3,200 medals to be awarded on National Day.

The disclosure was made by the Grand Chancellor of the National Orders, Philemon Yang, in Yaounde yesterday. He was speaking on behalf of the Head of State, Grand Master of the National Orders, H.E Paul Biya. 

This was shortly after the opening of a meeting held by members of the National Orders at the Unity Palace. The meeting is expected to last three days.

The statutory meeting was to begin scrutinising the application files of candidates to be awarded medals on National Day celebration on May 20. 

Speaking while presiding over the meeting on behalf of the Grand Master, President Paul Biya, the Grand Chancellor of National Orders, Philemon Yang, urged members to ensure objectivity and confidentiality throughout the selection process. 

The Grand Chancellor also explained that those to be selected will be Cameroonians with time-tested loyalty and selfless services rendered to the country. 

“We are going to sit as we sat in the past and afterwards, we are going to make proposals to the Head of State because the Head of State is the only person who decides whether or not any person may have a medal or get decorated,” Philemon Yang explained. He detailed on the quota fixed by the Grand Master of the National Orders for 2023 National Day Medal awards.

The Grand Chancellor disclosed that among the 3,200 medals to be awarded are 300 for the Order of Valour, 1,300 for the Order of Merit, 200 for Agricultural Order of Merit, 100 for sports and 1,300 Order of Merit for the forces of law and order. 

Yang further disclosed that the National Orders is in the process of computerising the selection process.  “We are presently computerising; it is a slow process. I say so, so people can know we are working on this. We are going to render the system more technical. My dream is that one day, we will be able to use the system of computerisation when we hold meetings,” the Grand Chancellor explained.

He concluded by reaffirming the commitment of members of the National Orders to show professionalism through objectivity and confidentiality in the selection process.