By Ikome Christie-Noella Eposi in Buea
The South West Chiefs Conference (SWECC) has taken a bold step towards strengthening regional unity, cultural heritage, and economic empowerment following its first Enlarged Executive Meeting since the recent elections. The meeting which held at the SWECC Secretariat in Buea on March 15, 2025, brought together newly elected leaders and key stakeholders to strategise on the future of the South West region.
The high-profile gathering, chaired by His Majesty John Ahmadou Mokube, SWECC President, focused on critical issues, including the preparation for the 2025 South West Cultural Festival, increasing membership, strengthening strategic partnerships, and enhancing governance.
Key resolutions: A roadmap for growth
Among the significant resolutions reached, the most anticipated is the second edition of the South West Cultural Festival, scheduled for December 2025. This festival, which was a major success in its previous edition, will serve as a platform to celebrate the region’s rich cultural diversity while fostering unity among communities.
Executive Meeting at the SWECC Secretariat in Buea
Another key decision was SWECC’s commitment to expanding its membership and mobilising contributions towards the construction of the SWECC Heritage Cultural Center, a project aimed at preserving and promoting the region’s traditions. To achieve this, the executive body resolved to conduct visits to divisional and sub-divisional chiefs’ conferences across the region.
Additionally, an official launch of the preparations for the cultural festival is set to take place in the coming weeks, further solidifying the commitment of the leadership towards its success.
President Mokube’s Vision: Transparency, Accountability, and Inclusiveness
Addressing the executive members, President Mokube emphasised the importance of unity and collaboration in fulfilling SWECC’s mission. He underscored that while members represent different divisions, their primary identity is now as custodians of the entire South West region. “Our new responsibility as members of SWECC leadership is our responsibility towards our individual villages multiplied by the number of villages in the South West,” President Mokube stated, stressing the weight of their collective duty.
Saturday March 15 2025 in Buea
He further reaffirmed his pledge to uphold the principles of transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness throughout his tenure. Dr. Mokube highlighted the need to strengthen relationships with government institutions, non-governmental organisations, and international bodies to advance the region’s development agenda.
Leveraging strategic partnerships for sustainable development
One of the key highlights of the meeting was a presentation by Omam Esther of Reach Out Cameroon, who provided insights on strategic partnerships, inclusive governance, and sustainability. She urged the chiefs to engage with the right partners whose strategic objectives align with the development priorities of the South West region. “Our chiefs must leverage traditional authority to act as bridge-builders between local communities, civil society, government institutions, and the private sector,” she noted.
Enlarged Executive Meeting in Buea
Omam emphasised that partnerships should not be based solely on financial need but on shared values and mutual benefits. She encouraged chiefs to establish formal agreements that ensure continuity beyond individual leadership tenures.
Furthermore, she highlighted the role of local governance in promoting transparency and participatory decision-making, urging chiefs to involve women and youth in governance processes to strengthen community trust and stability.
Economic empowerment and infrastructure development
The meeting also addressed the region’s economic and infrastructural challenges, with a call for increased collaboration with organisations like the South West Development Authority (SOWEDA). President Mokube outlined plans to revive past Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with SOWEDA to facilitate the creation and maintenance of farm-to-market roads.
Additionally, there was a strong push for the inclusion of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in regional development. Chiefs were urged to engage with banks and corporate organisations to secure investments in agriculture, natural resource management, and local enterprise development.
Cultural heritage and community identity
In alignment with SWECC’s mission to safeguard cultural heritage, discussions also focused on the role of chiefs in preserving traditions and fostering respect for traditional institutions. Participants underscored the importance of reinforcing cultural identity through structured engagements with educational institutions, media, and the diaspora.
President Mokube proposed that each of the six divisions in the region submit potential names for the 2025 Cultural Festival within the next month. A cultural committee will then review and select the most fitting name to represent the festival’s vision.
Looking ahead: A call to action
As SWECC embarks on this ambitious agenda, President Mokube called on all chiefs to embrace solidarity, devotion, and a shared sense of purpose. He reminded members that their leadership should reflect the collective aspirations of the entire South West region. “The success of our mandate will depend on our ability to work together, remain transparent, and prioritise the well-being of our people,” he concluded.
With a clear roadmap and a renewed commitment to regional development, the SWECC Enlarged Executive Meeting has set the stage for a transformative era in the South West region. As preparations begin for the December 2025 Cultural Festival and strategic partnerships are strengthened, the chiefs are poised to lead their communities towards a more united and prosperous future.