On Friday, August 28, 2026, the Minister of Employment and Vocational Training (MINEFOP), Mounouna Foutsou, paid an official working visit to the Municipal Employment Office (BEM) of the Douala III Subdivision.Hosted by the Mayor of Douala III, Valentin Epoupa Bossambo, at the Salomon Madiba Songue Auditorium, the event brought together key regional figures, including the secretary general at the littoral Governor’s office Aboubakary Haman Tchoutio, the Secretary-General of MINEFOP, and local administrative authorities.The visit highlighted the council’s local strategy to boost youth integration and turn the principles of decentralisation into concrete action.During his address, Mayor Valentin Epoupa Bossambo outlined the core philosophy behind establishing the Municipal Employment Office, emphasising its role as a strategic tool designed to bridge the gap between local labour demand and supply. “The BEM is not the National Employment Fund ,I say this again and again,” Mayor Bossambo clarified. “The BEM is a facilitator, a preparer, and a springboard. It empowers our youth with the tools they need to navigate and succeed in the local job market.”
The Mayor highlighted that youth empowerment requires tackling foundational hurdles. Through daily interactions at the BEM, the council identified civil status documentation as a primary barrier to employment. In response, the municipality launched a program offering free birth certificate issuance, recognising that civic identity is the first prerequisite for professional integration.Minister Mounouna Foutsou praised Mayor Bossambo’s proactive leadership, commending the operationalisation of the BEM as a practical example of decentralisation bringing public employment support directly to the grassroots level.Nevertheless, the event also gave voice to the young BEM trainees actively operating the centre. Expressing gratitude to both the Ministry and the local council for the opportunity to serve, their spokesperson pointed out the massive scale of their task given Douala III’s dense population and high volume of job applicants.Calling for sustained support, the trainees requested:Extended Mission Durations: Allowing interns more time to deliver impactful assistance and Increased Financial & Material Resources: Expanding the BEM’s capacity to meet the growing local demand.”In Douala III, youth employment transcends political divides it is a vital concern,” Mayor Bossambo concluded, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to ensuring local decentralisation creates measurable opportunities for the next generation.
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