2025
Grader of Hope: Bafut Council Empowers Villages with Community-Driven Road Project
Grader of Hope: Bafut Council Empowers Villages with Community-Driven Road Project
Bafut, Northwest Cameroon, for the people of Bafut, a rumbling sound on a quiet Sunday morning wasn’t just the arrival of heavy machinery, it was the arrival of long-awaited progress.
On September 21, 2025, Mayor Ngwakongoh Lawrence officially unveiled a newly acquired road grader, a powerful machine poised to transform the rugged, impassable roads that have long isolated Bafut’s 54 villages. The project marks a bold move toward local ownership of development and could become a model for grassroots infrastructure reform in rural Cameroon.
The event began in Nsoh-Bafut, where residents gathered in their hundreds, joined by traditional leaders, to witness the arrival of the grader. From there, the convoy made symbolic stops in Agyati, Nsem, and Njiteh, before halting at the bustling Bafut Main Market. Cheers erupted as the machine rolled in—its presence a striking contrast to the pothole-ridden roads surrounding it.
“This is not just a machine. It’s a solution,” Mayor Ngwakongoh told an enthusiastic crowd of traders and residents. “We are saying goodbye to bad roads and to the days when manual labor was our only option.”
The council’s acquisition of the grader is more than a symbolic gesture. It is a strategic intervention in a community where poor road conditions have long impeded the transport of goods, restricted access to schools and hospitals, and stifled economic growth.
By stationing the grader at the Fon’s Palace under the guardianship of His Royal Majesty Fon Abumbi II, the council is signaling that this is a public asset—not a political trophy. “The grader is for everyone,” the mayor stressed. “It will go where it’s needed, fairly and transparently.”
To ensure equitable use and prevent misuse, a multi-village Caretaker Committee has been established. Comprising representatives from across the municipality, the committee operates under the supervision of the Fon and will manage operations, fuel logistics, maintenance, and scheduling.
“This is a tool of development that belongs to all,” said Fon Abumbi II. “We are committed to protecting it and ensuring it serves every corner of our land.”
The initiative is rooted in community participation and accountability, key principles of effective local governance. Instead of relying solely on external contractors or state intervention, Bafut is taking infrastructure into its own hands, mobilizing both its traditional leadership and its civic institutions.
Early reactions from the community reflect cautious optimism. Civil society groups have expressed interest in monitoring the grader’s use and outcomes, while youth organizations are calling for training opportunities in machine operation and maintenance—ensuring the project builds local skills alongside roads.
Lord Mayor Ngwakongoh Lawrence Presenting the Newly acquired Equipment to the Population in Bafut
Lord Mayor Ngwakongoh Lawrence Presenting the Newly acquired Equipment to the Population in Bafut
Lord Mayor Ngwakongoh Lawrence Presenting the Newly acquired Equipment to the Population in Bafut
Bafut’s First Craft Exhibition Opens New Opportunities
From Local Hands to Global Markets: Bafut’s First Craft Exhibition Opens New Opportunities
In the midst of ongoing socio-political challenges, the people of Bafut are turning to creativity as a pathway to resilience and economic revival. The Bafut Council, under the leadership of Mayor Ngwakongoh Lawrence, on Friday August 8, 2025 organized the municipality’s first-ever craft exhibition, a landmark event aimed at empowering artisans, promoting locally made products, and creating access to new markets.
The exhibition featured 19 skilled participants, many of whom have long been producing exceptional work without the visibility or support to reach wider audiences. By bringing them together on one platform, the council hopes to connect creators with buyers, collaborators, and regional market opportunities.
“This is more than an exhibition; it’s a launchpad,” Mayor Ngwakongoh stated. “We want Bafut to consume what Bafut produces while showcasing our artistry to the world. Hidden talents deserve to be seen, supported, and given the chance to grow.”
Among the standouts was Mr. Neba, whose pear oil, valued for its potential role in managing certain heart conditions, gained public attention for the first time. Another artisan, Emus Ngwa, impressed visitors with intricate wall and table décor crafted from bamboo and raffia, earning an invitation to represent Bafut at the upcoming regional craft exhibition in Bamenda.
For Manka’a Julie, a producer of ginger and turmeric tea powder, the event came with a life-changing reward l, a truck donated by the council to help transport raw materials. “This is more than symbolic support,” she said. “It will ease our transport challenges and boost our production capacity.”
