“Commonwealth Has Remained Consistent As An Indispensable Partner For Cameroon”

What is the significance of Commonwealth Day, and the 2025 theme to Cameroon?
The theme that guides the organisation of commemorative activities to mark Commonwealth Day this year is “Together We Thrive”. Every year, 56 States, representing a third of the world’s population observe Commonwealth Day, on the second Monday of March, on a specific theme that puts the spotlight on the Organisation’s work, as well as Member States’ commitments to the Commonwealth charter. Marking the Day involves converging around shared values and principles, highlighting mutual interests, joint initiatives, progressive partnerships, opportunities for the empowerment of Commonwealth citizens, awards for excellence, and the recognition of positive role models. Within Cameroon, as much as possible, the annual commemoration of Commonwealth Day seeks to replicate the Organisation’s focus on cooperation underpinned by values and principles, as an affirmation of the country’s membership in a family of nations that works together to address shared challenges and promote mutual interests. Consequently, the commemoration of Commonwealth Day has become etched in the annual calendar of national activities, as a rendezvous to celebrate excellence, raise awareness on critical issues, foster collaboration, and encourage discourse on the Commonwealth’s support and action, enabling opportunities for the empowerment of Cameroonians, as well as pathways towards the achievement of various national development aspirations. The annual Commonwealth essay competition enables students and pupils who excel in creative expression to achieve national recognition, while the best start-ups at the Commonwealth Exhibition Village equally receive awards, and strategic access to an influential audience comprising key national and international stakeholders.

 
What were the commemorative activities organised to mark Commonwealth Day in Cameroon?
This year, activities to mark Commonwealth Day reflected the chosen theme, the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) commitments, and other issues that the Ministry deems worthy of consideration, within the ambit of Cameroon’s engagement within the Commonwealth. There are standard activities based on the level of appreciation from the public, and their strategic links to the Commonwealth ethos. These include the Commonwealth Day Exhibition Village, and the National Commonwealth Essay Competition. Other activities highlight intra-Commonwealth trade opportunities, the focus on peaceful and inclusive societies, achieved essentially through inclusive fitness activities, and the Interschool competition integrating the participation of students with special needs. Other activities include the High Commissioner For A Day Project, organised by the diplomatic family of Commonwealth Member States accredited to Cameroon, and several working sessions.

Close to three decades of cooperation with the Commonwealth, how have opportunities evolved over the years to match contemporary development needs and challenges? 
Since Cameroon joined the Commonwealth in 1995, capacity building and scholarships affording access to quality higher education opportunities have been major components of the country’s engagement with the Commonwealth, and represent significant benefits for the Cameroonian population. With rapid technological advancements, and the need for States to match human capital development priorities to evolving needs, the Commonwealth has remained consistent in its role as an indispensable partner for Cameroon, as the country strives to meet the aspirations of its citizens. Commonwealth scholarships and capacity building in various domains have afforded critical skills and knowledge acquisition opportunities for students and government officials, and these opportunities have equally evolved to match the context. These opportunities include access to advanced networking, funding, cutting edge policy and strategy development tools, critical skills, and global platforms,...