West Region Governor, Awa Fonka Augustine
By Brian Mboh
The Governor of the West Region, has called on all citizens to accept one another, work for peace and for the betterment Cameroon. Governor Awa Fonka Augustine made the declaration in an exclusive interview granted to The Herald Tribune Newspaper, on Monday, May 11, 2026, in Bafoussam, prior to celebrations marking the commemoration of the 54th anniversary of the Unitary State.
Among the issues raised by the Governor, were preparations gearing up to the national day celebration in the West Region, the importance of consolidating peace in Cameroon, issues of security, peace, development and governance, youth unemployment and the challenges.
According to the Governor, the theme for this year’s unitary day celebration “National Unity: Backbone of Our Defence System, Bedrock of Cameroon,” as he said signifies that security is the backbone of every development, without security nothing can be done. “We need security in a cool environment to live, to produce goods and to pull investors to invest in our country. We need a peaceful atmosphere for job creation.”
He believes National Day, is an opportunity for Cameroonians of all works of life, irrespective of their religious belonging to sit and reflect on the future of their country and seek ways of moving forward, stay together and leave together. He enjoined the youth to be optimistic; in every activity they carry-out for the good of the country. while calling on them to confined every bid of projects they intend to realize into the hands of God.
West Region Ready for Celebrations
Talking about preparations carried-out ahead of national day celebrations, Awa Fonka Augustine said the entire Region is ready, anxiously waiting for the D-day, mobilisations and preparations have reached fever pitch. He adds that, it is the wish of children, women and men of all linguistic background, cultural diversity to express belonging to come as one and prove to the world that despite their differences they belong to a great nation called Cameroon. At the level of Bafoussam, he said commissions have been put in place, with cultural and sports activities to be on spotlight. A Cultural village is envisaged, where visitations will be opened for all, to learn from the economic, cultural and social potentials of the Region. “The National Day is always the feast day for the celebration of the national army, it will be an opportunity to show, to the society, what they can do. Among our activities is that, which has to do with the military and the civilians, coming together to clean the city, talk and walk together,” he said.
The traditional march past celebrations has witnessed some major innovations, with a cultural touched, in the domain of pre-national day events, comprising of a cultural march as well as an ecumenical service, that will bring together the various churches, to permit the population pray together.
Regarding the security aspect of the national day, Governor Awa Fonka Augustine reassured that, the competent commissions have been urged to take their responsibilities, although it is the daily responsibility of the governor as well as the administrative authorities to ensure the security of persons and their goods. Concerning the maintenance of public order before national day celebrations, he raised issues of challenges like incursions of kidnappings within the border zones of his area of administration, calling on authorities to remain vigilant throughout the festive period, to track-down any unlawful activity that may arise.
Spotlighting development in the West region
There are several developmental projects underway, in the West Region as highlighted by Governor Awa Fonka Augustine, with the latest being the ongoing rehabilitation of the Dschang Cliff, nearing completion thanks to the efforts of the Chinese company. “We’re very pleased that government invested huge sums for the rehabilitation of that area. As well as with the technology that has been put in place, to help vehicles ply that stretch of road,” Governor Awa Fonka added. “Compared with other areas, we’re one of the most privileged Regions, with important infrastructures and stretch of roads. Our Divisions are inter-connected, several Subdivisions are equally tarred. Government is doing, well to ease inter-connectivity in our Region. In terms of schools, hospitals that has been put in place, I think we are the best and thank the State for taking care of us,” he explained.
Lauds Elites Support in promoting Youth Employment
Governor Awa Fonka Augustine congratulated the elite of the entire West Region, on their collective efforts to boost youth entrepreneurship. He said the Region is working hard to see into it that more investors come into the Region, adding to the huge investment of the elite. He outlined efforts made to empowered the youth and urged them to seize the opportunities that has been put in place by government, and to part-take in job creation.
“Presently a team is going round, giving and sensitizing the youth on the modalities for them to fulfill, to benefit from the 50 billion francs Special Support Funds, put in place to enhance youth entrepreneurship and the creation of small projects. I think, the young people are quite enthusiastic about such an initiative,” he said.
Living-together at centre-stage in West Region
Reputed for its cultural diversity and peaceful co-existence, as a result of its territorial boundaries with the North West and South West Regions, the Governor said the presence of internally displaced persons from the two English speaking regions, affected by the longstanding armed conflict is a clear testimony that the West Region is a perfect place for co-existence and living together. “The population has been well sensitized to accommodate these our brothers and sisters who ran away from the armed-conflict in the NW/SW Regions. And in all the Divisions, they are being harbored and encouraged to carry-out their activities be it commercial, economic, livestock or agriculture. Our Region has been very welcoming and we continue to thank the population for that. And encouraged the elite, as well as, administrative and municipal authorities to work in that light. While hoping that what has befallen the two Regions be on a short-lived,” he explained.
Looking at the role of traditional rulers in the promotion of living-together, he said, they have been very accommodating, highlighting how they have been following government directives, to harbor some of these internally displaced persons in their respective communities. “We discovered that in the West Region, people are very comfortable in every Division of this Region. You will never hear, as you may find elsewhere cases of people that have been chased away in any part of the West Region, it doesn’t go like that here. And the chiefs in particular are playing a great role that IDPs are comfortable in their communities,” he said.
Governor outlines challenges and way forward
He said youth unemployment remains one of the major challenges faced. Although he calls on the collaboration of the elite and local administration in that domain. He urged the youth to believe, in the strategies put in place, by government. Security remains a serious challenge as stated by the super-scale senior administrator, due to the armed conflict rocking the NW/SW Regions. He called on the forces of law and order; to continue ensuring that, they protect the population and their goods.” In the respective communities, there is a great need for our vigilante committee to be active, so that they defend our citizens,” he ended.
He added that urban disorder, notably reckless driving from bike riders, causing accidents, in the Region has become a call for concern. He said they are calling on citizens, especially motorcycle and vehicle owners to be more prudent, and to use the roads in a manner, that could provide safety, not loss of lives of persons. He emphasized on the need to respect highway codes.
