Decentralisation, local dev’t promotion: PNDP launches English Language version of book evaluating ground covered.

The book titled: “Decentralisation and Local Development in Cameroon: A critical analysis of the PNDP’s contributions”, was launched in Yaounde on Friday July 26.

PNDP National Coordinator, Nga Marie Madeleine, chaired the book launch in the presence of staff of the structure and guests. The 430-page book was first launched in the French Language on August 3, 2023. 

Besides analysing the ground covered, the publication is designed to serve as an evaluating tool for the PNDP.

Since creation in 2004, the institution has been actively engaged in promoting decentralisation and local development in the country, through collaboration with councils and local authorities. 

Translated version strategic in attaining major target 

Presenting the publication, PNDP National Coordinator stated that the book was carefully assembled by Cameroonian experts and researchers.

Nga Marie Madeleine said it is rich in data and result-oriented guidelines that can efficiently orientate local authorities and stakeholders in decentralisation and local development. 

“The interest of this book first of all is that, it represents a tool that enables the practicality of the ideas that we have developed in the course of the implementation of the national development program for close to two decades,” the coordinator said. 

She went further to say: “The book also presents data pieces that we can think about and reflect on in collaboration with professionals in the field of decentralisation, university professionals, students and researchers to improve the sector”.

Experts say book dev’t catalyst for Cameroon

The Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Management of the University of Bamenda, Prof Njong Mom, who contributed to the writing of the book described the publication as a crucial and reliable development tool for Cameroon.

He said the book has all the necessary information and guidelines that state authorities and private stakeholders in the field of decentralisation and local development need to sustainably better their actions.

Prof Mom insisted that the English Language version of the book will make it get to a bigger audience and making a more positive impact on the life of the nation and even beyond. 

Brief summary of book 

The 430-page PNDP book partitioned in 14 chapters and grouped in three parts, was written by some 44 lecturers and 10 researchers.

The publication was put together with supervision and assistance from personalities, including the Head of State, President Paul Biya, Prime Minister, Head of Government as well as the ministers of Local Development and Economy.

Part one which has five chapters, focuses on what economic analyst, Dr Elvis Dze Achuo who did a brief presentation of the book at the launch described as the multi-sectorial contributions of the PNDP in the decentralisation and local development efforts in the country. 

It emphasises on the fact that the participatory approaches to development brought forth by the PNDP are proving to be indispensable in Cameroon’s drive to effective decentralisation,

It also presents the contribution of the PNDP as the brain behind the success of high-performing councils in the country. It equally highlights the respect of public contract regulations as a key tool for positive change.

Part two also has five chapters. It focuses on the PNDP’s contribution to the legal, economic and financial governance of Cameroon.

In terms of the legal activities carried out by the institution, it helps readers to see the role played by the PNDP in enriching the legal framework for decentralisation in Cameroon which is now serving as a major guideline for local authorities to follow. 

Here, readers are also presented the crucial contribution of the PNDP in the lives of regional and council authorities.

Part three is made up of four chapters. It among others, presents PNDP’s easily traceable actions to the enhancement of human and social capital at the level of councils and regions. 

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3183 of Monday July 29, 2024