Bafut Council recently became a member of ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability - Africa, demonstrating its willingness to engage in environmental challenges. The Bafut council, located in Njinteh in Cameroon, was established by decree in 1993 for promoting local development and enhancing the living conditions of residents. Since its formation, the Bafut council has focused on improving farms, market roads, health units and provision of water to the villages as well as planting a council forest.
Mayor Ngwasoh Abel Langsi, a member of World Mayors Council on Climate Change, noted the negative impact of deforestation on the climate and quality of life, thus seeing the need to generate a reforestation project. The result was the Green Heart of Bafut project - leading to the empowerment of the Cameroonian youth to create green jobs. The aims of the project included reforesting mountain tops, protecting water catchments and farmlands as well as educating the younger inhabitants, reflecting the Mayor’s vision of Bafut and Eco City 2020. Through the project, land as well as young employees, food and income opportunities for local population have increased due to the widespread planting of fruit trees and general reforestation. As a result, the project was covered in various media, leading to similar projects in other parts of Cameroon.
