Bah and Traditional Governance in Babungo, Cameroon

Abstract

Traditional governance in Babungo, a Tikar Chiefdom in Cameroon is embedded with a consensual decision-making process, checks and balances that have provided good governance and political stability in the fondom for many decades.  This paper investigates the Bah institution which represented the values of democracy within the traditional political system. In the process of construction or nation-building in Babungo, the people established the Bah institution whichregulated the power of the traditional ruler. This institution symbolised dual leadership which guaranteed stable governance. TheBah institution was however not without challenges. In spite of this, the institution remains very relevant ingovernance of the kingdom of Babungo in Cameroon and from it the government can learn the lessons of governance and leadership.