A project to ensure transparency and accountability in councils has been launched in Yaounde. The project dubbed “Cameroon Open Participatory Budget” is an initiative of AfroLeadership with support from Cameroon Network of Human Rights Organisations, CNHRO and Cameroon Community Media Network, CCMN.

The Cameroon Open Participatory Budget, COPB is a response to the concern of public authorities for greater transparency, accountability and citizen participation in local affairs.

The project seeks to provide budget information to citizens in an open format, improve budget literacy through capacity building of citizens on budgets, call for greater accountability of local decision-makers and leaders amongst other aspects.

The project will be implemented in the Centre, Littoral, West, South West and North West Regions of the country.

Present during the Launch of the COPB was the Director of Programs of Social Inclusion and Human Rights at PENASED, Burnley Prudencia who appreciated the project and wished for more training on the concept.

Director of Programs of Social Inclusion and Human Rights at PENASED

“It is a new concept. We expect that they should come often to train the leaders so that we can go and train others in the quarter. The open budget will help our organisation because we will learn from those who have started so that we can learn the right way”.

The Coordinator for the Cameroon Community Media, Network, CCMN (one of the implementing partners) Rosaline Akah Obah said the project will open room for transparency.

Coordinator, CCMN

“As one of the implemented of this project, we are hoping that through the Cameroon Community Media Network, CCMN, the community will be involved in the day to day running and supervision of their various councils. This will open room for transparency, accountability and responsibility on the path of those who have been charged to administer in the councils.”

The Cameroon Open Participatory Budget project was officially launched on Friday March 3, at the Yaounde Vi Council under the auspices of the mayor and administrators from other councils. Members of civil society organisations were also present during the launch.

By Sandrine M.