By Ngufack Ntemgwa
Following the Royal family’s celebration of King Charles III’s 75th birthday eight days earlier, the British High Commissioner to Cameroon H.E Barry Lowen and wife Mrs Karin Blizard Lowen hosted over 500 guests for a similar party on Thursday November 23.
The birthday party at the British Residence in Bastos, Yaounde which was adorned with blissful decorations for the special event attended among others by members of government, members of the diplomatic community accredited to Yaounde, the media and the civil society.
Welcoming guests, Barry Lowen said the King’s birthday was an opportunity to celebrate the life of the monarch as well as the “deep and broad friendship” between the United Kingdom of Britain and Cameroon. He elaborated on two main sectors, that is business and education.
Both the UK and Cameroon, he said are “equal partners in the Commonwealth” and “enjoy vibrant and mutually beneficial business partnerships”, the High Commissioner said citing the UK-Cameroon Chamber of Commerce as a good example.
He said the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom has announced that he will host the second UK-African Investment Summit in London on April 23-24, 2024. To Lowen, the summit will an amazing opportunity for business representatives from Africa – including Cameroon to explore new opportunities for trade and investment.
In the field of education, the British High Commissioner to Cameroon said the UK offers Cameroon mentioned the Chevening scholarship programme, which has enabled many brilliant Cameroonians to pursue their studies in the UK and to contribute to their country’s development.
He also reiterated the UK’s commitment to support Cameroon’s peace, stability, and prosperity, as well as to respect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The King’s first birthday since ascending to the British throne in May this year was also significant as it was the first time the United Kingdom was celebrating a king’s birthday since 1951.
Commitment to climate change
The High Commissioner used the birthday party to highlight the King’s commitment to climate change. To the British diplomat, the fight against climate change has to be collective “to share perspectives and cooperate to face that global challenge, to also promote bio diversity as well”.
High Commissioner Lowen used the King’s birthday celebration to the imminent launch of new programmes on arts and creativity with the British Council to promote critical thinking and give Cameroonians the skills they need for the 21st century economy.
The birthday was also marked by a projection of memorable photos of the British monarch’s visit to Cameroon in 1990 while Prince of Wales. During the visit, he stopped in Bamenda where he met with traditional rulers, local communities, and at the Limbe Botanic Garden where he planted a tree and admired the rich biodiversity of the region.
The event was a splendid occasion to celebrate the life and achievements of the king, as well as the strong and longstanding ties between the two nations.
Guests of the British High Commissioner and wife were also treated to a cocktail with drinks to go round.
