Biya can’t stop me from entering Cameroon-Richard Bona

Rather known for being an exceptional song writer, singer and bass guitarist extraordinaire, Richard Bona’s name is quick becoming a regular feature on political discourse these days in Cameroon.

He first made headline news when the ace Cameroonian musician turned down a medal awarded him by President Biya last year. However, since the unfortunate incident at the laquintine hospital in Douala that led to the death of Monique Koumateke, Bona has opened up to the press to voice his strong disapproval of the Biya regime.

In a recent interview he granted BBC’s focus on Africa, Wednesday, June 15, Bona was very vociferous against the fact that a woman will die in a public hospital in Cameroon because she could not afford prepayment.

He was referring to the Monique Koumateke case. When asked by the BBC’s Bola Musoro whether he can still go to Cameroon since it is alleged that he has fallen out with the government, Bona said the government of Cameroon does not represent the people and “Biya cannot stop me from going to Cameroon.”

In a show of defiance the musician added; “My grandfather was a king and hunted in the forest, and I will go there and hunt, my children will also go there and hunt, nobody can stop me.” “They know my name, but they don’t know me, they can bring the secret service against me but am ready for it.”

Bona Pinder Yayumayalolo popularly known as Richard Bona was one of the first to denounce the unfortunate Koumateke story.

Even though some criticized and challenged him to concentrate on his music profession, he, however, sees Biya as the one man responsible for the poor health facilities in Cameroon.

He was joined in the condemnation spree by another renowned musician Lonkana Ango Simon (Longue Longue) who even composed a song in honour of Koumateke.

Richard Bona who has lived in the United States for the past 23 years is kind of assuming the role of the late Lapiro de Manga who was such a fiery critic of the regime until his death in 2014.