PRESENTATION OF THE NORTH WEST
LOCATION
The
North West Region is found within the Western Highlands of Cameroon. It
lies between latitudes 5o40’ and 7o North of the Equator
and Longitudes 9o45’ and 11o10’ East of the Prime Meridian.
It is bordered to the East by the Western Region, to the North West by the Federal Republic of Nigeria
and to the South by the South West Region. The Region has a total land surface
area of 17.300km2 and its close location to Nigeria and the
Western region is of strategic importance to the economic development of the
area.
TOPOGRAPHY
Generally
mountainous and undulating, the North West Region lies within the highlands of Cameroon. The
region is not easily accessible because of the abrupt escapement of the
landscape. Almost all the lands are located in altitudes above 900 meters. The
highest point of the region is Mount
Oku in Bui Division with
an altitude of 3011 meters above sea level while the lowest part is in the
Mbembe Plain (Donga Mantung) around river Donga Mantung with 211 meters above
seal level.
CLIMATE
Generally,
the region is characterized by a short dry season of about four months
(November – February) and a wet season of about 8 months (March – October) with
the months of August and February as the coldest and hottest respectively. This
allows for two cropping seasons at elevations of about 1200m, and a single
cropping season in the higher altitude because of the low ambient temperatures.
The mean annual temperatures range from 14oc to 28oc. High
temperature is common particularly in depressions between hills, such as the
Ndop plain, the Mbaw Plain, the Menchum
Valley and in the Lowland
forest zones. The coldest area is found around Ndu in Donga Mantung and Tatum
in Bui Division. The hottest being the Mbembe area is Ako Sub-Division.
ADMINISTRATION
The
North West Region comprises 07 administrative units: Boyo, Bui, Donga Mantung,
Menchum, Momo and Ngoketunjia. Each Division has Sub-Divisions. Presently, the
region has 31 Sub Divisions and 32 council areas, out which there is one city
council. Bamenda is the regional capital of the North West Region of Cameroon.
ETHNIC GROUPS
The
population of the North West Region is a conglomeration of many ethnic groups
comprising the native population and a significant proportion of immigrants
from other regions and countries, particularly Nigeria. The native population
comprises a variety of ethno-linguistic groups. The main ethnic groups or
tribes are: Tikari, Widikum, and Fulanis. Major ethnic groups in the North West include the
(Nsos, the Koms, the Mbums, the Mettas and the Balis). In the tribes, the
social organization recognizes at its head a chief who is also called Fon. The
Fons are enthroned as the living representatives of the ancestors. Their roles
are significant in the communities.
RELIGION
Traditional
religion with ancestral worship runs across all ethnic groups in the region,
even as Christianity and Islam strives. The Catholics, Baptists and
Presbyterians account for over 80% of the population, while the Muslims are
less than 20%. A small percentage practice uniquely the traditional religion.
From these mentioned groups, only Christianity discourages polygamy. Data from
the 1987 census states that 74% of the population accounted for monogamous
marriages, while 20% accounted for polygamy. Many of these religious bodies or
structures have been a driving force in the development of the area, especially
in the domain of health and education.
POPULATION
Since
1987, the region has been witnessing a rapid increase in its population, which
today stands at about 1.8 million even as unofficial sources put it at about 4
million inhabitants. Population density is about 99 inhabitants per km2
compared to the national average of 22.6. The regional urban growth rate is at
7.95% compared to the national average of 5.6%, whereas the rural growth rate
is at 1.16% equal to the national rate. When the population is considered by
sex, the predominance of the female over the male population is evident. The
working population splits into 47.4% men as compared to 40.4% of women. This is
due to the fact that men move to the city to find jobs while women remain in
the rural area to work on the farms. The overall population of the region is
still a young one with over 62% of residents still under 20 years of age. This
produces a population pyramid that is still broad at the base. The proportion
of persons of above 60 years is very small (4.2%). Consequently the dependency
rate (proportion economically) is high in the region (116 inactive persons to
100 active persons), particularly in rural areas.
TELECOMMUNICATION
The
public switched telephone network operators in Cameroon
is Camtel, Cameroon Telecommunication with the
exception of Boyo, all Divisions in the region are served with fixed phones. Of
the total number of telephone lines in the region, Bamenda has more than 75%.
By the year 2000, new mobile companies, MTN and ORANCE rushed in and installed
mobile network in the region. Almost all divisions are served by these mobile
operators. Internet access is available though largely limited to the city
centre of Bamenda. Numerous radio’s and TV channels animate the region.
HEALTH
Primary
health care facilities exist in some villages in the region. Hospital
facilities provided by government and other denominations as well as private
individuals abound in the urban centers. Distances to rural health centers are
far off and the facilities and staff are not enough in quality and quantity.
The mortality rate continuous to increase and is aggravated by the prevalence
of HIV/ AIDS and other related pandemics.
CULTURE
There
exist no structure in the region for the promotion and mobilization of arts and
cultural heritage. The cinema industry is faced with unfair competition from
video clubs.
SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
The other
social infrastructures such as social affairs, women’s affairs, youth affairs,
sport museums and public libraries generally are undeveloped.
FINANCIAL SECTOR
In the
entire region, five well established banks and four insurance companies can be
identified. There is one big corporative of Credit Unions (CAMCCUL) with head
quarters in Bamenda. CAMCCUL seems to be the only structure that regularly
finances the agro-rural sector as conventional banks and insurance companies
play a relatively negligible role in poverty alleviation in the area.
OVERALL PHILOSOPHY OF THE NORTH WESTERNER
North
Westerners generally believe in national unity and state institutions. They
fought for reunification and have remained stead fast in their beliefs and
convictions. They tolerate various shades of political opinion and get too
hostile only to those who try to impose a particular form of thinking on them.
They have a lot of respect for elders, but only if those elders live up to
expectations. Those who portray North Westerners as terrorists, trouble makers
or “enemies dans la maison” are political bigots who want to give a dog a bad
name in order to hang it. Those who know the North West, but do not love it, hate all
what is beautiful, noble and upright.
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