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Research Paper | Development Studies | Cameroon | Volume 13 Issue 1, January 2024 | Popularity: 5.3 / 10

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Current Stakes and Challenges of Citizen Participation in Local Development in Cameroon: Case of Fako Division

Tanyi Christian, Bate Godwill Bate, Baba Adamu, Keletchi Walter N

Abstract: Within the development agenda, an inclusive and participatory community development strategy remains a key policy set towards driving effective transformation and efficiency. Since the early 1990s, government and stakeholders? policy strategies, plans, and legal bindings in many developing countries have paved the way for effective implementation. These efforts aim to drive local development, provide growth and opportunities, and ensure inclusiveness. However, in the Fako Division of Cameroon, implementation strategies are still hampered by limited investment and financial support, poor coordination, low information sharing, poor policy implementation, infrastructure, and collaboration. This study examines the stakes and challenges of citizen participation in local development in the management of councils? local development in Fako Division, a rapidly growing division of Cameroon. Using a mixed method approach, a total number of 180 key stakeholders across 34 communities within Limbe II, I and Buea municipalities and also working sessions and Key Informant interviews were conducted with Council officials. Secondary data sources were derived from reviewed council documents as well from literature review.Data were analyze using both simple descriptive statistical techniques and thematic analysis and presented in the form of tables. Results revealed that, in the course of the enforcement of the decentralization process within the studied councils, there were limited information flow, low citizen participation in project implementation, monitoring and evaluation, consultation and prioritization of projects for local development. This goes against the national and international laws on decentralization and effective citizen participation. Thus, the effectiveness in the implementation of the contents within the approved Law No 2019/024 of 24 December, 2019 remains unsatisfactory in the Fako Division incising needed urgent actions to 1) engage the locals in local projects at all phases, 2) map out effective resources to address local needs, 3) recognized the integrated roles of stakeholders at all levels; 4) establish partnerships with Civil Society Organisations to drive needed local changes and 5)increase capacity building, education and awareness for better engagement to ensure effective awareness and participation for sustainable local development.

Keywords: Citizen participation, challenges, local development, Fako, Cameroon

Edition: Volume 13 Issue 1, January 2024

Pages: 1363 - 1375

DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.21275/SR24112113638

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