AGRICULTURE
This is the main economic activity of the people with the women dominating. Cultivation is continuous especially in the vegetable sector. Harvesting takes place between July and September for other crops. The main crops include: Irish potatoes, Sweet potatoes, Maize, Cowpea, Beans, Yams Cassava and Tomatoes. Fruits cultivated include pears, magoes, plums and guavas.
ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
Cattle rearing takes place on the hills with the Fulani and Mbororo being the main actors. Poultry and other small rodents as guinea pigs, rabbits. Goats are also grown to a lesser extent.
MARKET GARDENING
The youths are the main actors here and they produce eucalyptus, cypress, pepper and spices seedlings in large quantities for distribution in the large market not only in Mezam but throughout the National Territory
ART AND CRAFT
The women are involved in the weaving of baskets, fiber bag, making of traditional dresses while the men and some youths make bamboo chairs, mats and carve objects from wood, in line with their hereditary. The blacksmiths produce hoes, knives and spears.
TOURISTIC SITES AND TOURISM
There are many attractive touristic sites in the Bamenda 1 municipality. They include the German graves, the Bamenda range of hills and plateau caves.
The shrine at Achichem-this habours a natural vegetation pools and waterfalls of high intensity. It is believed that all departed Fons, Notables and High priest of Bamendankwe reside in this shrine.
The three mystical stones- three equal stones with each coving the space of about five square metres high and five metres presented in the form of a triplet with a natural pavement leading to them.
The rich culture of the Bamenda 1 municipality which is usually expressed in its song and dance using the xylophone and drum is a rich touristic attraction to many visitors. This is usually during the dry season after harvest and the period when many death celebrations take place. The bottle dance is typical traditional rhythms and dance mainly in the evening and during weekends in some of the very popular drinking spots. Thursday is the cattle market day with it attractions. Traders come in from all over the National Territory to sell and buy cows. This is usually accompanied with well roosted Soya and drinks that will make visitors always want to be part of the cattle market. There is also the monument of a fallen soldier that was built in respect of the 50th anniversary of the arm force.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
The Bamenda 1 municipality has nineteen (19) nursery and primary schools and six secondary schools. The primary schools are distributed among the Catholics, the Baptist, the Presbyterians, the private sector and the Government. The private institutions operate mainly nursery and primary schools while the government operates mainly the primary school with one nursery school. Government operates four (4) secondary schools while one is privately run. The Maryvale Institute is a specialized centre owned by the Catholics operating in the Paul VI Pastoral centre specialized in providing refresher course for Catholic Christians who wants to deepen their faith.
HEALTH FACILITIES
As a result of the importance of health to the population, there are an impressive number of health establishment in this municipality. They include: The Adeso clinic at GRA, the World hospital at mile 1, the Integrated Health Centre at Sanimaka, the Military Hospital at the army camp, the Mutangoh Health centre.
RELAXATION AND INNS
Bamenda 1 offers a quiet and calm atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of town life. Resting facilities for meditation and retreats are available and inexpensive. The Paul IV pastoral centre offers such a unique facility. The Bamenda club 58 an exclusive club also offers relaxation and a lawn tennis and table tennis courts. It also provides fried chicken and cold drinks. Restaurants like the David Tower at Mile 2 offers clean environment where drinks are sold and also offers European African dishes there’re also other eating sites like Ma Esther’s restaurant at custom junction, roasted pork at Ntanche, West end at Akumbele and Gate way at prisons Junction.
