Prof James Mouangue Kobila, the Chairperson of the Cameroon Human Rights Commission (CHRC) moderated a meeting with all staff members in their various ranks and categories.

The meeting, which took place on Wednesday, 7 February 2024, in the Chemuta

Divine BANDA Conference Hall, was attended by the Permanent Secretary, the Head of Division for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and about 50 Staff members of the CHRC.

The Meeting commenced with an opening prayer from one of the Commission’s staff delegates, followed by a brief address from Prof James Mouangue Kobila. In his address, the Chairperson stated that the main objective of the meeting was a consultation with staff members concerning the increase in the price of fuel and other basic commodities.

The Chairperson, as a good father to his staff members decided to have a round table discussion on the measures that could be adopted and put in place to curb this plight, address the challenges and problems, and make life easier for his staff members. As an expression of the transparent, sound and participatory management, Prof James Mouangue Kobila has undertaken to gather the opinions of all stakeholders, which will be submitted for collective deliberation in line with the African Palaver, where people gather under the baobab tree to discuss issues concerning the society.

He went further to give the floor to all staff members for them to make suggestions to the Commission as to what could be done. “I am ready to listen and take note of all your proposals and suggestions in the face of this crisis”, he said.

One by one, staff members took the floor in turn to express their plea for an increase in the salaries or the adoption of an improved benefits package that will increase their daily purchasing power in the face of the current upward trend in commodity prices. Some Senior Staff members like Mr Mamouda Férikouop, Madam Mabel Shu Nyamboli, Mr Gabriel Nonetchoupo and Mr Frank Mbonjo appeal for an increase in the salaries of the Commission’s staff members or an implementation of the new salary scale as instituted by the collective balance convention, or the compensations as instituted by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (CONAC).

They appealed to the Commission to ensure that staff members are also included in the forthcoming salary increase in Cameroon, just as civil servants are, to meetup with their daily expenses. They also expressed their trust in the Chairperson, Prof James Mouangue Kobila to look into these issues as he has always done by always having the welfare of the staff members at heart.

Meanwhile, other staff members seized this opportunity to call the Chairperson’s attention to the poor working conditions with which they are not comfortable, such as closing late after working hours and being expected to return on time the next day, payment of allowances, serving queries before sanctioning staff members, providing comfortable working materials in their offices and the inclusion of the Commission’s branches in all the benefits enjoyed by staff members at the Head Office. Mr Guy Armand Essery A Zom, the Centre Branch Head, who was present, on behalf of all ten branches painted a picture of some of the difficulties faced by these branches.

Being a father and demonstrating exemplary leadership skill, the Chairperson took note of all the petitions made by all the staff members. In his response to the issues pertaining to the increase in salaries he said “I have instructed the financial services to implement the payment of the new salary scale as instituted by the collective balance convention from the month of March 2024”. The Chairperson also went further to promise staff members that all rightly dued allowances which are pending payments will be paid accordingly this year 2024. The Chairperson also assigned all services in charge, to ensure that staff members have comfortable working spaces to avoid any health complaints in the future. He also called on each and every staff member to take their job seriously by raising more awareness on the activities of the Commission and to get involved in the wide dissemination of all Statements and Press releases published by the Commission. He further encouraged all staff members to read books to broaden their knowledge on human rights affairs. Concerning working conditions, staff members were assured by the Chair that the Commission will remain the reference institution of Human Rights.

The meeting that lasted more than three hours ended with the Chairperson calling on Staff members to take their jobs more seriously especially as the Commission is once more undergoing the accreditation process. He invited the staff members to feel comfortable to direct any professional complaints to him, thus concluding a session of fruitful exchange with the members who asked for no less while looking forward to a successful 2024.

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