When Dr. Peter Taniform recently appeared as Guest of Honour on CRTV Bamenda’s flagship programme Facing the Mirror, viewers were offered more than an interview; they were given a rare window into the mind of a man whose professional, political, spiritual and social footprints are deeply imprinted on Bamenda and the wider North West Region.
An engineer and development expert with the World Bank, Lead Transport Specialist and Infrastructure Programme Leader, Dr. Taniform is widely credited by many residents with the transformation of Bamenda’s road network, long plagued by dilapidation, into a visibly tarred and structured urban system.
Yet, beyond infrastructure, he is also a clergyman, statesman, peace crusader, philanthropist, successful business leader, North West Youth Ambassador, and a proud son of Bamendakwe.
Asked directly who he really is beneath these many titles, Dr. Taniform’s response was characteristically humble. “I stand here first to celebrate myself as a son of the soil, a village boy who has grown up blessed by his people and his region. God has attached responsibilities to me. You might call them titles, but for me, they are simply channels of service to the people.”
The Bamenda Road Network: Beyond Personal Credit
For years, Bamenda residents have associated the tarring of major city roads with Dr. Taniform’s name. However, he is quick to redirect the spotlight. “It is thanks to the government of Cameroon,” he clarified. “The project was undertaken following the plea of the people of the North West Region. The government responded and mandated my institution, the World Bank, which in turn responded according to the people’s needs.”
Dr. Peter Taniform, Addressing the Media.Dr. Taniform revealed that while he does not claim ownership of the project, he played a pivotal technical role as team lead. “I was the one who crafted the project in consultation with stakeholders. We designed it, and that design is what the people see today.”
Why Bamenda?
A recurring public question has been why the project focused on Bamenda City. Dr. Taniform’s explanation was both strategic and historical. Bamenda, he noted, is Cameroon’s third-largest city, the second home of the President of the Republic, and a key node on the Trans-African Highway.
Beyond geography, he described Bamenda—Abakwa, as the “bread baker” of the nation, a city of wisdom, peace, and future promise. “Within the framework of Africa’s economic development and Cameroon’s national vision, it was relevant and strategic that Bamenda benefits from this project.”
A City Steeped in History and Symbolism
Reflecting on President Paul Biya’s historic 2010 visit to Bamenda during the 50th anniversary of the Armed Forces, Dr. Peter Taniform highlighted Bamendakwe’s unique traditional and administrative role.
As a Bamendakwe son, he recalled how his Fon, one of the pioneer Fons of the North West played a symbolic role in crowning the Head of State as “Fon of Fons.” “That visit reinforced the values of rigour and moralization, principles deeply rooted in the North West. We have always set the pace for development, democracy and peace.”
Bamendakwe: A Rare Administrative Phenomenon
Bamendakwe’s status as a village hosting a subdivision remains a rarity in Cameroon, especially in the North West. According to Dr. Taniform, this did not happen by chance. “For over 158 years, since the Germans settled here, Bamendakwe has been the administrative seat. If the Germans stayed, if the British stayed, if the presidency was stationed here, it means this was the place peaceful, hospitable and strategic.”
Today, Bamenda I, has evolved into a cosmopolitan hub, hosting elites from across Cameroon, an evolution he attributes to a long-standing culture of hospitality and peaceful coexistence.
The Bangshie Gas Plant Road: A Question of When
One of the most pressing concerns raised during the interview was the 4.5-kilometre road leading to the Bangshie gas plant, a 6-billion-FCFA government investment located in Bamendakwe.
Dr. Peter Taniform Flanked Among Other Regional Dignitaries.Dr. Taniform reassured residents that the matter is no longer speculative. “The road has already been given. It is an accomplished task,” he said, adding that the project has been inscribed in the 2026 budget.
Following consultations with regional and city authorities, and discussions in Yaoundé, he confirmed that the project is considered urgent. “The gas plant is operational. Nothing can destabilize this road project. As soon as the 2026 budget is up, it will roll.”
He used the opportunity to thank the government and the Minister of Town Planning and Urban Development for their responsiveness.
Peace as the Currency of Development
Dr. Taniform repeatedly returned to one theme: peace as the foundation of development. Citing studies and local examples, he pointed to soaring land values in Bamenda I, from 5,000 to 40,000 FCFA per square metre as evidence that peace attracts growth. “This is compensation for embracing peace, unity and living together.”
Faith, Obedience and the “40-Day Journey”
As a clergyman, Dr. Taniform also addressed the spiritual dimension of development, drawing attention to an ecumenical service organized by Bamenda residents.
His biblical analogy struck a chord. “A journey meant for 40 days became 40 years for the Israelites because of disobedience,” he said. “Freedom without God is meaningless.”
Calling for obedience to God, to the state, to constitutional order and leadership, he urged the people of Bamenda and the North West Region to avoid unnecessary delays in their collective progress. “Bamenda is the city of the future. Let us make our journey a 40-day journey, not a 40-year journey.”
A Vision Anchored in Service
Whether viewed as a technocrat, statesman, clergyman or development expert, Dr. Peter Taniform consistently frames his identity around service. His message on Facing the Mirror was clear: development is not about individuals, but about institutions, peace, faith and collective responsibility.
As Bamenda looks toward 2026 and beyond, many see in Dr. Taniform a reflection of the city he champions complex, resilient, rooted in history, and firmly oriented toward the future.
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