Cameroon: Colourful 2016 Commonwealth Day celebrated in Yaounde
An "Inclusive Commonwealth" was celebrated for a whole week with a variety of events organised.
Commonwealth Day sports walk in Yaounde
Commonwealth Day celebration in Yaounde-Cameroon trully reflected the theme of this year, an “Inclusive Commonwealth” with activities earmarked indcluding a cross section of the Yaounde population.
Organised by the Commonwealth Department at the Ministry of External Relations, with the support of Commonwealth diplomatic missions in Cameroon, the events ranged from a Commonwealth flag hoisting ceremony, whcih marked the beginning of celebrations; a Commonwealth exposition village, a visit to the Yaounde handicap centre, a Commonwealth sports walk bringing together all stakeholders, a national essay competition, media chats and debates.
Activities culminated in a Commonwealth Day ceremony which held on the 14th of March 2016, attended by members of government, heads of Commonwealth diplomatic missions from the UK, Canada and South Africa, youths, handicapped persons, civil society groups, etc.
Speaking during the event, the Minister Delegate at the Ministry of External Relations in charge of relations with the Commonwealth, H.E. Dion Ngute, reminded everyone of the theme of the day, “An Inclusive Commonwealth”, stressing that inclusion is very necessary if Cameroon, a country blessed with a plethora of tribes is to move towards emergence. The same goes for the Comonwealth which must be inclusive for the values in its charter to be a reality in the societies of member states, he added.
During the ceremony six young people from secondary and primary schools in the South West, North West and Centre Regions of Cameroon where given prizes by the British High Commissioner, for their brilliant performance in the National Essay Competition that was organised.
The British High Commissioner to Cameroon, H.E. Brian Olley said:
‘I was delighted to take part in this Commonwealth Day in Yaoundé and in particular to have been able to sponsor prizes for the Essay competition for both the primary and secondary schools groups. I met the six winners who all impressed me with their confidence and energy – they are the future and it is right that we should be encouraging them like this. Well done !’
The Commonwealth Day ceremony in Cameroon ended with the presentation of a certificate of recognition by the Minister of Youth and Civic Education, H.E. Mounouna Foutsou, to one of Cameroon’s Commonwealth Youth Ambassadors and youth peace activist, Achaleke Christian Leke, on his African Region Commonwealth Youth Award.