Writer decries moral decadence in new book

From Mua Patrick Mughe and Che Bruno Azeynui in Buea

Human attitude towards the environment and society in general has once again come under review. A collection of poems highlighting on this “Messing Manners’’ was launched Wednesday, October 8 at the National Social Insurance hall, CNPS Mile 17, Buea. The book published by renowned playwright and staff of the GCE Board, Mathew Takwi condemns the declining values typical in almost all sectors of societal life today.

In a collection of 45 poems, the author expresses disdain at the decay that has eaten deep into the fabrics of the Cameroonian society while nursing hope for a rejuvenated nation through conscious self-examination.  The 79-page book focuses on societal vices like gender discrimination, poor waste disposal, alarming corruption rate and sexual perversion.

Meanwhile, describing the author as a watchful servant of the society, Chief Andrew Ngeh, who reviewed the book said Cameroon suffers more from a moral than a political crisis. Hear him: “…If the leaders in place had the fear of god, elections will not be rigged. Particular regions will not be stigmatized because they are enemies in the house. They won’t be embezzlement of state funds.

“Homosexuality and lesbianism will have no place. Contracts will not be given to fake contractors; occult practices will be unheard of. The messing of the streets is a microcosm of the Cameroonian society as a whole. The tidier feels unhappy because the messing is conscious and deliberate and there is also a deliberate attempt to sweep.”

Takwi, according to a profile by Bishop Emmanuel Bushu of the Buea diocese is author of over six works some of which have been used in national and international universities.  He is an award winning writer notably after the release of his drama piece ‘Gaining the Game,’ a distinguished member of the international society of poets and secretary general of Anglophone Cameroon Writers Association, ACWA.

According to the author every attempt to “sweep the mess” in the society needs to begin with one’s self. He said “there is decadence in all its ramifications and as writers who border about our society we cannot stay aloof. When there is corruption, homosexuality, desperation and exploitation of all sorts, one cannot but decry such things and at the same time let those who are involved know that life is better when we take just what belongs to us and share the commonwealth with the common man.  This is thus our modest contribution to a better society.  We have said and we continue to say that until you remove the log in your eye you cannot look at the peg in your neighbour’s eye.”

Mathew Takwi, it should be recalled is a celebrated writer and was winner of the second prize of the 1986 CRTV radio Bamenda contest during the popular programme –Taking care Business.  The holder of a Bachelor of Arts in English and a diploma in French is the current secretary general of the Anglophone Cameroon writers’ association.