7 PERISH IN A GHASTLY MOTOR ACCIDENT

Like the faithful Wednesday in September 2013 when families woke up to find tens of lives wasted along the Tiko - Douala road, citizens of Douala Wednesday evening witnessed a tragic and heartbreaking scenario at elf village. A heavy duty truck carrying wood from Bertuoa, reports say smashed and destroyed bikes carrying passengers who did not survive the harsh and unfortunate incident. Rescue teams uplifted the fallen truck and found 7 lifeless bodies. Administrative authorities arrived the scenes to appease families in grief and caution bike riders on their wreckless driving habits in a town like Douala.

More in a short while.....

13 year-old enthroned Batcham King

Batcham chiefdom in the West region of Cameroon has a new leader.

His majesty Djeutsa Sonkoué Adrien, just 13 years old, was inducted last weekend by the notables of the chiefdom. This very young king replaced his father, his majesty Sonkoué Tatang, who died more than eight years ago. “The choice focused on him at the meeting after significant consultations was made at the closing ceremony of the official funeral of the late leader,” noted Le Jour newspaper of January 18, 2016. The ceremony of his enthronement was experienced by the Senate president and several other dignitaries of the Western Region. Adrien who became the 14th monarch of Batcham dynasty is a class 3 student at an establishment in Douala. Despite his young age, the fate of Batcham group now rests on his shoulders. One of the princes of his kingdom said the Youth king will get full authority when he reaches the age of maturity “and penetrate la’akam he will fully come into possession of all his power.” Once the king attains maturity he will be obliged to follow the footsteps of his late father, his Majesty Francis Hervé Sonkoué Tatang.

Cameroon's Arts & Culture Ministry starts a buoyant season

Open Door Days, Collective exhibitions of artistic pieces and round table conferences take effect from January 19 - 22 2016 in Yaounde.

The exceptional, innovative and ingenious one of a kind cultural gathering celebrating the diversity in Cameroon is placed under the theme: «Origins and Cultural stakes and challenges of emergence».  With main aim to get expert reflection and contribution on concrete ways to drive the nation towards emergence before deadline, the Arts and Culture Ministry will organise round table conferences in which cultural critics will rob minds on «edifying Cameroon's Emergence». 

The open door days will take place at the National Archives' Centre where the audience will have the opportunity of visiting Cameroon's history. Scheduled for the National Assembly's reunification moment, the collective exhibition of plastic arts will be an ideal opportunity for persons to redynamise  the national cinematographic industry . Projecting the know-how of hidden potentials, rapid competitive exercises in the field of hairdressing, cooking, dance and story telling will add colour to the cultural come together.

Arts and Culture Minister Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, believes this first national event will serve as MINAC's take off point for activities in 2016.  A pluri artistic gala night will wrap up activities of  the colourful culture melting pot at the Yaounde Hilton Hotel, on January 22, 2016, under the guidance of the internationally acclaimed musician Eko Roosevelt.

Cameroon: Minister Polycarpe Abah Abah and the Mendo Ze Affair, Special Criminal Court to resume hearing on Jan.26th

Cameroon's former finance minister has been notified of more charges against him coming from the Special Criminal Court. SMR understands that the charges are related to the Gervais Mendo Ze Affair, former general manager of the state owned radio and television. Absent for health reasons in the first two hearings of the prosecution case against the former Minister of Finance, Prof. Gervais Mendo Ze, former GM of the Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV) and other co-defendants including Polycarpe Abah Abah the accused were jointly and severally presented the charges before judges at the Special Criminal Court. During the third hearing, the chairman Justice Yap Abdou read the file revealing that Polycarpe Abah Abah was accused again of misappropriation and coercion involving the sum of 205 873 000 FCFA with the former DG of CRTV, Gervais MendoZe. The charges against the defendants dated back to the period January 1, 2004 to the 26th January 2005. The period during which it was alleged the former GM of CRTV fraudulently obtained over 18 billion FCFA. In response to these accusations, the former MINFI pleaded not guilty, just like the other accused at the first hearing. Concerning the participation of witnesses, Abah Abah and Co presented at the hearing eleven witnesses. A number that President Abdou Yap harmonized to five. He asked them to make a consensus choice. It was on that note that the hearing was suspended to be resumed on the 26th and 28th of January 2016.

Family allowance: Stakeholders advocate for 55 per cent increase

The National Labour Consultative Committee has proposed a 55 per cent increase in family allowance, a move from 1800 CFA Francs to 2800 CFA Francs.

Following the Head of State’s speech on 31st December 2015 to increase family allowances, the committee met in Yaounde on 14th January 2016, to decide the new value.

