PPRD-NW/SW Steering Committee Session in Bamenda
During the 7th Steering Committee session of the Presidential Plan for the Reconstruction and Development of the North-West and South-West Regions (PPRD-NW/SW), held at the Bamenda Congress Hall, UNDP Cameroon reaffirmed its strong commitment to supporting the Government in implementing the Plan.
Mr Mathieu Ciowela, UNDP Resident Representative, Cameroon
The session, chaired by the Prime Minister, Head of Government, H.E. Chief Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute, brought together members of government, local authorities, traditional leaders, development partners, and civil society. During the meeting, committee members reviewed and validated the PPRD activity report and adopted the 2025 Annual Work Plan, laying the groundwork for the next phase of recovery.
UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Mathieu Ciowela, who addressed the session for the first time since assuming office, thanked the Government of Cameroon for entrusting UNDP with the implementation of the PPRD. He reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to the recovery process and expressed his institution's readiness to continue supporting national and local stakeholders as the Plan evolves.
Mr. Ciowela welcomed the updated PPRD organic framework, which expands implementation responsibilities to Regional and Local Authorities in line with the decentralization policy. He pledged UNDP’s continued technical support to local structures, its commitment to mobilizing additional funding for the Plan, and its focus on inclusion — especially for youth, women, and persons living with disabilities.
UNDP’s support has produced significant and measurable results across the three pillars of the PPRD:
- Infrastructure rehabilitation: UNDP has rehabilitated 99 schools, 39 health centres, 39 water points, and 4 strategic bridges—restoring access to education, healthcare, clean water, and mobility.
- Economic revitalization: 1,725 hectares of farmland recovered; 2,461 farmers equipped; 23 local markets rehabilitated or constructed; support given to 321 youth-led start-ups and 171 agro-pastoral groups.
- Social cohesion: Over 88 peacebuilding events facilitated; 14 women’s centres supported; 800 individuals assisted in recovering lost civil documents.
On the sidelines of the Steering Committee, the Prime Minister and committee members visited three flagship UNDP project sites under the PPRD: the reconstructed St. Joseph Primary School in Big Mankon, the Atugolah Synthetic Turf Stadium, and the Women’s Empowerment Centre in Santa.
These visits provided a direct view of the Plan’s impact on communities and underscored UNDP’s commitment to delivering results that transform lives.
By Hilltopvoices Newsroom
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