Buea: Security Services Embrace Bilingualism

Heads of security services in the South West Region have pledged to the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism their commitment to ensure that Police and Gendarmerie officers engage in bilingualism in the course of their job. The Commission was in Buea during a three-day sensitization on the importance of security officers attending to their public in their preferred language. The sensitization which started on Monday, May 11, 2026, saw the Commission preach the practice of bilingualism at the office of Procurer General of the South West Region, South West Gendarmerie Legion, South West Regional Delegation for National Security, Buea Gendarmerie Brigade, the three Police District Stations in Buea and the Mobile Intervention Police Unit (GMI) Buea. In an interactive and educative approach, Ngwane George who led the mission, allowed the security personnel to read the various provisions of the law on the promotion of official languages in Cameroon while he explained. He pointed out to them that bilingualism is not an option but rather a national policy as the law on bilingualism covers all sectors. Ngwane noted with regret that French language has a grip in the security and defense sector as the language of instruction in schools is largely French. “We must have the educational system in the army and police force which believes that English and French languages are equal,” he pointed out. Ngwane insisted that when the soldiers don’t understand the language of their interlocutor, they should get a colleague to help, instead of saying “I am not understanding that your language.” South West Legion Commander, Colonel Kola appreciated the initiative of the commission to engage them to speak...