Mr. FONKWE Joseph FONGANG, appointed Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice by Decree No. 2017/270 of 7 June 2017 of the President of the Republic, Chairman of the Higher Judicial Council, presided over a contact meeting on Thursday 20th July 2017 in the Conference Hall of the said Ministerial Department. He was flanked by the Inspector General of Judicial Services and Technical Adviser No. I.

The following officials were in attendance: Technical Advisers, Directors, Division Heads and Sub-Directors.

In his address, the Secretary General started by expressing his profound gratitude to the Head of State for the high level of confidence bestowed on his humble person and heartily thanked the Minister of State, Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals, for the invaluable support he has always granted him. He further paid a well-deserved tribute to his illustrious predecessor and senior colleague, Justice George GWANMESIA, for both his extensive experience and the magnitude of his work through his long and rich career. 

Mr. FONKWE further recalled some guiding principles of work prescribed by the Minister of State, Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals, notably: punctuality at work, cohesion, consistent proposals, consultation at work, speedy processing of files, probity, selflessness and discipline, which are in connection with the Circular No.1/CAB/PM of 18 January 2012 of the Prime Minister, Head of Government, relating to compliance to the obligations of Administrative work.

He equally recommended that Directors and Division Heads should make themselves readily available to their collaborators while providing a friendly working environment in work units, and to inculcate in their staff, the culture of work and merit both as key to success. In addition, he requested the Units Heads to ensure that all employees master IT tools so as to stay abreast with dematerialization of procedures and digitalization of data and communications. Furthermore, he made a call for the promotion of bilingualism, by encouraging the registration of employees at the Pilot Linguistic Centre, in accordance with the provisions of Decree No. 2017/13 of 23 January 2017 to set up The National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism.

The Secretary General concluded his speech by informing participants that the modernization and success of the Judicial Institutions promoted by the Minister of State, Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals, is a collective endeavor that requires the contribution of each and every one.

The new Secretary General is a seasoned bilingual Judicial and Legal Officer, promoted to Super Scale, first Group, by Decree No. 2014/555 of 18 December 2014. He was the former Chief Justice of the Far North Court of Appeal. Born on July 1st 1956 at Lewoh-Fotabong, Lebialem Division, in the South West Region, he is married and father of four children.

You can follow the link below and read the English and French versions of the address of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice on the occasion.

by OJONG ERET Simon

Research Assistant at the Follow-up Unit