, looking so fine, polished and smooth, he has bulldozed his way to the top creme de la creme of
Malabo. It was certainly nice to meet him in Malabo, very humble and hospitable but very skilled, knowledgeable and loaded. I am so proud and honored to have met him.
Meet the Award winning, smooth operating Business guru and former Chairman of the All Cameroon Cultural and Development Foundation in DC, Mr. Ivo Tasong. My brother indeed, we hooked up in Malabo and bulldozed together. I am so happy that he was able to attend the Summit from Cameroon.
The networking opportunities were endless and this is one businessman who seizes every opportunity.
Pictured above presenting a business plan to His Excellency Olusegun Obassanjo, former President of Nigeria at the Sofitel Sipopo Luxury hotel.
Lady Kate and President Obassanjo whom I have got to know as a very nice and friendly man with a great sense of humor. We call him Baaba. I always tease him
about Bakassi.......LOL
It is always an honor to meet and talk with him.
Sharing to Inspire
______________________________
Lady Kate Atabong
Laurel, Maryland
240 440 2166
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