Richard Zingle Ntouh, Mayor of Mindourou-Dja Council in the Dja and Lobo division of the East Region is intent on empowering the population through a multifaceted approach.
The Council area of Mindorou is transforming its landscape through innovative programs aimed at alleviating poverty. With a resolute commitment, the mayor and his councillors are fostering a community where individual and collective economic activities thrive.
“Our commitment to the people of Mindourou Dja, known as the ‘Council of Emergence,’ stems from their extreme poverty,” Ntouh explains. This commitment drives initiatives focused on infrastructure development, education, healthcare, and agricultural advancement. The core of their strategy begins with infrastructure. « We started by building agricultural roads to enable people to farm. Simultaneously, they invested in education, recruiting teachers and funding training programs at the Abong Bang Teacher Training College. New health centres, equipped with medicines and staff, including a district medical centre with a theatre, maternity ward, and laboratory, have been constructed. However, the mayor acknowledges a persistent challenge: “Many children go to school without slates or books,” highlighting the link between poverty and access to quality education.
Recognizing agriculture as the backbone of the local economy, the council implemented programs to boost productivity. They distributed chicks to 60 community leaders, providing initial feed to enable the establishment of small-scale poultry farms. Similarly, piglets were distributed to the wives of traditional chiefs and other community members, aiming for a ripple effect of economic growth. The council also supplies farming equipment – sprayers, hoes, wheelbarrows – to encourage agricultural leadership and inspire others to follow suit. Their goal is to transform Mindorou into a major agro-pastoral production area, thereby improving school attendance and healthcare utilization. “The aim is to make the municipality of Mindorou a major agro-pastoral production area,” Ntouh states, “and as a result, our schools will be full, and the health centres will be frequented by people who will treat themselves at their own expense thanks to the income from their activities. Emancipation will follow automatically.”
The council’s efforts extend beyond agriculture. They’ve addressed the issue of deteriorating wells by constructing mini solar-pumped water supplies with easily replaceable taps. Starting with one last year, they plan to build two more annually until every village has access to clean water. This comprehensive approach considers all essential aspects of society, supporting those “who have the will and the strength to emancipate themselves through economic production activities.” The distribution of chicks and piglets, along with farming equipment and phytosanitary products (particularly for cocoa farmers), is strategically spread across the municipality’s 17 villages. The council’s financial resources stem from forestry royalties and local taxes. The positive impact of these initiatives is already visible, as evidenced by a successful cocoa harvest this year. The council’s strategy relies on fostering leadership within the community, believing that successful individuals will inspire others to follow their example. “If we encourage these leaders there will be a ripple effect,” Ntouh explains. Their vision is to create a community where individuals can meet their basic needs, leading to psychological emancipation and fostering ambition for greater achievements.
Claudette Chin
