PRESENTED BY GFI CAMEROONBioresources Development and Conservation

Cameroon (BDCPC)&

Cameroon Ecology (CAM Eco)

COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE: COLLECTING DATA

WHO ARE WE ? GFI CAMEROON Coalition is made of two

organisations namely Bioresources Development and conservation Programme Cameroon (BDCPC) and Cameroon Ecology (Cam-Eco)

BDCPC’s mission is linking conservation with economic and health needs of the local population – has been doing this for 17 years

Cam-Eco’s mission is capacity building for rural communities – has 11 years of field experience

GFI Cameroon Approach BDCPC focused on the 18 Land Use Indicators

so as dig out the much needed data on governance in this sector in Cameroon and recommend improvement. This subject has not been having enough attention from previous research work.

Cameroon Ecology focused on 25 indicators from the pillars of Forest Management and Forest Revenue. Although research has been carried out on these thematic areas before, it has been reported in an isolated manner. This will be a comprehensive report on forest governance that is all encompassing.

Methods of Data/Information Collection – phase one GFI Cameroon partners first started with a

project planning workshop. The purpose of which was to have a common understanding of the toolkit and methods and also choose the pertinent indicators.

We first started with desk research which was mainly collecting laws, documents and analysing them in response to corresponding indicators .

The second stage was elaboration of field research tools, mainly interview guide and mini questionnaires.

Methods of Data/Information Collection – phase oneIdentifying key respondents/informants and

making contacts by phone or mails to schedule interviews and discussions.

The next stage in this phase was to request the administrative authorities for letters allowing us to access some key institutions and documentation/information.

Methods of Data/Information Collection-phase two

Phase two was meeting people following the schedule agreed with them for interviews and discussions .NB. It should be noted that though some

meetings and interview sessions were scheduled well in advance, it frequently turned out that the authorities were never available on schedule. In this case, we had to negotiate other planning;

Using informal channels to get access to information and using direct observations

The major strengths of the approachCollaborative work through the GFI

coalition (this can be very challenging in Cameroon)

Using GFI as a comprehensive approach to gathering data (bringing together existing information with some new information to create a more complete picture of forest governance)

Learning by doing!

Major Challenges For Gathering Governance Data in CameroonForest sector corruption

Sensitive issuesStaff are concerned about being

seen talking to civil society

Access to informationThe government controls a lot of

the information and does not make it available over the internet

No Freedom of Information Act

Major Challenges For Gathering Governance Data in Cameroon (continued)Culture of secrecy

Harsh penalties for civil servants who give information

Not clear whether or not people have rights to obtain information

Quality of dataThe information/data is hardly ever

updated and information is not even well organized especially in public services. E.g., satellite maps on forest area.

Major Challenges For Gathering Governance Data in Cameroon (continued)Mutual suspicion

Poor Internet connection

Literacy level, generally among the rural stakeholders

Enclaved nature of sites

Lack of capacity of information officers

Thank you!