L’équipe de la star américaine a atterri jeudi soir à Douala. Lui est attendu cette nuit. Fotemah “Tmah” Mba,le Camerounais, vice-président de Konvict Music parle dans une interview accordée à Cameroon Tribune.
Ce samedi soir, Alioune Badara Thiam dit Akon sera bien sur la scène spécialement aménagée pour lui à la place du gouvernement de Bonanjo. Le chanteur, qui débarque ce vendredi dans la capitale économique, a été précédé hier par son team, conduit par le Camerounais Fotemah Mba, initiateur du projet et premier vice-président de la maison de production d’Akon, Konvict. Il est question de mettre toute la batterie du spectacle en place. Mais, malgré cette arrivée, à Douala, l’ambiance autour de l’événement est encore assez feutrée. Le mystère continue de planer. En attendant donc que les choses s’accélèrent peut-être aujourd’hui, c’est toujours le branle-bas au lieu défini pour le concert, où les ouvriers sont à pied-d’œuvre. Et déjà, au matin du show, le 24 mars, la presse est attendue à l’hôtel le Méridien pour une rencontre avec l’artiste.
“This is Definitely a Door Opener for Cameroon”
Today, we see Akon in Cameroon, how does it happen?
Well, I have been working on this alongside Cameroonian Film Director, Yves Tchouta, and business man, Andre Weah. We started working on this threee years ago. We wanted to bring a major act to Cameroon. I Love Cameroon and felt it would be good for the country. All my cousins in Cameroon were screaming they wanted to see Akon. Then I met a couple of enthusiastic Cameroonians in New York – Sophy Aiida, Kibonen Nfi and David Nso, who with their positive energy on Cameroon even made me see more of the need to make this happen to Cameroon quickly. Akon being of Senegalese/ African descent just made more sense. Of course it helped that I am the Vice President of his company.
The first step was to get Akon to commit to the show. The second step was finding a sponsor for this show. It was not easy. We had many sponsors commit and back off. This was a huge undertaking. Well, thanks to Guinness who believed in the vision, took the chance and backed Akon’s coming to Cameroon. Now, here we are – Akon in Cameroon.
Can we expect to see other famous stars in Cameroon for the next times?
This is definitely a door opener for Cameroon. It is going to permit other huge stars to come to the country. I also believe it is going to open the doors for other companies to help in pushing the arts in Cameroon. I believe by doing this it will help other industries. I believe Cameroon deserves the best but the support is not very obvious and to get these people here is huge. So I think the people have to commit to support too and I am talking about the companies that can help to push.
Why was the project so important for you?
I am a son of Cameroon from Bamenda. I Love my country. I hope to inspire others who have been outside like me to come together as me and my partners in building this great nation. It is our responsibility. I have loads of projects for Cameroon which I will reveal over time. It includes lots of charity and projects for the young people. I am very impressed when I see young Cameroonians leaving the states to come back and help. It is a very noble thing to do and they need to be encouraged and supported. Cameroon is a beautiful country and we need to help in making it the best in Africa.
Interviewed by Rita DIBA
“Now, here we are – Akon in Cameroon.”
