Visionary Reports

The budget will be used to carry out activities and projects that prioritise vulnerable people.

Board members Delebrate

Douala, a city with a significant population of vulnerable people, including vulnerable families, vulnerable youth, the elderly and people with disabilities, is strengthening its commitment to social inclusion. The Bepanda Multifunctional Centre (CMB), located in the Douala 5 district, plays a central role in this effort.The CMB’s mission is to empower these marginalised groups through educational, cultural and social programmes. It provides practical training, income-generating activities and vocational integration programmes to facilitate social and professional reintegration. Since the Douala City Council took over management in 2024, the centre has undergone significant modernisation and professionalisation.The inaugural meeting of the CMB Board of Directors, chaired by the Mayor of Douala, Dr Roger Mbassa Ndine, marked a crucial step towards transparent and participatory governance. The Board adopted the 2025 budget and outlined strategic action plans.” This meeting represents our commitment to building a more humane, united and equitable society,” said Mayor Ndine. “After a successful pilot phase, the CMB is now fully operational and entering a phase of consolidation and impactful action.”The centre’s upgraded status as a public social institution, formalised through a management agreement with the Ministry of Social Affairs and consultation with the City Council, underscores its commitment to serving the most vulnerable.Mayor Ndine emphasised the alignment of the CMB’s mission with President Paul Biya’s vision of social equity and justice. “There can be no real progress without the inclusion of all citizens in the development process,” he quoted. The CMB aims to be a key instrument in Douala’s efforts to combat insecurity and promote social cohesion.However, during the meeting, the board focused on: establishing transparent and participatory governance; forming effective steering and oversight bodies; adopting an ambitious budget for 2025; defining a strategic action plan focused on social transformation.

Mayor Ndine envisioned the CMB as “a hub for innovation in social action, an incubator of dignity, and a catalyst for human and community transformation”. He called for a collaborative effort to create an agile centre that provides holistic support, including training, reintegration, access to rights, psychosocial support and empowerment.He thanked the Ministry of Social Affairs, technical partners, civil society organisations and dedicated staff for their commitment to the project. “The time for promises is over; now is the time for action,” he concluded, urging the Board to transform the CMB into a powerful tool for local social policy and a beacon of hope for the marginalised.

By HENRY WANA