Northwest Region (Cameroon)

Northwest Region
Region
Country	Cameroon
Departments	Boyo, Bui, Donga-Mantung, Menchum, Mezam, Momo, Ngo-Ketunjia (Ngoketunjia)
Coordinates	6°20′N 10°30′E / 6.333°N 10.500°ECoordinates: 6°20′N 10°30′E / 6.333°N 10.500°E
Capital	Bamenda
Area	17,300 km^2 (6,680 sq mi)
Population	1,728,953 (2005)
Density	100 / km^2 (259 / sq mi) (2nd)
Governor	Adolphe Lele Lafrique (2012–)
Location of the Northwest Region within Cameroon

The Northwest Region, or North-West Region (French: Région du Nord-Ouest) of Cameroon is part of the territory of the Southern Cameroons, found in the western highlands of Cameroon. It is bordered to the southwest by the Southwest Region, to the south by the West Region, to the east by the Adamawa Region, and to the north by the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Administration

The Northwest Region (known before 2008 as the Northwest Province) is the third most populated province in Cameroon. It has one major metropolitan city, Bamenda, with several other smaller towns such as Wum, Kumbo, Mbengwi, Ndop, Nkambé, Batibo, Bambui and Oshie. The province saw an increase in its population from approximately 1.2 million in 1987 to an estimated 1.8 million in 2010.^[1] The population density of 99.12 people per square kilometer is higher than the national average of 22.6. The provincial urban growth rate is 7.95%, higher than the national average of 5.6%, while the rural growth rate, at 1.16%, is equal to the national rate. In 2001, according to the Statistical Provincial Services of the North-West Province, the population of the province is young, with over 62% of its residents being less than 20 years old. Therefore, the dependency rate in the province is high, particularly in the rural areas.

Divisions of Northwest Cameroon

Like other regions in Cameroon, the Northwest Region is made up of administrative divisions. The province was created in 1972 with five divisions or departments: Bui, Donga-Mantung, Menchum, Mezam, and Momo. Today, it has seven divisions, the additions being Boyo, which was carved out of the Menchum division, and Ngo-Ketunjia or Ngoketunjia, split off from the Mezam division. Each division is further subdivided, with thirty-one total subdivisions in the Northwest Province. The basic unit of local government is the council, and there are thirty-two councils in the region.

Population

The Northwest Region has many ethnic groups, including immigrants from other regions and countries. Nigeria is well represented, as it borders the region to both the north and the northwest. The native population comprises a variety of ethnic and linguistic groups. The main ethnic groups are of Tikar origin: Tikari, Widikum, Fulani, and Moghamo. The most widely spoken languages in the province include Mungaka, Limbum spoken by the Wimbum people of Donga Mantung Division; Yamba, spoken by the Yamba people also of the Donga Mantung Division; Bafmen, Oku, Lamnso, Ngemba, Pidgin English, Balikumbat, Papiakum, Moghamo, and Nkom. During the colonial period, administrative boundaries were created which cut across ethnic groups and cultures. As a result, parts of some ethnic groups now lie in different divisions and provinces, which is believed to have led to several land conflicts.

In the provinces, the social organization recognizes a chief as its head, also called the Fon. The Fons, who in their tribal area may be more influential than the official administrative authorities, are considered the living representative of the tribal ancestors.

Economy

The economy of the province is predominantly agricultural. According to some estimates, more than 80% of the rural population depends solely on agriculture, including a strong livestock sub-sector. Food crops include rice (planted mostly in the Ndop Plain), potatoes (found in the Bui and Mezam Divisions), and beans (from throughout the province). Maize, plantains, cocoyams, cassava and yams are also produced, and many of these are food staples in the region. Cocoyams are used for making Achu, a staple for the Ngemba people and a widely consumed delicacy. Many groundnuts are produced in the Northwest, mostly from Esimbi. The province is also a major palm wine producer, since the town of Batibo is the palm wine capital of Cameroon. However, wine production in Batibo, though distributed across the country, still lacks the infrastructure and technology to be produced on an industrial scale.

Industry plays a very small role in the economy of the Northwest Province, both in terms of the number of industries and in terms of the number of people employed. Apart from soap production, agricultural processing is the area's major industry. Local crafts also flourish in some parts of the province. These crafts include the production of various works of art such as wood, weaving, and pottery. Fabrication of agricultural tools was also once a significant industry in the region, but has become less significant.

Politics

The Northwest is a stronghold of the Social Democratic Front (SDF) which is one of the main opposition parties of Cameroon. Some Northwesterners feel completely marginalized by the government. There is also a secessionist movement, the SCNC (Southern Cameroon's National Council) whose goal is to secede from Cameroon and form a republic consisting of the English-speaking regions. Much of the SCNC's influence exists in the Northwest. In 2008, the President of the Republic of Cameroon, Paul Biya, signed decrees abolishing "Provinces" and replacing them with "Regions". The Northwest Province subsequently became the Northwest Region.

Natural attractions

Rivers of the NW Region

The Northwest region has unique attractions, including the second highest mountain in West Africa. It is home to many rare birds such as the distinctive red crested Bannerman's turaco, which is unique to this region. There are also many crater lakes such as Lake Oku, Lake Awing, and Lake Nyos. The largest remaining mountain forest in the Northwest Region is the Kilum-Ijim Forest. Menchum Falls, and Abbi Falls in the Mbengwi Division, are also located here.

Medical

The principal public hospital for the Province is the Bamenda Provincial Hospital. The Shisong Hospital, as well as other private and mission hospitals, have helped to resolve the health needs of the region.

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  View of Bamenda, capital of the Northwest Province.

References

1. Government of Cameroon. "La Population du Cameroun 2010" (pdf) (in French). Retrieved 17 March 2013.

• "Background Note: Cameroon". 2010. Government of Cameroon. Accessed 11 March 2013.