Minister Manaouda paints Biya in gold in new book.

Several members of government, including the Minister of Secondary Education, Prof Nalova Lyonga; the Minister of Public Contracts, Ibrahim Talba Malla; the Minister of Finance, Louis Paul Motaze; the Minister of Public Works, Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi; the Minister of Social Affairs, Pauline Irene Nguene; the Minister of Women’s Empowerment, Prof Marie Therese Abena Ondoua; the Minister of Communication, Rene Emmanuel Sadi, attended the event.

Also present were the Minister of Water Resources and Energy, Gaston Eloundou Essomba; the Minister of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts, Achille Basileken III; the Delegate General for National Security, Martin Mbarga Nguele; several members of the diplomatic corps; several Senior State functionaries; political, religious and traditional authorities; intellectuals; academics; publishers; artists; and journalists, attended the book launch. 

The 200-page book offers a richly illustrated and historically detailed comic strip recounting the political journey of President Biya. 

Spread across 122 panels, the comic strip blends dialogue, caricature, and historical documentation to narrate the career of the country’s Number One Statesman.

Enter book reviewer 

In his review of the publication, seasoned journalist, Valentin Siméon Zinga, said the decision of the author to use caricature and comic artistry elevates the text. 

“The author chose the seventh art to bring history to life, simplifying complex events without losing historical precision. The result is a book that appeals to both scholars and casual readers,” he said.

Author on motivation 

Speaking during the book launch, the author, Dr Manaouda, explained that the project was born from the desire to make President Biya’s life story accessible to a wide audience, particularly the youth.

“I wanted to show how the President of the Republic’s actions are part of the ongoing process of building unity, peace, and national cohesion,” he declared during his presentation. 

Minister Manaouda said the book “is both a tribute to a man and a memoir of our country’s history. Politics, after all, is a school of courage”.

He stressed that the production required extensive research with the “work entirely grounded in facts and documented history”.

Dr Manaouda said the book is both entertaining and educative and can serve as a manual in schools.

“I believe it can serve as a teaching tool in schools and universities,” the minister stated. 

Book blends tribute & historical record

The author said the narrative does not merely glorify President Biya’s exemplary leadership but also zooms on the hurdles, crises, and challenges that have shaped his nearly five decades stay in power. 

From his early political roles to his tenure as Head of State, the book gives readers an intimate, yet, factual look at the political philosophy, resilience, and decision-making of President Biya, in times of national and international upheavals. 

Educational, inspirational tool

Dr Manaouda said the book, besides being a tribute, is a vehicle for reflection and dialogue. 

“Each reading should not only bring new knowledge but also inspire debates on essential questions: What is leadership? What does it mean to be a politician? How do we build a lasting legacy?”, he explained.

The author said he envisions the comic book as more than a biography and is meant to spark dreams and encourage young people to embrace courage, perseverance, and patriotism. 

By using art to convey history, the book, he added, seeks to bridge the gap between political discourse and popular culture.

Continuity of an editorial journey

The comic book on President Biya, it should be said, is not Dr Manaouda’s first on literature that is centered on the Head of State. 

In October 2023, he published another book titled: “The 200 Most Beautiful Quotes of Paul Biya”. The book was a compilation of the President’s most memorable reflections. 

Dr Manaouda said with the new book, he intends to take a step further by shifting from text to images, adopting a genre often reserved for entertainment to deliver lessons in politics, governance, and civic responsibility.

“This is part of my commitment to innovation. We must find creative ways to pass down knowledge, and the comic book format offers clarity and accessibility, particularly for younger generations who are visually oriented,” Dr Manaouda said. 

In his view, the President’s political career transcends contemporary politics and deserves to be enshrined in national memory.

“By producing this book, I am adding a stone to the edifice of memory, ensuring that generations to come will have a reference point for understanding the values of perseverance, patriotism, and leadership,” he affirmed.

Pays tribute to deceased book director

The ceremony was equally an opportunity for the author and those in attendance to pay a solemn homage, to the Director of Books at the Ministry of Arts and Culture, Edmond Mballa Elanga. The official died last Friday, September 19. 

Mballa Elanga was remembered as a tireless promoter of Cameroonian literature, and his absence was felt by the literary and artistic community present at the launch.

Dr Manaouda in his opening remark described him as “a guardian of the written word who worked passionately to elevate Cameroonian authors”.

The launch was marked by speeches of appreciation from government officials, cultural actors and academics. 

Many described the book as a bold step in the country’s publishing landscape. They said it not only documents political history but also makes it engaging for readers who may not typically turn to dense political texts.

A young student who attended the launch, praised the appealing nature of the book, noting that it was the first time he had seen the political history of the country told in a lit manner. 

The drawings, he said, make it easy to understand the storyline while reading through the pages. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3572 of Monday September 22, 2025