At New Year wishes ceremony: Minister Jules Doret Ndongo unveils ambitious 2024 roadmap.

This was during the 2024 New Year wishes ceremony. The annual ritual took place at the Yaounde Conference Centre.

It was attended by senior officials of the ministry, collaborators, representatives of consular chambers, Non-Governmental Organisations, NGOs, Civil Society Organisation, CSOs, as well as other stakeholders.

Speaking at the New Year wishes ceremony, Minister Jules Doret Ndongo disclosed that his ministry shall in 2024 lay emphasis on contributing more to achieving the country’s National Development Strategy, NDS, by 2030, as prescribed by President Paul Biya.

The minister underscored the importance of achieving their objectives this year. Minister Doret Ndongo went further to prescribe discipline, punctuality, hard work and teamwork to his collaborators. 

He has expressed the hope that they will undoubtedly contribute to the attainment of Cameroon’s emergence by 2035.

“As you know, it is customary in all institutions to extend best wishes to each other at the start of each New Year. It is also an opportunity for each of you and for me as head of the ministry to access our activities over the past year, to highlight them and to outline prospects for the year to come,” the minister said.

Despite a reduction of the ministry’s yearly budget which stands at 20 billion FCFA this year, the minister encouraged his collaborators to continue to work harder in order to achieve their objectives. 

The minister seized the occasion to wish his collaborators strength, energy and enthusiasm needed to transform their wishes into reality.

He announced several innovations. He also said that he intends to ameliorate the working conditions of the staff in order to improve performance.

The New Year wishes ceremony was also an occasion to lay down some difficulties of the ministry in the previous years and propose solutions and prospects for the year 2024.

“This sector faces challenges that we all know; international transhumance, poaching, human wildlife conflicts, ensure that protected areas are secured. We shall continue to promote and consolidate this win-win diplomacy with MINFOF and its partners,” Minister Doret Ndongo revealed.

He added that: “In order to address this issue, which impacts economic activities negatively, we need to first continue to convince the hierarchy by applying for an increase in the number of Eco guards. Secondly, ensure that protected areas are secured with a view of developing their potentials”.

Minister lauds collaboration

Speaking further during the ceremony, Minister Doret Ndongo lauded the quality and scope of the cooperation ties that exist with technical and financial partners. 

The member of government said their actions have been significantly important in achieving the ministry’s results and improving performance.

He added that the MINFOF “shall continue to promote and consolidate the win-win diplomacy between MINFOF and its implementing partners in keeping with the vision enshrined in the Paris Declaration of Earth's effectiveness”.

He has, meanwhile, saluted the significant support of the Ministry of External Relations, MINREX, and the Ministry of Defence, MINDEF.

Improving economic growth 

The presentation of New Year wishes to the Minister of Forestry and Wildlife coincided with the holding of the annual seminar of the Central and Decentralised services of the ministry.

The one-day event unfolded under the theme: “Sustainable management of forest and wildlife resources, a prerequisite for improving economic growth and combating climate change”.

In his opening address, the minister disclosed that the forestry and wildlife sector are at the cross road of economic and social development.

He added that through the fruitful and constructive debates held during the seminar, they shall be able to meet the expectations of the state and the aspirations of the population and improve on their living conditions.

He has expressed optimism that the annual gathering will enable MINFOF to contribute in boosting the national economy through appropriate forestry and wildlife resources. 

By doing so, the minister said, they shall be able to respond positively to the call of the President of the Republic to increase resources and guarantee emergence in 2035.

The seminar, which was taking place within a specific context, has put in place measures to increase resources to consolidate the country’s development albeit challenges as mentioned by President Paul Biya.

It also ensured that officials of the ministry are on the same page regarding the main issues and challenges faced daily. It is worth noting that MINFOF stands as the third largest contributor to the state budget. 

The ministry led by the indefatigable Jules Doret Ndongo, is poised to play a pivotal role in their country’s National Development Strategy SND30 in the economic sector.