Managerial probity, local dev’t ingenuity: Councillors reward results-proven Santa mayor.

The municipal authority, who doubles as Fon of Baligham, was rewarded by his councillors on Friday, March 13, 2026. 

This was during a council session to examine and adopt the 2025 Administrative, Management and Stores Accounts of Santa the council. 

The Senior Divisional Officer, SDO, of Mezam, was represented at the session by the Divisional Officer, DO, of Santa Subdivision. 

The award-winning mayor and enthralling community developer was decorated with a traditional regalia, a cap and a staff. 

Municipal councillors said the gesture was in recognition of his rare strides in driving development across the nooks and crannies of the municipality.

The councillors were categorical that in the last six years at the helm of Santa Council, Mayor Samkie Elvis Gahnyam II has given fresh meaning to local development; through his development-oriented projects and initiatives that have greatly improved the living conditions of those in the municipality.

"He is a good father and a productive administrator. His administration has a human face and is development oriented,” said Councillor Ntumfor Taa Ntambo, who led other councillors in the decoration of the mayor. 

He added that the mayor’s “ability to touch all the nooks and crannies of the municipality is a testament of his unwavering commitment to the development and unity of the municipality”.

Going by the councillor’s rating, the development projects the mayor has lobbied and executed in Santa municipality are that which warrant his continues stay at the helm of the council.

This, he explained, is in order for the municipality to continue to benefit more from his development ingenuity.  

“Left to us, he should be a mayor for life," Ntumfor Taa Ntambo stated, while counting in synopsis the development projects that the mayor has realised in just six years. 

For his part, Councillor Forjindam Edwin told reporters that despite challenges, the municipality has been striving, because of the mayor’s levelheadedness and visionary management style. 

“Santa Council is functioning so well,” Councillor Forjindam stated, adding that the council works in collaboration with “all the sectoral ministries”.

Forjindam said the award to the mayor is their little way of showing their "love for him and also to tell him that we are behind him”.

“He has shown us love in times of crisis. He is a good father. Going by the grass fields culture and tradition, such a traditional decoration carries a lot of meaning. Besides mere celebrations, it embodies might, protection, collaboration, and all-around protection that makes the receiver universally invisible,” he explained. 

Mayor promises to make municipality Eldorado 

Speaking after the decoration, Mayor Samkie Elvis Gahnyam II promised not to relent in his efforts to give a facelift to the Santa municipality in all aspects.

He said his goal is to make Santa, the gateway municipality in the North West Region, an Eldorado. 

Addressing councillors earlier during the session, Mayor Samkie Elvis Gahnyam II affirmed that the examination of Administrative, Management and Stores Accounts is an important exercise.

He said the session was pivotal as it gave them the opportunity to review the financial and material resources of the council to ascertain the respect of the regulations governing local authorities. 

The scrutiny, he stated, is to ensure transparency and accountability in council management in conformity with the rules of public financial management.

He said despite security challenges, the council still made commendable achievements in service delivery, strengthening community participation and promoting inclusive development. 

Mayor Samkie Elvis Gahnyam II attributed the successes to support from sectoral ministries, collaboration of councillors, the administration, the forces of law and order, and the Local Governance and Resilient Communities Project, PROLOG.

He also attested that the directives of partners significantly contributed to the smooth functioning of the council in the implementation of their development initiatives. 

The mayor used the opportunity to urge partners of the council to continue to work for the interest of the municipality. 

The municipal authority appreciated them for their unwavering commitment to the activities of the council. He urged them to actively participate in the deliberations to ensure probity and good governance in the management of the council.

The session saw the presentation and adoption of reports as presented by the Administrative and Finance Committees. 

Snippet of Mayor Samkie Elvis Gahnyam II’s strides 

The tireless mayor has since ascending to the helm of the Santa Council, engaged moves that have revived life across Santa and put the municipality back on winning ways, despite the insecurity caused by the armed conflict rocking the North West and South West Regions.

His determined attachment to work for the wellbeing of his people, those versed with his track record, say, attest to the fact that he is a born leader. 

Inhabitants of Santa municipality say the exploits of Mayor Samkie Elvis Gahnyam II is measured in how many activities have been revived and normalcy returned to the council area. 

Others describe the mayor as a local development jewel for revamping, rebuilding Santa and making it a melting pot of Cameroon’s diversity. 

Affectionately called the “Father of Modern Santa,” Mayor Samkie Elvis Gahnyam II, others are saying, is passionate in chasing the dream of grassroots development within President Biya’s new decentralisation vision. 

Going by Santa inhabitants, the mayor has written his name in the hearts of the people. They say he also stands out as a beacon of development and a rallying force of change and peace. 

Many Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, of Santa origin who have returned home thanks to the gradual return of peace, say Mayor Samkie Elvis Gahnyam II is a father.

They say he spares no effort in defending people from all walks of life in the municipality to continue living in harmony. 

Also described as an all-rounder, the humble, yet wisdom-full mayor is also celebrated for fronting an inclusive grassroots politics.

His ability to work closely with elite, irrespective of their political leaning, and the Mezam administration; to make Santa regain its hitherto pomp and economic buoyancy, others say, is worth praising. 

Mayor Samkie Elvis Gahnyam II has, despite security challenges, remained present in his municipality, working to boost effectiveness and massive turnout in schools. 

Santa being a gateway in to the North West, the celebrated community mobiliser is also hailed for repeatedly mobilising thousands of inhabitants of the municipality to welcome high-profile guests visiting the Region; among them the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Dr Chief Joseph Dion Ngute. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3733 of Monday March 16, 2026