People
Fako County
The Wovea are an ethnic group native to coastal areas of the Fako division of the Southwest Province of Cameroon. The Wovea are one of the ethnic groups that comprise the Sawa, or Cameroonian coastal peoples.
The Wovea live south of Mount Cameroon and on the Gulf of Guinea, in the Fako division of the Southwest Province. Their territory lies directly west of that of the Isubu.
The 67 villages in the Buea municipal area are principally comprised of the local Bakweri (or Kwe) people who have lived in area for over 4000 years. The Bakweri language-MoKpwe- spoken by the natives is equally written and documented. It is closely related to neighboring Bakole and Wumboko languages. The average life expectancy of this area is 50 years (1999 statistics) literacy rate is on the rise with some 60-75% of the youths having access to education.
Major cultural festivals of the Fako peoples include All-Fako Cultural Festival,
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Fako’s four municipal government areas include : Muyuka, Buea, Tiko and Victoria.
Buea is one of the fastest growing towns in Ambazonia. Along with Tiko and Victoria, all three have urban populations of over 50,000 inhabitants.
Fako is the 8th largest county in Ambazonian in terms of size. It has the second highest population of the fourteen counties and also the 3rd highest population density.
Fako is located in Ambazonia’s Equatorial State and is the most populous of the four counties in the State.
RESOURCES
The central geographic feature of Fako county is the 4095meter tall Mount Mongo Ma’Ndemi.
The rich volcanic soils at the foot of the mountain make this county prime land for subsistence, and industrial /plantation agriculture.
Fako shares with Ndian county all of Ambazonia’s Atlantic coastline, which is teeming with marine life and fisheries potential.
The Mount Ma’Ndemi and Bioko montane forests constitute landmark ecoregions spanning over 58000 hectares and are home to endangered mountain elephants.
The Bomboko, Mokoko and Buea Forest Reserves, Mabeta-Kange Mangrove are no less notable for their rich flora and fauna as well as their potential as touristic attractions.
ECONOMY
Agro-industrial firms like Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC), and PAMOL Plantations Limited Cameroon (PPLC) are the dominant employers in Fako with sprawling plantations of banana, tea, rubber and palm-oil.
Fishing is a major form of employment and subsistence. Overall, with over 160000Tones produced annually, Fako is in the upper-lower tier as a food-crop production county. In terms of productivity, it ranks 4th only behind Manyu, Donga-Mantung and Meme counties.
As an economic unit, it is most similar to its nporthern neighbor, Meme county.
The Limbe Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC), & International Film Festival (CAMIFF) are held annually.
