Cameroon Link CSO Organisational Capacity Evaluated

Helen Ayamba, camlink99@gmail.com

In view of ameliorating the performance of Cameroon Link organisational capacity within the framework of Scaling-up Malaria control for impact in Cameroon during the second phase, an independent consultant from Ets Ndzana et Frères in Yaoundé, Nke Rosine Madeleine, visited CAMLINK civil society organisation (CSO) in Bonaberi-Douala on the 26th August, 2013. Ets Ndzana & Frères in Yaoundé was hired to carry out the investigation in Bonassama and other health districts of the Littoral region. Ms. Nke Rosine Madeleine introducing her mission, said the activity conferred by Plan International Cameroon was to verify the physical existence of the civil society organisations, visibility of their reputation through existing human, material and financial resources available for collaboration as a SUFI partner. On the area of interest of Cameroon Link, it was recorded that mother and child health care promotion and protection stands as a priority. The Executive Director of Cameroon Link, James Achanyi-Fontem, informed Ms. Nke Rosine Madeleine that as a capacity building and rights advocacy organisation, it is affiliated to a good number of international networks like the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN), Farm Radio International (FRI) and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL). Cameroon Link coordinates the activities of the Federation of Cameroon Breastfeeding Promotion Associations (FECABPA). It also pilots the Cameroon Association of Broadcasters (CAB) whose mission is to promote open distance learning through story design programming with support from the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) and Farm Radio International (FRI). While COL is interested in the promotion of healthy community with the participation of development organisations, health experts and the project beneficiaries who are in most cases women, FRI targets the promotion of wellbeing of smallholder farmers. The executive director of Cameroon Link assured the investigator that Cameroon Link is a visible non-profit and non-governmental organisation with no political inclination and does not work with any organisation or groups that promotes violence. On how Cameroon Link recruits its staff, it was noted that this is based on the level of education required and the capacity of the individual to perform well and deliver the services. There are two categories of staff, permanent and volunteer staff. The volunteer staffs are considered as temporary workers recruited to deliver prompt services within short contract period. Cameroon Link promotes gender equality at all levels of its activities and guarantees that persons involved in the delivery of services are compensated. A performance evaluation is done every six months to be able to identify gaps and correct weaknesses. Staff with high performance is motivated. The cycle of Cameroon Link projects fall within the range of three to five years. Strategic plans are proposed by members of the executive bureau to the general assembly annually. The assembly adopts and validates the activity sheet before take-off of any cycle of activities. At the end of the exchange meeting at Cameroon Link, the consultant of Plan Cameroon, Nke Rosine expressed gratitude for the openness during the investigation. She observed that the output of the organisation is visible and positive. She later left for Manoka Island to continue her mission. In her words, “I am delighted to discover that there are excellent, viable and performing civil society organisations in Cameroon.