John Ngu Foncha
Encyclopedia
John Ngu Foncha was a Cameroon
ian politician.
He founded the Kamerun National Democratic Party
(KNDP) in 1955 and became Premier
of the British Cameroons on 1 February 1959. He held that position until 1 October 1961, when the region merged into a federation with Francophone Cameroon.
From 1 October 1961 to 13 May 1965, Foncha concurrently served as Prime Minister
of West Cameroon and Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Cameroon. He held the latter title until 1970.
In 1994, he led a delegation of the Southern Cameroons National Council
(SCNC) to the United Nations
to request its backing of the movement's drive for greater autonomy in Cameroon's two English-speaking
provinces
. His grandson is Jean-Christian Foncha.
He died in Bamenda
on 10 April 1999 at the age of 82.
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
ian politician.
He founded the Kamerun National Democratic Party
Kamerun National Democratic Party
Kamerun National Democratic Party was a pro-independence political party active in Southern Cameroons during the period of British Mandate rule.-Pre-independence:The KNDP was formed in 1955 by John Ngu Foncha...
(KNDP) in 1955 and became Premier
Premier
Premier is a title for the head of government in some countries and states.-Examples by country:In many nations, "premier" is used interchangeably with "prime minister"...
of the British Cameroons on 1 February 1959. He held that position until 1 October 1961, when the region merged into a federation with Francophone Cameroon.
From 1 October 1961 to 13 May 1965, Foncha concurrently served as Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
of West Cameroon and Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Cameroon. He held the latter title until 1970.
In 1994, he led a delegation of the Southern Cameroons National Council
Southern Cameroons National Council
The Southern Cameroons National Council is a self determination organisation seeking the independence of the anglophone Southern Cameroons from the francophone Republic of Cameroon . It is a non-violent organisation, and its motto is "The force of argument, not the argument of force." The current...
(SCNC) to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
to request its backing of the movement's drive for greater autonomy in Cameroon's two English-speaking
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
provinces
Provinces of Cameroon
The Republic of Cameroon is divided into ten regions:In 2008, the President of the Republic of Cameroon, President Paul Biya signed decrees abolishing "Provinces" and replacing them with "Regions". Hence, all of the country's ten provinces are now known as Regions.Most of these provinces were...
. His grandson is Jean-Christian Foncha.
He died in Bamenda
Bamenda
Bamenda, also known as Abakwa and Mankon Town, is a city in northwestern Cameroon and capital of the North West Province. The city had a population of 269,530 at the 2005 Census, and is located 366 km north-west of the Cameroonian capital, Yaoundé...
on 10 April 1999 at the age of 82.