Open letter to president Paul Biya

Our dear President,

I write this litter to you with great passion and in a state of curiosity and concern.IUnderstand your zeal as the President of the Republic Cameroon to invest in the next generation of the country’s youths by presenting a budget that contains reason projects that are aimed at tackling the far-reaching malady of UNEMPLOYMENT in our beloved country Cameroon. 
Sir, I am particularly worried with the level of despair among the youths in Cameroon.  You are all playing with our future if you cannot create conducive avenues for the youths to positively deploy their creativity, passion, and energies. Parents are struggling to raise their children with no apparent support from those in charge of our resources, and the community and the state offer no help to ensure the youths are provided, for thousands of youth roam about with no hope. 

#Mr.President Mr. President, the only common element which costs less, and can solve the myriad of problems faced by most Cameroonians is employment.

Unemployment is a big challenge in Cameroon, which over the years has represented a lost opportunity for national economic development. The rising unemployment rate in Cameroon has contributed to the continuous rise in social vices like terrorism, political thuggery, violence and even teenage pregnancies among youths in many parts of the country. 
I am happy you know, according to statements credited to you, that Cameroonians are already talking about their national challenges through the print, electronic and social media and this is how we intend to make our voices heard. 

The politicians will give the same answers and report only what they feel you would be comfortable hearing. The truth, Mr. President, is far from comfortable. What affects us is UNEMPLOYMENT, and we want you to take a critical look at the following issues: 

1.    Contract Staffing-This is in fact one of the biggest problems hindering graduates from getting jobs. Most of those assumed to be workers in most industries, firms and companies are in fact, not permanent staff. They are all under-employed and are also competing with fresh graduates for any available vacancy. 
2.    Age limit as a prerequisite for employment opportunities. 
3.    The issue of years of experience by several government ministries and parastatals. 
4.    Employment not being on merit. 
5.    Provision of social welfare for all unemployed graduates and more for the physically challenged persons and graduates. (Implement a quota for each firm to employ, as a percentage of their total workforce, a specific percentage of Physically Challenged people and graduate).
6.    Sir, democracy is not only multi-partism and vote during electoral periods it is also our freedom of speech and our freedom to strike. So, let the military stop killing and brutalizing youths who are exercising their constitutional rights. The same constitution which brought you to power.
7.    For this fiftieth anniversary of the youths we need a round table talk with you Mr. President. Your Excellency, Job creation must be a priority of your administration for a number of reasons. When the citizenry are gainfully employed, your administrating would have enough revenue to work. Under the current economic conditions, people are forced to evade taxes against their will. Also, the menace of corruption in the public service would become history if people are employed and can earn decent salaries.  Importantly unemployment remains a security threat for Cameroon. The potential of Boko haram to get followers in Cameroon cannot be ignored. 

Mr. President, we live in a country where people now sell jobs. Everyone had hitherto been quiet about this completely unacceptable and despicable act and it must be looked into. We are human capital, and this is by far, the greatest asset any country can have. We worth more than the sea port in Douala, the banana, rubber and palm oil plantations in the south west region, the forest in the Eastern region and many more. We cannot afford to sit Down and watch ourselves waste anymore.

 Our dear president, it is wrong to have created the National youth council as a resolution of the February 2008 strike. This council is a mockery to the memories of these periodic youths who were murdered for their constitutional rights. Also, this council does not solve the problem of poverty and unemployment among youths.
Mr. president don’t make a mockery out of our situation by announcing the creation of fictitious jobs as you did during your traditional end of year recycled speech. Sir, we are youths of this notion and we merit RESPECT.

Mr. President we are tired of running out of our fatherland to foreign countries and yet treated and addressed as third class citizens through Visa bonding and the rest, when our country is blessed.
Mr. President, Cameroonians are naturally patriotic people. They are not patriotic because of you, because you have never been patriotic to Cameroon. 
A patriotic President would visit his regions, commune and understand how his people are living.
A Patriotic president will commune with his wounded soldiers, visit them and provide adequate care for them.
A patriotic President will listen to the voices of marginalized people in Cameroon.
A patriotic President will set in place an independent electoral body and ensures independence in state institutions.
A patriotic President will have time to talk with his youths.
A patriotic President will not leave the country for months and spend huge tax payer’s money at ease and allow his people go hungry. 

However, it should not be forgotten that the problems of these Home Terror groups in the North started when their needs were not met, and with lots of anomalies in their society. Now it’s spiraling and all nations are called to join in securing the region. All we are saying is listen to our cries now and not when things go bad. I am accessible and open for discussions on how to forge ahead in addressing the problems of unemployment with your support.

Mr. President Sir, ignoring the points raised here can have unpleasant consequences. I implore you to urgently address these points to halt the steadily growing number of angry and frustrated unemployed graduates who may be tempted to channel their knowledge and energy into negativities. God bless you, Sir, as I await your response and God bless Cameroon.