NW governor threatens to ban cultural event
By Stephen TADAHA
Uncertainty arose just days to the scheduled opening of the maiden edition of the Peace and Heritage Festival of the North West Region scheduled to hold 1 December 2024. North West governor, Adolphe Lele L’afrique threatened to annul the event that will be organized by the Association of Heritage Festival of the North West (AHFONEWE).
AHFONEWE’s request for legalization was also recently rejected by Simon Emile Moh, SDO for Mezam, citing the non-respect of some legal instruments governing the organization of cultural festivals.
In a document on November 27, 2024, the administrative authority drew the attention of the President of the North West House of Chiefs, His Royal Majesty, Fon Yakum Kevin Teuvih who doubles as Vice President of the Regional Assembly on the regulations governing the organization of festivals in the country.
Fon Yakum also said the association is unrecognized and “activities organized under its umbrella will be considered as an attempt to breach the much-cherished public peace yearned by the North West population and may attract corresponding administrative sanctions”
Fon Yakum is accused of denying the chairmanship of the organizing committee of the Heritage Festival and later created, AHFONEWE.
Back in August, the traditional ruler led a delegation of North West traditional rulers to meet the Arts and Culture Minister in Yaoundé, to announce the holding of the festival which seeks to promote the rich cultural values of the Grassfields Region.
