Yaounde:Some 50 participants from the civil society sector in Cameroon concluded a two-day intensive workshop focused on electoral transparency and governance. The event, held in Yaounde, was organized by Actions for Development and Empowerment (ADE) and aimed at educating participants on effective communication, identifying misinformation, and understanding different forms of governance.
According to Cameroon News Agency, Ms. Nancy Saiboh, Executive Director of ADE, emphasized the importance of engaging citizens, especially young people and women, in governance beyond just participating in elections. She highlighted the significance of the workshop titled 'Beyond the Ballot Inclusive Electoral Accountability in Cameroon,' as a means to empower citizens to hold institutions accountable.
The workshop featured speakers such as Eugene Nforngwa, a former journalist-turned-environmental activist, and Anthony Antem, editor-in-chief of ON POLICY magazine, who discussed democracy and effective communication methods. Antem praised the initiative for creating a space for young Cameroonians to discuss political and governance issues, especially with upcoming municipal elections.
Participants expressed their insights from the workshop, including Tambe Favourina, who plans to apply her knowledge on civic leadership in the Tiko Municipality, and Radah Kathleen Howd, who valued the practical exercises on community mapping. Gracious Berinyu highlighted the need for youth to be more active in decision-making processes.
The workshop concluded with participants receiving attendance certificates and encouragement to apply their skills in their communities. Issues such as Cameroon's voting age and youth voter apathy were discussed, with NewSETA actively petitioning for changes. Ms. Saiboh expressed a desire to build a network of informed citizens promoting accountability, supported by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, focusing on the Centre and Adamawa regions.