The eight-day mission combined productive work with enjoyable cultural exchanges, detailed as follows:
Thursday, January 25:
- Received a warm welcome at Douala International Airport.
- Enjoyed a Cameroonian welcome dinner at Rue de la Joie in Deido, featuring local culinary specialties and festive karaoke.
Friday, January 26:
- Conducted a work meeting with the Super Mayor of Douala, Dr. Roger MBASSA NDINÉ, and two executives from the Urban Community of Douala (CUD) to discuss participation in MATDEL-Canada 2023 and the potential establishment of a SMED Lab in Douala, as well as organizing an international forum on Cameroon-Canada local development.
Saturday, January 27:
- Traveled to the West Region, with a tourist stop in Dschang.
- Engaged in a conversation with the former Director of the Dschang Tourism Office, Mr. Olivier TIWODA.
- Held an informal meeting with François DONGMO, the father of Dr. Bertrand DONGMO TEMGOUA, CED Director for Central Africa.
- Attended the football match between Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions and Nigeria’s Super Eagles at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
Sunday, January 28:
- Spent a day filled with intense work and rich cultural and natural discoveries in the Municipalities of Mbouda, Batcham, and others, capped by a visit to the traditional Chief of BAMBI village, His Majesty KENNE Roger.
- Traveled from Dschang to Yaoundé, the capital city of Cameroon.
Monday, January 29:
- Had a significant meeting with the High Commissioner of Canada in Cameroon, Mrs. Lorraine ANDERSON, to discuss facilitating travel for Cameroonian mayors and tourism stakeholders to Canada for MATDEL-Canada 2023.
- Conducted a working session at the Ministry of Tourism and Leisure.
Tuesday, January 30:
- Led the second and final preparatory workshop for approximately forty participants at the Ministry of Tourism and Leisure, with sessions chaired by Mr. Charles ZOMEKOU ATEBA and led by international CED experts, Dr. Bertrand DONGMO TEMGOUA and Professor François BÉDARD.
- Met with the Minister of State, Minister of Tourism and Leisure, H.E. Maïgari BELLO BOUBA, to address administrative challenges faced by participants.
Wednesday, January 31:
- Traveled from Yaoundé back to Douala.
Thursday, February 1:
- Held a meeting at Universal Business & Tour to conduct a mission debrief.
- Departed for Canada.
In Conclusion:
This mission served as groundwork laid by Mrs. Monique PHÉRIVONG LENOIR, Prefect of the MRC of Granit and Patron of MATDEL-Canada 2023. Mr. Jean François Ruel, responsible for the Mégantic Region’s tourism sector and head of the mission, along with Annie HEBERT, Project Manager, return to Canada with a comprehensive understanding of the participants’ needs and insights into the solutions required for the successful organization of MATDEL-Canada 2023, scheduled for April 10-17, 2024.
Dr Bertrand DONGMO TEMGOUA and Professor François BEDARD
Some highlights in pictures
