The first semester caucus of Regional Governors for this year begins in Yaounde on September 17, 2014.

Governors from Cameroon’s 10 regions begin meeting today, September 17, 2014, in Yaounde under the chair of the Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation, René Emmanuel Sadi. Though the three-day gathering is a routine for the administrators every six months, this week’s get-together is of particular significance.

Unprecedented Challenges

It is the first caucus of the regional administrators since the June 4, 2014, appointment and transfers of Governors in four regions. The theme of the forum, “Administrative authorities, security challenges, real health risks and the implementation of major infrastructure projects,” says it all. The 2014 first semester Governors’ conference comes at a time Cameroon is confronted by two major challenges – Boko Haram-created insecurity in the Far North Region and concerns about an Ebola virus outbreak in the country.

Heightened Public Awareness

Never has Cameroon known such level of public awareness-raising in recent times like it has been the case with the Boko Haram insurgency in the last four months since President Paul Biya declared war against the foreign militant group in May 2014. Political parties, religious bodies, the civil society and administrative authorities, etc, have continued speaking out against the threat the group poses to the security and stability of the country. Such messages have been given tonic by reassuring field reports of repeated military victories against the insurgents.

Ebola, A Lurking Threat

Since the infamous Ebola Haemorrhagic Fever or Ebola Virus first broke out in the then Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC) in 1976, there has never been a more deadly epidemic like what is going on in West Africa and DR Congo today. With almost 2,500 people killed, no signs of containing the viral disease any soon and neighbouring Nigeria affected, Cameroon’s health and administrative authorities have stepped up sensitisation campaigns and preventive measures. The Governors’ roundtable therefore offers yet another opportunity for the administrators to be debriefed on why residents in their regions need to maintain a sense of heightened alertness against Ebola.

Major Infrastructure Projects

As Cameroon looks forward to attaining economic emergence status by 2035, the prompt and proper implementation of major infrastructure projects in the country is key. The Governors’ conclave is therefore a chance to review checklists and see where efforts need to be stepped up for the public to continue enjoying the dividends of President Biya’s ‘Greater Accomplishments’ agenda.