Bamenda III is redefining local governance with a deliberate drive toward inclusion. In this conversation, Mayor Fongu Cletus Tanwe breaks down how the council is turning national disability law into everyday action, opening public spaces, services and opportunities to residents who have long been overlooked. This is his clearest account yet of the municipality’s journey toward a community where everyone belongs.
Hilltopvoices: Mr Mayor, you have said the council’s inclusive development agenda is now fully integrated into municipal planning. What does that practically mean for Bamenda III?
Mayor Fongu Cletus Tanwe: It means we no longer treat inclusion as a side issue. Persons with disabilities are now part of everything we do as a council. From project design to events and budget preparation, their needs and voices are considered. This approach follows the spirit of the national disability law, which calls on councils to ensure access and participation for all.
Hilltopvoices: You highlighted that the council has been aligning its work with Law No. 2010/002. How central is this law to your strategy?
Mayor Fongu: The law is fundamental. It sets out the obligation of the State and councils to prevent disability, support rehabilitation and guarantee the social and economic integration of persons with disabilities. Our job is to translate that into action at the municipal level. Every intervention we make, whether in infrastructure, education, health or sports, ties back to the principles in that law.
Hilltopvoices: Infrastructure seems to be a major focus. What improvements have been made so far?
Mayor Fongu: We have made our council buildings more accessible by installing ramps and adjusting entrances. We have also supported the adaptation of school buildings so that children with mobility challenges can move freely. Accessibility is not a favour. It is a legal right, and it is our duty to make public facilities usable for everyone.
Hilltopvoices: Beyond infrastructure, how is the council supporting the daily lives of persons with disabilities?
Mayor Fongu: We have distributed assistive devices such as white canes, wheelchairs and crutches. We provide financial support for children with disabilities and for families in difficult situations. We also listen to the community. That is why we appointed a focal point for inclusion to ensure that concerns are followed up and addressed consistently.
Hilltopvoices: The council has also been active in cultural and sports inclusion. Why are these areas important?
Mayor Fongu: Because inclusion is not only about buildings or documents. It is about belonging. We created the Inclusive Rural Sports Tournament so persons with disabilities could participate in amputee football, goalball and cultural showcases. They also feature prominently in our Festival of Heritage Arts and Culture, FEHACU. These activities help break stereotypes and build confidence.
Hilltopvoices: Some would say these initiatives are ambitious for a council with limited resources. How do you respond?
Mayor Fongu: We acknowledge our limitations, but the law tells us that inclusion is a national solidarity obligation. What we have achieved shows that political will matters. We may not have everything, but we can start where we are. And we will continue to expand the agenda as resources grow.
Hilltopvoices: What are the next steps for the council in advancing this work?
Mayor Fongu: We want to increase accessibility across more public buildings, improve support services, engage more schools, and strengthen our partnerships with organisations of persons with disabilities. We also intend to reflect inclusion clearly in future budgets. Our goal is simple. Bamenda III must be a municipality where everyone, regardless of condition, can live with dignity and contribute.
Hilltopvoices: Finally, what message do you have for residents?
Mayor Fongu: Inclusion is a shared responsibility. The council leads the process, but the community must help sustain it. When we respect persons with disabilities, when we support their efforts and value their contributions, we build a better municipality for all of us.
According to the Mayor, inclusion is not an optional gesture but a duty rooted in law and human dignity. Bamenda III now looks set to deepen its work as it strives to become a municipality where everyone can move, learn, work and participate without barriers.
By Hilltopvoices Newsroom
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