Garoua has been awarded the cleanest town in Cameroon, receiving a cash prize of 100,000,000 CFA francs from the government during a ceremony presided over by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Celestine Keutcha Courtes.
The award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the people of Garoua, who have made a concerted effort to keep their town clean and healthy. Garoua is a major commercial hub in Cameroon, and its cleanliness is a source of pride for its residents and visitors alike. The award has been very well received by the inhabitants.
“We work so hard here in keeping our beautiful town Garoua clean. We have even made cleanliness a lifestyle, not only to be awarded but because it is good to stay in a clean and hygienic environment,” said Maimouna Youssoufa, an inhabitant of Garoua.
“I am not surprised Garoua is awarded the cleanest town. The inhabitants of this region are really trying on a daily basis to keep their environment clean from within to without. It is a good thing our lifestyle has been awarded,” said Ibrahima Amos, an inhabitant of Garoua.
Second on the national ranking is Nkongsamba 1er from the Littoral region which found its town awarded the sum of 60,000,000 CFA francs, followed by Ebolowa at the third place with 50,000,000 CFA francs. Tiko in the Southwest region and Mokolo in the Far North region came in fourth and fifth place, respectively, receiving 45,000,000 CFA francs and 40,000,000 CFA francs, respectively.
Tiko and Nkambe Shine
The fact that Tiko and Nkambe, both located in politically unstable regions, were able to achieve such high rankings in the cleanliness competition is a testament to the resilience and determination of their people.
Tiko is a major city in the South West region of Cameroon. It has been the scene of violence and displacement in recent years due to the ongoing Anglophone crisis. Despite these challenges, the people of Tiko have worked hard to keep their town clean and healthy.
Nkambe is a major town in the Northwest region of Cameroon. It has also been affected by the Anglophone crisis. However, the people of Nkambe have also made a concerted effort to keep their town clean and healthy.
The awards received by Tiko and Nkambe are a sign that the people of these towns are committed to building a better future for themselves and their children. It is also a sign that the government is willing to support and reward communities that are making an effort to improve their lives.
“I have been to Tiko a couple of times, and I must confess that it is a serene and clean town. Things are well organised there; the inhabitants are conscious of the state of their environment and always make sure it is neat. The government saw it right to award them that position”. Bertin Nguemi on Facebook.
The cleanliness competition is a positive initiative that is helping to promote a culture of cleanliness and environmental responsibility in Cameroon. The awards received by Garoua, Nkongsamba, Ebolowa, Tiko, Nkambe, and other towns are a testament to the hard work and dedication of the people of these communities.
“The government should continue to support the cleanliness competition and other initiatives that are helping to improve the quality of life in Cameroon,” Roger Bifaga says.
The fact that Douala has not been featured in the Top 10 list of clean towns in Cameroon is not a surprise to many.
“If Douala was awarded, then I would’ve concluded that our government is sick. A town in which you cannot move an inch without seeing piles of dirt at any entrance? The city is dirty and stinky too,” Matanga Hugues reacted on X (formerly Twitter).
“Douala is a sad case. Even in 10 years, it will never receive an award for cleanliness. The inhabitants are contributing daily to making their town dirty” Marceline Ngweki reacted on X (formerly Twitter).
What are your thoughts on the various awards and positions?
