A workshop organized by Deutsche Gesellschaft fur
internationale Zusammenarbeit-Giz has left development experts wondering
whether Cameroon will grasp the most essential in perspective to put into
proper use the expertise of returning German trained experts to make
significant contribution in order to sustain development process in Cameroon. Dr.
Didier Djoumessi, Cameroon Coordinator for the Migration for Development
Programme while addressing a handful of participants at Azam Hotel in Bamenda
on May 9-10, 2014, revealed that the programme expects to stimulate the
participation of German trained experts in promoting local development in order
for Cameroon to achieve its vision of becoming an emerging nation by 2035.
However, the poor turn-out left development experts themselves with many unreciprocated
questions. Nonetheless, the workshop
aimed at reinforcing the network of German-trained Cameroonians and presenting
their know-how to regional and local authorities may not generate the expected
results when judged from the caliber of participants. The question as to
whether mayors and regional delegations of ministries were informed about this
very important programme abound high. This is so because of the 34 councils in
North West, only 03 were represented by their mayors, which were the mayors Babessi,
Jakiri and Mbengwi. More so, no regional delegate showed up at the workshop.
Observers were quick to point accusing fingers at poor organization and
mobilization adding that these are indicators of a preliminary syndrome of a
collapsed venture. The fact that no mayor in Mezam Division was spotted at this
workshop further compounded the above predictions.
However, a school of thought holds that this project which
falls within the framework of global migration could have been one of the key
elements for the development of nations, but it may collapse at birth as it lead
organization in Cameroon may not pursuit with the goal. With close to 17.000
Cameroonians living in Germany, among which are more than 6.000 students, the
project would have achieved its objectives if stakeholders were informed.
This programme which according to what we gathered is an
initiative of the Center for International Migration and Development code named
“Migrant for Development Programme,” seeks to link German-trained experts to
the South (Cameroon involved) to sustain their development. The programme as
indicated in the project document was developed based on the ever-growing
numbers of Cameroonians trained in Germany who are not linked to potential
employers. Apart, the programme has as components: Migrant organization as a
bridge and Migrants as entrepreneurs. According to the Center for International
Migration and Development-CIM, returning experts who have acquired their
professional skills in Germany have an important role to play for the
development of their various countries of origin. This is so because it is
hoped that when they are integrated professionally, they can be able to make
sustainable contribution to the economic, technological and social development
of their countries. The programme as presented to the handful of participants
also supports the professional integration of university graduates and
experienced experts trained in Germany who are interested in returning to their
various countries. Yet doubts have been casted on whether the project will
achieve its aim in promoting international migration as a factor in
development, promote sustainable transfer of know-how and or create a win-win
situation when the main stakeholders are not informed.
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)
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