Francophonie University, Councils sign partnership

A four-day workshop for staff of Cameroonian councils, all members of the United Councils and Cities of Cameroon, UCCC association, organised by the Senghor Francophonie University of Alexandria, Egypt, ended in Yaounde on October 29, 2015.

The closing ceremony saw the signing of a framework partnership agreement between UCCC and the Senghor Francophonie University of Alexandria, Egypt, for the training of Cameroonian council staff.

The deal was signed for UCCC by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Jean Claude Mbwentchou and Dr Danièle Bordeleau, Director of the Department of Administration and Management of Senghor Francophonie University of Alexandria, Egypt. Minister Jean Claude Mbwentchou felicitated UCCC and the Francophonie University for the agreement, saying it will boost the efficiency of Cameroonian councils.

The President of UCCC, Emile Andze Andze, described the framework partnership agreement as a privilege for the two-year-old National Training Programme for Council Staff, PNFMV. He noted that the stakes and challenges of decentralisation in the country demand that councils be staffed with qualified people.

The workshop, which was attended by 30 participants, had as theme, “Management of Local Governments,” dealt with subjects such as “From decentralization to the devolution of power to local governments,” “Concepts of management and the role of the manager-leader,” “The council as a management unit,” “Developing a territorial strategy: Case study of the social aspects,” and “Mastering a work team as manager,” etc.

Dr Danièle Bordeleau, who facilitated the workshop, noted that council staff must possess adequate governance, management and organisational skills in order to take decisions that enhance efficiency.