By Walter Wilson Nana
Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, in the Southwest Region have joined their voices in the ongoing discussions and search of appropriate approach to the reduction of emissions from deforestation and degradation of the forest, REDD and the negative impact of Climate Change.
At a recent workshop in Buea, Benjamin Shey Serkfem of the CSO, People Earthwise said the Cameroon CSO Networks Platform on REDD and Climate Change is out to respond to the heavy challenges of environmental protection, sustainable development and land use.
Participants listen to a presentation from Cecile Ndjebet
According to Serkfem, Cameroon is within the process of managing the REDD mechanism and a proper management of it comes with financial benefits from the World Bank.
Serkfem said the government of Cameroon is managing the REDD mechanism via the Ministry of Environment, Nature Protection and Sustainable Development, therefore CSOs must come in an orderly manner and not in dispersed ranks, to be part of the process.
The People Earthwise Coordinator enjoined CSOs in the Southwest Region and across Cameroon to play their roles, which include; strengthening themselves in order to fulfil the functions of a watchdog and being a facilitator between the government and the population.
Cecile Ndjebet of the Cameroon CSO Networks National Platform for REDD and Climate Change corroborated the aforementioned views, adding that the REDD Process is inclusive and participatory.
Elected officials of the Southwest Regional Platform for the REDD Process & Climate Change
Ndjebet said CSOs must work in same direction and share the same vision towards the REDD Process though they come from different backgrounds.
She said it is the duty of all Cameroonians to stand up against the negative impact of Climate Change and work for the betterment of our environment. “If our environment is destroyed, we shall all suffer,” she noted.
She explained that the national platform is composed of networks of Cameroonian CSOs, which have as part of its responsibilities taking the REDD Process and the fight against Climate Change to all the nooks and crannies of the country. “The national platform is represented even at the village level for the successful flow of information,” she added.
Officials of CSOs at the Buea workshop
During the workshop, participants had presentations and discussions on topics like; Female and other gender considerations in the REDD Process, Indigenous & tribal peoples in the REDD Process and Environmental and social safeguards in the REDD Process.
At the tail of the workshop, the Southwest Regional REDD Process and Climate Change platform members were elected. The threesome are; Chief Donatus Enone of Eboko-Bajoh village in Kupe-Muanengouba Division, Mathilda Walimbe and Benjamin Shey Serkfem.
