Ambassador lauds France–Cameroon relations at fete of country’s national day.

This was during a ceremony to commemorate the 235th edition of the National Day of France. 

The ceremony had in attendance about 2,000 invitees among them members of government. The Minister of Arts and Culture, Bidoung Kpwatt; the Minister of Communication, René Emmanuel Sadi; the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Celestine Ketcha Courtes and the Minister of Employment and Vocational Training, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, attended the event. Award-winning author, Djaïli Amal Ahmadou, also took part in the ceremony.

The French Ambassador said in the last couple of decades, France and Cameroon have achieved so much in different domains. 

Marchand said both countries still have more to achieve in the coming years as their relations stay on a fruitful path.

The Ambassador recalled the different projects which have been realised and others still ongoing thanks to France’s support in Cameroon.

He cited the Start-up 237 programme, which has been on since October 2023. He said about 100 start-ups have benefitted from the scheme. The diplomat indicated that there has also been substantial support from ministries and other institutions to ensure the project works.

The Ambassador equally cited the DESAUTEL project, aimed at equipping Cameroon security officers with the required skills to efficiently handle hazards. In the domain of agriculture, he mentioned the competitiveness project that has positively impacted 8,000 agro-business projects in Cameroon.

Cameroonian Olympic gold medalist, Francois Mbango, who attended the event expressed gratitude to the diplomat. 

She described herself as being a symbol of friendship and Olympic spirit between Cameroon and France.

By Nieh Mercy (Journalism students on internship)

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3171 of Wednesday July 17, 2024