In the build-up to the 140th edition of International Labour Day, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security organized a large-scale sport walk in Yaoundé on Sunday, 26 April 2026. The event, which began at 6:00 a.m., was presided over by the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Grégoire Owona, and drew participation from workers across various sectors.
The initiative forms part of activities marking the “Week of the Worker,” aimed at promoting physical well-being, solidarity, and engagement among the workforce. Participants, dressed in sportswear and carrying banners, marched through key arteries of the city in a coordinated and peaceful procession.
The official route began at the 20th May Boulevard and continued through Rond-Point Poste Centrale, Avenue Kennedy, Carrefour Intendance, Montée Anne Rouge, Hôtel de Ville de Yaoundé, Avenue des Banques, Maison de la Radio, Collège de la Retraite, and Carrefour Mahima, before returning to 20th May Boulevard.
Beyond its recreational dimension, the event carried a strong thematic message centered on “Social Dialogue and Decent Work: Factors of Peace, National Cohesion and Economic Development of the Company.” This reflects the government’s broader agenda to strengthen labour relations and foster inclusive economic growth.
Images from the march show a diverse turnout, including men and women of different age groups, walking side by side and holding banners in both French and English—highlighting the country’s bilingual identity and commitment to inclusivity.
The sport walk not only served as a curtain-raiser for Labour Day celebrations but also reinforced the importance of healthy lifestyles and collective action in building a productive workforce. As Cameroon prepares for May 1st, such initiatives underline the role of workers as central actors in national development.
Carl WOBYEB
