Minority groups were on focus during this year’s selection process.

The National Civic Service Agency for Participation in Development (NCSAPD) that was launched last year to train young people in specific activities after which a non-refundable amount was handed to them to improve on their lives, has taken another focus this 2013.

Unlike last year when the selection was done haphazardly without enough sensitisation, 2013 saw a major innovation, that is, bringing into the limelight those considered as minorities. For the North West Region, Ngoketunjia Division was targeted for the selection and the Mbororo community was the target. During the selection process that took place recently in Bamenda, the Secretary General of the Region, Absalom Monono Woloa, said a total of 66 files were received from all the Subdivisions that make up the Ngoketunjia Division and after scrutiny, 40 files were finally selected as required by the project. Absalom Monono Wola said measures were taken to ensure that there was a balance as per the various sub-divisions. He regretted that very few girls applied for out of the 40 selected only seven were women. He said the volunteers will be trained in livestock breeding, poultry farming, and artisanal production amongst others.

According to the Head of Mission for the mobilisation and selection of young volunteers for the North West Region, Sylvanus Tantoh, unlike last year when many candidates were selected, this year, only 1,000 are to be selected nationwide and priority has been given to the minority groups nationwide. He said the Mbororo community was chosen for the North West Region. Tantoh Sylvanus reiterated that for 2013, they have been instructed to work with the marginalised as it will help them come out from their doldrums. He added that as per instructions, only one division has been chosen per region.