Information from the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services, CBCHS revealed that over the years Persons with Disabilities have been left out of development initiatives, their opinions are not sort in thw realization of many projects in the North-West Region.
It is for this reason and in order to create greater accessibility and empowerment for persons living with disabilities in Cameroon's North West region, the Cameroon Baptist Convention (CBC) and the Public Independent Conciliator (PIC) signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The signing ceremony took place on July 18, 2024 in the presence of representatives from the North West Regional Assembly, the Regional Delegate for Social Affairs, project supervisors, and the coordinator of the Socio-Economic Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SEEPD) program.
The agreement is set to be a game-changer, as it aims to promote the inclusive development of local communities, with a particular focus on empowering those living with disabilities. The MoU outlines several key areas of collaboration, including:
- Capacity building for staff, field agents, and stakeholder groups
- Provision of technical support
- Facilitation of experience and information sharing on inclusive and participatory development
- Joint participation in activities that promote inclusion
- Collaborative monitoring and evaluation
Mr. Ngum Samuel, the Director of Cameroon Baptist Health Services, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "We have an opportunity to further consolidate our work and seize a God-given opportunity to work with a structure that promotes social justice. There is no better partner we could wish for at this time than the Public independent Conciliator."
Noyeng Amile, the Regional Board Chair of the Coordinator Unit of the Association of Persons Living with Disabilities in the North West Region, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the MoU's potential to enhance the visibility and impact of the SEEPD program.
According to Mr. Tamfu Simon, the Public Independent Conciliator for the North West Region, the agreement was driven by the need to combat the widespread marginalization and discrimination faced by persons with disabilities.
"This MoU was motivated by the fact that persons living with Disability are marginalized, are discriminated upon, and they cannot access the services they deserve in their municipalities," he explained.
The MoU comes at a pivotal time, as the office of the Public Independent Conciliator in the North West Region has launched a campaign to encourage greater citizen participation in local development.
This partnership between the CBC and PIC is poised to be a shining example of how collaborative efforts can truly make a difference in the lives of those who have been long underserved.
By Bamenjo Petronilla