The new government formed by the Head of State, President Paul Biya on Friday night, December 9, 2011, has already started work following the commissioning of the new members of government into their functions by the Prime Minister, Head of Government Philemon Yang. The putting in place of the government comes exactly two months after the October 9, 2011 presidential election in which President Biya won by 77.98 percent of the votes cast.
The commissioning ritual started on Saturday, December 10, ended on sunday, December 11 with the new Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of the Supreme State Control Office, Henri Eyebe Ayissi taking over from Siegfried David Etame Massoma. Shortly after taking office, the cabinet ministers made the first outing at the Yaounde Omnisport Stadium where they joined the Head of State in the final of the Football Cup of Cameroon which also marks the end of the 2011 sports session.
Prime Minister Philemon Yang started the commissioning ritual at the Star Building where Louis Paul Motaze took over from Jules Doret Ndongo as the new Secretary General of the Prime Minister’s Office. Throughout the commissioning of Ministers and Ministers Delegate into their functions, Philemon Yang had identical recommendations. On behalf of the Head of State, Paul Biya, he thanked the outgoing ministers for their services rendered to the nation and wished them good luck in their future activities. For the incoming cabinet ministers, the Prime Minister congratulated them on their appointments. He recommended team spirit, frank collaboration, unalloyed loyalty and commitment to work. The Head of Government also wished them success as they carry on the mission of building the nation.
It was difficult in many ministries to believe that the commissioning rituals were taking place on a non-working day, Saturday. Not only were senior staff of the respective ministries present for the event, junior staff, a host of family members and friends of the appointed members of government, filled the ceremonial halls and the premises. The regions of origin of the new cabinet ministers could easily be identified through dance groups and other cultural groups in uniform. Other jubilant celebrants were also dressed in President Paul Biya’s ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) uniform.
