-
8. Ako-Aya and Letters to the Editor
- LANGAA RPCIG
- Chapter
- Additional Information
101 Chapter Eight Ako-Aya and Letters to the Editor T oday, it cannot be denied that these letters were written by Ako-Aya himself. This sounds bizarre if one’s attention is drawn to the fact that these letters were deemed to have been sent to Ako-Aya. How he would have loved to receive such letters, in view of the burning issues raised and the messages passed on to the public. And when nobody made the attempt, he thought it wise to play the trick personally. Indeed, it was not only through such letters to the editor that he passed on his message to the people. He had another medium, namely, ‘Question Time.’ He wrote: i) “WEDNESDAY AUGUST 11, 1971: HOME AGAIN “I arrived last night looking very fit. Just to ‘quench my thirst’ I walked into the first drinking place and saw the following notice placed at the door. “This notice has been placed on all drinking places, and in our society they are legion. The notice has also been sent to all offices and news dissemination media. It is reproduced below for the benefit of readers.” “‘OFFICIAL BAN “‘Popular Edict No251 of any hotel 17/7/71 “‘1. By virtue of the recent ban of drinking during working hours and in consideration of the fact that drinking interferes with work and by virtue of further consideration of the fact that work also interferes with drink. 102 Ako-Aya: A Cameroonian Pioneer in Daring Journalism and Social Commentary “‘It is hereby decreed as follows: “‘Art. Premier “‘This decree shall henceforth be referred to as Popular decree No251 of West Cameroon. “Art.2 “Working during drinking hours is hereby strictly prohibited. “‘Art.3. “‘Drinking hours shall be defined as the period which begins one minute after the end of working hours and expires one minute before the beginning of working hours. “Art.4. “‘Any one caught working during drinking hours or inducing any one to work during drinking hours or in any manner being an accessory to the offence of the provisions of the present Popular decree shall be sentenced to a term of imprison-ment ranging from one carton of Cold heart to 1 bottle to Johnnie Walker or to a fine of two crates of Ngangi to 5 crates of swindlers shome or to both such fines and imprisonment. “This decree shall be enforced by all those who have ever been suspended with complete loss of pay from having been caught working during drinking hours. “‘All drinking fans are hereby authorised to assist the above mentioned enforcement officers in the enforcement of the popular Edict No251’ “Well next issue I am dealing with those issues that caused the cutting short of my journey. ii) “TUESDAY NOV. 20, 1073: QUESTION TIME “Its a long time since I brought you ‘question time’ and I tell you I have quite a mountain full of them. “Here are a few just selected at random. [34.228.240.6] Project MUSE (2024-03-29 16:32 GMT) 103 Chapter Eight: Ako-Aya and Letters to the Editor “‘Question 1: “‘Dear Thomas, “‘You have always been telling us of this new scheme of things with life more abundant for every one. “‘The ‘everyone’ only appears to be girls. They get all the employment these days and we boys must go to the ‘Green Revolution’ What must we do? “JOHANNES NJOH YAOUNDE” “‘Dear Johannes, “‘Don’t you know the girls have more to offer in return. It is true they get offered the best jobs on a platter of gold, but I tell you employ-ment is only done in this country through exami-nation I believe they pass all the examinations which is why most of them are employed. “Yours, A.A.’ “Question 2; “‘Dear Mr. Akot “‘A woman old enough to be my mother wants me to marry her. She is also very rich. Should I accept? “TGNATIOUS EBOT, BOTA” “‘Dear Mr. Ebot, “‘By all means go ahead. You know this country is becoming like Italy where old women go for summer. Italy is famous for its ‘gigolo’ trade. “If you do not mind it the money she has comes from her rich other men, “‘Ako-Aya.’ 104 Ako-Aya: A Cameroonian Pioneer in Daring Journalism and Social Commentary “Question 3: “‘Dear Tom, “Why did the ‘Hanseatic’ land in Victoria instead of going to land in Douala. Buses had to be hired to carry tourist from Victoria to Douala. “‘AKUM JOHNS...