The Streets of Buea Are Speaking. Are We Listening?

Every morning, I walk through parts of Buea and see the same heartbreaking sight: piles of garbage spilling onto the streets, clogged drainage channels, and plastic waste scattered by wind.

What should be vibrant neighborhoods are slowly being buried under the weight of poor waste management.

Now, it's easy to point fingers at the government. Yes.. It is true, local authorities have a critical responsibility to provide effective waste collection, enforce environmental regulations and much more. But, as I walk around every day, I have realized something else.. we, as individuals are part of the story.

I have on multiple occasions witnessed passengers throw bottles, plastics from a car window.

Households waste dumped into a stream.

Rubbish left by the roadside because "someone else will clean it." These small actions culminate into much bigger problems that affect all of us.

Poor waste management is not just an environmental issue. It is equally a public health concern. It contributes to the floods during heavy rains as drains become blocked.

It is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and rodents, pollutes water sources and ruins the beauty of the town we proudly call "City of Legendary Hospitality."

We need to recognize that environmental protection is a shared responsibility. Governments must strengthen waste management systems, but we must also embrace responsible waste disposal. Reduce plastics where possible, reuse and recycle.

Women, mothers, youth leaders, educators, community advocates, we can influence those around us. Teach children not to litter, organize community cleanups. Every conversation we start having today, helps build the culture of responsibility.

The choices we all make will determine the future of Buea, not only dependent on government policies.

A cleaner Buea starts with each one of us.

What is one simple action you think every resident of Buea can take today to help keep our community clean?