Human Development Report in Cameroun - 1993

This second in-a-row Human Development Report in Cameroun (1) makes an analysis and assessment of how human well being has fared since the 70's in consideration of national policies and strategies undertaken in between. The report which identifies concrete development challenges and opportunities, suggests that some considerations be taken in order to promote welfare : First and foremost human development strategies must go beyond monitoring financial equilibrium in the short run. Structural adjustment measures to be undertaken must be long-lasting and integrated in a long-term forward prospective : Human adjustment's purpose must be twofold : help ensure a widespread distribution of basic social services to the poor (particularly basic education and primary health care) but also human adjustment must be a positive investment for the future in valorizing competence, improving productivity and expanding productive employment opportunities. Foreign assistance which represents an essential asset to scarce notional financial means, needs to be efficiently managed and directed towards training programmes aimed at enhancing people's capabilities and involving them in the expansion of global output. In the same way, dialogue must be pursued with the international institutions to find a long-lasting solution on debt. Moreover, one has to ensure that the overall increase in global output aim directly at improving the welfare of the majority of the citizens, enabling and easy and equal access to development opportunities. For this purpose, human development should be part of the macro-economics strategic planning of the country. Permanent evaluation and monitoring of major development activities seem necessary for an efficient appraisal of the impact on the most vulnerable groups of the population and the introduction of corrective actions therein. The formulation and the implementation of the Human Development strategy must be decentralized and participatory, meaning appropriate and specific arrangements need to be taken to ensure a real and efficient participation of institutions that are representative of the populations. The formulation of an action plan which integrates the aforementioned trends is a must. The Government shuld mobilize all national "energies" and request an international support for the purpose. This support could effectively and efficiently be provided if politic and popular will at the national level comes out. In the present difficult situation, what matters is not just generating economic growth but also engaging in a complete reorientation of strategy aimed at achieving sustainable human development, centred on the human condition.