Dr. Peter Taniform, prominent North West son, outlines three life-changing pathways to empower youths and bring back stability

Dr. Peter Taniform, prominent North West son, outlines three life-changing pathways to empower its youth and bring back stability 

Colbert Gwain @The Muteff Factor (formerly The Colbert Factor)

When activists and separatist fighters called for a total boycott of schools in the two English-speaking regions of Cameroon in January 2017, Full Randy was a Form 3 student at the Government Technical College (GTC) in Muteff, Fundong Subdivision, Boyo Division, North West Region. Randy had initially thought the boycott would be short-lived, fueled by his ambition to become a civil engineer. However, as the boycott dragged on and Randy's options dwindled, he was forced to flee the village for a cocoa farming community in the Littoral Region of Cameroon. If the school disruption campaign had never been called, Randy would likely have graduated with a BTech degree in Engineering this October, as Cameroonians prepare to head to the polls to elect a new President. Randy's case might be considered fortunate, as he narrowly escaped the temptation of joining the fighters in the bush, which could have been a likely outcome if he had continued to idle in the village.

Ambo, a skilled bricklayer from Batibo, had been making rounds between Mamfe and Bamenda, in search of construction jobs to support his family back in the village. Tragically, during his relentless job search, he was caught in a crossfire between combatants and lost his life in his prime. Randy and Ambo are just two examples of the many lives affected by the ongoing conflict, which began in 2016 and has continued to escalate. Initially, the conflict seemed to gain momentum, but its devastating impact on individuals and communities has been profound.

John, another youth from Muteff, had initially admired the gun-wielding youth leaders in his community, drawn to their "heroic" acts and popularity. They were simply his role models. However, his perspective shifted dramatically when his younger sister was brutally raped at gunpoint by the same separatist fighters. This traumatic event made him rethink his support for the fighters, and he wished that things had never reached that point.

Statistics on the negative effects of the senseless conflict in Cameroon's two English Speaking Regions and particularly in the North West are not only grim but also mind-blowing. Eight thousand civilians have been killed in their prime. One million others have been displaced, both internally and externally. Entire villages and livelihoods have been destroyed. Between 2016 and 2019, 175 schools were destroyed. Many school-going youths have missed four or more years of schooling, and youth literacy has reportedly declined to 70%. The region has seen a staggering 45% increase in teenage pregnancies. Youth unemployment stands at a concerning 50%. On average, 48 working days are lost to "Monday ghost towns" every year in the two English-speaking regions of Cameroon. What's more, 2,100 schools are still not fully functional, and nearly 500,000 children who were in school prior to 2016 remain unaccounted for. Another tragic reality is that over 500 children have been born of war in the North West Region alone and will grow up without knowing one of their parents, as the combatants who fathered them have either been killed or displaced. Community cohesion has been severely weakened, with mistrust, juvenile delinquency, and drug abuse becoming the new normal.

Against this backdrop, and given the fact that the conflict has had a negative impact on Cameroon's economy, with an estimated loss of $64 million in destroyed assets and a potential 9% drop in national GDP if the conflict persists, a concerned and prominent son of the North West Region, Dr. Peter Taniform Ngwa, has been working tirelessly to provide unbiased solutions capable of reversing the downtrend and putting the once purposeful and hardworking youths of the North West Region back on track. As a visionary leader and Infrastructure Program Leader at the World Bank Group, Dr. Taniform is determined to ensure that the youth of the North West Region never have to endure the hardships and traumas experienced by Randy, Ambo, and John. His efforts are geared towards creating opportunities, promoting peace, and fostering economic growth to provide a brighter future for the region's young people.

On July 24, 2025, Dr. Peter Taniform Ngwa convened and sponsored the North West Regional Youth Mega Rally at the Mezam SDO's esplanade. The event was curated by the North West chapter of the National Youth Council (CNYC). During the rally, Dr. Taniform, who was unanimously crowned as the Youth Ambassador by youths from the seven divisions of the North West Region, charged the young attendees to embrace a new narrative and regain agency over their future.

In his keynote address themed “Understanding the Times: The Beginning of a New Dawn and a New Narrative for North West Youth”, Dr Taniform laid out a transformational agenda structured around three innovative ideas, aiming to unlock the full potential of the youth in the region, beginning immediately. 

