Since 2021, the Nkambe Council has been at the forefront of the environmental initiative, "Clean Habits, Clean City," aimed at instilling a culture of hygiene, cleanliness, and urban beautification. What began as a local policy has now positioned Nkambe as a national benchmark in sanitation, with its progress in the annual Clean City Contest reflecting the commitment of both the council and the community. From ranking tenth in 2022 to securing the second position in 2024, the municipality'’s journey has been marked by major national and international recognition.
This success has been largely driven by the determination and commitment of the population, whose active participation in sanitation efforts has reshaped public spaces and reinforced community pride. The council’s sustained investment in infrastructure, waste management, and environmental awareness campaigns has ensured that cleanliness is not merely an annual competition objective but a permanent cultural shift.
In a demonstration of regional solidarity, Nkambe has now chosen to step aside from the 2025 Clean City Contest, redirecting its focus towards empowering Bamenda, the host city of the 2025 National Hygiene and Sanitation event, to achieve the first-place position.
To consolidate its achievements and set new standards in urban sanitation, the Nkambe Council has unveiled a new roadmap.
According to a recent release by the Mayor of Nkambe, Musa Shey Nfor, plans include the construction of a modern waste transformation system to ensure sustainable waste management, the installation of neighbourhood hygiene and sanitation units to decentralise cleaning efforts, and the acquisition of high-performance waste collection and sorting trucks. Efforts will focus on extensive community education on the importance of maintaining clean habits, the beautification of public spaces to align with Ring Road development standards, and the intensification of the town’s regular mass clean-up campaigns.
By stepping away from the Clean City Contest, Nkambe is making a bold statement: true progress in urban hygiene goes beyond competitions and must be embedded in everyday life. The council’s decision reflects a long-term vision where sustainable cleanliness becomes second nature, setting an example for other municipalities across the country.
Even as Nkambe shifts its focus to further strengthening its internal sanitation structures, it remains committed to supporting Bamenda in its quest to clinch the title of Cameroon’s cleanest city in 2025. This spirit of regional cooperation and shared ambition underscores the broader vision of a cleaner, healthier, and more vibrant Northwest Region.
By Bakah Derick
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