Dr Peter Taniform emerges North West most celebrated champion in fight against drug abuse amongst youths...

Excellent initiative by Dr. Taniform Peter — This is exactly what Bamenda needs right now! Football will pull the youths from the ghetto to the field.

DR. TANIFORM PETER USES FOOTBALL TO FIGHT DRUG ABUSE AMONG BAMENDA YOUTHS

In a bold move to address the rising tide of drug abuse and druggery among youths in Bamenda, North West Region, Dr. Taniform Peter launched a community football initiative with a powerful message: "Say No to Drugs, Yes to Football, Yes to Future."

The streets of Bamenda have in recent years witnessed an alarming increase in tramadol, cannabis, and other substance abuse among young people, driven by idleness, trauma from the crisis, and lack of opportunities.

Dr. Taniform Peter believes football is more than a game — it is medicine.

Objectives of the Tournament:

1.  Sensitization: Halftime talks by doctors and ex-victims on dangers of drugs

2.  Rehabilitation: Identify addicted youths and link them to counseling

3.  Engagement: Keep youths busy after school and during holidays

4.  Hope: Show that talent can be an alternative to drug money

"We cannot arrest our way out of drug abuse. We must play our way out. When a youth has a jersey, a ball, and a team that believes in him, he has less time for drugs," — Dr. Taniform Peter.

Dr. Taniform Peter uses his football tournament to fight drug abuse because in Bamenda, football is the only language every youth understands — and the drug crisis is now inseparable from the Anglophone crisis.

Here is why his strategy works, based on his 7th edition that just ended August 30, 2026:

It replaces idleness with belonging:

The tournament is not just football. According to The Guardian Post, this year's edition brought 16 senior teams, plus U-17 and veteran categories. Dr Taniform himself said: _"This competition has successfully brought our young people together. That aggregation alone gives them a vital platform to exchange ideas... allowing positive influences to connect with and mentor those at risk of delinquency".

In Bamenda I, many youths are IDPs, school dropouts, or ex-fighters. When they are in a team, they are not in a ghetto smoking tramadol.

It is a direct anti-drug campaign, not just sport:

The 7th edition's central theme was *"No to Drugs"*. Organizers used every match to _"encourage young people to stay away from substance abuse and other activities that could negatively affect their future".

Unlike a seminar in a hall where youths won't come, a football final at Bamenda Proximity Stadium in Bamendankwe pulls the whole community — including the Governor's representative, City Mayor Achobong Paul, and Fons. The message reaches them there. 

It rebuilds peace and social cohesion after 10 years of crisis:

Bamendankwe _"has over the last years gained a strong reputation as a steadily growing cosmopolitan locality, despite the socio-political crisis".

Dr Taniform said the community's growth _"has imposed the need for stakeholders to introduce well-tailored initiatives like the football tourney"_ to harvest that growth and carry other communities along. 

The tournament also _"provided a platform for people from different backgrounds to meet, interact and rebuild community bonds at a time when social relations have been strained".

It mixes punishment with opportunity:

Instead of only preaching "No to Drugs", he gives alternatives:

- 12 ball pickers received 50,000 FCFA each plus school bags;

- Every U-17 player received a school bag to support return to school.

This is what experts call harm reduction through youth empowerment. A boy who gets school materials and cash for being a ball picker is less likely to sell drugs tomorrow.

In short: Dr Taniform, as CPDM Section President for Mezam I A, knows you cannot arrest Bamenda youths out of drugs. You have to " play them out of it". Football gives them identity, mentorship, crowd, and hope — the exact 4 things drugs pretend to give.