Ahead of the official launch of the “Diamond Jubilee Eleven-Day Period” (Onzaine du Soixantenaire) for Youth Day—set to take place this Monday, February 2, 2026, in Gari-Gombo—the Minister of Youth and Civic Education, Mounouna Foutsou, kicked off the “Youth Mornings” yesterday Sunday, February 1, 2026, at the Yokadouma Ceremonial Grounds.
The cultural and educational initiative is designed to provide young people with a space for self-expression, training, and entertainment. These “Youth Mornings” are intended to become a regular fixture for adolescents and young adults in the East Region.
The activities that make up this session are the holding of educational workshops – where youths will be able to learn how to read, write and will be introduced to the use of digital tools, cultural activities – Theater, dance, and music, sport and games and the holding of Sensitization sessions on themes such as peace, the environment, and health.
Staying true to his leadership style, the Minister combined his authority with a call for collective responsibility. He urged the youth to seize this opportunity to build their futures and contribute to the development of Cameroon.
Minister Foutsou emphasized the necessity of channeling youth energy into constructive activities to prevent idleness and delinquency. He further highlighted that these mornings would help prepare the next generation of citizens and strengthen national cohesion.
Mounouna Foutsou assured the public of his ministry’s support to local authorities in implementing and sustaining the “Youth Mornings” program.
Following this event, the Minister proceeded to the Yokadouma where he made significant donations to young residents of the Yokadouma Central Prison in the East Region. The gifts are intended to improve their conditions during detention and prepare them for socio-economic reintegration.
The event began in the local language with a welcome address delivered by a young female detainee upon the Minister’s arrival at the Yokadouma Main Prison. Setting a civic and patriotic tone, the young inmates sang the national anthem in its entirety.
The prison warden, Jean Louis Ndjeng, thanked the guest of honor, noting that this visit is part of an ongoing commitment. He recalled that three years and eleven days ago, the Minister visited the same penitentiary and facilitated the release of thirty young inmates by paying their discharge fees. He cited the example of Jean Ndebizan, a former detainee who is now socially integrated and working as an IT teacher. According to the warden, the support provided by the Ministry (MINJEC) to these “youth with specific needs” has borne fruit, as evidenced by the artwork and sculptures showcased by the young artists during the ceremony.
Preparation for the Future
In preparation for this meeting, MINJEC teams took charge of 267 young people, including 10 women. The training sessions covered various themes, which revolved around Civic responsibility, entrepreneurial education and social reintegration strategies. These efforts were highlighted with deep emotion by Mauclaire Beni, the representative of the detainees.
Symbolic Gestures
To mark this 60th anniversary of Youth Day, Minister Mounouna Foutsou invited the assembly to join him in planting trees for future generations. This was followed by the distribution of donations, which included various equipment and materials, a cash grant of 500,000 FCFA and food supplies.
In his closing remarks, the Minister emphasized that the instructions from Head of State President Paul Biya are clear: to place the youth at the very heart of this “Seven-Year Term of Great Hopes.”
Louisa Kinyuy
