At 8th NW Regional Handicraft Exhibition in Bamenda: Ingenious craft persons distinguished, 45 selected for upcoming int’l fair in Y’de.

The exhibition was organised by the North West Regional Delegation of the Ministry of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts, MINPMEESA, in collaboration with local administrative authorities. 

The exhibition was organised by the North West Regional Delegation of the Ministry of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts, MINPMEESA, in collaboration with local administrative authorities. 

Placed under the distinguished patronage of the North West Governor, Aldophe Lele Lafrique, the exhibition held in Bamenda from Wednesday November 22 to Friday November 24. 

It was under the theme: “Digitalisation: A great Opportunity in enhancing visibility for the commercialisation of craft products in the Region”.

The 8th edition of the Regional Handicraft Exhibition brought together over 100 craft persons and craft enterprises from the all the seven Divisions of the North West Region.

During the three-day event, all the craft and arts persons exhibited their products in the stands, which were visited by the authorities.

Cross section of authorities and craft persons during opening of event 

Build-up to 2023 NOWETHEX

Participants at the regional exhibition were those retained from the close to 1,000 award-winning craft persons during Divisional selection process, which started earlier this year in all 34 municipalities of the region.

Traders of craft products that are not produced by them, organisers disclosed, were excluded from the exercise in order to permit producers reap the benefits attached to their work. 

Officials also disclosed that a jury of five competent and skillful personalities evaluated and selected the best products in various municipalities in order to ensure the process was free and fair.

Jury members, officials added, were guided by different criteria including originality of craft work, functionality of the craft work, aesthetics of the craft work (technical quality and finishing), cultural representation and added values from local raw materials, in order to make right choices. 

The jury also evaluated mastery of ICTs, consideration of gender status of craft persons, disability status of the craft persons, youthfulness of the craft persons, and traceability of input. 

Enter NW MINPMEESA boss 

In a technical presentation of NOWERHEX at the launching, the North West Regional Delegate of MINPMEESA, Ngangjo Cliff Ntutieh, said the exhibition is a forum for healthy emulation and competition for craft persons of the region. 

The exhibition, he added, is an opportunity given to craft people to showcase and develop their products with goal to create 42 periodic markets that will enhance visibility and patriotic consumption of craft products in the North West Region.

Ngangjo said the exercise is based on the orientation of the National Development Strategy, SND2030, which focuses on the structural transformation of the economy and the promotion of import-substitution, to boost industrialisation or the development of the secondary sector. 

“This biannual activity is therefore aimed at promoting private initiatives and improving on the visibility and consumption of craft products. Hence, permitting promoters of this sector to create employment and generate wealth,” Ngangjo said. 

The event, he also said, is used to promote associative groupings, share experiences on issues linked to the development of the activities of those in the sector, network and create contacts with craft people of other regions, promote digital marketing amongst craft persons and enterprises, as well as establish a handicraft map of the region.

The implementation of the activity in the region, he told guests, was is in accordance with the programme management protocol of the Ministerial Decision No 23/00039/MINPMEESA/SG/DAJ of 04th May 2023. 

The theme of the exhibition, the North West MINPMEESA boss said, raises concerns on how craft persons can use digitalisation as a tool for marketing, as well as the contribution of networking to boost sales and patriotic consumption of Made in Cameroon label in the Region. 

The North West MINPMEESA boss also used the launching to present analysis and indicators of the contributions of craft persons per Division in the Region. 

Authorities flanked by participants brandishing certificates 

45 crafts persons selected to represent NW

The 2023 NOWERHEX ended with the selection of 45 distinguished craft persons to represent the North West Region at the 8th Edition of the International Handicrafts Exhibition in Yaoundé.

Prizes were also awarded to the ten best craft persons, varying in order of merit as well as certificates of participation and distinction to 128 deserving craft persons. 

The Regional Delegate of MINPMEESA called on the 45 craft persons to work harder and bring back amazing prizes as they prepare for the international fair. 

The selected craft men and women also promised not to fail the North West Region at the upcoming international fair in Yaounde.

Those who were not selected were urged to go back and improve on their products so as to win next year.