It is no secret for it had been said severally that the Central African region is the least integrated, despite being endowed with enormous resources. Less integration boils down to less development. The Central African region is characterized by bad governance, anti-democratic rules, electoral malpractices, corruption and deeply rooted socio-cultural practices they aren’t ready to let go.
Think tanks in their numbers have tried to use their capacities to address the situation but have failed time and again.
Amongst the mentioned political challenges is the lack of quality human resources, financial resources and a disorder in organization.
It has led most to think factories, experts providing advice and ideas on specific political or economic challenges have a short life span and eventually a backward shift in the development of Central Africa.
To this effect, think tanks, renowned researchers, policy makers and donor organizations brought together by the Nkafu Policy Institute, have converged on the second edition of the Central Africa Think Tank Forum 2024 taking place at Djeuga hotel to celebrate about amplifying independent voices for policy change and positive development in Central Africa.
It is a moment to brainstorm on the barriers, magnify capacities and empower the independent voices in the sub region.
According to Dr Denis Foretia of the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation, this second coming together has objectives with long-lasting results. “Fundamentally we want to ensure that our public policies first work for us as Cameroonians and as citizens of Central Africa. We want to also aid our governments and public authorities to ensure that we are more efficient and more effective in all our policies. We principally want to make sure that our citizens benefit in very practical terms, in putting food on their tables, the amount of money they earn monthly, to be able to help grow their family. It is an issue of how we catalyze our transformation, how we ensure that development comes in substantial terms.”
As reported by think tanks, their role is to advocate intensive advocacy campaigns on thematic issues backed by objective, impartial and evidence-based research.
During key note speeches, it was noted that they play a central role in promoting open and transparent governance, the rule of law, respect for fundamental human rights, inclusive and sustainable conflict resolution amongst many.
Dr Foretia while talking to the media reiterated that the way forward is to act right. “I think we should stop talking about our potentials in Central Africa but how we are going to enhance development. Our research and that from other organizations in Cameroon alongside that from partners in Central Africa showed that the way for us to move on is an accountable governance, openness, open trade investment and make sure that when people are trying to grow their business, tax laws are favourable and transparent.”
The 2-day brainstorming forum will go about bringing together think tanks and advocacy groups to share experiences and talk about the challenges they faced, exploring the best practices to empowering independent voices, giving substantial recommendations, fostering collaboration among think tanks and having viable partnerships.
