By Boris Esono Nwenfor
BUEA, PAV – The new Executive Bureau of the South West Regional Assembly has officially assumed office following a solemn swearing-in ceremony held on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at the South West Court of Appeal in Buea.
The solemn ceremony was presided over by the President of the South West Court of Appeal, Chief Justice Ngem Paul Ngute, in the presence of the Governor of the South West Region, Bernard Okalia Bilai, who attended on behalf of the State. Judicial authorities, administrative officials, regional councillors and guests also witnessed the event.
The executive bureau was elected into the executive arm of the Regional Assembly on December 16, 2025, following regional elections held nationwide on November 30, 2025. The new team retains a collegial leadership structure, in line with Cameroon’s decentralisation laws, particularly Law No. 2019/024 of December 24, 2019, which governs regional and local authorities.
Speaking after the swearing-in ceremony, the President of the South West Regional Assembly Bakoma Elango announced that key development projects would soon take shape across the region. He revealed that funding for the construction of the South West Regional Assembly headquarters is already available and that the contract for the project will be signed in the coming months.
Bakoma Elango also disclosed that rehabilitation works will begin later this year on two major road projects: the Bangem–Tombel road and the Ekombe–Dikome-Balue road. According to him, the projects are expected to significantly improve connectivity, ease the movement of people and goods, and stimulate economic activities in affected communities, particularly in rural areas.
Reflecting on the renewed mandate, the Assembly President expressed confidence in the bureau’s ability to deliver. “I think the experience we acquired during the first mandate will enable us to work even better to serve the population of the South West Region,” he said. “We started with no terms of reference, but after five years in office and beginning this second mandate, we have no reason to fail again.”
He assured the population that the bureau would remain committed to serving their interests. He used the opportunity to thank municipal councillors and regional councillors for the confidence reposed in the leadership team. “We want to assure the population that we will be at their service, and to thank the electorate, the municipal councillors who entrusted us with their confidence, as well as our 19 regional councillors who elected this eight-man team,” Bakoma Elango added.
Earlier, Magistrate Emade Ebouele, épouse Njoume, underscored the legal and moral significance of the oath taken by the executive members. She explained that the oath is not merely a formality, but a solemn and legally binding declaration. “It is a personal and public pledge that binds both moral integrity and legal responsibility,” she said.
According to the magistrate, the oath marks the official entry into office and confers legal and ethical legitimacy on the mandate of the executive bureau members. By taking the oath, she noted, the officials formally accept the responsibilities entrusted to them by law, particularly in the management of public resources and regional affairs. She further cautioned that any violation of the oath could attract serious legal and institutional consequences.
The newly sworn-in Executive Council is composed of Bakoma Elango Zachues as President; Chief Kombe Ndike Richard as Vice-President and President of the House of Chiefs; Same Samuel Mesape as Commissioner for Economic Development; William Elangwe Itoe as Commissioner for Health and Social Development; and Walters Tarkang Atuk as Commissioner for Education, Sports and Cultural Development.
Other members include Effoe Limunga Rebecca as Secretary of the House of Divisional Representatives, His Royal Majesty Ojang Eno Cyprian as Secretary of the House of Chiefs, and Ntemngwa Fomenky Nicodemus as Questor.
The members of the executive bureau pledged to serve the South West Region with loyalty, integrity and respect for democratic values, as they begin a new chapter in advancing decentralisation and development across the region.
