Refurbished National Museum Inaugurated

The refurbished National Museum in Yaounde was inaugurated on January 16, 2015 in the presence of government ministers, heads of diplomatic services like senators, parliamentarians and other guests.

The occasion was termed “Cultural Renaissance in Cameroon” to revive the image of Cameroon culture abroad.

By Anu Nkeze Paul

The innovation work started on the National Museum in 2009 and will henceforth be managed in collaboration with Heritage and Arts Foundation created under law No. 2003/013 of 22 December 2003 to market Cameroon’s cultural artifacts worldwide.

The Minister of Arts and Culture, Ama Tutu Muna, said the building housing the museum was the former German and French Governors’ residence in Cameroon, then Presidential Palace till 1982.

The building was used to exhibit ancient collections; some archaeological remains and modern collections.

Ama Tutu also recounted the modern history of Cameroon till the ongoing 2010-2019 decade that has made the National Museum a cultural exception in Africa and the world at large.

The National Museum is open to give the public a cultural diversity; costumes, instruments, archives, architecture and artifacts.

The Minister said this cultural renaissance stems from the rich cultural background of our country to the various forms of artistic expressions which have always upheld Cameroon’s value. “This is the cultural renaissance envisaged by the Heritage and Arts Foundation via the National Museum, given the image, history and federated nature of all cultures. It is the meeting point or era of our cultural heritage and the various eras of our past, which is still being written,” said the Culture Minister.