Mfou Main Prison: CERAC Galvanises Inmates

Confidence restored, spirits lifted and hope rekindled in a moment of solidarity. This is one phrase can be described as the impact of the visit of the diplomatic wing of the Circle of Friends of Cameroon (CERAC) to the inmates of the Mfou main prison, Mefou and Afamba Divisio of the Centre Region on April 30, 2026. The delegation led, on behalf of the Founding President, Chantal Biya, by the Deputy General Coordinator of CERAC in charge of the Diplomatic Wing, Marguerite Mbella Mbella offered diverse gifts to the detainees, ranging from basic food stuffs in large quantities, to medical equipment, hygiene and sanitation tools, and vocational training items for hair dressing amongst other capacity-building skills. A special gift from the First Lady, a cow of 360kg, was also offered to the inmates. The delegation leader while handing over the items to the prison administration noted that prisoners are human beings who irrespective of their crime at least have a right to humane treatment and solidarity. Noting that inmates are often times excluded and abandoned, the visit by the Circle of Friends of Cameroon is a concrete sign of solidarity and comfort. Stating that the association was created in 1995, Marguerite Mbella Mbella said their social actions are rooted on three values; solidarity, compassion and sharing. These values, the representative of the First Lady added, reflect the association’s determination to leaving no one behind on the margins on exclusion due to their social status. Having a brother who was a prison administrator, she said she is somehow aware of the daily challenges faced in prisons. The gifts, she added, are geared at contributing to favourable conditions given that they are conscious of the health challenges and the risk of contracting diseases in detention facilities. This explains why the prison administration in collaboration with a non-governmental organisation, ASCOVIM carried out free medical consultation to the inmates prior to the ceremony of handing them gifts by CERAC. Details on the consultation exercise, as presented by the Head of the Health Monitoring Service of Penitentiary Administration for the Centre Region, Dr. Nkem Efon Kevin, comprise a total of 720 persons were medically examined. Those found sick, he said, are being administered medication free of charge offered by CERAC and those with severe conditions are evacuated to specialised hospitals as the need arises. The detention facility counts 785 inmates. Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Marceline Obama Atangana said the gesture of CERAC attest...