By Bakah Derick
The Canadian High Commissioner to Cameroon has tasked his colleagues of the diplomatic corps to visit the North West Region of Cameroon despite security concerns. Richard Bale was speaking in Bamenda On Friday 22 April 2022 while visiting the North West Regional Assembly. According to the diplomat, it is only by visiting and engaging with local stakeholders that they can understand the situation on the ground.
Canadian High Commissioner to Cameroon after meeting the President of the North West Regional Assembly.
"I am not the first(to travel to the North West) and certainly not the last... based on my experience so far, it is entirely possible to visit Bamenda but what is the point of visiting for foreign diplomat? It is to engage with a variety of stakeholders be it government, traditional leaders, religious leaders, civil society, private sector and it is only in engaging in that brought variety of stakeholders on the ground that we can improve our understanding of the situation and then ensure that our engagement is better targeted." He said.
While at the North West Regional Assembly for a working session with the institution's President Prof Angwafor III Fru, the Canadian government was appreciated through the High Commission for her support to the region.
"The North-West Region has benefitted in large measure from these multifaceted relations. One can recall the support in the creation of community radios, technical schools and educational grants/ scholarships, the Kumbo water project and others within the human and physical development realm." Prof Angwafor III said
He used the forum to express the wish of his institution and the region in general to twin with provinces in Canada and initiate partnerships and joint ventures between private concerns and or NGOs. Considering the efforts made towards a return to peace in the restive North West Region as well as the expected meetings between the High Commissioner and administrative, traditional and church leaders, Prof Angwafor III has expressed hope for the visit to be a turning point in the region in her quest for sustained peaceful development.
The Regional Assembly through her consultants presented the Regional Economic Development Plan and the Regional Assembly complex to the High Commissioner who has promised to help when possible.
