Local Development : North West Citizens Prepared For Effective Participation

The Office of the Public Independent Conciliator for the North West Region has embarked on a campaign to inform and educate citizens on their rights and duties to participate and to urge the population to engage in council activities as a matter of right and duty. 
The campaign was launched on July 4, 2024 at the Auditorium of the PIC in Bamenda. The following day July 5, 2024, the campaign caravan kicked off the public/outdoor awareness creation programme in the Bamenda I Council. The Public Independent Conciliator Tamfu Simon Fai during the launching ceremony explained that, “Following the observation that the population is not fully aware that participation of citizens in the affairs of the region and councils is a matter of duty and rights, the campaign to promote citizens’ participation in regional and council affairs is organized to boost citizen’s engagement in issues concerning their development and welfare.” He said citizens’ participation also constitutes an important part of the PIC’s annual report on the state of relations between citizens and regional and council services.
The campaign messages are addressing the inequalities, discriminatory practices and stereotypes, as well as the unjust and unequal power relationships that have been holding back the massive participation of the population.  The messages are emphasizing how inclusive participation of all could improve development and livelihood in the communities, how inclusive information sharing will lead to empowerment, accountability and transparency, and how involvement will boost ownership, satisfaction and peace in the communities.
For better results, the strategy include...