The BONAVADA community was filled with excitement, hope and anticipation as more than 500 pupils and students received essential support to prepare for the 2026/2027 academic year during the JULIET BECKE FOUNDATION Back-to-School Campaign. The initiative, which brought together children, parents, community leaders and stakeholders, focused on easing the burden on families as they prepared for a new academic year. Among the organizations that played a significant role in the success of the campaign was the Biaka Group, which participated as one of the major sponsors.
Representing the Biaka Group was its Vice President and Director General, Mr. Lawrence Francis Tonye Biaka, whose presence underscored the Group’s commitment to initiatives that improve the wellbeing and future prospects of communities. Going beyond financial and material support for education, the Biaka Group brought healthcare directly to the BONAVADA community through the Biaka Hospital. The hospital’s medical team provided free health screening services to community members, offering them an opportunity to know their health status and take preventive action where necessary.
The free screening covered a range of essential health indicators and conditions, including HIV, Hepatitis B and Syphilis, as well as Blood Group, Blood Sugar, Blood Pressure and Oxygen Saturation checks. The healthcare intervention reflected the Biaka Group’s broader understanding that education and health are closely connected. While access to school supplies and educational opportunities is essential, children and young people also need good health and well-being to learn effectively and pursue their aspirations. The campaign also paid special attention to the youngest members of the community as children between the ages of zero and five years received free mosquito nets, reinforcing the importance of disease prevention and protecting vulnerable children from mosquito-borne illnesses.
In addition to the healthcare services, the Biaka Group presented corporate gifts to the administration as well as selected pupils and students. The gesture added to the atmosphere of celebration, creating memorable moments for beneficiaries and further demonstrating the Group’s commitment to supporting communities beyond its core business activities.
The event attracted a distinguished gathering of officials and community leaders including the representatives of the Governor of the South West Region, the Divisional Officer for Buea and the Mayor of the Buea municipality who all answered present alongside members of the Forces of Law and Order and traditional authorities. The Upper Bokova Traditional Council and Quarter Heads were also represented, together with other distinguished guests. The strong presence of administrative, security and traditional authorities highlighted the importance of collaborative action in supporting young people and strengthening community development.
For the Biaka Group, the BONAVADA Back-to-School Campaign was more than a sponsorship opportunity. It was an opportunity to translate corporate responsibility into tangible impact by addressing two fundamental pillars of community development: education and healthcare.
Through its support, the Group contributed to helping hundreds of pupils and students begin the 2026/2027 academic year with greater confidence, while the health screening and preventive interventions provided valuable services to the wider community. The initiative once again demonstrated the Biaka Group’s commitment to putting people at the centre of its corporate social responsibility efforts. From education to healthcare, from prevention to empowerment, the Biaka Group continues to create opportunities, promote well-being and make a meaningful difference in the communities it serves.
Biaka Group: Caring. Empowering. Transforming.