Politics is not the best trade there is – Dr Agbor Meg

By Nchendzengang Tatah

Politics is not the trade that can make the economy viable and sustain many Cameroonians, says Dr Agbor Magdaline Tarkang, who is popularly called Agbor Meg.

In an exclusive interview, the women’s leader and chief executive officer of Changing Mentalities and Empowering Groups (CHAMEG) expressed the need for a change in the thinking pattern of many Cameroonians. “With a mentality change, people will know that it is not everybody who should do politics. People should know that politics is not the best trade or profession on earth.”

She lamented that many persons indulge into politics for survival and not to serve the people. This to her is the reason for her advocacy towards empowerment. “When you empower any and everybody, they stand the chance of being independent, having a voice and not being manipulated,” she explained.

Dr Agbor Meg, beginning 1989, worried about the mindset of Cameroonians towards entrepreneurship and not only politics, which eventually birthed the framework of her advocacy. To her, the most important thing is to be economically empowered. That way, she believed one can lead their lives quietly. The women’s right advocate recalled that her stance was taken with a pinch of salt, which resulted in the present socio-political tensions in the North West and South West because of uncomfortable unemployment rates amongst young persons.

Private sector as way forward

The absence of a buoyant private sector she emphasized is a call for concern as many more people rather choose politics and government paid jobs over business. Referencing the Nigerian film industry, she said there was much potential for Cameroon if only the powers that be can make conditions more favourable. “If we have to survive, then it is the private sector that has to be developed,” she established.

She further opined that only the women can build peace in Cameroon and so must be given a chance. As a women’s advocate who has exchanged with stakeholders at various levels, she believed it is time to include the women significantly across the board. Dr Agbor Meg insisted that the women must be given frontline roles. She said it will spur transformation in communities because of women’s interest in humanity. “It is only when all of us have little to eat that there will be peace,” the women’s right advocate said.

To her, women must build capacity, unite and work together. Dr Agbor Magdaline Tarkang is a time winner of the G2G Courageous Women’s Prize and present Global Icon of the same. She is the holder of the prestigious Ekandim title in her native Ndekwai, Manyu division, South West.