Former President, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings and his wife, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings were last week the toast of the people of Bangangte, West Cameroon when they joined them to celebrate the coronation of one of their illustrious daughters as a queen.
The former first couple was invited as guests of honour at the event, which attracted government officials, traditional leaders and an array of guests from across Cameroon.
Mali Yamedju Foudjem Madeleine Gacha was crowned as Queen at a colourful ceremony presided over by His Majesty the King of Bangangte, Le Roi Nji Monluh Seidou Pokam who praised the new Queen for being a true matriarch of the region and producing so many successful and progressive offspring.
Former President Rawlings thanked the Chiefs and people for inviting him to a grand and colourful ceremony that was interspersed with traditional dances and performances. He said a lawyer from the area was instrumental in defending him years ago when he was falsely accused of accepting bribes from an European company.
Flt Lt Rawlings said it was important that Africans worked hard to impress upon the rest of the world to remove negative stereotypes of the continent.
Earlier President Rawlings had paid a courtesy call on the Superior Chief, His Majesty Le Roi Nji Monluh at his palace.
President Rawlings and Nana Konadu also attended a thanksgiving church service in honour of Madam Madeleine Gacha and were hosted to a luncheon by the Governor of the West Region, Pascal Mani.
Later in an interview Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings said she was impressed with the quality of vegetation and agricultural development in Cameroon and prayed that all trees will be preserved to maintain the ecology of the region, which produces all manner of food crops in abundance.
