eBASE Africa joins forces with the Ministry of Social Affairs to improve the lives of socially vulnerable people.

Effective Basic Services (eBASE) Africa and the Ministry of Social Affairs (MINAS), Cameroon, joined forces on August 8th, 2023, through a three-year partnership agreement. Signed by Dr. Okwen Patrick, eBASE Team Lead, and Madame Panje Beryl Itoh, MINAS Secretary General, the agreement signifies a collaborative effort to improve the lives of equity-deserving groups in Cameroon.

Focus on Vulnerable Populations:

This partnership will specifically target the following groups within the broader category of "Socially Vulnerable Populations":

  • Children: Children in distress, facing moral danger, in contact with the law, or victims of violence and sexual abuse.
  • Indigenous Communities: Baka, Bakola, Bagyeli, Bedjang, and Bororo people.
  • Persons with Disabilities (PWDs): Empowering and supporting individuals with disabilities to reach their full potential.

Shared Responsibilities for Success:

Both eBASE Africa and MINAS have outlined their roles and responsibilities to ensure the partnership's success:

MINAS Responsibilities:

  • Provide venues for project activities, such as workshops and conferences.
  • Identify staff for capacity building, public speaking, and field project support.
  • Facilitate a favorable environment for project activities within the Ministry of Social Affairs.

eBASE Africa's Commitments:

  • Knowledge Mobilization: Share knowledge and best practices through storytelling events, radio programs, and school clubs, promoting assistance, empowerment, and protection for vulnerable populations.
  • Sustainability through Systematization: Utilize the Responsive Evidence System for African Policy Needs (REAP) Project framework to ensure the interventions within MINAS are sustainable. This includes co-creation, co-design, co-development, and capacity building for Ministry staff based on learnings from the 123 Mokolo and Wakka Projects.
  • Policymaker Engagement: Ensure policymakers at MINAS are actively involved in developing and driving partnership activities.

A Stepping Stone for Inclusive Development:

Dr. Patrick Okwen, eBASE Team Lead, emphasizes the partnership's significance: "This collaboration provides an opportunity for civil society to support the government's efforts towards a more inclusive Cameroon by 2035." eBASE Africa looks forward to building similar partnerships with policymakers to promote evidence-based decision-making for a brighter future.

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