Increasing youth participation in policy processes and democratic governance

Despite being the most populous group, making up close to 60% of the total population, youth participation in processes of public policy design, implementation and evaluation is relatively low, with little input or influence in decision-making processes that affect them. The Regional Youth Caucus (RYC) Innovative Project Award (RIPA) prompted Sanyi Emanuel Sanyi, Commonwealth youth representative, Cameroon to seek ways of increasing youth awareness on democratic governance and policy processes through his “Youth Action project.”

What is it that hinders youth participation in the processes of decision making in Cameroon? What impedes young Cameroonians from understanding their rights and obligations as citizens of the nation and contribute in consequence to its development? As a way of promoting effective youth participation in civic engagement action and increase the capacity of young people to effectively contribute to community and national development efforts, Emanuel embarked on a project which sought to bring training and information to young people and decision making bodies. Within the project, three advocacy training workshops were held and a good number of advocacy meetings with partners of youth.

The training and advocacy action sessions facilitated by Sanyi Emanuel Sanyi, Levy Herve M. Oyono and Ndikintum George Wanyu brought together 85 leaders of youth Associations aged 18 – 35, spread in groups of 30 within Yaounde, Bamenda and Kumba districts. The training yielded positive results and 90 young people representing young women, handicaps and leaders of youth associations from the named districts were trained, strategies to help resolve some of the problems of youth participation within their communities and Cameroon in general were identified, youths from vulnerable groups were empowered with skills brought to them by the representatives from their respective Associations, a youth advocacy group for greater participation in policy and development action within these communities and Cameroon was created.

The closing ceremonies of the trainings were presided over by officials of the Ministry of Youth Affairs who lauded the efforts of the organizers and trainers. In Yaounde, Mrs Mua Epo Anne, Research Officer No 1 at the Ministry of Youth Affairs closed the training, while Mr Neba Otto Che, Provincial Delegate for Youth Affairs for the Northwest Province closed the training for Bamenda. Mr Tankwa Festus, Divisional Delegate for Youth Affairs for Meme, Kumba closed the training in Kumba South West Province. They called on participants to make use of the knowledge acquired during the training to build more peaceful communities and country while advocating for greater involvement of young people in processes of decision making. They expressed their readiness to encourage such initiatives. Certificates of participation were handed to participants.

The concept of the Youth Development and Peace Network was also shared to the young people. In Bamenda, Mr. Ignatius Kukwa Kombe of Local Youth Corner Bamenda branch was entrusted with the responsibility of organizing follow-up activities concerning the project in terms of advocacy meetings and other actions as regards the YDP. Mr. Ngala Elvis Tawe, Coordinator of Students Forum for Peace Kumba was equally entrusted with the same responsibility for the town of Kumba.

Initially planned for Yaounde at the end of the training, the Press Conference to mark the end of the training and kick start the advocacy phase, took place in Kumba. This Press Conference brought together the following Media Organisations; Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV), The Herald Newspaper, The Post Newspaper, Eden Newspaper, Cameroon Express Newspaper, Ocean City Radio covering the Southwest and Littoral provinces, and Lakeside Radio covering the Southwest Province. Engagement with these Media Organs was part of the advocacy strategy to attract public opinion on the plights and aspirations of young people as regards their participation in decision making processes in Cameroon.

Participants equally agreed to work on an initiative titled “YA Platform 2015” which shall seek to develop more advocacy and lobbying actions in a bid to increase youth involvement in public policy development and governance processes in Cameroon.

This platform shall also be used for continuous learning and sharing of knowledge, information and experiences on Youth Civic Engagement Actions.