Cameroon joined the rest of the international community yesterday September 17 to observe the 18th edition of the International Day for the preservation of the ozone layer.

Observed on the theme, "Protecting our atmosphere for generations to come," commemorative activities which took place at the Mvog Betsi Zoological Garden were however belated given that the day fell on September 16 which was a Sunday and so the Ministry of the Environment, Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development pushed the activities a day further. This year's commemoration coincided with the 25th anniversary of the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer.

The event yesterday featured among others, a school challenge between some secondary schools in Yaoundé, children's painting competition, an exhibition of paintings on ozone issues as well as a round table discussion on the impact of Phosphine in post-harvest application. Speaker after speaker like the essays and drawing competitions highlighted certain substances used in the industry such as chlorofluorocarbons in refrigeration, air conditioning, foam making, halons for fighting, methyl bromide for control of insecticides and fungicides that are ozone layer unfriendly.

In the speech of the Minister of the Environment, Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development read during the ceremony by the Inspector General in the Ministry, Prof. Tchalla Abina, government has been doing much to abide by the Montreal Protocol which he noted, seeks to reduce and phase out ozone depleting substances and promote the use of ozone-friendly alternatives. He disclosed that since January 2011, Cameroon has significantly reduced the consumption of ozone depleting substances. A code of conduct for refrigerator repariers, he said, is under consideration and could eventually preserve the ozone layer when it goes operational and is fully respected.