After much debating by the Minister of Finance, Alamine Ousmane Mey and the General Manager of the National Social Insurance Fund (CNPS), Alain Olivier Noel Mekulu Mvondo, the labour union leaders were all agreed on a 1000 CFA Francs increment which they had initially considered small.

The Committee Chair and Minister of Labour and Social Security, Gregoire Owona indicated that the proposal will be given to the Prime Minister and later forwarded to the Head of State, H.E. Paul Biya.

The National Labour Consultative Committee also suggested that the next increment should not tarry as was the case with the last rate of 1800 CFA Francs which was decided as far back as 2nd August 1985.

 Minister Gregoire Owona assured the committee members that Government will put in much effort to meet up with their labour demands.

Ghost Workers to be sanctioned?

The Ministry of Public Service has announced severe measures to be meted out on some civil servants and state agents who are non-existent or absent from their posts of responsibilities.

Officials at the Ministry say such people, referred to as “ghost workers” have till 15th January 2016 to show proof of engagement or be scrapped off from the state payroll.

In the months of August and November 2015, the names of 11.000 ghost workers were published. Since then, many of them are yet to come clear their case at the Ministry of Public Service.

As the Ministry plans severe sanctions on such defaulters, it is worth indicating that ghost workers have over the years, defrauded the state of millions.

Days after the official deadline for cleares cased, files of ghost workers are still circulating. 'Views, Voices and Visions' will in two weeks dig deeper into the matter live on LTM TV with Legal Practitioners, some of the workers termed 'defaulters' and Public Service Heads.

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Job description

Purpose of the Job

To sustain and enhance targeted gross revenue and gross acquisition in respective SME business by effective implementation of planned sales and channel management strategies

Key Responsibilities

Acquisition, management and retention of SME/SMBs directly and indirectly through channel partners

• To identify and recruit suitable channel partners who will drive the effective acquisition of SME customers
• Ensure adherence of channel partners to all guidelines as this will help ensure their profitability and sustain demand. Responsible for the implementation, acquisition & retention strategy for prospective and existing accounts in the zone
• Grow the usage of Corporate products in the states
• Create exceptional opportunities to sell non voice products such as data, blackberry, leased circuit, dedicated internet etc…
• Create opportunities to run presentations of Corporate products to SMB /SME all segments in the Zones, directly and through channel partners
• Responsible for SME/SMB account development and relationship management process for accounts in the channel guided by the signed service level agreement.
• maximize sales through effective execution and implementation of placement and distribution strategies
• Encourage and develop opportunities to have Airtel presence in all RETAIL & SME COMPANIES in the zones

3rd Party Channel Management

• Visit a minimum of 3 channel partners per week. Such visit should be targeted as ensuring availability of POS materials, reviewing performance against target, reviewing product knowledge of field sales agents and taking corrective actions as required
• Facilitate and coordinate the recruitment, training and development of  Field Sales agents
• Constantly ensure field sales employees are optimally deployed by advising channel partners and dealers on route planning, territory management, etc.

Market & Competitor Analysis

• Monitor the activities of competition in our target market and customer segment and develop or recommend counter measures to win competition

Cross Functional Liaison and Support

• Co-ordinate with learning & Development and  marketing  for product, process and behavioral trainings of field sales employees and channel partners
• Work with service delivery and support bill delivery and collection in the zone

Target Allocation, Forecasting, Reporting

• Accountability for ensuring that agreed target are cascaded across channel partners and field sales agents
• Responsibility for managing performance variances and reallocating targets as required
• Timely repot, of all activities (Daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly etc.. and as required)
  • Acquisition – Performance Vs. Target and against all product lines
  • Lost Opportunities
  • Prospect and funnel management
  • initiatives,
  • Service queries and challenges

Channel branding and visibility

• Ensure appropriate branding is carried by all active outlets within the territory.
• Identify visibility opportunities for Airtel brand within the territory

Others

• Presence at relevant events, ensuring expected benefits are realized
• Reduce debt portfolio and churn in your segment
• Carry out all other functions as directed by the Zonal Business Manager

Advert Closes 19th January 2016

Desired Skills and Experience

SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• Sales channel management or Key account management, Presentation, report writing and basic computer skills

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION

• A University Degree in Business Administration, Marketing or related course

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

• 3 -5 years preferably in FMCG, Consumables & telecom
• 3-5 years’ experience in managing sales channel or Key  Accounts

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS & BEHAVIOUR

• Achieving Results, & Delighting the Customer
• Analytical
• Team Player; Independent, Confident, and Objective
• Attention to detail/ excellent oral and written communication skills
• Good presentation skills
• Ready to achieve beyond set target
• Committed to common goals and values of the organization