Minister Felix Mbayu launches activities marking Commonwealth Week in Cameroon.

A flag-hoisting ceremony to mark the official launching of the commemorative activities for the observance of the 2023 Commonwealth Day in Cameroon, took place in Yaounde yesterday.

The event at the courtyard of the Ministry of External Relations, MINREX, was chaired by Minister Felix Mbayu.

It held in the presence of the British High Commissioner to Cameroon, H.E Christian Dennys-McClure, and a host of other representatives of diplomatic services of Commonwealth member states.

Also present were the Minister of Finance, Louis Paul Motaze and the Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, Paul Tassong.

Minister Mbayu in his address, unveiled a number commemorative activities to mark the Commonwealth Week, ranging from roundtables, workshops, mini-trade fair to sporting and school competitions.

“A workshop on mental health in professional milieu to drive home the importance of wellness at the workplace, the productivity benefits that ensue and to explore ways of blending work and mental health for the benefit of our society will be organised today,” he said.

He added that a round-table on women entrepreneurship to mainstream gender values and showcase Commonwealth value of empowering women will also be organised.

Mbayu also said a special session on economic opportunities is expected to be organised within the framework of the strategic partnership between the Special Council Support Fund for Mutual Assistance, FEICOM, and the Commonwealth Enterprise Investment Council.

“We shall also discover the values of the Commonwealth Trade effects in a mini-trade fair on the grounds of the national museum and test the knowledge and skills of our young people through an interschool competition. Finally, some sporting activities will enable us unite the Cameroonian public and the members of the Commonwealth diplomatic family in a spirit of sportsmanship,” Mbayu affirmed.

Minister Mbayu said these commemorative activities will culminate in the celebration of Commonwealth Day on Monday, March 13.

He then invited the different national stakeholders, business community, academia, and civil society to come together to review the evolution of Cameroon cooperation with the Commonwealth.

Sharing excellent relations

The state of relations between Cameroon and the Commonwealth, which dates back to 1995 when the country gained membership, was also highlighted by Minister Mbayu.

“…in the spirit of coordination and facilitation, the Ministry of External Relations regularly works with all concern stakeholders to raise awareness about Commonwealth priorities and opportunities to widen this information on the associated benefits of our membership and to promote joint endeavours that facilitate the implementation of various policy mandates within the ambit of stakeholders, respective capabilities and mandates,” he explained.

Mbayu furthered that the Commonwealth Week has consistently offered a platform for the consolidation of the mutual relations with various segments of the population through activities that focus on youth, women, various socio-economic, political and security concerns.  

He also emphasised that the weeklong activities earmarked as a build-up to the Commonwealth Day in the country align perfectly with the objectives of Cameroon’s National Development Strategy, NDS30.

“The choice of activities clearly illustrates Cameroon’s adherence to the concept of sustainability through an unequivocal reminder that with the Sustainable Development Goals, Cameroon is committed to leaving no one behind in the march towards emergence,” Mbayu stated.  

He also acknowledged the invaluable support from partner ministries, institutions and stakeholders. “Your multifaceted contributions are eloquent proof of the commitment which you have shown over the years to ensure that Cameroon-Commonwealth cooperation moves to higher heights,” he said.

The ceremony was also marked by the hoisting of the flags of Cameroon and Commonwealth as well as a minute of silence observed in honour of Queen Elisabeth II, who passed on last September 22.