CBCHS/NASLA Partnership for Inclusive Local Development

The Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services’ Socio Economic Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SEEPD) Program has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National School of Local Administration – NASLA. The formalization took place at the premises of NASLA in Buea, Southwest Region on March 4, 2022. The aim of the 3-year partnership is intended to strengthen the capacities of local administrators trained at this structure, to meet the expectations of contemporary development as defined in the Sustainable Development Goals -SDGs.

Speaking at the formalization, the Director of CBC Health Services, Prof. Tih Pius Muffih acknowledged the key role NASLA plays in the development and decentralization process in Cameroon. He added that it is within this framework that CBC Health Services is getting into the partnership to support NASLA in organizing inclusive entrance examinations, designing a module on Inclusive local governance for the training of local administrators, building the capacity of the staff, and providing technical support for upholding universal design principles. Prof Tih signed on behalf of the CBC Health Services while the Director of NASLA, Mr. Tanyitiku Enowachuo Bayee signed on behalf of his institution.

 Prof. Tih (R) hands over embosser to Director of NASLA(L)

 

As part of its technical support to NASLA, the CBC Health Services donated an Everest-DV5 Braille Embosser and Everest Acoustic Hood to the institution. While handing the equipment in the presence of NASLA staff, Prof. Tih noted that the embosser is the latest Braille technology with possibilities of connecting to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and embossing from USB memory and braille printing from mobile devices through the use of the Braille app. He added that the embosser will permit NASLA to make available Braille materials for candidates and trainees with visual impairment.

Reacting to the kind gesture of the CBC Health Services, the Director of NASLA, Mr. Tanyitiku Enoh Achuo Bayee appreciated the CBC Health Services for the technical and financial assistance to NASLA and the Government, which to him is timely. “The challenges in setting up an institution like this are many and although the Government may have goodwill, they may not have all the resources. A partnership like this to support Government action is welcomed and goes to encourage NASLA staff to continue being steadfast,” Tanyitiku noted. He invited the technical expertise of the CBC Health Services to work in collaboration with NASLA to ensure that the principles of universal designs and other technical competencies are adequately transferred to ensure the effective implementation of the requirements of the MoU.

 Both official exchange signed MoU

 

According to expectations of the MoU from both parties, the CBC Health Services will train staff of NASLA on the usage of the Everest-DV5 Braille Embosser, advice on rules governing exams and mainstream inclusion, amongst others, NASLA, on her part, is expected to make available space on their training schedules for the delivery of the module, review their admission and examination process to be disability inclusive as well as review the internal rules and regulations to be disability sensitive.

It is hoped that the partnership will make relevant contributions to the venerable population of the communities and enhance their participation in the development process. The event was attended by staff of NASLA, the SEEPD Program Manager, Program Officer, and Local Governance Advisor amongst others.

The SEEEPD Program acknowledges the support of the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).