John Ngu Foncha

Cameroonian politician

John Ngu Foncha (June 21, 1916 – April 10, 1999) was a Cameroonian politician who was the Prime Minister of British Cameroons from February 1, 1959 to October 1, 1961, then Prime Minister of West Cameroon from independence (October 1, 1961) to May 13, 1965. He later became an opponent, close to the separatists of the Southern Cameroons National Council (SCNC).

John Ngu Foncha
John Ngu Foncha in 1964.
Prime Minister of Cameroon
In office
1 February 1959 – 13 May 1965
Preceded byEmmanuel Mbela Lifafe Endeley
Succeeded byAugustine Ngom Jua
Personal details
Born21 June 1916
Bamenda
Died10 April 1999
Bamenda
NationalityCameroonian

He created the Kamerun National Democratic Party (KNDP) in 1955 and became the Prime Minister of British Cameroons on 1 February 1959. He occupied this position until 1 October 1961, when the region was joined with French-speaking Cameroon to form a federation.

Leadership

change

From 1 October 1961 to 13 May 1965, Foncha was both the 5th Prime Minister of Cameroon and Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Cameroon. He was Vice President of the Federal Republic of Cameroon until 1970.

Delegation

change

In 1994, he led a delegation of the Southern Cameroons National Council (SCNC) to the United Nations to demand support for the movement for greater autonomy in Cameroon's two English-speaking regions. His grandson is Jean-Christian Foncha.

He died in Bamenda on 10 April 1999 at the age of 82.