Personnel of the Ministry of Territorial Administration, MINAT, used this year’s National Bilingualism week to showcase the prowess of the personnel in the domains of sports, education, culture and gastronomy.
Thus, activities marking the celebration of the 18th edition of the National Bilingualism Day in MINAT, kick-started on Saturday, January 28, 2023, on the Theme: Bilingualism ” A Window to culture and Technologies, A Human Capital Development Tool for an Emerging Cameroon.” Activities marking the week started with a Sports Walk which began at 6 am from the MINAT Esplanade through Post Centrale – Quartier General – ENAM – Carrefour Du Lac-Education – MINFI and back to MINAT.
Prior to the Sports Walk, participants were offered portable water, sweets, T-shirts to make the event unique in colorful. There was a warm-up exercise in front of the MINAT building, animated by the dance instructors. The Director of Translation and Bilingualism Promotion in MINAT, Doctor Werebesi Luther led the Sport Walk. He was flanked by other Directors amongst whom were, the Director of Communication and Public Relations, DCRP, and the Director of Human Resources, DRH. After the sports walk, participants again converged at the MINAT esplanade for a final workout exercise with Mr Pagat directing the dance moves. The Director of Translation and Bilingualism Promotion thanked the dance instructors Mr Pagat and Serge for their inputs. He equally thanked all who turned out and wished everyone a happy weekend. He briefed the personnel on the activities of the week starting on Monday. He emphasized on a special activity on the program which is the show-casing of the different traditional meals of the different Regions. He encouraged interested people to come up with traditional meals ideas to showcase on that day.
Day two of the Bilingualism Week in MINAT was characterized by the display at the lobby of a Glossary in English and French. There was a bilingual presentation of a glossary of terms used at the central and devolved services of MINAT. Personnel from the different services of MINAT gathered to watch, read and enjoy beautiful expositions on the lobby stand. Mr. Besong Godson and Madam Eyenga Mboudou, both personnel from the Division of Translation and Promotion of Bilingualism gave a presentation on the various documents found on the stand in English and French. They defined what a glossary is: a document which contains terms in two or more languages with their definitions. They made the viewers to understand that the glossary document can be used in all other departments of the ministry. They equally presented a paper containing idiomatic expressions in both languages which was progressively given out to all who visited the stand to improve on the use of English and French and their day-to-day translations. The aim of the exercise was to showcase what is being done in the department, noting that Bilingualism is a milestone for living together. Another objective of the activity was to take Bilingualism to the people, which makes for better understanding.
On Wednesday, February 1, 2023, activities continued with an essay writing competition for personnel from different services in MINAT. English-speaking staff had to speak and write exclusively in French while their counterparts who are French-speaking had to do everything in English. The essay competition was closely followed by a food exhibition with traditional staple foods from across different cultures. Foods exhibited were ‘ekwang, fufu and njama njama, kwacoco, okok sucre, kilichi, achu, plantain chips, raffia paraphernalia fruits and baobab juice’. The exposition of these foods was done on the notion of bilingualism and multiculturalism. This too was in line with the theme of this year’s national bilingualism week which is “bilingualism a window to cultures and technologies, a human capital development tool for an emerging Cameroon”
Mr. Edoa Effa Yves Christian, Secretary General in the Ministry of Territorial Administration unveiled the dishes after Dr. Werebesi Luther took time off to explain why it was part of activities. The top-notch personnel of MINAT went round the table and most of them savoured the various dishes with relish. The week will round off in MINAT on Friday, February 3, 2023 with the proclamation of the results of the essay competition and the award of prizes and feasting.
