THE MAN KUOH JOHNSON NGAM

The former mayor of Fundong Council, Kuoh Johnson died last Monday July 22, 2019 at the age of 66 and laid to rest on Saturday July 27, 2019 in his family compound at Meli in Fundong Central subdivision.

late mayor Kuoh Johnson Ngam

Family life

Kuoh Johnson N. was the third child in a family of six. He grew up and got married to two wives (regrettably one is of late) and they bore him 3 sons and 3 boys (two of the children are of late too). From the family sources, he has been a kind and good father. “He was a good father who adopted and raised so many children who called him father.” Family source says.

Education and work life

 He attended primary school in Anyajua where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) and from there moved to the South West Regional capital, Buea for secondary school studies. After completing secondary education, he worked as prison guard in Douala. He later enrolled in Government Teachers Training College (GTTC) Kumba and upon graduation with a Diploma as a Grade One teacher, he started serving the state in that capacity. His first posting was at Government School (GS) Fonfuka, GS Mbaingo, and GS Mbergne. He went fourth to serve at the inspectorate of Basic Education (IBE), Fundong for many years. He was later appointed the Head teacher of GS Meli and moved again to GS Fundong.

 Christian life

Kuoh Johnson Ngam was born and raised in a christian home of baptist background. He attended CBC church Anyajua and when he moved over to Fundong, joined Joseph Merrick Baptist church (JMBC) of the Cameroon National Baptist Convention (CNBC). His service and stay in the church was unique and always left smiles on the faces on congregants whenever he took to his feet to dance. Family says, “his best moments were to see his children and grandchildren attend church with him and even when he was fighting with his health, he will always make out time for God.”

We talked to his pastor, Rev. Ndimbu David Foinste, senior Pastor of JMBC Fundong and he said, “I came in here when he had backslidden. In 2008, he rededicated his life and was a serious member in the church till death. He has been a serious worshipper and could not seat down when the church was singing and praising the lord. He was that kind of a proud Christian that will always want to do things and be known for his participation and contributions…he just gave his building thanksgiving in church a fourth night ago and during the event he said he was sick and almost died and God permitted him to come back and build His temple before going. In all, he was a nice man and that was even reflected in the turnout of brethren at his funeral; even under the rains, old members of the church sang and danced like him to the glory of God.”

Kuoh Johnson as politician

Over the years as a classroom teacher and school administrator, he developed interest to serve his community and decided to join politics by militating with the Social Democratic Front (SDF) and served different organs of the party from the ward level right up to being an executive member of the Fundong Council. I 2002, he went into council elections and became a counselor as reported by Boyo Community Radio. “Kuoh Johnson was first elected to the Fundong Council during the 2002 municipal elections, served as first deputy to Kiyam Chrysantus who was mayor at the time. In 2008, he was elected Mayor to replace Sobo Jonathan who had served as mayor for barely one year after the 2007 council elections.”

He was at the helm of the council for 5 years till 2013 when the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement, CPDM took over the council with Denis Awoh Ndang replacing him as mayor. However, Late Kuoh remained in the council as counselor given that the CPDM never won with absolute majority. He died while serving the council as counselor and an active member of the education commission and was one of the oldest counselors.

Views of politicians

We equally sought to know about life and legacies of the fallen SDF bigwig in Fundong and Senator Ajouh Honoré Ngam who doubles as district chairman for the SDF in Fundong had this to say, “I worked closely with Kuoh from 2012 and what struck me was his sense of commitment and dedication to the party…especially when SDF lost the council to the CPDM, Kuoh remained steadfast and loyal to the ideals of the party and put in all his energy to see that the party gains back all the lost glory and reclaim the council. The last time we worked together was during the senatorial elections and he worked tirelessly to see that we won in the North West Region…he was a pillar of the party in Fundong and we will greatly miss him because he was like a father and without him, the children will live like orphans. All we can do in his honour is to continue from where he ended and uphold his dignity.”

Talking about his legacy, Senator Honoré said, “he had a rich career in public service…he was one of the architects of the projects that have been realized in Fundong, like the realization of the IBAM road project, the Fundong motor park and sheds around the park which the council constructed without borrowing a franc, the present council edifice and more.”

This reporter also talked to first deputy mayor of Fundong Council, Mr. Tufoin Ernest Chia. “He was a counselor after being a mayor and irrespective of his political lineage, he did not fail to share with us his rich experience at any point that he was called up to. He contributed what he could for the success of the council.” Tufoin Ernest,     

By Awoh Caleb in Fundong

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