Bafia
Encyclopedia
Bafia is a Cameroon
ian town and commune in the Centre Province region, the capital of Mbam-et-Inoubou
department. It lies 120 km (74.6 mi) north of the country's capital Yaoundé
. Bafia has approximately 55,700, making it the third largest city in the province behind Yaoundé
and Mbalmayo
. Most citizens belong to either the Bafia people
or the Yambassa people. It is the see
of the eponymous diocese.
The banks services are practiced by the establishments of microfinance and money transfer. Several restaurants operated in the town and offers a variety of dishes dominates by local dishes (kepen, kibazi, kidjane, bitooso, etc.). A two starts hotel having a nightclub (discothèque) and several others slightly smaller establishments provide visitor accommodation. Most of bars and taverns completes the list.
In addition, the town has two bakeries as well as shops and markets where on can buy various products.
, one can either pass through Yaoundé (360 km), or through Bafang
and Bangangté
or Bafang and Bafoussam
(about 390 km in each case ). Douala
, changes of transport companies will be operated either in Bafoussam or in Bafang.
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
ian town and commune in the Centre Province region, the capital of Mbam-et-Inoubou
Mbam-et-Inoubou
Mbam-et-Inoubou is a department of Centre Province in Cameroon.The department covers an area of 7,125 km² and as of 2001 had a total population of 153,020.The capital of the department lies at Bafia.-Subdivisions:...
department. It lies 120 km (74.6 mi) north of the country's capital Yaoundé
Yaoundé
-Transportation:Yaoundé Nsimalen International Airport is a major civilian hub, while nearby Yaoundé Airport is used by the military. Railway lines run west to the port city of Douala and north to N'Gaoundéré. Many bus companies operate from the city; particularly in the Nsam and Mvan neighborhoods...
. Bafia has approximately 55,700, making it the third largest city in the province behind Yaoundé
Yaoundé
-Transportation:Yaoundé Nsimalen International Airport is a major civilian hub, while nearby Yaoundé Airport is used by the military. Railway lines run west to the port city of Douala and north to N'Gaoundéré. Many bus companies operate from the city; particularly in the Nsam and Mvan neighborhoods...
and Mbalmayo
Mbalmayo
Mbalmayo, chef-lieu du département du Nyong –et – So’o est une ville d’environ 120 000 habitants sur les bords du Fleuve Nyong, située à 38km de Yaoundé....
. Most citizens belong to either the Bafia people
Bafia people
Bafia people inhabit the Mbam region in the centre province of Cameroon. Their origins are said to share many similarities with those of the Bamun and Tikar people. A division during migratory movements caused the two sets of groups to settle in different areas. Later, the islamisation of most of...
or the Yambassa people. It is the see
Episcopal See
An episcopal see is, in the original sense, the official seat of a bishop. This seat, which is also referred to as the bishop's cathedra, is placed in the bishop's principal church, which is therefore called the bishop's cathedral...
of the eponymous diocese.
Origin of the name
During the crossing of the Germans in the Mbam region, they would stop in the high plateau of the region which is called today Bafia. They did not know how to call this region, they asked one native who was returning from hunting, "What is the name of this place?" A head hunter thought the guest was asking his name and answered, "Ufino yame yo lomo BOFIA NKANO" (in English, "My name is BOFIA NKANO"), so the name Bafia was attributed to the locality.Mayors of the urban district of Bafia 1965 until to day
- Kotouo Pierre 29/06/1962 - 23/06/1965
- Nkendjouo LUC 29/06/1965 - 13/08/1965
- Anong Amos August 1965 and 15/06/1967 - 18/02/1970
- Medjo Akono 04/03/1970 - 07/12/1970
- Mbassa à Zock Aboubakar 30/01/1971 - 20/11/1975
- Mone Mvondo Pierre 18/12/1975 - 12/11/1977
- Machia Djiberou 12/11/1977 - 20/10/1987
- Mbamba à Dong Alphonse 20/10/1985 - 05/02/1996
- Mougam à Ribouèm 05/02/1996 - 2002
- Machia Abdoulay 2002 - 22/07/2007
- Ahmed ISSA 22/07/2007–Present
Préfecture of Bafia
Bafia's prefect's office was created in 1960. The older department of MBAM (actual department of bam-et–Inoubou and Mbam-et-Kim). Since 1992 Bafia is the department of Mbam-et-Inoubou. Bafia welcomes also a Sub–Préfecture who administrats the district of Bafia, a commune that include the territorial spring of this commune. All central administration of the county is represented in the town by departmental and the district delegates.Justice
The court of greatest authority of the district has their seat in Bafia. There is one prison, and police force services. The public notary, bailiffs of justice and lawyers arrange their studies in Bafia town–center.Education
The town of Bafia has one normal school, the school teachers of education (ENIEG), one classic high school, one technical high school, college of technical industrial education and commercial (cetic of Kiki), bilingual high school and three college of secondary education.Health
The district hospital of Bafia is the principal medical structure of town. It has many specialties (general medicine, pediatries, gynecology, odonto-stomatology, surgery, etc.).Sports
Bafia football club enjoys having a stadium of its own: the Ayem stadium. This name comes from the name of a prefect who was a fan of football in general. He is the one who took the initiative to build a stadium and to offer it to Bafia's club and his surrounding. Bafia club knew its years of glory in national first division with the star Mouthe Philippe, then after the genius Bougoli in 1970.Services
Four service stations help the inhabitants of Bafia obtain fuel. It is noted there has been a recent development of the motor-taxis, serving areas once inaccessible to cars. The main roads of the town are paved. The urban lighting is not everywhere. A post office offers all the postal services. Mobile and landline telephone operators are also active.The banks services are practiced by the establishments of microfinance and money transfer. Several restaurants operated in the town and offers a variety of dishes dominates by local dishes (kepen, kibazi, kidjane, bitooso, etc.). A two starts hotel having a nightclub (discothèque) and several others slightly smaller establishments provide visitor accommodation. Most of bars and taverns completes the list.
In addition, the town has two bakeries as well as shops and markets where on can buy various products.
Entry
Bafia is accessible only by road. Coming from Yaoundé, many road transport companies through join Bafia road of 121 km from the bus station of Tongolo (in the north of Yaoundé). The Biamo airfield, very active during the first fifteen years after the independence, is no longer able to receive monomotors (mono-engines), twin-engined planes or helicopters. Coming from DoualaDouala
Douala is the largest city in Cameroon and the capital of Cameroon's Littoral Province. Home to Cameroon's largest port and its major international airport, Douala International Airport, it is the commercial capital of the country...
, one can either pass through Yaoundé (360 km), or through Bafang
Bafang
Bafang is a town and commune in Cameroon situated in the Haut-Nkam division of the West Province. It lies at the heart of the territory of the Bamiléké people, and has a population of roughly 80,500.-References:1...
and Bangangté
Bangangte
Bangangté is a town and commune in Cameroon. It is the capital of the Ndé division of West Region. The town is primarily inhabited by the people of the Bamileke tribe....
or Bafang and Bafoussam
Bafoussam
Bafoussam is the capital of the West Province of Cameroon, in the Bamboutos Mountains. It is the prefecture of the Mifi department, one of three arrondissements in the department. The city had a population of 239,287 inhabitants . The city is the region's center of trade. People are farming...
(about 390 km in each case ). Douala
Douala
Douala is the largest city in Cameroon and the capital of Cameroon's Littoral Province. Home to Cameroon's largest port and its major international airport, Douala International Airport, it is the commercial capital of the country...
, changes of transport companies will be operated either in Bafoussam or in Bafang.