Solidarity, Learning and exchange visit in Cameroon

African women groups from some civil societies of the West and Central African region meeting in Kribi, Cameroon, did discuss ways in which this approach could be discouraged. 

The misleading notion about #extractive industries# contributing quite extensively to the development of nations is the driving force behind the #wanton exploitation# of the natural resources of African countries which pay little heed to the basic pre-occupations of #local and indigenous populations#.

 GDA made a presentation of its advocacy actions against extractivist projects by multinational corporations in Cameroon. The attitude of related government institutions tend to give the impression of being hoodwinked in their economic policies by these multi-dollar corporations bent on imposing their perspectives at the expense of the basic interests of the local populations. The emphasis during the presentations on extractivism and the funding dynamics of the African Development Bank (AfDB) was laid on the obligation of women to engage in the learning and information gathering process which helps to reduce the ignorance surrounding the notion of development usually viewed and defined through the lenses of the capitalist western countries which lay more emphasis on accumulating #profits# rather than worrying about the general welfare of the people. 

The Womin sponsored gathering articulated their concerns through the “Right To Say No” Campaign against green and devastating extractivism which they claim is essentially profit- oriented rather than people - oriented. The anger of the Women organizations is directed against the African Development Bank claiming to assist African states in their development but instead using the African identity to promote the capitalist ventures of western countries. These countries make enormous profits to the detriment of African economies, whose importance lies only in the debts they incur from the bank and which contribute very little in improving the lives of people and especially the women communities who are the protectors of the families.  The wake-up call during that meeting was for African women to say “No to debts and Yes, to reparations.