The recent launch of the 2025 Clean City and Quarter Contest by the Bamenda City Mayor, Paul Achobong, marks a crucial step towards reversing the city’s declining hygiene standards. Addressing quarter heads on February 19, 2025, the Observer237.com reports that the mayor declared an end to the reckless disposal of waste on the streets and into the city’s streams.
“Pouring of garbage in the streams must end within this subdivision. We must consider the people who live downstream,” he said.
Bamenda Mayor at launch of clean city campaignAs part of this initiative, a van will be deployed to collect waste, with biodegradable waste directed to farms for agricultural use. To incentivise participation, the best-performing quarters will receive cash prizes, with the top quarter earning one million francs. His Royal Majesty, the Fon of Mankon, Fo Angwafo IV, lamented the state of the city, recalling Bamenda’s past glory as Cameroon’s cleanest city. The commitment to impose a fine of 15,000 francs on violators demonstrates the resolve to instil discipline and ensure lasting change. While this initiative is commendable, Bamenda’s councils must go beyond contest-based cleanliness and adopt sustainable strategies to maintain hygiene standards consistently.