Group photo of trainees and trainers at the Linguistic Center Buea
By Cyprain Bekali
The Ninong Women and Daughters Development Association, NIWODDA Buea branch and the AKOOSE Language Development and Cultural Association, ALDECA are championing efforts to imbibe into young Bakossi children the knowledge, understanding and perfect mastery of the Akoose language.
The training which is in its maiden edition is part of a drive to remedy cultural alienation especially for young children who are the future bearers of the Bakossi culture and tradition.
The training is taking place at the Regional Linguistic Center in Buea and it is expected to run through till July 31,2025.
Speaking to Eco outlook newspaper the president of NIWODDA BUEA branch Prof. Sone Patience Munge said: “In our meeting, we have discovered that most women do not understand the Akoose language. This triggered concerns on how they even can teach the Akoose language to their children. Off course you cannot teach what you do not know,” she said.
To solve this problem they decided in partnership with ALDECA and the Lingusitic Center to organize these classes so that their children too should be able to communicate with their parents in the Akosse language.
She lauded parents who heeded to their call to send their children to the training program.
“I want to use this opportunity to thank all the parents who have sent their children for this training and also to tell other parents to do same . We will be closing this first edition by July 31”.
Prof. Sone Patience revealed plans to organize online training as requested by many parents.
“Many other parents in Limbe , Douala, Yaounde and even in the Diaspora have asked us to offer online training of the Akoose language to their children too. So we are not stopping, we will continue this drive for as long as God keeps us alive” she concluded.
Ongoing training session
Mr. Time Mesape, one of the trainers of the Akoose language said the training has been running on hitch free for the past weeks with many children coming to be trained. He also stated that the training is pivotal to the children as it keeps them glued to their culture .
” It also adds to the number of languages the children can boost of having a mastery in. Understanding the native language is important for these children as certain communication especially at family level need to be said secretly at certain moment,” he said.
He also pointed that with these training the children can now communicate with their parents in the Akoose language like their peers from other tribes do.
Other aspect of the Bakossi culture like the dancing and singing styles, how to prepare training meals and how to dress in the traditional regalia have been taught to the children the trainers said.
“We are proud to say that these children can now identify some basic elements like chairs, table board and call them in the Akose language…. They have also been taught salutations, dress, dance, sing ….. In the Bakossi manner” one of the trainers said.
Young learners saluted the initiative, expressing their excitement.
Nsang Christina Mbone one of the many trainees taking lectures on mastery of the Akose language saluted the initiative by NIWODDA to imbibe into young Bakossi children a mastery of the Akose language.
” The training thus far has been great and we have learned proper salutation and identification of objects in the Akose language. I want to thank NIWODDA for this initiative they have given us to learn out native language” she said
Many of the kids acknowledge that at the beginning there were things they did not know how to call in the Akose language but just within two weeks of the training they now know how to call them .
They promised to go back home and continue practicing after the training.
The Regional Director of the Linguistic Center, Buea, Mr Elime Winslow
ALDECA driving language Development.
In the present context of Akoose language recognized as one of the leading National languages in Cameroon, it is important to highlight the role of the Cameroon Association for Bible Translation and Literacy (CABTAL) being the pioneer organization that had championed Literacy Programs in Akoose, Eco OUTLOOK gathered.
“Through CABTAL we have Akoose alphabet and several written materials in Akoose such as the New Testament Bible, books for learning of Akoose, etc. Rev Akiseh Makoge said.
Having expressed the need for a grassroot based organization to ensure continuity of what CABTAL has done sofar, Rev. Akisseh Makoge Ernest and his team were inspired to create the Akoose language Development and Culture Association (ALDECA), whose vision is to promote Akoose language and culture through Literacy, digitalization of Bakossi culture, he explained.
It is in this light that ALDECA came to partner with the Nninong Women and Daughters Development Association (NIWODDA) and the Buea Linguistics Centre in the organization of the ongoing present Akoose language holiday classes in Buea.
” We encourage everyone to join ALDECA in the process to make Akoose a leading Language in Cameroon, why not in the world,” Rev Akiseh said.
Rev. Akisseh Makoge Ernest, heading the ALDECA team, promoting Akoose language
The Regional Director at Buea Linguistic Center Mr Elime Winslow lauded NIWODDA, saying training was apt .
” The initiative by the Ninong Women and Daughters Development Association to introduce the maiden edition of the learning of the Akoose language is commendable. We are very happy that NIWODDA proposed to us the teaching of the Akose language and because the linguistic center does not only train persons to be bilingual but to have mastery of other languages especially the native language we embraced the proposal with so much gladness. So I spoke with ALDECA so that this program should be registered officially within the Bakossi Translation and Language Promotion Association”. He said.
Adding that: “I think this is a wonderful initiative because we have a lot of Bakossi people who were not born in their villages of origin and some who have never gone to their villages…. Some parents may also not have the ample time to teach these children at home so this initiative by NIWODDA is commendable”, Elime Winslow said.
ALDECA gives its approval to the NIWODDA initiative and would like to continue with the group as ALDECA Cultural hub in Buea. As beginners in Akoose language, ALDECA will ensure that the children are followed up closely until they are capable to speak Akoose fluently and become versed with Akoose culture as their indigenous identity. Rev Akiseh encouraged.