Choosing The Right Path

Faced with the security challenges in the North West and South West Regions, government has come up with several mechanisms to ensure a return to peace and stability. Coupled with external problems and natural hazards sometimes mostly caused by climate change and human incivility, sacrosanct measures are needed. Cameroon, the land of potentials and football icons which is referred to as “Africa in miniature,” has for several years been known as a haven for peace, till the commencement of Boko Haram attacks in the Far North and the socio-political tensions in the North West and South West Regions. As a recommendation of the Major National Dialogue, the Presidential Plan for the Reconstruction of the North West and South West Regions (PPRD-NW/SW) was instituted. 
A synopsis of the plan gives an emphasis on reconstructing destroyed infrastructure, revamping the social economy and promoting social cohesion. Budgets have been adopted, with short, medium and long term plans well elaborated. The underlying objective is to ensure peace reigns in the troubled regions for sustainable development to be effective. Building-back-better is the operating concept of the plan. Unfortunately, reconstruction efforts are at a slow pace compared to what was projected, due to the fact that destruction and attacks on the population persist in some areas. A case in point is the most recent unfortunate incident at Nacho junction in Bamenda II Subdivision, Mezam Division on Sunday July 16, 2023 that resulted in ten deaths. These are acts that scare development stakeholders. Palatable development takes place in an atmosphere of peace, which means peace is the flour in which the national cake needs to be baked. Here, the government, just like the population need to play a pivotal role in attaining this objective. Cameroon, currently in its phase of implementing the National Development Strategy 2030 need...