UB launches project on women’s right to land

By Sarah Nkongho Ojong in Buea

General coordinator of the UB IDRC
research project, Dr. Lotsmart Fonjong

Stakeholders of all works of life related to land issues gathered in the Amphitheater 250 of the University of Buea to join the Vice Chancellor Pr. Nalova Lyonga and other authorities of the institution to officially launch another research project brought to light by Dr. Lotsmart Fonjong of the social sciences research group of the University of Buea, may 30, 2014. 
    Sponsored by the international Development Center for Research, IDRC of Canada under the supervision of Ms Ramata Thioune of the IDRC regional office in Nairobi- Kenya, the project has as goals to critically examine the conditions under which women can be empowered to effectively participate in the processes of large scale land acquisition, ensure better promotion of accountability and legitimacy on land governance through policy and legal frameworks in respect of women’s rights.

    The launching ceremony took place under the auspices of VC Nalova Lyonga,  witnessed the presence of members of the three different centers involved in the research project – the University of Ghana, Center for basic research Kampala- Uganda led by Josephine Ahikire and the university of Buea led by Lotsmart Fonjong, Ramata Thioune of IDRC among others.
    According to statistics presented during the launching program, 45 million of land in Africa was commercialized through large scale land acquisition which is also known variously as land grabbing, green colonization or new land colonization by foreigners in 2009. Africa has become a globalization center where the right and ownership of land is violated in the most non consultative, non consenting and non compensatory manner. In addition, little or no frameworks exist for the accountability on how land is acquired, looking at the fact that land remains the most valuable asset for women who depend on land resources for their daily activities.
    Making enormous intellectual contribution during the launching, Josephine Ahikire of the center for basic research in Uganda used the medium to appreciate the support of IDRC which permitted East Africa to merge the West- Cameroon for the intellectual development of Africa.
    To this, there is strive for a change not just in Cameroon but in Ghana and Uganda where the studies will be carried and for better output, the project will make use of key informants, women affected, traditional leaders, women forums, ministry of women empowerment and the family plus civil society organizations. Some targeted and possible areas in Cameroon where the studies might be carried out include Ndian division and the coast of Cameroon around the moungo.
    Talking to the press, Ms Ramata Thioune of IDRC said the project is an opportunity and platform for IDRC which has recognized knowledge as a tool for development to make positive change in policy, practice, behavior and as such will make use of the research project by the university of Buea as their own contribution in resolving development problems in the African society.
    Heading the Cameroonian team which consist of stakeholders from the university departments like geography, law, women and gender studies so the project is examined from all perspectives, the project general coordinator, Dr. Lotsmart told the press that the project was inspired by the complete exclusion of women involved in farming from the sales of the same land they farm on by their traditional leaders and land buyers, thus he looks forward to putting in place a framework for women’s right and involvement in land processes and governance.