The ceremony that was presided over by the Secretary of State to the Minister of Defence in charge of Ex-servicemen and War Victims, Koumpa Issa alongside the Minister of Social Affairs, Pauline Irene Nguene brought together civilian and military personnel of the Ministry of Defence living with different physical challenges at the esplanade of the Headquarters’ Brigade.

Celebrated under the theme: ‘Amplifying the leadership of people with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future’ the Minister of Social Affairs, Madame Pauline Irène Nguene, guest of honour for this occasion praised the efforts of the Ministry of Defence in the support given to personnel who have incurred a disability while exercising their duties. She cited amongst others the recently inaugurated complex for disabled military personnel by the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence, Beti Assomo Joseph as one of the efforts geared towards giving disabled military and civilian personnel a future.

Among the activities carried out were intercultural and sports competitions with relay races of 80 metres by mixed teams of valid and invalid athletes, a running phase of visually impaired persons and the exercise of having to carry a wounded soldier from a battle field to a place of safety using the stretcher. The Army Headquarters emerged overall winner of the various competitions. Messages such as, ‘a disabled person in an accessible environment is a valid person’ and ‘your appearance does not determine your capacity were brandished on banners and t-shirts.

The Cameroon Defence Forces have been able to integrate its disabled personnel into various services requiring specialized competences. They have received trainings in diverse fields permitting them to continue being useful to themselves and to the Ministry of Defence in general.