Dear Colleagues and CPS members,

With the year 2010 closing fast behind us, the CPS can look back with great admiration and pride especially because of the enormous achievements registered during this inaugural year. Throughout the country and beyond, Cameroonian professionals have become enamored with the potential of the CPS in leveraging the resources and expertise of all as well as the contribution to national growth and development. Our non-political status is particularly enticing as well as our dedication to exhausting new opportunities for Cameroonians around the country.

During the last year, there have been many developments at the CPS, including:
1). The successful inauguration of the CPS in Maryland on January 2010. This event brought together a cross-section of the Cameroonian professional community in the Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C area and set the tone for a successful year.

2). The first ever CPS Distinguished Annual Congress was held from July 28 – August 1, 2010 at the Hilton BWI Airport hotel in Baltimore, Maryland. This distinguished congress, organized under the theme “Towards a progressive Cameroon – Becoming Involved”, participants from the United States, Cameroon, Europe, Bangladesh and South America came together to discuss strategies to make a difference in Cameroon.

3). The CPS was honored at the follow-up forum of the White House Young African Leaders forum held on September 14, 2010. This was an opportunity that the president used to discuss ways of empowering young Africans to give back to their countries.

4). We were also privileged to be invited to the 2010 Annual Meeting of the African Development Bank held in Abidjan – Cote d’Ivoire to discuss ways of leveraging Africa’s diaspora towards durable development. The CPS was pivotal in formulating a diasporan approach during the visit of H.E. Philemon Yang, Prime Minister of Cameroon to the United States.

5). The CPS was also very busy around the country. A very successful symposium was organized at Rice University in Houston, Texas on February 20, 2010 under the theme “The Cameroonian Leadership Deficit: How do we evolve.” This wonderful symposium was moderated by Dr. Hermann Ndofor and has as panelists Dr. Evaristus Enongene, Dr. Michael Fonge, Barbara Simo, Mr. Gabriel Kuaitse, Dr. Pauline Kwang and Dr. Elias Bongmba.

6). At Columbia University in New York, the CPS symposium focused on “Transforming the Cameroon Economy in the 21st Century.” Speakers included Mr. Samuel Bong from Morgan State University, Ms. Jacqueline Musiitwa with the Hoja Law firm and Dr. Emmanuel Mbi from the World Bank.
7). The CPS continued its Symposium series at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore with a forum under the theme “Leveraging the Cameroonian Diaspora towards development: Prospects and Challenges.” This distinguished forum was moderated by veteran journalist Mr. Asonglefac Nkemleke and had as speakers Dr. Regina Tawah from Bowie State University, Mr. Eugene Nyambal – independent development consultant in D.C. and Dr. Eric Mabo of Atlanta Georgia.

8). The distinguished Emory University in Atlanta Georgia played host to the final CPS Symposium of 2010. Under the theme “Leveraging Opportunities in the United States and Cameroon” participants benefitted from the diverse experiences of the speakers and panelists. Speakers include Mr. Francis Pouatcha (Founder and CEO of Adorsys LLC), Dr. Valentine Nzengung (University of Georgia -Athens), Mrs. Agatha Achindu (Founder and CEO of Yummy Spoonfuls) and Mr. John Forseh of AIU Dunwoody.

9). During the year 2010, the CPS expanded its executive staff, welcoming Mrs. Sandra Kemayou as Chair of the Congress Organizing Committee, Ms. Shiella Ntambo as the Director of Fundraising as well as Ms. Anne Fombu as the Director of Marketing. Our distinguished Board of Trustees was also put in place with members including Dr. Augustine Ayuk, Dr. Gwendolyn Shang, Mr. Michael Fondungallah, Dr. Joyce Ashuntantang (Vice Chair) and Mr. Gabriel Kuaitse (Chairman of the Board).

While there are many more successes that can be enumerated here, at the CPS, we are very excited with the prospects of 2011. CPS needs your involvement, support and guidance as it charts a new course in our communities and country.

The 2011 Distinguished Annual Congress will take place July 29 – 31, 2011 in Washington D.C. We look forward to your papers and articles.

Our symposium series will continue this year with a forum in Dallas – Texas on February 19, 2011, a forum at the University of Michigan on March 19, 2011 and one in California on April 16, 2011. The CPS Volunteer Day will be celebrated around the country on April 30, 2011 while a fundraiser in support of the CPS Scholars Program and the CPS Leadership Academy is scheduled for May 2011.

We look forward with great anticipation during this year and urge you to become involved, to spread the word to colleagues, to become active Associates and Fellows of the CPS as well as sponsors of CPS activities and events. The Distinguished Congress promises to continue the great vision set out in 2010 and we need you on-board. Please visit the website (www.cpsociety.org) to become a member, to donate or to sponsor events and programs.

Thank You very much and many blessings during this New Year.

Denis A. Foretia, M.D.,
President, CPS

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