By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
The interim Minister of Mines, Industry, and Technological Development (MINMIDT), Prof. Calistus Fuh Gentry, has praised the creative innovations of inventors.
Prof. Fuh Gentry made this statement on November 19 in Yaoundé while officially launching the 2024 edition of the National Technological Days. The 9th edition of the National Technological Days is being held under the theme, “Local Technological Innovations: A Lever for Import-Substitution.”
Speaking shortly after inaugurating the technology village, Minister Fuh Gentry not only hailed the innovators but also pledged that the government will support and exploit the talents of these young individuals.
“I am very convinced with what I see today, that Cameroon is blessed with talent and human resources,” the Minister said.
He added, “we are going to exploit these talents, and we are going to put these talents at the disposal of businessmen, industrialists, and international organizations such as the OAPI, to improve the efficiency of everything we see here, so that it becomes an industrial project.”
Indicating that this is how China and India have developed their industries, Minister Fuh Gentry stated that it is time for Africa, and in particular for Cameroon, to take its place.
Several innovators told The Post that their inventions were motivated by shortcomings in society. They believe that if well-applied, these inventions could reduce imports and encourage domestic consumption.
Thaddeus Anga Mukong, an inventor of a solar inverter, said his invention would help transform solar energy from lower levels to higher alternating current levels, enabling the operation of larger equipment.
Etienne Kanjo Shey’s invention, which converts waste plastics into fuel, was developed to address environmental degradation caused by plastic pollution in cities and oceans.
A total of 50 inventors from all 10 regions of the country are competing to showcase their creative prowess. Alongside them, 15 innovative companies and research centers, including IRAD, MIPROMALO, CNDT, IAI, IUT Douala, and IUG, are participating in the event.
Key government departments and partner organizations, such as CAMTEL, API, PAK, CCIMA, and OAPI, have joined forces to support this initiative, underscoring the importance of public-private collaboration in promoting local expertise.
The National Technological Days allow local inventions to be exhibited with the aim of qualifying them for exploitation and industrial development, the driving force behind wealth creation and job generation.
The last edition of the National Technology Days, held in 2022, focused on promoting local know-how in identified areas to enhance existing skills and potential, encouraging investments from both the public and private sectors.
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