Jean KEUTCHA

Background

Jean KEUTCHA was born in June 1923 in Bangangte, some 90 miles north-east of Douala

Education

He was successively an agricultural works engineer, administrative assistant and ministerial Chef du Cabinet.

Career

His quick rise to political prominence started as late as 1960 when he was appointed District Commissioner at Mifi and afterwards at Menoua, both in the Western Province. After four years in the civil service, he entered Ahmadou Ahidjo’s cabinet as Secretary of State for Public Works July 1964-November 1965 to become Secretary of State for Rural Development (until September 1969) and for Education (until 1971).

In January 1971 he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, this department having always been under the absolute control of the President himself. Following the July 1972 reshuffle, be took over the newly created Agriculture Ministry, to which he is well suited by his training.

Politics

He was a militant of the Cameroonian National Union (UNC), then of the Democratic Rally of the Cameroonian people (RDPC)

Personality

A resourceful careerist, he owes a great deal to the fact that he comes from under-developed, trouble-ridden Bamileke country.

Connections

His wife, Julienne Keutcha, was the first woman deputy of Cameroon.

Spouse:

Julienne Keutcha