Professor James MOUANGUE KOBILA, the Chairperson of the Cameroon Human Rights Commission (CHRC), on Thursday, 1 September 2022, at the Yaounde Sports Complex, presided at the solemn installation ceremony of the new officials appointed to the Permanent Secretariat of the CHRC.              

 This installation ceremony was aimed at making all the officials aware of the changes taking place in the institution. It was attended by Dr Raphaël GALEGA GANA, the Vice Chairperson of the CHRC, the Commissioners, the Permanent Secretary, staff members of the CHRC, representatives of two Civil Society Organisations affiliated with the CHRC, relatives, friends and acquaintances who came to congratulate and celebrate the new appointees of the day and many journalists who came to cover the event.

The new officials appointed on 18 August 2022 and installed are the Head of the Division of Promotion and Protection, two Chiefs of Staff (of the Chairperson and the Vice-Chairperson), ten Branch Heads of Regional Offices, an Assistant Research Officer in the Chairperson’s Office and Assistant Research Officers 1 and 3. All other previously appointed and confirmed officials of the Permanent Secretariat were also installed. Other CHRC staff were assigned to the Head Office and the Branch Offices.

The colourful ceremony included a number of highlights that left a deep impression on all those who witnessed it. Several participants especially appreciated the very instructive, tonic, informative and reassuring installation speech of the Chairperson of the Commission, a speech rich in instructions for the appointed officials and which emphasized not only the close relations that must exist between the officials of the Permanent Secretariat and their superiors and collaborators, but also the obligation of orthodox management of the material and financial resources placed at their disposal.

Professor James MOUANGUE KOBILA equally urged staff members to appropriate the values and principles of the Commission and build their technical and managerial capacities.

 Other highlights included the reading of the decisions by the Permanent Secretary to appoint the new officials, the solemn written undertaking by the officials and the signing of the letters of appointment, one by one. This ceremony, which was unprecedented in the NHRI of Cameroon, was enhanced by a captivating performance of various dance groups, including the ballet of the University of Yaounde I, in tribute to the cultural diversity of Cameroon, and by the youyous that accompanied the presentation of flowers by spouses and other relatives.

The ceremony ended with a photo session and celebrations that were all the more moderated as the following day, the first meeting of the Head Office and Branch services of the CHRC for the year 2022 was held.