Both government-created institutions are working on a common approach towards development issues and poverty alleviation. Partnership and the sharing of experiences between the North West Development Authority (MIDENO) and the South West Development Authority (SOWEDA), have received a boost following a high profile working visit to Buea by four senior officials from MIDENO. Within the framework of reinforcing partnership, the visit from February 21 to 23, offered both structures a timely opportunity not only to have positive exchanges, learn from each other; but to also listen to enriching presentations during working sessions.

Created by government, the two institutions have similar assignments; that of identifying and implementing government programmes aimed at improving on the economic and social development of the North West and South West Regions respectively. Cognizant of these objectives, some major presentations during working sessions focused on the "Functioning of village banks and other credit related issues", "Sustainability strategy for Rumpi activities", "Collaboration between SOWEDA and Rumpi in administrative issues and financial management", "Strategy put in place to build the capacity of SOWEDA staff within the framework of its supervisory activities over Rumpi, using donor funding", "Tools used by SOWEDA management to improve on decision making on project performance", "Public relations strategy put in place by SOWEDA", etc.

During presentations, the MIDENO senior staff also had an insight of the administrative set-up of SOWEDA and the birth of the Rumpi Project. But all was not pegged only on presentations. Field visits to the Ekona SOWEDA Farm, the Ekona Market and the Village Bank at Malende, gave the MIDENO visitors a firm grasp of some encouraging initiatives by SOWEDA. Before the end of their visit to SOWEDA, a debriefing meeting was held during which a common approach towards development issues and the fight against poverty was drawn up between SOWEDA and MIDENO.