Government envisions waste-free cities
By Stephen Tadaha
Walking through major streets in some urban areas of Cameroon, notably Yaoundé and Douala, has been a nightmare recently, with Cameroonians breathing in polluted air from poorly disposed waste. Imagine walking through these streets, breathing in the fresh air, and seeing a city where waste is no longer a problem but a resource. That’s the vision behind a General Assembly on Urban Waste Management, which opened in Yaoundé on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.
The event, held under the Prime Minister’s guidance, was co-chaired by the Ministries of Housing and Urban Development and Decentralization and Local Development. It brought together government officials and partners committed to improving urban sanitation.
The assembly mainly focused on transforming waste into a valuable resource, highlighting its economic and ecological potential. The goal is to turn urban waste management into a driver of sustainable growth, creating green jobs and promoting local initiatives. The assembly aims to produce actionable resolutions to improve waste management in Cameroon. The initiative is also expected to create green jobs and stimulate local economic growth.
Representing the Prime Minister during the General Assembly, Célestine Ketcha Courtès noted, the goal is to “valorize waste” and make it a “lever of development.” This shift in perspective can have a significant impact on the lives of ordinary Cameroonians, from street vendors to small business owners, who will benefit from a cleaner and more sustainable environment, thus chasing away health risks.
Celebrities in Cameroon recently systematically took snapshots around public trash cans in neighborhoods where waste had invaded the streets. This effort was a means to denounce the poor management of waste in the Country.
