Many young Cameroonians are leaving their country due to high living expenses, a lack of work prospects, and a need to provide for their families – dw.com writes.
President’s Speech
More than 6 000 teachers, physicians, and nurses in Cameroon have quit their positions in the public sector in the last three months, according to government officials. Most Cameroonians have long emigrated to Europe, but an increasing number are finding opportunities in Canada, where immigration policies encourage young people.
President Paul Biya has taken notice of the situation in Cameroon due to its severity. In a statement, the 91-year-old president, who has been in charge of Cameroon since 1982, bemoaned the growing inclination of the younger generation to depart from the country in search of better prospects. In rambling monologues, Biya invoked the sense of duty and patriotism of the youth of Cameroon in arguing that leaving the country was “not the solution” to its problems.
Reasons Why Young Cameroonians Like to Emigrate
There are three humanitarian crises in Cameroon: Because of the presence of Boko Haram, a militant Islamist group from Nigeria, there is insecurity in the far north, close to Lake Chad. Separatists vying for independence are part of Cameroon’s Anglophone crisis in the Northwest and Southwest regions. The neighboring Central African Republic’s instability is another issue the nation faces.
Cameroon also has a high rate of unemployment in addition to numerous other national issues. Presently, the country is home to more than 500 000 refugees, and 4 million people in Cameroon, according to estimates from the European Commission, require humanitarian aid.
Transferring Funds from Abroad
Billions of dollars are sent home by African migrants to sustain their investments and families. The World Bank estimates that in 2023, remittances to sub-Saharan Africa will total an astounding $54 billion.
Tumenta F. Kennedy, a Cameroon-based international migration consultant, claimed that remittances are essential to both the economic growth and the democratic processes taking place in Africa. He stated,
“When the diasporas gain knowledge, they are capable of supporting their families—not just financially, but also with, ethical values schemes, and democratic principles.”
The Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) of Germany has also supported this aspect through development projects in Cameroon, Ghana, and Kenya, all of which have substantial diasporas in Europe.
Kennedy added that popular immigration destinations in Europe are no longer open to prospective immigrants. “Most Cameroonians now prefer North America,” emphasizing that “going to Germany, France, or Belgium to study is a nightmare.” traditional European destinations have closed their doors to would-be immigrants. “Going to Germany, France or Belgium to study is a nightmare,” Tumenta noted.