Gov't, Bamboo Organisation sign agreement to empower artisans.

The deal was signed by the Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary and the INBAR Director and Head of the Central Africa Regional Office, Rene Kaam. 

The deal was signed in the presence of the Minister Delegate to the Minister of External Relations in charge of Cooperations with the Commonwealth, Felix Mbayu, and a representative from the Chinese Embassy. 

Officials said the aim of the MoU is to to highlight the public private partnership, and also to promote government policies on employment training and professional integration. 

It aims at promoting vocational training in the bamboo and rattan sector. The deal is initiated to support development and promotion of bamboo and rattan in the country, focusing on the promotion, valorization and the development of bamboo.

As indicated in the MoU, the Employment ministry shall provide INBAR with space to establish the bamboo and rattan workshop in order to facilitate the installation of the tools and equipment’s provided by INBAR in ensuring the learners are well trained and strengthen with necessary knowledge.

Move to reduce import of bamboo products 

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary stated that the partnership will go a long way to benefit the country and most especially reduce the importation of bamboo products.

He said: “With the collaboration and cooperation, we have with INBAR, they are committed to equip our rural artisan centers… it will empower our people to produce what unfortunately we import from abroad”.

Appreciating the collaboration between the ministry and INBAR, he said: “I will like to commend the bilateral cooperation between MINEFOP and INBAR which has brought together the necessary human and material resources to make this ceremony successful”. 

Minister Issa Tchiroma added that Cameroon socio-economic context reveals that youth employment and underemployment remain a serious concern in the country. 

Revealing the President’s goal to fight unemployment, the Minister added that: “To this effect the government of Cameroon under the leadership of the Head of State, His Excellency President Paul Biya, among other initiatives have taken measures to address these issues by fostering bilateral and partnership, to boost the government and promote employment”. 

“Several actions have been taken to enhance and diverse vocational training in line with the needs of our economy. Cooperation with bilateral partners has enabled us into initiating the implementation of our vocational strategy,” he said.

“Through this collaborative initiative, our shared commitment has turned into joined action with each stakeholder playing its role. By working together, we will build a society of competent citizens that will propel us to inclusive and participatory emergence,” Minister Tchiroma said. 

Importance of partnership 

During the ceremony, INBAR Director and Head of the Central Africa Regional Office, Rene Kaam, said the partnership ties with Cameroon's policy of import substitution. He said the deal will reduce the importation of products such as leather, small bamboo items that can be produced on site.  

The Director said the importance of the partnership signed is to support the policy of the Head of State in terms of youth employment. 

He said: “Today we are facing youth unemployment and environmental degradation. And the partnership between INBAR and the MINEFOP, helps to address both issues because we are going to work to equip three of the rural artisanal centers in Mora in the Far North, Ngamba in the North and Dschang in the West Region”. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3457 of Tuesday May 27, 2025