The exhibition displayed a rich variety of locally made products, from traditional attire and cassava-based foods to wood carvings and crafts fashioned from sustainable materials. It underscored how traditional skills can be reimagined for modern markets while safeguarding cultural heritage.
Though Bafut continues to face the lingering effects of the crisis, the event has injected a wave of optimism. By promoting self-reliance, skill development, and local consumption, the council is demonstrating a model of community-led economic recovery that could inspire other municipalities.
As Mayor Ngwakongoh affirmed: “Bafut arts will go international. And when they do, our community will not just survive, it will thrive.”
Participants received certificates of participation at the end of the exhibition.
Bafut Council Leads Agricultural Revival Through FEICOM-Sponsored Initiative
Empowering Farmers for Food Security: Bafut Council Leads Agricultural Revival Through FEICOM-Sponsored Initiative
In a bold move to combat food insecurity and foster community resilience, the Bafut Council has launched a comprehensive agricultural empowerment project targeting crisis-affected populations, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable groups within the municipality.
The project, financed by the Special Council Support Fund for Mutual Assistance (FEICOM) and supported by the Hele Kela Foundation, is part of a nationwide call for councils to invest in nutritional improvement initiatives. Bafut stands out as one of only three councils in the North West Region selected to implement this pilot intervention.
Speaking during the official distribution of agricultural inputs, Mayor Ngwakongoh Lawrence emphasized the long-term vision of the initiative. “The farmers were trained on modern techniques of propagating these seeds to ensure they can share them with other farming groups next year,” he explained. “This will lead to food sufficiency in Bafut. Experts will carry out follow-up visits to ensure farmers comply with proper agronomic practices.”
The project has already impacted several farming cooperatives with the distribution of critical seed inputs: 2,148 cassava stems to the Kuku Farming Group of Bawum, 800 plantain suckers to the Berlingie and Mankaha farming groups, and 350 kg of maize seeds to selected beneficiaries.
Divisional Delegate of Agriculture for Mezam, Abireche Hans Utenogo, highlighted the technical support structure put in place. “Our frontline staff are in the field to monitor progress and ensure this leads to an abundance of food in Bafut,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr. A. Emmanuel, welcomed the intervention, calling it timely and transformative. “This donation addresses a real gap. We’ve been struggling with food sufficiency. The seeds will not only improve the livelihoods of our members but also boost local plantain supply. We’re planning to share with other farming groups. What we need next is poultry to supply manure for our farms,” he suggested.
Beyond seed distribution, the project includes a value-addition component, equipping farmers with agro-processing machines: a palm oil press, a maize grinder, cassava processing equipment, and a rice mill. This aims to strengthen local agricultural value chains, reduce post-harvest losses, and create small-scale agribusiness opportunities.
At its core, the initiative is designed not merely as a handout but as a sustainable empowerment model, reviving agriculture in Bafut as a pathway to food sovereignty, economic recovery, and community cohesion, particularly in the face of protracted socio-political challenges.
As the project continues to unfold, it represents a beacon of solution-focused governance and a replicable model for municipalities across Cameroon grappling with the double burden of conflict and food insecurity.
REPORT OF THE UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE VOLUNTEERS (WHV)PROJECT 2024 AT THE CHEFFERIE DE BAFUT, NORTHWEST REGIONOF CAMEROON
REPORT OF THE UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE VOLUNTEERS (WHV)PROJECT 2024 AT THE CHEFFERIE DE BAFUT, NORTHWEST REGIONOF CAMEROON
Bafut Council Champions Grassroots Sanitation with Municipality-Wide Equipment Donation
Bafut Council Champions Grassroots Sanitation with Municipality-Wide Equipment Donation
In a landmark move to elevate environmental hygiene and foster civic responsibility, the Bafut Council has officially launched a sweeping sanitation campaign by donating essential equipment to all 54 villages within its jurisdiction. The symbolic and impactful handover ceremony took place on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at the Bafut Council Hall.
This initiative, valued at over 100 million FCFA, is part of a broader community development and sanitation program financed by the Ministry of Decentralization and Local Development (MINDEVEL). The distribution included a wide range of tools; wheelbarrows, spades, dig axes, writing boards, and other sanitation materials, carefully allocated according to the specific needs of each village. Dignitaries at the event included traditional rulers, quarter heads, youth leaders, and development association members, representing the collective heartbeat of the Bafut community. Each attendee bore witness to what many described as a defining moment in the council’s decentralization efforts.
