The United States of America, USA, has since 2005 spent over 140,000 Dollars or FCFA 70 million to preserve Bamoun manuscripts in the West Region and document traditional Baka pygmy dances in the East and South regions.
Speaking in Yaounde on Thursday, June 13, 2013 on the occasion of America's 237th Independence Day, Ambassador Robert P. Jackson said his government is working with Cameroon this year to stabilise and restore the slave port in Bimbia, Limbe in the South West Region. With the theme of this year's independence celebration being cultural preservation, the Ambassador noted that the extent to which a nation values its past may indicate its strength to confront the future.
Talking about cooperation between Cameroon and America in the past three years of his tenure, the diplomat said it had been strengthened in the political, economic and security spheres. For example, the Peace Corps celebrated 50 years of service in Cameroon in 2012 while trade was boosted since the advent of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act, AGOA in 2000. Today, the US is Cameroon's largest investment partner, with trade exceeding 500 million Dollars (about FCFA 247 billion) in 2012.
Other areas of cooperation are sustainable forest management with additional support promised this year for the Central African Regional Programme for the Environment, CARPE, the African Cocoa Initiative to increase quality exports and the provision of meals to school children. Pupils in 150 primary schools in the North Region now receive meals to boost enrolment and performance, reduce hunger and improve literacy, he said.
Four English language scholarship programmes for secondary school students have also been launched to enable them become more competitive for jobs and higher education. On the other hand, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, PEPFAR is America's largest investment today in Cameroon.
The National Day celebration was attended by the Minister of External Relations, Prof. Pierre Moukoko Mbonjo, diplomats and other traditional and national dignitaries.
