To boost role in decentralisation: Traditional rulers front review of chieftaincy law, training on local dev’t.

Submissions to this effect dominated a meeting leaders of the Association of Representatives of Traditional Rulers in Regional Assemblies and Councils of Cameroon, ARTRRACC, held Tuesday. The meeting held at the Centre Regional Assembly in Yaounde. 

In his opening remarks, the representative of traditional rulers at the Centre Regional Council and Paramount Chief of Etoudi, HRM Jean Baptiste Onana, saluted the turnout of members.

He said the gathering was strategic for them to brainstorm on how to best fit in and play their role as traditional rulers within the context of decentralisation. 

Coordinator on objective of meeting 

Addressing members, the Coordinator of ARTRRACC, HRM Fon Yakum Kevin Teuvih, said the meeting was specifically aimed at looking at the role of traditional rulers in decentralisation.

With traditional rulers called upon to play an active role in decentralisation process, Fon Yakum said it was necessary to for them to brainstorm and suggest a review of the existing chieftaincy law to better fit into the current context. 

“The 1977 law on the traditional chieftaincy was elaborated when we did not have decentralisation. So, we are looking forward in the days ahead, that this law be reviewed to take into consideration the context of decentralisation that we have today,” Fon Yakum stated. 

Aside review of the law, he said the traditional rulers will also need to have their skills honed in order to better contribute to local development drives in their communities. 

“…we are looking on the training of traditional rulers on local development since they are called upon to play this very important role,” Fon Yakum who is Fon of Bambalang, said. 

Fon Yakum who is President of the North West House of Chiefs, said they are also envisaging engaging authorities of the National School of Local Administration, NASLA to build the capacities of traditional rulers. 

“…we think in the days ahead, will be training traditional rulers on local development and probably how to effectively play their role within the context of decentralisation in Cameroon,” the Coordinator of ARTRRACC told reporters. 

Such trainings, Fon Yakum explained, are in order for traditional rulers to be on the same wavelength with administrative authorities and religious leaders with whom they work in their communities. 

“…religious authorities are trained, administrative authorities, are trained. Where are the traditional rulers trained? Fon Yakum rhetorically questioned, adding that “we want traditional rulers to have some formal training”. 

He stated that when traditional rulers are trained, “they will be able to collaborate well with the administrative authorities, with the religious authorities, with the forces of law and order and the population”.

This, Fon Yakum who doubles as Vice President of the North West Regional Assembly, added “will lead to sustainable development and we can see a lot of success in the local development in the country”. 

Resolutions arrived at the meeting, Fon Yakum said, will be tabled to the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute, during an audience he is expected to accord them. 

Members of ARTRRACC also said, they are looking forward to discussions with other members of government in the months ahead.  They also talked of plans to meet with the Minister of Territorial Administration on issues related to conflicts between local administrative authorities and traditional rulers.

The Coordinator also said, they are looking forward to meet with the Minister of Decentralisation and Local Development, Georges Elanga Obam as well as the Minister of State Property, Surveys and Land tenure, Henri Eyebe Ayissi. 

This story was first Published in The Guardian Post issue N0:3192 of Wednesday August 07, 2024