May 20: some Buea Denizens challenge Ghost town and celebrate unity day... By Jemea Teke Ndumbe

 It all began on May 20,1972 when Cameroonians votted unanimously in favour of a unitary system. A day termed by historians as" May 20,1972 Peaceful Revolution". 47years have gone by as the 47th edition of Cameroon's national day is celebrated this year under the theme: "Unity in diversity a major asset of the Cameroonian people in their determined move towards emergence".

Unlike other parts of the country, the south west regional capital Buea played host once again to the 47th edition of the national day. Though gun shots were heard arround checkpoint molyko in the early hours of today precisely arround 3am and the burning  of some shops arround that area, the national day celebration still went on as planned.

Low turn out of the population as only few taxis were spotted in the municipality as the few spectators who came at the independence square were mostly those from clark quarters, small soppo and campaign street since they could easily treck to the ceremonial ground.

The ceremony proper started at exactly 10:20am with the arrival of the governor of the south west region Benard Okalia who chaired the ceremony. After the singing of the national anthem, there was the awarding of medals to some 100 distinguished Cameroonians of the civil service, the military and other sectors with personalities like professor emeritus Ibrahim Kashim Talla and the station manager of CRTV south west Kange Williams being part of those being awarded.

 Tradition once again emerged victorious as the south west chiefs especially the Fako chiefs boycotted the ceremony eventhough the governor had indirectly apologised to the chiefs on  May 8 this year that the chiefs were not going to march as planned but they should energise their subjects to march massively on May 20th but this indirect apology did not yield fruits as only the paramount chief elect His royal majesty Chief Esoka Endeley and members of his traditional council were spotted at the cerenonial ground.

The event however took center stage as the military as usual were the first to match pass the ceremonial ground followed by the scouts, the red cross, secondary schools and other higher institutions.

It should be noted that out of the nine secondary schools that were selected to march only four were present: Governnent High School Buea, Bilingual Grammar School Molyko, Government High School Buea town and Government Technical High School Molyko Buea. The University of Buea and the National Advance School of Public Works were among the higher institutions who took part in  the ceremony. No primary school was really spotted at the ceremonial ground.

 Associations like the Fako Sustainable Network also march pass alongside political parties like the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM) the women's wing of the CPDM was led by the  women section president Dr. Hannah Mbua Etonde. The SDF and CRM political parties boycotted the event nation wide.

Speaking to RNNR, the governor of the south west region expressed satisfaction.

"We have had a wonderful march pass with very important participation of the youths in particular. We are all wicknesses of the fact that everything went well. Our message to the population is that youth should stay calm and vigelant and to collaborate with forces of law and order who are to protect them and sensitise our youths to go back to school" . governor Benard Okalia, said.

Though the obstacles of ghost towns, taxis not circulating, gun shots, the Buea population to an extent celebrated the 47th national day.

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( report sent by southwest correspondence)