Origins of the Canton
First settlers of the banks of the Wouri River alongside the Bakoko, the Bassa du Wouri form an important sociological community bordered by the Akwa, Déido, Bell and Bakoko cantons, as well as the Nkam department. Bassa Canton is the largest of the six that make up the Wouri, straddling the Douala 3rd and 5th districts. Once made up of 24 villages, it now counts only 23, after the Banguè voluntarily joined Bonambela (Akwa) Canton.
Originally a people of farmers, hunters and fishermen — dynamic, enterprising and courageous — the Bassa share a common history of around 500 years with the Duala community. The canton covers nearly 75% of the surface area of the Wouri department and today hosts one of the two major industrial zones of Cameroon's economic capital. It was in the 19th century that the colonial administration established a Superior Chieftaincy here, entrusted to the ruling family of the Log Nyoug of Ndogbong. Successive chiefs included Njoh Lembè (1919-1934), Moussongo Isaac (1935-1941), Mbody Conrad (1967-2003, the only elected chief in the lineage) and Mbody Gaston since 2007 — today Executive President of the NGONDO.
👑 2026 Presidency
The Superior Chief
The Ngondo in Pictures
