The Mayor of Bafut, D.O and Subdivisional Delegate of Youth Affairs (left to right)
By Neba Jerome Ambe
Bafut came alive on Wednesday as thousands of young people turned out to mark the 60th edition of Cameroon’s National Youth Day, offering a powerful display of unity, patriotism and renewed hope for peace in the municipality. The celebrations culminated in a colourful march-past that brought together youth groups, political movements and public institutions.
Presiding over the ceremony, the Divisional Officer for Bafut, Forku Djokem Andelys, commended the impressive turnout, describing it as a clear expression of the youths’ attachment to the unitary state and their commitment to national cohesion.
“The youths have come out in their numbers to demonstrate their patriotism and loyalty to the unitary state,” the senior administrative official stated. He added that beyond the annual message of the Head of State, the celebration served as a reminder to young people, particularly in the North West Region, of the need to embrace peace, seize available opportunities and actively contribute to national development.
The Divisional Officer also praised the dynamism of Bafut’s youth population, noting that local authorities, especially the council, have made commendable efforts to create platforms that encourage productive engagement. According to him, the presidential call for job creation is gradually taking shape in the municipality, with young people increasingly venturing into diverse sectors of economic activity.
“What we witnessed today is a clear manifestation of zeal, resilience and commitment to unity and stability,” he added.
Addressing the gathering, the Lord Mayor of Bafut Council, Ngwakongoh Lawrence, expressed gratitude to the youth for their massive participation, describing it as both encouraging and motivating for local leadership.
“I sincerely appreciate the youths of Bafut for turning out in such numbers to celebrate this important day,” the mayor said, while acknowledging that significant challenges remain. He noted that Bafut is one of the largest subdivisions in Mezam Division, with an estimated population exceeding 180,000, a reality that places enormous pressure on local authorities to meet the varied needs of young people.
The mayor used the occasion to renew his call for deeper decentralization, urging line ministries to fully transfer competencies and resources to councils. Such empowerment, he argued, would enable councils to implement more development-oriented projects capable of generating employment and providing opportunities for youth with technical, vocational and professional skills.
CPDM militants posed for a family picture to immortalise the event
The President of the CPDM Youth Wing in Bafut, Kongni Herman, also praised the resilience of young people in the Subdivision, particularly in the face of the socio-political crisis that has affected the area for nearly a decade.
He described the Youth Day celebration as the culmination of activities that began on February 1, emphasizing that for the past nine years, youth in Bafut have played a vital role in promoting peace through dialogue, sensitisation and community engagement.
“Our young people have continuously worked with their peers, elders and community leaders to promote peace as the foundation for development,” he said. He stressed that while the government and councils are making efforts to create opportunities for youths, these initiatives can only thrive in a climate of peace and stability.
This year’s celebration carried added symbolic significance, as it marked the first time since the outbreak of the Anglophone crisis that staff of the Sub-divisional Delegation of Youth Affairs in Bafut participated in the march-past, dressed in full ceremonial attire.
Other groups, including the Cameroon National Youth Council and CPDM supporters, also took part in the parade, reinforcing messages of unity, resilience and national renewal. As the curtains fell on the 2026 National Youth Day celebrations, one message resonated clearly across Bafut: despite years of hardship and uncertainty, the municipality’s youths remain central to Cameroon’s quest for peace, unity and sustainable development.
