National Bilingualism Day at MINADER: SODECAO Recognized for its Exemplary Commitment!

A Celebration Dedicated to Promoting Agro-pastoral Careers among Youth and Women

At a time when Cameroon reaffirms bilingualism as the foundation of its national unity and a lever for inclusive development, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, His Excellency Gabriel Mbairobe, presided over the celebration of National Bilingualism Day this Friday, February 6, 2026, in the official hall of his ministerial department. The event was held under the theme: "Official Bilingualism and the Promotion of Agro-pastoral Careers among Youth and Women."

This celebration aligns with the national momentum to promote bilingualism and multiculturalism, while highlighting the strategic role of youth and women in the development of the agro-pastoral sector, in accordance with the vision of the Head of State, His Excellency Paul Biya, who has made these two groups major actors in his new seven-year term.

The ceremony brought together officials from MINADER, special guests, and a delegation from the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism (NCPBM). The presence of the Ministry's Secretary-General and several senior administrative officials lent the event a particular institutional character.

The ceremony began with the performance of Cameroon's national anthem, followed by the MINADER anthem dedicated to bilingualism. In her welcome address, the Head of the MINADER Translation Unit, who also serves as the NCPBM Focal Point, recalled that official bilingualism is an essential lever for social cohesion, administrative efficiency, and inclusion, particularly for better communication about the opportunities offered by agro-pastoral careers to youth and women.

A highlight of the celebration, the Cocoa Development Corporation (SODECAO) was honored through a presentation on the operationalization and promotion of official bilingualism within this public enterprise. Alternating between French and English, the Director-General of SODECAO, Mr. Eko'o Akouafane, outlined the objectives, key initiatives, as well as the challenges and prospects related to implementing bilingualism within the institution.

He emphasized that this policy aims to ensure equitable access to administrative information, official documents, and internal and external communications for both Francophone and Anglophone staff, as well as for institutional partners. This approach falls within the regulatory framework defined by the Cameroonian Constitution of January 18, 1996, and Law No. 2019/019 of December 24, 2019, concerning the promotion of bilingualism and multiculturalism.

To materialize this vision, SODECAO established, by Decision No. 001/D/SODECAO/DG/2023 of January 12, 2023, a Unit for Translation, Interpretation, and Promotion of Bilingualism. The Director-General also highlighted innovative initiatives such as the "English Coffee Club," an informal setting fostering English practice, and the institution of "Bilingual Thursday," dedicated to the alternating use of the two official languages in professional activities.

In his address, the representative of the President of the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism (NCPBM) congratulated MINADER for its efforts in promoting official bilingualism. He stressed the necessity of a collective commitment from public administrations to guarantee equal status and usage of the two official languages, while underscoring that bilingualism remains a strategic tool for inclusive communication, particularly in public policies targeting youth and women.

The ceremony was also marked by the presentation of excellence awards to several MINADER personnel, including the Director-General of SODECAO, in recognition of their remarkable commitment and sustained efforts in favor of promoting and practicing official bilingualism within the administration.

Just before the Minister's address, an educational skit eloquently and didactically illustrated the importance of bilingualism in professional and institutional interactions. Through concrete situations, this performance demonstrated that the absence of bilingual communication can lead to misunderstandings capable of distorting messages and hindering the achievement of development objectives, particularly those related to promoting agro-pastoral careers.

In his speech, His Excellency Gabriel Mbairobe reaffirmed the central role of official bilingualism as a strategic tool for valorizing and promoting agro-pastoral careers among youth and women. He emphasized that these two groups constitute the foundation for sustainable and inclusive agricultural development, in perfect alignment with the vision of the President of the Republic, His Excellency Paul Biya, who intends to place youth and women at the heart of public action during his new seven-year term.

The Minister officially concluded the ceremony by launching the National Bilingualism Day at MINADER, followed by the traditional group photo and a cocktail offered to participants in a convivial and solemn atmosphere.

By NJK