Clerk's Quarters is a historic residential neighborhood in Buea, Fako Division, South-West Region of Cameroon. It belongs to the older Buea administrative core (Buea Station) and is associated historically with the government residential service area created during British administration of Southern Cameroons for lower ranking government officials. The area contains houses, offices, churches and shops, with intense commercial activity reported in parts of the area. The neighborrhod combines its historical residential function with present-day commercial and community activities, making it an active part of central Buea.
History Established during the British colonial administration to accommodate lower-ranking government employees, it formed part of the planned residential quarters of Buea Station, alongside the Police and Prison/Warders’ quarters. By 1970, the area was among the more densely populated residential sections of the town, reflecting its role as institutional housing for civil servants. The growth of government departments in Buea during British post WWI retainment created an increasing demand for African and expatriate government employees, leading to the creation of neighborhoods like Clerks Quarters and its environs. Its name "Clerk's Quarters" quite literally was associated with the accommodation of government clerks and junior-service employees.
Today, the area has evolved into a mixed residential, commercial and service neighborhood. This change is part of a larger transformation of the entire city of Buea, identifying Clerks Quarters and other areas like Federal Quarters, GRA(Government Residential Area), Great Soppo, Molyko, Bokwango(Bokoango), Small Soppo and Bonduma as important areas of population settlement and socioeconomic activity.
Location Sitting near the foot of Mount Cameroon, Clerk's Quarters borders the central Administrative Quarters of Buea, close to Great Soppo and Buea Town. The neighborhood is different from the more recently developed "Clerk's Quarter New Layout" situated around Wonganga/Small Soppo.
Activities and Occupation Residential use remains fundamental with accommodation associated with new houses and old government residential landscape. Commercial activity has greatly supplemented the old residential character with shops, restaurants, bars and lounges, guest houses, rental accommodation,roadside and small service businesses storming the area. It also hosts educational centers with the University of Buea's Franco-Alliance Center(an extension of the faculty of Arts) standing out as a prominent site.
Key Landmarks Institutions and offices to note here include: ENAP(Ecole Nationale d'Administration et de Magistrature), The Regional Treasury, Post Office, Delegation of Secondary Education, and the Buea Central Hospital.
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