This study was carried out in Fako Division of Cameroon’s South West Region with the objective of identifying the social and environmental problems created by Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC), the country’s largest agro-industrial cooperation which is next employer to the government. Fako Division was selected for the study because all the major settlements in the Division have been affected by activities of CDC. Methods of data collection were qualitative using interviews, focus group discussions, and direct observation in the workers camps and third party settlements. Results of the study indicate that despite the corporation’s contribution to employment; environmental and social problems attributed to the company’s activities remain the greatest cause for concern affecting other human activities in the affected settlements. Deforestation and destruction of the ecosystem, untreated effluent discharged into the environment, gaseous emissions, noise pollution and aerial sprays in plantations including problems of hygiene and sanitation were identified among major problems affecting human settlements in the affected areas. Furthermore poor housing conditions, congestions, inadequate disposal of sewage and waste have been identified as greatest sources of social and health problems affecting the workers camps. The study calls for government and its agencies to conduct environmental impact and social assessment studies where the impacts could be measured to ascertain the effects on the environment and populations affected by the activities of the corporation.
KEY WORDS: Agro-industries, neighbourhood-settlements, Cameroon Development Corporation, social problems, environmental problems.
Investigating Maternal Mortality at Regina Pacis Hospital Mutengene and the Government Health Centre Mutengene, South West Region, Cameroon
