A Buea based Cameroonian has decided to renovate the German monument.

For people familiar with the town of Buea, it is not peculiar to see solid blocks or zinc structures on either side of the road, with their basement lifted a few metres from the ground by pillars. These, as well as the gigantic schools, perceived as far down as Bongo Square, amongst others, constitute the rich relic of German stay in Cameroon during the colonial period (1884-1916).

Boarding a taxi from the Buea Ceremonial Ground, Bongo Square, at FCFA 100 upwards to Town, there lies an entrance on the left, just after the Central Police Station. Many Buea citizens ply this road only when under obligation to do so. Either to certify their documents during competitive entrance examinations or when going abroad (Falling Bush), at the Regional Governor’s Office; or forced by academic reasons to visit the Buea Public Archive. Adjacent to the former and opposite the latter, is an immortalized image of a Very Important Personality who, in reality, never visited Cameroon, talk less the town of Buea. The monument of the German patriarch, Otto von Bismarck, one time Chancellor, lying at this crossroad, is adequate reminder of German stay in Buea. However, only a partial view of his face is revealed on the coloured edifice.

The Bismarck Fountain, from where water used to flow, served as a popular meeting spot for Buea inhabitants. People, young and old, used to fetch and drink water oozing from a small pipe just below the Chancellor’s image. But for a long time now, it is referred to as a ‘dry’ fountain, because of no water. It had also taken a depreciating look and had moved to an advanced stage of dilapidation due to neglect. Elephant stalks, grasses metres tall, moss plant, litter, etc, had taken advantage of the situation. Apart from the old block fence that serves as barrier, one would hardly even notice anything significant within the areas.

After a “shameful” encounter with some tourists, John Woloko Ngomba decided to rewrite the story. The 33-year-old tourist guide, resident at Upper Farms told CT: “Some tourists visited and asked to see the Bismarck Fountain. When we got there, the place was very dirty and they criticized it. I felt so ashamed and so, decided to clean it up.” Early every morning, John Woloko Ngomba arrives in the area with a machete and hoe. He starts by clearing away the tall herbs, sticks and filth. Then, he softens the soil by tilling and uses flowers to demarcate the surface area. After which, he plants field grasses around the fountain, before proceeding to scraping the walls. He however remarked that he lacks sufficient material, especially as he intends to paint the walls, thus requesting public support. “If I could have material or financial support, I will renovate this place, so that it may be like in the days of old,” he said.