Rt. Hon. Simon Achidi Achu: The Last Journey Of A Man Like No Other

By Anye Nde Nsoh

First Anglophone Prime Minster Right Hon. Simon Achidi Achu has been laid to rest in his residence in Santa subdivision in the North West region of Cameroon Saturday July 3rd, 2021. The 87-year-old former Minister of Justice died on the 4th May 2021 in California, USA at the age of 87. 

During the funeral service, officiated by the representative of the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon PCC, Rev Miki Hans, Synod Clerk of the PCC,  drew his message of the day from the bible according to the book of John 14:1-3, preaching under the them "Do not let your hearts be troubled". 

The remains of one time Cameroon Prime Minister and Minister of Justice was removed from the Yaounde General Mortuary in the presence of Prime Minister, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute and accompanied to his resting place, where he was decorated Grand cordon of the Cameroon order of Merit by Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute. 

Philemon Yang, leader of the CPDM Delegation noted that Pa Achu stirred the ship of Government in Cameroon's most political unstable time, a man who demystified politics with his simplicity. Pa Achu was a die-hard member of the Cameroon People Democratic Movement.

The official funeral ceremony was massively attended by elite and traditional authorities from the North West region and top administrative officials. 

 Simon Achidi Achu: The Man

Pa Simon Achidi Achu was born November 5, 1934 to Pa Achu Gustav and Abu Susanna Neh. 

He completed primary education in Santa and then continued to Cameroon Protestant College, where he obtained his GCE Ordinary Level. Pa Achu later continued to the University of Yaounde, where participated in the creation of the Students Association which still exists. 

He also served as the association's first president. He continued his studies in the National School of Magistracy in Yaounde and the world renowned University of Besancon in France where he fine-tuned his knowledge and skills as a public servant and avid politician. 

Pa Achidi Achu was a state magistrate from October 1965 to October 1966. Later, he was appointed Minister Delegate at the State Federal Inspectorate in late October 1971. 

He was subsequently appointed Minister of Justice by then Cameroon President Ahmadou Ahidjo on 3 July 1972, serving in that position until 1975. Pa Simon then returned to Santa and started the Rock Farm Ranch as a farmer which became a centerpiece of his life until death. 

Hon. Achidi Achu then took a haitus from the national political stage for several years. During this time, he setup and ran multiple businesses in the Agro, Ship, Chandling, Reak Estate and car rental industries in Cameroon. 

Pa also took advantage of this "Political Sabbatical" to painstakingly hone his craft as a politician, building solid constituency one convert at a time and serving as leader in local organisations like the Santa Area cooperatiive and North West cooperative. 

Pa Achu made a comeback to the national political scene thrigh the parliamentary elections of 1988 as the victorious candidate on the CPDM ticket. Following President Biya's victory in the 1992 election, Pa Achidi Achu was appointed as the maiden Anglophone Prime Minister in April 1992 where he served the nation until September of 1996. 

His peace broker role in the political upheavals of the early nineties won him much reputed. He came to the Helm of the Star Building at a time when the nation was at crossroads of national chaos. 

Pa employed his years of experience as a grassroot politican combined with his special gift for connecting with human beings from all works of life to initiate and tirelessly drive a national crusade for peace and harmony. 

In the April 2013 Senate Election, Pa Achidi Achu was elected to the Senate as the top candidate on the CPDM's list for North West region and went on to occupy the role of Vice President of the Senate. 

Pa Achidi Achu has spebt the last few years before his death primarily as a farmer while continuing his lifelong mission of preaching the gospel of peace, love, reconciliation and unity.