CO-MANAGEMENT: EXCHANGE VISIT TO BURKINA-FASO

Speaker: Augustin Ngomi, fisherman, trader, canoe-maker and the youngest member of the Management Committee.

Place: The Mapé Reservoir, Magba

Date: March 2002

These were the remarks of the youngest member of the Cameroonian delegation that went on an exchange visit to Burkina Faso, during the feedback meeting organized by the fisheries communities of the Mapé reservoir. Augustin was born in Mboungam, and he learnt fishing early in life. The exchange visit was arranged by the National Coordination Unit (NCU)

“ We were all impressed by the large size of the fish caught at Bagré and Kompienga. Where we are, at the Mapé reservoir, we no longer catch large fish. We know that we are responsible for the phenomenon. The best way to remedy the situation is for us to organize ourselves as they have done at Bagré and Kompienga and to attempt to establish a participatory system that will involve all the people using the resources for the management of the reservoir "

Augustin was also struck by the good organization of the fish-weighting sessions in Burkina. This made it possible to monitor the total catch.  Furthermore, all the fishermen pay a tax, which is used to finance the implementation of activities, which they themselves have identified to develop their community. According to him, the fact that these communities have, to a large extent, been able to eliminate individualism in favour of a more collaborative lifestyle, has contributed to their sharing a common vision. This is a strong point that has facilitated the attainment of a high level of development in the villages.

“ I know that it is because I am young and literate that I was elected to be a member of the management committee. This goes a long way to confirm the fact that our community is ready to make use of all available resources to ensure development. ”

The fishermen who participated in this visit are representatives of the communities of Tika-bamou, Kotoko-kahori, Arabe and Mousgoum. This representation is a clear demonstration on the part of all the communities to face the challenges of co-management together.

“ I hope our mothers will also be involved because women are used to managing disputes.”

The workshop on co-management of the Mapé reservoir, held from 10 -14 March 2002, was the first activity of the Community Project. It was during this workshop that Augustin was elected as a member of the provisional Management Committee. According to him, the success of the project depends to a large extent on the commitment of all the stakeholders.