Bamenda's Cleanup Day: Government and Citizens Join Forces

Bamenda City Mayor Paul Achobong Tembeng recently dedicated several hours to supervise and join forces with traders, council workers, and community members in a major cleanup campaign. This initiative follows the PREFECTORAL ORDER NO 71, signed by Senior Divisional Officer Simon Emile Mooh on December 19, 2025, which proclaimed Tuesday, December 23, 2025, as a City-Wide Environmental and Human Capital Investment Day.

The order called upon all Bamenda residents to clean their environments, including homes, offices, markets, hospitals, and church yards. In light of this declaration, all business establishments, excluding emergency services, were to be closed from 6:00 AM to 12:00 noon yesterday Tuesday 23rd December 2025.

Mayor Achobong emphasized the underlying message of the campaign, stating, “It’s supposed to be a lifestyle. We want to remind our people that cleanliness is the lifestyle of the people of Bamenda. We want to catch up with our past, which made Bamenda the cleanest city in the country. It’s not about a season; it’s about a way of life.”

However, some concerns emerged regarding the timing of the cleanup. Certain traders expressed that the six-hour closure could negatively impact sales and the economy. In response, Mayor Achobong addressed these worries, asserting, “There is no perfect timing for cleanliness. Cleanliness is for all times. I don’t know anyone who wants to celebrate Christmas or New Year in a dirty home. I, as the City Mayor, don’t think I’ll celebrate Christmas in a dirty city, so there’s no wrong timing in it.”

Enforcement of the order was prioritized, with military personnel present to ensure compliance. Reports surfaced of traders having their ID cards confiscated for opening their stalls without participating in the cleanup, and some were even detained for not adhering to the prefectural order.

The Senior Divisional Officer for Mezam called on relevant authorities, including the Divisional Officers of Bamenda I, II, and III, to strictly implement this order.

 Divisional Officer Ibrahima Moussa Ballo and 2nd Deputy Mayor Annatou Achap Abraham were present to support the initiative.

 from our interview with the City Mayor, this Initiative is not just a one time thing as there are plans on the way for continuation.

 

By Bamenjo Petronilla