Accountability In The Glass House: Junior Parliamentarians Demand Rights, Dignity From Ministers

In a highly interactive plenary at the National Assembly on June 26, 2026, Junior Members of Parliament challenged key cabinet ministers with questions regarding poor water quality. As well as failing school sanitation, and the persistent threat of waterborne epidemics across Cameroon. The interactive session allowed young representatives to hold administrative heads accountable for regional disparities and public health vulnerabilities affecting youth.

Cholera, Waterborne Threats

Honourable Epoto Elabe Louis Michel, a 17-year-old Junior MP from the South Region, directed a sharp query to the Minister of Public Health. He questioned why children continue to suffer from cholera, malaria, and diarrheal outbreaks despite routine state-sponsored awareness campaigns and mosquito net distributions.

In response, Dr Manaouda Malachie detailed a multi-pronged preventative approach. Deploying community health workers to rural communities to teach household water purification techniques and collective hygiene rules. Strengthening early detection and response frameworks across decentralized health networks to block epidemics before they spread. Operationalizing a newly validated cross-sectoral strategic plan via direct advocacy with municipal mayors and technical partners.

School Toilets, Female Dropouts

Representing the Centre Region, 14-year-old Honourable Ossa Olinga Gisèle targeted the Minister of Basic Education regarding the critical shortage of drinking water and latrines in rural nursery and primary schools. She noted that the complete absence of handwashing stations and decent, private facilities represents an affront to human dignity. And drives up school dropout rates for adolescent girls during their menstrual cycles.

Prof. Laurent Serge Etoundi Ngoa acknowledged the structural shortfalls. Reaffirming commitments to collaborate with decentralized authorities to build inclusive latrines and expand hygiene education to ensure safe learning environments.

Infrastructure Expansion Projects

Honourable Zda Hode Ange Kaldadak, a 15-year-old representative from the East Region, questioned the Minister of Water and Energy (MINEE) on concrete steps being taken to fix regional access disparities. And to tackle the occasional discoloration and pipe contamination of tap water.

The Minister of Water and Energy Gaston Eloundou Essomba outlined massive ongoing infrastructural investments aimed at meeting the state's target of a 90% drinking water access rate by 2030. Addressing the problem of tap water discoloration, the Minister explained that temporary changes in appearance usually occur after prolonged network depressurization. Or due to ageing galvanized steel pipes inside private residences. He stated that sworn water inspectors are actively auditing treatment plants to ensure rigorous daily quality control.

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