Partners of the Institute of Training and Population Research, met in Yaounde on February 25, 2016.

After decades of operating with three and often contradictory management documents, a single text was recently approved for the Yaounde-based Institute of Training and Population Research, IFORD. The announcement was made in Yaounde on February 25, 2016, at a meeting of IFORD Partners – an advisory body - by the host and Congo Brazzaville Ambassador to Cameroon, Her Excellency Gisèle Bouanga-Kalou.

She said the meeting discussed management tools arising from the new governing texts. According to Prof. Evina Akam, IFORD’s Executive Director, the school became an inter-state institute on January 1, 2000, but continued to be managed like during the era it was under the oversight of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. In 2014, IFORD’s Board and the Ministers’ Council approved new governing texts for the institution, staff and Internal Rules and Regulations for the Board.

Prof. Akam explained that with the new status as an inter-state institution for 23 Francophone African countries, there was need for different management tools. These, he pointed out, facilitate the day-to-day management of IFORD, given that the hitherto three different and often contradictory texts have now given way to a common document. The meeting also discussed academic matters and the end of Gisèle Bouanga-Kalou’s two-year tenure as President of IFORD Partners. The Senegalese Ambassador to Cameroon, His Excellency Vincent Badji, was chosen to take over.

Talking about her tenure, Gisèle Bouanga-Kalou said she had the pleasure of working with the management of IFORD and also took part in a Board meeting in Bamako, Mali. “We did our best to improve the visibility of IFORD in member States. I hope that efforts will continue to improve the dissemination of information between IFORD, diplomatic missions in Yaounde and member States,” the diplomat disclosed. Meanwhile, the African Development Bank has joined IFORD as partner, she revealed. Ambassador Gisèle Bouanga-Kalou described the development as major achievement.

According to Prof. Evina Akam, IFORD remains committed to serving the interests of member States as has always been the case since it was founded in 1971. He described IFORD as “a renowned and indispensable support to member States.” “We are already preparing for the next population census in Cameroon in 2020. We are also involved in planning and attaining Sustainable Development Goals,” Prof. Akam disclosed.