Nkambe's award is not just outstanding for its local impact, it stands out on a national scale. Emerging as the second cleanest town in Cameroon, Nkambe surpassed 34 other councils in the North West Region and outperformed over 358 municpal councils across the country.
The experience
It’s a typical Thursday morning in Nkambe. The sound of brooms sweeping the streets and the chatter of residents fill the air as people gather at various points in the town for the weekly cleanup campaign. Leading the charge is Mayor Musa Shey Nfor, who doesn’t just supervise but actively participates in the cleaning. Under his leadership, Nkambe has developed a reputation for being one of the cleanest towns in Cameroon. This determination culminated in an outstanding achievement on World Habitat Day 2024 celebrated on Monday 7 September 2024 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, where Nkambe was named the second cleanest town in the country after the Ebolowa II Council.
Mayor Musa Shey Nfor running clean up campaign
This award, announced in Ebolowa, South of Cameroon, marked Nkambe’s rise from its sixth-place finish in 2023 to second place this year. The award was accompanied by a 60 million FCFA project grant, further boosted by a 1.5 million FCFA special prize from Hysacam, the waste management company. This recognition is no doubt the culmination of years of hard work by the community, led by the tireless efforts of the council and its residents.
The Mayor’s vision: clean habits, clean city
Nkambe’s journey to this point wasn’t easy. It required not only resources but also a shift in mentality. Mayor Nfor has been at the forefront of this change. His Clean Habits, Clean City campaign, launched early in his tenure, has become a staple in the lives of Nkambe’s residents. Every Thursday, without fail, the town comes together to clean public spaces, homes, and streets. The refuse collected is placed at designated points, waiting for evacuation by the council’s waste disposal team.
This weekly campaign is more than just a cleanup: it's a communal exercise that unites the town. The Mayor often uses these events to remind the people that their efforts are not about winning awards or competing with other cities. "Cleanliness is a way of life for the people of Nkambe," he often says during his speeches. This message has made the Nkambe community to take pride in their town’s cleanliness.
Special cleanups are also organised for major events, such as the back-to-school season, when extra efforts are made to ensure that schools and public spaces are spotless. These events often see the involvement of traditional authorities, commercial bike riders, traders, and business owners, each playing their part in ensuring that the town remains clean and beautiful.
World Habitat Day recognition: a reward for consistency
On World Habitat Day 2024, the hard work of the Nkambe Council was recognised on a national platform. As the town’s name was called out, taking second place in the cleanest towns of Cameroon, a sense of pride swept through the delegation from Nkambe led by Mayor Musa Shey Nfor.
The 60 million FCFA project award will help the council further its clean city initiatives, ensuring that the infrastructure is in place to support these efforts. The additional 1.5 million FCFA prize from Hysacam serves as proof to the town’s exemplary waste management system, which has played a crucial role in their success.
The future of Nkambe (Editor's Comment)
Nkambe’s journey doesn’t end with this award. Mayor Nfor and the council seem more determined to maintain and even improve upon this achievement. Their efforts have created a model for other towns in Cameroon to follow: a model that demonstrates how a combination of community engagement, visionary leadership, and sustainable practices can transform a town.
As Mayor Nfor often says, “Cleanliness is not an event; it’s a habit.” This philosophy has guided Nkambe’s path to success and will continue to shape its future. The town’s rise from sixth to second cleanest in just one year is an indicator to what can be achieved when a community works together for the common good.
In the end, Nkambe’s story is not just about clean streets and awards: it’s about a town coming together, taking pride in their home, and building a future where cleanliness is part of their identity.
Photo credits: Nkambe Council Facebook page
By Bakah Derick
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