Financial tTimes Hails Cameroon's Environmental Progress

The Financial Times, an international business newspaper published in London and printed in 24 cities around the world, has hailed efforts undertaken by the government of Cameroon to manage, in a sustainable manner its environment both for the good of man, plants and animals.

On the occasion of the just-ended United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development code-named, "Rio + 20" from June 20 to 22 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the newspaper x-rayed the situation of environmental protection in the country vis-à-vis growing threats from climate change and what government is doing to keep the situation under check.

In a half-page in-depth report captioned, "Cameroon's Commitment to the Green Economy" and illustrated to the right with the photo of a smiling President Paul Biya and beneath with photos depicting the country's rich ecology, the article brings to the limelight what is being done to contain the situation in the country and by extension, Africa. As the paper says, "Cameroon is known as Africa in miniature. How Cameroon adapts will be symbolic for all of Africa."

Revisiting the Head of State's 2035 growth vision as a guiding principle in his new tenure, the Financial Times also highlights President Paul Biya's sustainable development message delivered at the Brazil event by External Relations Minister, Prof. Pierre Moukoko Mbonjo. "Cameroon's abundant forest, mineral and oil reserves can only be harnessed for the country's benefit through sustainable development. The country is making great strides through international conventions it has signed up to and in national and local initiatives."

But a fully sustainable economy, the paper further says, cannot be achieved in isolation. It also brings to the fore programmes and projects like the 2005 National Energy Action Plan for the reduction of poverty, the 2020 railway master plan as well as recent sanctions meted out on polluting companies in the country; describing them as good actions in the right direction.

"Cameroon knows it has much to gain from a green economy. The interview of the Minister of Environment and Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development, Hele Pierre, in a half page, depicts the country's vision on green economy. The country has designated 30 per cent of its territory as protected areas and, since, 2007, has begun a broad operation 'Green Sahel' to restore damaged land in the north of the country. The country has also initiated the regeneration of damaged ecosystems on the coast with the help of local players such as municipalities, communities and NGOs," the interview reveals. "Plans for viable forest management, hydroelectricity development, improvements to the rail network and pollution reduction, offer the potential for jobs, economic growth, poverty reduction and better quality of life," the paper concludes.