Impulse of Decentralisation to Citizen’s Participation in the Local Development of Bamenda, Cameroon

The reinforcement of decentralisation in Cameroon through the enactment of the three laws on the orientation of decentralisation in 2004, and the general code of regional and local authorities promulgated in 2019 are instruments geared at augmenting citizen‘s participation in local development. Despite this enabling legal environment, maximum participation in local development of Bamenda is still a far fetch. In-depth documentation was done to grasp data and information used for analyses and results. Some 1202 questionnaires were distributed to people in Bamenda from all works of life. Semi-structured and open interviews were addressed to key and resource stake holders in the area of study. Results from field findings show that only 55% of Bamenda inhabitants are aware of projects realised in the locality, just 29.5 % contribute financially, 25.5% contribute labour wise, and 10 % participate by offering material. Field investigation also revealed that the local population is excluded from follow-up and evaluation of developmental projects. This article makes recommendations to sensitise and mobilise the local population in view of up-lifting citizen‘s participation in local development.