At 11 am, Mrs Pauline Irène NGUENE born KENDECK, Minister of Social Affairs (MINAS) and Mr KOUMPA ISSA, Secretary of State to the Minister of Defence in charge of Ex-Servicemen and War Victims (SED/CACVG) entered the Headquarters Brigade. After being welcomed by the Commander of the Headquarters Brigade and led to the honour’s guard, the two members of the Government paid tribute to the national flag.
After a review of the troops by the Secretary of State and their installation, four speakers took to the podium to deliver their speeches. They all focused on the theme: “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future”. First came the speech by the President of FAP Handisport, followed by that of the Representative of Persons with Disabilities, the message from the Secretary General of the United Nations on the occasion of the 2024 International Paralympic Games and, finally, a word from the Director of the National Centre for the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities (CNRPH). Many of the civilian and military authorities, guests and other officials were present in the stands to share their thoughts and feelings with the persons with disabilities. Under the tents, non-disabled and disabled athletes were all in high spirits and ready to compete to defend the honour of the organisations they represented, in fair play and a cohesive mood.
Following these speeches, the public had the pleasure of taking part in a variety of sporting and cultural activities designed to showcase the potential of persons with disabilities. Indeed, the objective of this 33rd edition of IDPD is geared towards the integration and inclusion of civilians with the military and non-disabled and disabled people, thus strengthening the Army-Nation ties.
On the sporting front, a series of competitions took place under the bewildered sight of personalities. The various disciplines included running, tug-of-war, grenade throwing, arm-wrestling and stretcher-bearing. The competing teams, each made up of 15 athletes, 05 non-disabled and 10 disabled came from: The Secretariat of State to the Minister of Defence in charge of the National Gendarmerie (SED/CGN), the Secretariat of State to the Minister of Defence in charge of Ex-Servicemen and War Victims (SED/CACVG), the Army Headquarters (EMAT), the Air Force Headquarters (EMAA), the Navy Headquaters (EMM), the National Fire Brigade (CNSP), the Presidential Guard (GP) and the National Centre for the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities (CNRPH).
In terms of entertainment, the public had another good time. The day was enlivened by performances from dance groups, representing Cameroon’s four cultural regions, and two comedians.
Once the results of the competitions had been announced, the authorities present solemnly presented the trophies to the various teams that had stood out. Meanwhile, the Minister of Social Affairs rewarded the most inclusive Regional and Local Authorities, such as the Yaounde IV Council, the Fundong Council, the Mbalmayo Council and the Maroua 1 Council, by presenting cheques to their representatives.
The address by the Minister of Social Affairs was the highlight of the activities marking IDPD 2024. First and foremost, she praised the close collaboration between MINAS and MINDEF in promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.
The two members of the government then symbolically handed over the donations of equipment and mobility tools for the people with disabilities to the Director of the First Joint Military Hospital and the President of FAP Handisport.
Official delegates and persons with disabilities took a group photograph in front of the flagpole to mark the end of the 33rd International Day of Persons with Disabilities at around 1.30 pm.
