SW Regional Assembly Gets New Leaders, Bakoma Elango Secures Second Term.

Southwest Regional Assembly elected some new members into the bureau though, Bakoma Elango Zacheus was re-elected as President for a second term.

Chief Richard Kombe Ndike of Mondi Village, Tiko, was also elected as Vice President of the SW Regional Assembly and President of the House of Chiefs replacing chief Atem Ebako.

All eight members of the South West Regional Assembly bureau include: President; Zacheus Bakoma Elango, Vice President and President of the House of Chiefs; Chief Kombe Ndike Richard (new), Commissioner Economic Development; Same Samuel Mesape (new), Commissioner in charge of Health and Social Development; William Elangwe Itoe, Commissioner in charge of Education, Sports and Cultural Development; Walters Tarkang Ayuk, Secretary House of Divisional Representatives; Effoe Limunga Rebecca, Secretary House of Chiefs; HRM Ojang Eno Cyprian (new), Questor; Ntemngwa Fomenky Nicodemus (new).

The executive was elected through a list system voted on by 97.7% of the participants. Eighty-nine participated, among whom was one proxy. Out of the 87 that voted, there were two null ballots.

The elections took place under the coordination of the oldest house member, Hon. Ntuba née Beatrice Mbone Epie. Supervised by Governor Bernard Okalia Bilai in the presence of Minister Mbayu Felix representing the CPDM Central Committee and Minister, Director of Cabinet at the Prime Minister’s Office Balungeli Confiance Ebune.

The newly elected Bureau members will serve a five — year mandate, a significant development in the region’s decentralisation policy.

The South West Regional Assembly, a key institution in Cameroon’s decentralisation efforts, is responsible for implementing the region’s Special Status. This status, a recommendation of the 2019 Major National Dialogue, aims to address local governance, development, and cultural specificities in the South West and North West Regions.

Speaking after his re-election, Bakoma Elango expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him.

He highlighted the Assembly’s progress in improving living conditions during his first term and pledged to build on this momentum. “Our first major project during this second mandate is the construction of the headquarters of the South West Regional Assembly, “he announced. Governor Bernard Okalia Bilai congratulated the newly elected officials, emphasizing the importance of peace and development.

He called for unity and the prioritization of infrastructure, education, health, and social cohesion. Chief Richard Kombe Ndike, who also serves as Vice President of the Assembly, thanked his supporters and outlined plans for innovation during his tenure. Felix Mbayu, Minister Delegate to the Minister of External Relations, praised the peaceful conduct of the elections and called for accelerated development in the region.

The South West Regional Assembly’s new leadership is poised to tackle the challenges of local governance and development, with a focus on infrastructure and social cohesion.