First and foremost, the manufacture and sale of charcoal are prohibited in the Republic of Cameroon. Therefore, those who engage in this activity, whether producing or selling charcoal, are in violation of the law. Unfortunately, in the northern part of the country, where vegetation cover is sparse, charcoal production and sales are rampant. This constitutes a major environmental threat and exacerbates deforestation. In my humble opinion, everyone needs to be aware of the situation, because raising awareness among loggers and charcoal sellers is no longer enough; enforcement is necessary. Local, traditional, and administrative authorities, as well as public actors such as the forestry administration and the interregional committee for drought control in the North, must all work together to reduce this phenomenon. All smoke is a gas; CO2 is released. When it comes to the environment, there are no limits. When you produce smoke, whether in Garoua or Douala, it inevitably adds to the already enormous amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. Even a small action that could counteract small amounts of carbon dioxide is important. That’s why the population should be interested in alternative measures, such as using domestic gas.
Interview by Marcus Dare