Auteur/autrice : TimesNews2

Newly appointed officials of the Ministry of Social Affairs were installed into their duties on Friday 14th of July 2023. One of the banquet halls of the Yaounde multipurpose sports complex played host on Friday, 14th of July 2023 to the official installation of some newly appointed staff of the ministry of social affairs, MINAS. The ceremony chaired by Minister Pauline Irene Nguene, social affairs patroness in Cameroon, was divided into two phases. The first phase was that of the award of honorary distinctions and the second was focused on the installation into duties of some officials. Implementing government policies In her address, Minister Pauline Irene Nguene outlined the fact that the new appointments come at a moment the Ministry of social affairs just like other ministerial departments and public institutions are bracing up for challenges to fully implement the 2030 National Development Strategy, NDS that has among its main pillars, human capital, and well-being. Taking advantage of this official ceremony, Madam Nguene reiterated the need for her all collaborators to be informed and updated on the key missions of the Ministry of social affairs notably the elaboration and setting up of government’s policy in terms of prevention, assistance, and protection of socially vulnerable groups. Minister Nguene said to fully execute directives assigned to the Ministry of social affairs by the Head of State, the social worker has to position himself or herself as an agent of development, a catalyst of progress for the inclusion of socially vulnerable persons. The Minister did not fail to encourage her collaborators who were appointed on May 26, 2023, following a decree from the Prime Minister, Head of government. She called on her collaborators to be devoted, professional, and available when the need arises. The posts occupied by the newly appointed officials are that of: Technical Adviser number 1, Inspector number 2, Director in charge of national solidarity and social development, Director in charge of social protection, of persons with disabilities and the elderly, Director in charge of social protection and children, sub-directors, chiefs of services. At the end of the ceremony, Mr. Nyambi III Dikosso Henri, newly appointed Technical Adviser number 1 said he is aware of the handful of challenges but he is ready to work to show proof of confidence bestowed on him. “I know the challenges are too high because we have to suggest to our Minister the best strategies, proposals for the ministry to achieve expected performances. With our diversified careers in the field and experience acquired at the level of central services, we have certainly a good knowledge of various problems that socially vulnerable group face in our country…” Mr. Nyambi III said. The Director in charge of social protection, of persons with disabilities and the elderly, also expressed words of gratitude to her hierarchy and said it is a new challenge to be uplifted. Mrs. Ndengho Maurine who was before her appointment, inspector number 2 has a rich background and experience. Mrs. Ndengho said: “The department which I am heading now is taking care of persons with disabilities and the elderly. I think it is a good course to work for humanity, I even think this new post will greatly help me and direct my path of life. Working with these vulnerable groups and helping them put a smile on their faces, leading them to face the world and its challenges is another form of appreciating life. I am very happy and thankful. I think all is grace. It is a grace of God to serve humanity.” Missions of MINAS The Ministry of Social Affairs has as key missions:  the prevention and treatment of juvenile delinquency and social maladjustment; the fight against social exclusion in conjunction with the ministries concerned;  the fight against trafficking in persons, in particular minor children, in conjunction with the Administrations concerned; the protection of people who are victims of physical abuse; monitoring procedures for the protection of children in difficulty in conjunction with the relevant Ministerial Departments;  monitoring the protection of persons victims of human trafficking in conjunction with the Administrations concerned; monitoring the elderly and persons with disabilities, in conjunction with the relevant Ministries; monitoring of people affected by the use of narcotics, in conjunction with the administrations concerned and facilitating social reintegration. Elise Kenimbeni

Members of the national steering committee of the project dubbed “Plan for Girls” met in an ordinary session last Thursday, 29th of June in Yaounde, Cameroon. After 5 years of effective implementation in Cameroon, the project dubbed: “Plan for Girls” has recorded successes and gains. The project which was fully set up in the north region notably in the localities of Lagdo and Ngong has so far targeted 60 villages. To assess activities of this project piloted by Plan International Cameroon with the support of Canada, an ordinary session of the national steering committee took place in Yaounde under the chairmanship of Pr. Marie-Thérèse Abena Ondoa, Minister of women’s empowerment and the Family. At the session on Thursday, 29th of June 2023, it was disclosed that the project that comes to an end will step into a transitional period, being the 6th year of implementation. A balance sheet of activities conducted in terms of sensitizations, educative talks training, empowerment of adolescent girls, and construction of infrastructures for young people was highlighted in the course of the meeting. Apart from the registration of thousands of adolescents and young people into the project, there has been the construction and equipment of two centers for women’s empowerment and the family. Minister Abena Ondoa saluted the strides made by this project which to her calls for more support that will generate additional fruitful results. The acting High Commissioner for Canada to Cameroon, Lorraine Anderson praised the project and said it addresses the numerous challenges women and young girls face. “The young leaders present here today have demonstrated to us the positive impacts this project can have and we are very proud to finance them and to continue to finance them next year.” Mrs. Anderson Lorraine said. Speaking to the media at the end of the session, the representative of the country director of Plan International Cameroon said the project plan for girls will be pursued in Lagdo and Ngong, to meet the unmet needs and the demands of the target populations. Fabien Ongono outlined the fact that, as the project enters year 6, the focus will be on restructuring some health centers and accentuating the training of the girlchild with the support of local leaders. As one of the beneficiaries of this project, Solantine Mainipa, aged 16, has shared her experience since her enrollment in 2021. She said: “With this project, I have gained my autonomy as a girl. I have benefited from training and accompaniment.  Today, I know key subjects on sexual and reproductive health and rights, and I can speak without being ashamed. Since I entered into the program plan for girls, I encourage many young girls to go back to school and to get fully involved in community-led activities, to dialogue with their mother on issues concerning their reproductive health.” About the Plan for Girls’ project The project helps to empower adolescent girls in Benin and Cameroon. Through this project, youths have access to improved, adolescent-friendly services in the areas of education, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and economic empowerment by creating an integrated package of core, community-level activities for adolescents. The project uses an approach that puts girls at the center of its actions, working in collaboration with parents, community leaders, and governments, to advance gender equality and empower adolescent girls. It also addresses persistent challenges to girls’ rights and well-being, including discriminating social practices. As underscored the activities of the project are centered around increasing girls’ knowledge regarding their rights, and child protection; strengthening adolescent girls’ and boys’ groups that conduct peer-to-peer education on gender equality, rights, and child protection and monitoring of related services; changing attitudes of families, communities, and leaders to contribute to a gender equitable social environment conducive to the realization of adolescent girls’ rights; and providing training to service providers to deliver improved services to adolescent girls in sexual and reproductive health, education and vocational training, and child protection. Elise Kenimbeni