This was during the General Assembly of the anglophone community spread across Baham, Batie, Bangou and Bamenjou, subdivisions that make up the Upper Plateau Division of the West region.
Thousands turned out on 28 September 2024 at the Baham ceremonial ground to witness a display of social cohesion, unity and harmony by anglophones resident in the Upper Plateau Division and the indigenes. It was at the ceremony placed under the patronage of Hon. Datouo Théodore, Deputy Speaker at the National Assembly, which was attended amongst others by prominent political, administrative and tradition authorities of the Division. Amongst them was the Secretary General of the Central Committee of the CPDM, Jean Nkuété, Members of Parliament and some 13 Fons from the North West and South West regions. It was a moment to celebrate living together at a time when the crisis in the NW and SW regions has led to an influx of anglophones in the West region and particularly in the Upper Plateau Division.
For years, Hon. Datouo and other elite have supported the growing community, helping them to settle, integrate and socialise without any hitches. Under the banner of their cultural and development association ACUDAB, the anglophone community thus met for their first General Assembly which was an opportunity to take stock of their wellbeing in their host community and chart a way forward. Speaker after speaker at the event reiterated President Paul Biya’s vision of having Cameroonians feel at home wherever they find themselves on the national territory, saying that the reality was being lived in the Upper Plateau. According to the organiser of the event, Ngwa Wilson Forbi, the anglophone community has grown exponentially over the years, now bringing the total number of those resident in the four subdivisions to 5000
On behalf of the Fons of the North West and South West regions, Fon Doh Gah Nyangi III was all but praise for the authorities of the land. He thanked them for the warm welcome given to their people and beckoned on the anglophone community to be law abiding, respect the customs and traditions of the land. He encouraged the people to make good use of gifts donated by the Honourable Member of Parliament, while promising that when the time would be ripe, they would return the show of hospitality back in their homeland.
Giving Praise where it’s Due
One of the highpoints of the event was the crowning of Hon. Datouo by the Fons with the prestigious title of Ta Nformi Nkeyala, “Warrior and Messenger of Development”. Amongst the Fons was Fon Lekunze of Lebialem as well as the Fons of Mbot, Kom, Oku, Goshin, Baligashu, Baligham and Baligasin. Addressing the mammoth, Hon. Datouo promised the completion of the Anglopone community hall to be built in Baham, headquarters of the division by September 2025, for which over CFAF 9million has been raised to begin construction works. During the event, Hon. Datouo offered a consignment of didactic materials to some 200 school children, rain jackets to some 900 bike riders and farm inputs to some 400 farmers. He also offered CFAF 2million to open accounts for anglophones at the Highland cooperative credit Union to assist the people in their various ventures. Winners of the peace tournament organised in prelude to the General assembly also received trophies in various categories.
Claudette Chin