Mayor Ngwakongoh Lawrence, speaking at the ceremony, underscored the importance of the initiative as both a health and development milestone. “Today’s donation is not just about tools, it is a call to action. We are empowering our people to take ownership of their environments. Cleaner villages translate into healthier families, greater tourism appeal, and a more dynamic local economy,” the Mayor remarked. He further revealed that in addition to the distributed tools, the Council has acquired a dump truck and tricycles to facilitate door-to-door waste collection, with a view toward recycling and sustainable waste management.
Community voices echoed the Mayor’s sentiments. Representing the Mankwi community, Ngwaka Angeline commended the Council for its inclusive approach to governance and lauded the initiative as a model for effective decentralization. “This effort speaks volumes about the Council’s dedication to holistic development. Including all 54 villages ensures that no community is left behind,” she noted.
Local leaders expressed appreciation for the timely support, especially as the rainy season heightens the risk of waterborne diseases due to poor waste disposal. Chiefs pledged to mobilize villagers regularly for clean-up campaigns and to ensure the equipment is put to good use. Public health and development experts have applauded the Council’s strategy, citing its alignment with national objectives to promote sustainable sanitation, curb urban migration, and stimulate community-led solutions.
Looking ahead, the Bafut Council announced plans to organize training workshops focused on tool maintenance, coordinated clean-up strategies, and best practices in waste management. These sessions aim to ensure the longevity and effectiveness of the initiative. With this decisive action, Bafut is positioning itself as a regional leader in community-driven environmental reform. One village at a time.
Mayor Ngwakongoh Lawrence task youths to return home at Bafut Council Unity Tournament
Mayor Ngwakongoh Lawrence task youths to return home at Bafut Council Unity Tournament
Uniting the people of Bafut through sporting-related activities has been an inborn character of Mayor Ngwakongoh Lawrence. Douala, the economic capital of Cameroon, witnessed the Second edition of the Bafut Council football tournament final on Sunday, March 2, 2025, chaired by Mayor Ngwakongoh Lawrence, who says the aim of the tournament out of the village is to unite Bafut people and bring them back home for meaningful development.
“The main objective of having this tournament out of Bafut is to promote social cohesion, and in this particular edition, we have a message to all the youth that Bafut is set to receive them back home. They should shun fear and return home. Peace has returned in Bafut, and they should come home”, said the Mayor. He added nearly all villages had tested projects from the Council, and all will before municipal and legislative elections in 2026. ” let’s rally behind President Paul Biya for more developmental projects in Bafut,” he continued.
With the vocational training center in Bafut, the Mayor challenges the youths to return home and have themselves trained with skills in various fields. “Soon, we will recruit council police and this recruitment. I am calling on all of them to be ready and prepare their documents for this exercise which will soon start”, Mayor Ngwakongoh Lawrence stated.
Accompanying the Mayor for the football final was the MP of Bafut/Tubah Constituency, who assured the Bafut community in Douala that the tournament in some months to come will be played in Bafut. “I want to first of all thank the Mayor of Bafut Council for organizing this tournament. It demonstrates that wherever our people are, we are mindful of them. I have witnessed with my eyes the reality of what the Bafut people are doing in Douala. We are using this opportunity to remind them to think of home and that this initiative will take place in Bafut in the months to come” said Honorable Agho Oliver.
“If it is happening here. We want to see it happening back home. We know that football is a unifying factor and we are confident that all the sectors in Bafut will be great. Bafut people won. The objective is to unite our people, and we are happy that they are happy. Bafut is not what people used to think. It has changed. The situation has changed due to the numerous projects executed. We are inviting all our brothers and sisters to go home and register for the elections”, added the MP.
The final saw Njimuyah suffer a 2-1 defeat in favor of Njibujnag at the SEBEC hospital field in Bonaberi Douala, as explained by the President of Manjong, Douala Branch coordinated the tournament. “I want to thank the Bafut Council led by Mayor Ngwakongoh Lawrence for organizing such a tournament out of home and here in Douala. During the crisis, we have received more than 1000 IDPs, and this tournament has brought peace and unity. We are making sure that we transmit this peace to the village. We are also here as a family, and by making sure we support each other”, Mulah Augustine.
In attendance were deputy mayors, Councilors, and the elite of Bafut who all appreciated the Mayor’s initiative in uniting Bafut people out of the village.