PIC North-West Shares Knowledge with Development Stakeholders on 15th African Decentralization Day
The Office of the Public Independent Conciliator (PIC) North-West Region has shared knowledge and insights with development stakeholders on its role and contribution to the decentralization process.
The presentation was made on August 10, 2026, at the Auditorium of the North-West Regional Assembly in Bamenda, as part of activities commemorating the 15th edition of the African Day of Decentralization and Local Development and the 9th edition of the African Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Day.
Organized by the Ministry of Decentralization and Local Development (MINDDEVEL), in collaboration with the National Civil Status Registration Office (BUNEC), the event was held under the theme: “Empowering Local Authorities for Sustainable Water and Sanitation: Advancing Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Cities and Territories towards the 2063 Agenda.”
The annual observance provides an opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on the importance of decentralization and local development, particularly on ways of making the decentralization process more people-centred and participatory. It also highlights the need for communities to actively participate in decisions and initiatives aimed at improving their living conditions.
In his presentation, the Regional Delegate of MINDDEVEL, Tamanjong Paul highlighted the role of decentralization and local development in ensuring sustainable water and sanitation services within communities. He also underscored the importance of effective local governance in strengthening social cohesion, particularly within the prevailing context of the North-West Region.
The programme featured presentations from the Office of the Public Independent Conciliator North-West Region, MINDDEVEL, PROLOG and FEICOM, as well as two roundtable discussions. The first focused on the theme of this year’s celebration, while the second examined issues relating to civil status registration and vital statistics.
Representing the Office of the Public Independent Conciliator North-West Region were Barrister Yang Francis Fombi and Dr. Tilarious Atia.
Dr. Atia made a presentation on the theme: “The Contribution of the Office of the Public Independent Conciliator to the Promotion and Consolidation of Decentralization in the North-West Region.”
The presentation provided participants with a deeper understanding of the mission and role of the Office of the PIC, while highlighting the impact of its activities in the North-West Region over the past five years. It further demonstrated how the Office’s interventions contribute to the promotion of good governance, accountability, dialogue, peaceful resolution of disputes and the effective implementation of the decentralization process.
The presentation also highlighted some of the initiatives undertaken by the Office to support decentralization and local development, including engagements with local authorities, communities and other stakeholders, as well as efforts to promote access to civil status documents and strengthen citizens’ participation in local governance.
Speaking on behalf of the Governor of the North-West Region, the Secretary-General of the Governor’s Office, Saidouna Ali called on development partners and other stakeholders to contribute to the smooth implementation of the decentralization process in the region. He also emphasized the importance of sensitizing the population on the objectives and principles of decentralization and the significance of the African Day of Decentralization and Local Development.
For decentralization to deliver meaningful and sustainable results, he noted, the population must understand the process, participate in it and take ownership of local development initiatives.