By Ikome Christie-NoellaEposi in Buea
The National Coordinator of the “Make Bamenda and Buea Great Again” project, Jean-Marc Afesi Mbafor has told the youths of the two English speaking regions that there is a need for everyone’s mindset to have a reboot in order for peace to totally return to the South West and North West regions of the country.
He was speaking at the Catholic Hall, Molyko-Buea Friday, August 12 2022 during the grand launch of the MBBGA project. He mentioned that the project was developed from a simple and verified observation which is the destruction of what were once great communities, thriving societies and regions.
Talking on what can be done to break the vicious cycle of destruction and downward spiral of communities as well as how quiet, peace, joy, freedom and prosperity can be regained; the coordinator explained that it’s all about changing the mindset and giving room to better opportunities and a better future. He also revealed that there are four simple yet engaging and therapeutic activities which will help everyone grow progressively such as creative writing competition for community development, MBBGA brand ambassador/MBBGA heroes/sheroes, MBBGA academic excellence awards and Build Back Better community awards.
“MBBGA is a youth-led grass root initiative aimed at rebuilding our communities and bring a positive to our thought patterns with regards to the two restive regions of the South West and North West regions in general and our local communities in particular” he noted.
A keynote address was presented on youth, peace and development followed by other presentations on ‘youths and importance of social cohesion’ by Dr. Manka Eileen Tabuwe and a presentation on ‘using your talents to empower yourself and change lives’ done by KwohElonge. The grand launch of the project was characterized by presentation of peace poems and essays, musical performances, traditional dancing etc.
In an interview granted to the press at the close of the ceremony, the coordinator Jean-Marc Afesi Mbafor stated that initiative aims at bringing a positive mindset reconditioning to the youths. He noted that the Prime Minister, Chief. Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute welcomed the initiative and gave his consent and distinguished patronage to host this event. “This is our own little contribution which has been in the laboratory since 2019 geared toward the reconstruction that is ongoing. We also intend to build back better by engaging communities who can rally together, think together about a local micro-project targeted towards developing their communities” he noted.
Explaining what has been done thus far at the regional level, the MBBGA regional coordinator for the SW, Edmond Njoh said coordinators from all the divisional headquarters in the region have been put in place to transmit the information to their respective divisions/communities.