The first that would make sure ambitious youths like Randy never miss out on their dreams of becoming engineers just because they were forced to drop out of the regular school system, is the creation of a Vetted Youth Innovation Platform, a digital ecosystem where young people across the region can safely and credibly showcase their talents, skills, projects, or business ideas. Unlike social media platforms that lack verification, this platform will ensure that all users go through a structured vetting process, commit to a code of excellence, and are matched with mentors, funders, and institutions who can support their growth. It is designed to break the disconnect between youth potential and opportunity by offering a secure, trusted environment for collaboration and development. Similar initiatives have gained traction in Africa, including Kenya’s Ajira Digital and Bingwa.ke whose founders are ready to help set up that for Cameroon.

The second component which is a Youth Skills Registry and Service Platform that functions like a talent marketplace would make sure skillful youths like Ambo never get killed because they had to physically move from one community to another in search of a job. Youths with vocational and professional competencies—from plumbing and electrical repairs to graphic design and tutoring—will be accredited and profiled based on performance ratings, creating trust for clients and visibility for service providers. This platform will foster a freelance culture that promotes self-reliance, professionalism, and economic empowerment, especially for those who are not absorbed into the formal job market. The app will also link service providers to short-term contract jobs across the region, turning idle time into income-generating opportunities.

The third and most culturally resonant component is the National Legends, Heroes and Role Models Campaign, an educational and inspirational initiative that seeks to honour and revive the legacies of North West Region’s most iconic figures. This particular program is most welcomed as it offers opportunities for youths like John in Muteff who had originally looked up to separatist fighters and leaders as his heroes to look up the real legends who have left their mark in history, not through destruction but through intentional goodness to society.  This initiative will be rolled out across primary, secondary, and university levels, encouraging students to research, debate, and emulate the life stories of Cameroon's national and regional trailblazers.

Notably, the late Dr Bernard Nsokika Fonlon, a towering intellectual whose legacy remains unmatched in Cameroonian history tops the list of the Region's resounding role models. A brilliant scholar, Fonlon was among the first Cameroonians to earn a PhD at independence, later playing a pivotal role in the reunification of the country and the translation of the national anthem into English. As a public servant, university professor, and moral icon, Fonlon is held up as a shining example of ethical leadership and academic brilliance. His life continues to inspire young Cameroonians to combine intellect with integrity in building their future. Educational legends like Pa Yong Francis and Pa Longla. Entrepreneurs such as Daniel Awah Nangah, and philanthropists like Frederick Mubang and Sylvester Kilo, who gave selflessly to faith and community, will also be studied and celebrated. Schools will engage students in essay contests, storytelling sessions, and interactive media projects that bring these legacies to life. “These legends weren’t born with titles—they earned them,” said Dr Taniform. “It is time our youth see themselves not as passive observers of history, but as the next chapter in that same legacy.”

As the newly crowned North West Youth Ambassador, Dr. Peter Taniform responded to Rev. Mekom Samuel, President of the North West National Youth Council, who noted that although over 98% of youths in the North West have remained peaceful, elites and the government have concentrated their efforts on the less than 2% who are causing havoc. In response, Dr. Taniform organized an Olympic-style torch lighting ceremony to rekindle the flames of peace in the youth and encourage them to share peace across the region. Each divisional representative was urged to take the torch light back to their division as a symbol of communal healing and togetherness. As the flames journey across the remaining six divisions before returning to Bamenda, this symbolic gesture, borrowed from the Olympic tradition, is hoped to serve as a living metaphor of communal healing and togetherness.

Apart from the virtual incubator or Youthpreneurship program that Dr. Taniform is promoting, incorporating a physical incubator could be a great idea. This would provide youths in the region who have innovative project ideas with office space and mentorship, enabling them to launch their projects successfully. Additionally, considering the Thiel Fellowship, which offers $100,000 to youths aged 22 and below with exceptional and innovative project ideas, could be beneficial. This fellowship allows young entrepreneurs to pursue their projects without the constraints of traditional schooling that has become out of touch with reality.

It should be recalled that Dr. Taniform is no stranger to igniting successful, transformational, and life-changing pathways, given his extensive work in conflict-stricken communities across Africa and beyond. He and his wife have been at the forefront of many peace and development initiatives in the Bamendankwe community, including annual peace and development football tournaments and youth upliftment programs.