Biya has reminded youths of illusions, perils of traveling at all cost
By Eratus Ndueh
In his message to the youth on the 58th edition of the Youth Day, President Paul Biya expressed his worry over the growing desire of a section of youths who crave to travel out of Cameroon. Especially when it turns into an obsession and even concerns people who have succeeded in their social integration locally.
He ascertain that Cameroon, like many others in the world, is experiencing a difficult situation. But the solution is not always to walk away.
“Leave, yes, but not at any cost. In addition, know that while you aspire to leave, many foreigners are trying to settle in Cameroon, confirming that it is a welcoming land and a country of opportunities” said the President.
He added that, “In saying this, I do not lose sight of the legitimate aspirations that are yours. Nor the concerns that are those of all the young people of your generation, wherever they are.”
The president reminded his young compatriots, that they are the present and the future of Cameroon. Who are tasked with the responsibility to continue, with faith and determination, the exhilarating work of building this strong and prosperous nation.
Most Cameroonian migrants are in search of greener pastures.
According to the Human Flight and Brain Drain Index, the average value for Cameroon in 2021 is 7.1 index points, which is above the world average of 5.25, based on 173 countries. Most Cameroonian skilled migrants emigrate to neighbouring countries, to Europe, or to the United States. Emigration from Cameroon contributes to brain drain on an on-going basis. According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OSCE), 42.3% of the 57,050 Cameroonians working in Europe are highly qualified. Afrol News further indicates that, according to the Cameroonian Medical Association, 4,200 Cameroonian doctors, mostly specialists, are working abroad and only 800 are left in the country with a doctor-patient ratio of 1:10,000-20,000 in the cities and 1:40,000-50,000 in rural areas, writes Migrant Refugees.
Over the last decade, a considerable number of people have emigrated from Cameroon. According to the most recent publication by Macro Trends in 2021, Cameroon experienced a steady increase in its international migration from 2000 to 2015. In 2005, the number of international migrants from Cameroon was 258,737, a 13.29% increase from 2000. By 2010 it had increased to 289,091, a rise of 11.73% from 2005. In 2015, the number was 381,984, which is a 32.13% increase from 2010. The most recent statistic of international migration as a percentage of the population was published in 2015, and it stood at 1.6%
