In a letter addressed to the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Buea dated August 19, 2021, the President of the South West Chiefs’ Conference, Chief Mafany Njie Martin said before an annex of the University of Buea is created in Akonolinga, each of the six divisions of the South West should first have theirs.

“It is said that charity begins at home. We the chiefs of the South West Region believe that while thinking of the request of the elite of Akonolinga to create an annex of the University of Buea in their municipality, Senate should first consider the previous request of the Chiefs of the South West Region towards the decongestion and growth of the University of Buea,” said Chief Mafany on behalf of his peers.

He said the South West Chiefs during a courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor on August 8, 2020, proposed the decongestion of the University of Buea.

“We know how difficult this process entails as most faculties, colleges, and schools are interconnected and share common facilities and resources. However, in order for the people of the South West region to have a sense of ownership and belonging, we proposed the following decongestion format:

Faculty of Agriculture                                            Ekondo-Titi, Ndian Division

Fisheries and Maritime Studies                             Limbe, Fako Division

Higher Teacher Training College                             Bangem, Kupe-Muanenguba Division

School of Mines and Geology                                  Mamfe, Manyu Division

School of Pharmacy and Pharmacopeia                Menji, Lebialem Division

Faculty of Engineering and Cyber Criminology        Kumba, Meme Division

The aforementioned condition of the chiefs of the South-West Region comes after the elite of Akonolinga asked that an Annex of the University of Buea be opened in their municipality.

We the chiefs of the South West Region leaned with utter consternation the request for an annex of the University of Buea to be opened in Akonolinga, said Chief Mafany.

His words: “We appreciate the fact that the University of Buea had maintained very high standards of excellence in a very competitive scholarly world. The University of Buea's focus on Teaching, Research, and Outreach has made it a true citadel of excellence and naturally enviable by many.

“That notwithstanding, the text creating the University of Buea clearly states that it will pursue an Anglo-Saxon type education with English as the medium of instruction.

“Cameroon is one and indivisible. Any student wishing to pursue an Anglo-Saxon type education should feel free to apply as it is already the case. Statistically, the number of French-speaking Cameroonians currently enrolled at the University of Buea is at an all-time high.

“For the past four years, the South West Region has been passing through some challenging times aggravated by the ongoing socio-political crisis. We should avoid any action that will further complicate the present situation. Education is a very sensitive area. Education is the foundation of all social, political, technological and cultural development.”