Vote Holders Learn Project Updating Strategies

Those who prepare the State budget are currently learning how they can update their respective priority projects in 2014 to stand the test of time and conform to Cameroon's development vision. A training to build the skills of vote holders for a harmonious preparation (content and context) of the projects of various ministries, departments and agencies was launched in Yaounde yesterday, February 28 and participants schooled on updating strategies. This was at a workshop chaired by the Secretary General in the Ministry of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, Gilbert Didier Edoa.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Edoa said the preparation of a budget is a long process and needs to start early. "Reason why we thought it wise for this workshop to start thinking of how to improve programmes, given that we now have a programme budget and it will be important to share what we have experienced so as to improve in terms of objectives and indicators. The goal is to ensure that all ministries, departments and agencies improve their programmes," he said.

The workshop seeks to bridge the apparent knowledge gap existing between the different services vis-à-vis programme budgeting wherein some have budgets with well outlined projects and expected impacts, while others are yet to separate from the old system that the programme budget seeks to replace. "Improving performance is a continuous effort. A programme budget is a set of many factors like objectives and indicators and we need to make sure that the objectives align with the whole strategy. We learn by doing and learning from experience is what we are doing," the Permanent Secretary noted.