To mark the 32nd International Day of Families on Friday, May 15, 2026, the Douala III Municipality hosted a spectacular mass wedding ceremony. Filled with deep emotion and vibrant symbolism, the event saw fifteen couples officially seal their unions under the leadership of Mayor Valentin Epoupa Bossambo.Organized with the dedicated support of the 4th Deputy Mayor, Vincent Ng Sa’a Ambou, and Ms. Essola, this social initiative was designed to promote legal marriage, foster family stability, and protect the rights of spouses and children.Beyond the official legal proceedings, the municipal executive ensured the newly weds felt truly celebrated.
The town hall transformed the occasion into a festive, convivial party, gifting each couple a celebratory meal and two bottles of champagne to toast to their future.The joy among the couples was unmistakable. One of the grooms shared his gratitude:”I chose the Douala III council because it is a leading municipality. Today, I discovered just how wonderful a group wedding can be. The care and support we received from the municipal executive will remain etched in my heart forever.”Another couple praised the accessibility and seamless organization of the event:“I thought we would have to spend a fortune, but to my great surprise, the wedding was entirely free. The mayor even provided us with gifts and a meal. For us, this is truly a dream come true.”Present at the ceremony was Nana Laurentine, the Subdivision Delegate for the Promotion of Women and the Family. She highlighted the significance of the initiative in relation to this year’s International Day of Families theme: “Family, Inequality, and Child Well-being.”According to the Delegate, grassroots awareness campaigns are finally bearing fruit: “We have noticed that many couples hesitate to formalize their unions. Through these initiatives, we are encouraging families to take the plunge, ensuring greater stability and legal security for their children.”Meanwhile,for Mayor Valentin Epoupa Bossambo, the mass wedding is a crucial step in a broader municipal mission to guarantee the legal and social security of local families.“You cannot live with a partner for a long time without seeking legal status,” Mayor Bossambo emphasized. “It is essential to protect children’s rights, establish legal parentage, and strengthen the family structure.”The Mayor also noted that this campaign is part of a continuous effort by the municipality, building on similar successful initiatives organized around Valentine’s Day and executed in collaboration with local religious communities.With this successful civic initiative, the Douala III Council reaffirms its unwavering commitment to making the family unit a central pillar of social cohesion and local development.
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