The North West Regional Youth Rally 2025 took place in Bamenda on Thursday 24 July, drawing young people from all seven divisions of the region under the theme “Understanding the times: The beginning of a new dawn and a new narrative.” Organised by the Cameroon National Youth Council (CNYC) North West Bureau, the rally was attended by city officials, traditional authorities, and senior representatives of the state administration.
Dr Peter Taniform addressing the youths
The keynote speaker, Dr Peter Taniform, an elite of the region from Bamendakwe village and lead transport specialist at the World Bank, used the occasion to call on the youth to rise above the challenges of the past decade and actively reclaim their future. In a speech that combined realism with hope, Dr Taniform acknowledged the deep scars left by the ongoing armed conflict but urged the youth not to remain trapped by them.
“This is not just another event. This is a turning point. A time to understand the times and to know what we should be doing.” he said
Dr Peter Taniform began by acknowledging the enormous disruptions young people in the North West Region have faced due to the protracted conflict. He highlighted the collapse of the education system at the height of the crisis, with over 90% of primary schools and 80% of secondary schools shut down between 2016 and 2019, and more than 500,000 children left out of school.
He noted that over 2,000 schools are still not fully functional, with regular weekly lockdowns contributing to a decline in youth literacy, now estimated at 70%. The region, once proud of its high academic achievement and a strong contribution to the national civil service, has seen its progress reversed.
“Behind each statistic is a broken dream. A business idea that never started. A future that has been interrupted,” Dr Taniform said, urging the region to confront its realities without fear.
Other challenges mentioned included a 45% increase in teenage pregnancies, high youth unemployment, rural-urban displacement, weakening of community ties, and rising juvenile delinquency and drug use.
Dr Peter Taniform during event
Despite the dire situation, Dr Peter Taniform offered a hopeful outlook, arguing that the demographic strength of the youth who make up more than 60% of the region’s population is a major asset if properly harnessed.
“Some may look at our youth and see anger or frustration. I see creativity, innovation, and power. I see coders, musicians, farmers, future business owners and national leaders,” he said.
He proposed three immediate and practical initiatives to help rebuild confidence and opportunity among the youth beging with the need for a secure online space where young people can showcase their projects and skills to connect with mentors, partners, and sponsors. Access would be based on background checks and commitment to excellence, a listing of accredited youth service providers grouped by skill and rated based on performance, aimed at increasing employment and visibility for young professionals and a campaign to identify and honour national and local legends, role models, and community heroes through school-based competitions. The initiative, in partnership with the education sector, seeks to inspire young people by showcasing real life examples of excellence and impact.
Dr Peter Taniform revealed that these proposals are the result of collaboration with the CNYC North West leadership, headed by Rev. Mekom Samuel.
Looking ahead to the October 2025 presidential election, Dr Peter Taniform reminded the youth of their responsibility to remain peaceful and constructive in the face of political uncertainty.
“Don’t be misled. Don’t be derailed. Your responsible stewardship is critical in determining the future you aspire to.” he warned
He stressed that true change will come not through violence or division, but through innovation, hard work, and moral leadership.
The rally received strong backing from the Mayor of Bamenda I, City Mayor of Bamenda, administrative authorities, and traditional rulers, who all expressed a common desire to support youth-led development. In his remarks, Rev. Mekom Samuel of the CNYC described the rally as “the beginning of a real shift” and praised young people for their turnout and commitment to positive change.
Once hailed for its high literacy rate and entrepreneurial energy, the North West Region is being called to rediscover its potential. Dr Peter Taniform reminded the crowd of Bamenda’s past status as a commercial hub and education stronghold and warned against repeating the mistakes of the past.
“We declared ghost towns, and we lost our educational advantage. We can’t afford to lose again,” he said.
Closing his speech, he offered a final call to action, quoting Martin Luther King Jr.:
“If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. But by all means keep moving.”
About Dr Peter Taniform
Dr Peter Taniform is a seasoned infrastructure and transport expert with over two decades of experience spanning public service, the private sector, and international development. He currently serves as Lead Transport Specialist and Program Leader at the World Bank, where he focuses on designing and supervising projects in fragile and conflict-affected regions. He is widely respected for his policy work in trade facilitation, road safety, regional integration, and youth empowerment.
By Bakah Derick for Hilltopvoices Newsroom
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