On May 20, 2024, the day of Cameroon’s 52nd National Day, Jean-Baptiste Fankam was one of the men honored at Bafoussam’s Place des Fêtes. And with good reason: before the traditional civilian and military parade, the governor of the West region, Augustine Awa Fonka, elevated the 54-year-old Cameroonian businessman to the precious and valiant rank of Grand Cordon du Mérite. The Grand Gordon is the highest rank in the Cameroon Order of Merit. In other words, Mr. Fankam, a diplomat who served for many years as Côte d’Ivoire’s consul in Cameroon and an established businessman, has gone through all the lower stages before his consecration on May 20, 2024. He became a Knight after at least 16 years of socio-professional activity, an Officer after at least four years as a Knight, a Commander after at least three years as an Officer and, finally, a Grand Cordon after at least three years as a Commander. This means that the rank of Grand Cordon is not widely available. By promotion, the number of personalities elevated to this dignity often does not exceed ten. Surrounded by family and friends on this solemn occasion, the founding member and Vice-President of the Organisation Maroc Afrika Cultures et Développement (OMA) for Cameroon, since 2019, made no secret of his delight: « It’s a privilege and a pleasure to be recognized by one’s country, and above all at the highest rank of state honors ». We could do with less! It was the Grand Chancellor of the National Orders himself, former Prime Minister Philemon Yang, who informed the lucky winner by WhatsApp message: « Monsieur Fankam Jean-Baptiste, le Président de la République, Grand Maître des Ordres nationaux, vous élève à la dignité de Grand Cordon du Mérite Camerounais pour le 20 mai 2024. Warm congratulations ». The OMA is particularly delighted by this, while congratulating the happy man and urging him to continue working on behalf of African nations. Well done! The Grateful Nation!
