What is the place of Cultural Development Assocaitions in the 21st Century?

We are dealing with a very difficult and complicated issue. I have pondered over it many times and have not yet arrived any conclusion.
This issue is tied to the lack of nationalism that exists in Cameroon at large. I will not speak for the entire African continent. We still very much identify with our Fondoms. The reason being that, our cultural identity is still tired to where we were born, the language we speak, rites of passage, dressing, food etc.
On this forum we had an extended debt on what development is and the role of our traditions and customs in the 21st century. These questions are at the heart of the matter. There is need for adequate answers to some of the questions that were raise. For example what aspects of our cultures should be preserved? How do we transition to the 21st century and start looking at each other, not just in terms of Nweh, Mundani, Mock, Bami, Moghamo, Bayang, Beti, Fulani, Haussa, Bali, Mendankwe, etc but as Cameroonians.
The colonial masters played this card of diversity using it as a tool of divide and rule. The present political elites have fine tuned it and are using it better than their predecessors to achieve their selfish ambitions at the detriment of the people.
It is easy for those of us in the Diaspora to insist on ignoring the boundaries and moving ahead. We can not just ignore, we have to address the boundaries and divisions, for our developmental efforts are not going to be done in a vacuum. These developmental projects are going to be implemented amongst those at the grass roots and their input is highly needed.
Why are we even talking of a Lebailem development Association? The simple answer is that those of us from Lebailem believe that we understand our division better than "outsiders" and are the most equipped to take care of its needs. The fondom associations also hold this same assertion and we can not just sweep them under the rug. This same reasoning cuts across the whole country. Every ethnic group in Cameroon believes they can take better care of their own. That is why they demand for their own son to be appointed a minster so that they can have their own share of the national cake.
Why is it that a minister must come from our area for our needs to be met? It seems we have to take a very close look not only at our division but the way we as a nation operate. I am I asking for to much? May be. Let those that truly love Lebialem and I know they also will like to see Cameroon as a whole move forward think hard and come out with ideas that are workable.
The lack of grass root support has been raised and I think those at the grass roots are more conscious of their roots than the entire division. For example most still disfavour inter ethnic marriages. Belonging to a division does not automatically mean that people share the same language and culture. That is why quick fixes are not going to solve the problem.
Some wild thoughts on the way forward! We are we stock with this whole idea of Cultural Development Associations? Why don't we form associations that do not have ethnic overtones? It seems membership in our associations is by virtue of where you were born. This factor has far reaching implications on membership drive, fund raising and what that association can accomplish. Is it possible to form organizations that transcend our ethnic groups and can still bring development? I mean organizations that their membership is open to all who will buy their philosophy. To be continued…..