Hundreds of stakeholders across all walks of life –from far and wide, were for two days- May 26 & 27, participants in a forum on “Participation-The Challenge for Decentralization in Cameroon.”
The public dialogue meeting was organized by Buea Council in partnership with the Freidrich Ebert Stitung(FES) in Yaoundé.According to Mayor of Buea, Charles Mbella Moki(pictured above reading speech), the initiative was a manifestation of his council’s overriding philosophy of “putting People First”, He added that his Council believes in a people-driven approach to development.
The forum coordinator and project consultant, Tedd Eyong of GREMPCO Cameroon, noted that although 2010 is the start of decentralization in Cameroon, many people were skeptical about the process and how they could get involved in it to better their communities.
Opening the forum, Peter Nde, Secretary-General at Southwest Governor’s office, who sat in for Governor Koumpa ISSA, was particularly thankful to FES for what he said was their continued support to good governance in Cameroon. Mr.Nde stressed that decentralization is now a reality in Cameroon and urged concerned stakeholders to be more proactive.
The key note address was delivered by Ndiva Kofele Kale, University Distinguished Professor & Professor of Law from the USA.
Professor Kake, whose paper was titled” The Challenges & Opportunities of Decentralisation: Buea in the Year 2060” moved the large audience when he demonstrated a mastery of the subject matter. He distinguished, with examples, the various types of decentralization
The keynote speaker remarked:” Decentralization may not be the panacea that it is touted to be if it is only limited to the “deconcentrattion” of national authority and services to the local level, without the devolution of revenue-generating and decision-making authority necessary for true decentralization.”
Participants later broke into committees to brainstorm and come up with recommendations for better development blueprints.
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