The city of Bamenda is currently awash with campaign banners promoting an initiative aimed at enhancing citizen engagement in local development and governance.
This campaign, organized by the Office of the Public Independent Conciliator (PIC) for the North West Region, seeks to ensure that every voice counts in the decision-making processes of regional and council affairs.
The campaign, with its prominent messages such as "A Citizen's Participation in Regional and Council affairs is both a RIGHT and a DUTY" and "Leave no One Behind: Every Voice Counts!!!," was officially launched on Thursday, July 4, 2024, by Tamfu Simon Fai, the Public Independent Conciliator for the North West Region.
During the launch event, Fai highlighted the foundational principles behind the campaign, rooted in the 1996 Constitution of Cameroon and the General Code of Regional and Local Authorities of 2019.
"Decentralization shall be the driving force of development, democracy, and good governance at the local level." He said explaining that this framework entrusts regions and councils with the powers and resources necessary for their economic, social, health, educational, cultural, and sports development.
Despite the legislative framework in place, there has been a significant gap between policy and practice.
"The population is not fully aware that participation of citizens in the affairs of the region and councils is a matter of duty and of rights," Fai stated noting that the campaign aims to rectify this by boosting citizen engagement in issues concerning their development, governance, and welfare.
According to the PIC, observations over the past two years have shown a concerning trend of passive citizen involvement. Many councils lack effective platforms for citizen participation, and council development plans are often either not implemented or have ceased to exist. Moreover, there is limited access to information on council internal management and a passive engagement of councillors who rarely represent their communities effectively.
"The lack of empowerment is the root cause of the dysfunctioning of many local councils. Until the population is educated, informed, and equipped to participate in determining their own welfare and development, their influence will remain weak." Tamfu Simon said
This initiative comes at a crucial time as the North West Region has been grappling with the consequences of an armed conflict for over seven years. The ongoing unrest has significantly hindered civic participation and disrupted local governance structures. Many citizens, displaced by violence, have been unable to participate in council affairs, further widening the gap between the government and the governed. This disconnect has led to a passive citizenry, underutilized council resources, and a lack of transparency and accountability in local governance.
"The lack of empowerment is the root cause of the dysfunctioning of many local councils. Until the population is educated, informed, and equipped to participate in determining their own welfare and development, their influence will remain weak." He said emphasizing that the campaign, therefore, focuses on a rights-based approach to ensure sustainable outcomes and impact. It aims to strengthen the capacities of both the population to claim their rights and duty-bearers to perform their duties.
Should the campaign be successful, at least 80% of the active population in the North West Region will be reached with information on their rights to participate in council affairs and development. Additionally, the campaign hopes to set in motion new dynamics of rekindled participation in the affairs of their councils and in decisions affecting their welfare.The desired outcomes are equally compelling, with the aim of informing at least 50% of the adult population about their rights and duties and ensuring that 80% of this informed group actively participates in local governance processes thus setting the stage for the upcoming municipal, parliamentary, and presidential elections in 2025.
In a region where council affairs have often been perceived as the sole responsibility of mayors and councillors, this campaign represents a transformative approach to local governance. By promoting inclusive participation and ensuring that every voice counts, the PIC's campaign hopes to foster transparency, accountability, and meaningful development in Bamenda and beyond.
By Bakah Derick
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