Welcome to Cameroon where the past seems Better than the present

By Hans Ngala

Cameroon is a country that stands at the crossroads of its past and present, with an ever-growing sense that the golden days of yesterday are now but distant memories. From the vibrant, bustling days of Cameroon Airlines to the efficient operations of civil services and thriving cooperative societies, the past in Cameroon has a certain allure—one that contrasts starkly with the realities of today.
If you’ve ever had the opportunity to hear older generations speak about Cameroon’s past, you would quickly notice a common thread: a deep nostalgia for the days when the nation seemed to function more harmoniously and efficiently. From clean streets to robust institutions, many view the present state of Cameroon with disappointment, lamenting how much has been lost. But why is the past always considered better than the present? And what has changed in Cameroon to make these comparisons so stark?

Cameroon Airlines: The Pride of the Skies

Cameroon Airlines, once the flagship of the country’s aviation industry, is perhaps one of the clearest examples of how things have fallen apart. In its heyday, Cameroon Airlines was a symbol of national pride, connecting the country to major international cities and serving as a key tool for the country’s economic growth.

Those who flew with Cameroon Airlines during its golden years speak fondly of its punctuality, professionalism, and the pride that came with being a passenger. But today, the airline is a shadow of its former self, unable to even afford a single Boeing aircraft as was the case when it was called Cameroon Airlines. It’s a painful reminder of a lost era, having been grounded by years of mismanagement, corruption, and financial instability. A once-proud institution has fallen victim to the same systemic challenges that plague many of Cameroon’s public services. The contrast between the past and the present is almost too stark to ignore.

Clean Cities and Efficient Infrastructure

Another symbol of a more prosperous time is the cleanliness of Cameroonian cities. For those who lived in the early decades of Cameroon’s independence under President Ahmadou Ahidjo, the streets were often praised for their cleanliness and orderliness. Urban centers like Yaoundé and Douala were regularly maintained, with garbage collection, proper sewage systems, and green spaces that provided residents with a pleasant environment.

Today, the story is different. Rapid urbanization, coupled with a lack of effective governance and planning, has resulted in a breakdown of public services. Trash is often left to pile up in the streets, sewage systems are overwhelmed, and the once beautiful green spaces have been replaced with sprawling, unregulated construction projects. The basic elements that defined Cameroon’s cities have become casualties of an inefficient system, leading many to yearn for a time when their cities were truly clean and inviting.

Southern Cameroons Police Force: A Model of Discipline

Before the political tensions and eventual conflict that escalated in the Anglophone regions, the Southern Cameroons Police Force was regarded as one of the most disciplined and efficient in the country. This was before the semi-autonomous region merged with French Cameroon in hopes of maintaining its semi-autonomy.

Citizens felt safe, and the police were seen as protectors of public order rather than a source of fear as is currently the case in the centralized system. The force operated with professionalism, integrity, and a sense of civic duty. Today, however, the Cameroonian police force, along with many other public institutions, has been mired in a crisis of legitimacy and functionality. The ongoing conflict in the Anglophone regions has severely disrupted the work of law enforcement and exposed their corruption as they are sometimes accused by rights groups of abuses ranging from extortion to looting shops in some instances and using brute force on civilians. Reports of police brutality, corruption, and incompetence have become widespread. What was once a symbol of pride is now a source of frustration for many.

Cooperative Societies: Economic Engines of the Past

The cooperative societies in West Cameroon were another cornerstone of the country’s economic past. Before the 1990s, these societies played a pivotal role in the local economy, empowering small farmers and communities to work together, share resources, and build sustainable livelihoods. The cooperative model created jobs, enhanced productivity, and offered a sense of collective responsibility that benefited entire regions. It’s no secret that Cameroon’s cooperative societies have largely declined in recent years, with government neglect and a lack of support for the grassroots initiatives that once fueled them. This decline has led to a loss of jobs, income inequality, and social fragmentation. The cooperative spirit that once bound communities together is now little more than a relic of the past.

The Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC): The Jewel of Agricultural Productivity

The Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC), one of the largest agricultural enterprises in sub-Saharan Africa, was once a shining example of effective management, sustainable growth, and a key contributor to the country’s economy. The CDC, including the Ndu Tea Estates (now owned by business tycoon, Ndawara) created thousands of jobs, provided training for workers, and contributed significantly to the country’s export revenue. However, the quality management that once characterized the CDC has significantly deteriorated over time. Today, corruption, underfunding, and mismanagement have plagued the Corporation, and its once-thriving operations have been severely undermined. There have been many instances in recent times, of CDC workers going without pay for months. For many, this is another example of how Cameroon has lost touch with its productive potential.

A Bitter Sense of Loss

The argument isn’t that the past was perfect—far from it. Cameroon faced its challenges in its early years, from post-independence struggles to political instability and economic mismanagement. However, what stands out today is the palpable sense of loss and decline. Many Cameroonians, particularly the older generations, yearn for a time when the country seemed to be on the right track. They remember a time when systems worked, institutions were functional, and the country seemed poised for greater success.
Today, however, that hope is dimmed by the realities of political instability, economic stagnation, and the disintegration of once-functional public services. For many, the past represents a time when Cameroon was a nation of promise, and the present is a reminder of what has been lost. The challenge now is to find a way to rebuild and restore some of the pride, efficiency, and functionality that defined Cameroon in its earlier years. But, until that happens, the past will remain a powerful symbol of what was—and what could have been.