Inclusive Development: MINDEVEL, NASLA, FEICOM, UCCC, CUAPWD endorse SEEPD inclusion Award for Councils

By Bakah Derick 

Several institutions have endorsed the Council Excellence in Inclusion Award (CEIA) launched in Bamenda on Friday 29 October 2021. The institutions endorsed the awards during the laughing event in Bamenda. 

internal and external administrators at the CEIA launch. 

According to the regional representative of the Ministry of Decentralisation and Local Development MINDEVEL, the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services (CBCHS)  has taken the bull by the horn. And is in line with the very essence of the decentralisation process in Cameroon.  :If everyone benefits without people living with disabilities (PWDs) then not everyone has benefited" he outlined. 

According to the regional representative of the  Special Support Fund for council assistance (FEICOM), his institution doesn't finance buildings that are not accessible or meet universal norms or international standards. The award he said is an invitation for many councils to function rightly. 

The representative of  National School foenLocal Adminstrators (NASLA) expressed satisfaction with the idea and said their partnership with CBCHS will make entrance exams into his Institution more inclusive. 

NgwaKongoh Lawrence, Mayor of Bafut Council speaking on behalf of United Cities and Councils of Cameroon (UCCC) expressed concerns over the number of councils at the pilot phase of the award. The 11Councils according him were insignificant and there was urgent need to get the rest along. Prof Tih Muffih in responding said councils involvement in inclusive development innititives was to be intentional and not motivated by prizes. 

Chick Sama on behalf of the Coordinating Unit of Association of Persons with Disabilities (CUAPWDs) said the CBCHS has done a lot already for PWDs and the award is an extra to ensure that they find comfort in the society where they live. 

The Director of CBCHS has challenged PWDs "to be more than ever before courageous to engage with your municipal leaders and take up the opportunities they will create to exploit your potentials." 

The Council Excellence in Inclusion Award  co sponsored by Australian Aid ans CBM shall take place in November 2021.