To counter calls for ghost towns:

Mercenaries hired to march in Buea on 20th May

By Boris Esono in Buea

Mayor Ekema Patrick knighted by SW Governor

20th May has been commemorated in Buea under the theme “Army and the nation in full synergy for a Cameroon united in its diversity and devoted to the ideals of peace, stability and prosperity".

                Despite calls by unknown individuals for a total boycott of the event, youths and other personalities turned out on massively to celebrate the day.

                Before the march past, some 31 individuals were decorated with various medals of honour. The Mayor of Buea, Patrick EkemaEsunge and the wife of SW Governor, Nicole Okalia were raised to the dignity of Night of the Order of Valor. Others were raised to Officers of the Order of Valor.

                Like what happened during the youth day celebration on 11 February, some strange faces were seen marching under the banner of the Cameroon National Youth Council and the Cameroon Sustainable Network. This created suspicion in the minds of observers, with many suspecting that they were students from the Police College in Mutengene. The individuals had all shaved their heads depicting individuals from the arm forces.

                Yet, it was a colourful march past on Saturday that saw law enforcement officers including Police, Army, the BIR, customs, forest guards and students from a few basic, secondary and higher institutions marching in celebration of the 45th National Day.

                But observers said the march past this year witnessed an unprecedentedly low turnout compared to past years. Though government schools marched, the turnout of students was very low. For instance GBHS Buea had just three students marching.

                No confessional primary or secondary school marched. But the Catholic University of Buea, CUIB, took part in the march past.

                The turnout of political parties was also far from impressive as only the ruling CPDM party showed up.

                While some commentators blamed the low turnout on the heavy down pour that morning, others said it was due to the calls for ghost towns and boycott by the Consortium, SCNC and the SDF.

                Yet, to Governor OkaliaBilai, the event was a success giving the number of people who showed up to demonstrate their civic responsibility.

                "We want to thank the population who came out in their numbers to say no to calls for ghost towns and civic disobedience,” the Governor said. 

                The Mayor of Buea, Ekema Patrick also expressed satisfaction with the turnout.

“I am very satisfied with the turn today. I invite the population to continue to say no to calls for ghost towns in the municipality. Despite the “showers of blessing” that poured this morning, we can say the event was a success," Ekema said, thanking the authorities for recognizing the hard work he is doing in the municipality by raising him to a knight.

                The National day celebration in Buea took place in an atmosphere of ghost towns, with shops closed. Very few taxis also plied the streets.