1. COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE:
COLLECTING DATA
PRESENTED BY GFI CAMEROON
Bioresources Development and Conservation Cameroon (BDCPC)
&
Cameroon Ecology (CAM Eco)

2. WHO ARE WE ?
 GFI CAMEROON Coalition is made of two organisations
namely Bioresources Development and conservation
Programme Cameroon (BDCPC) and Cameroon Ecology
(Cam-Eco)
BDCPC’s mission is linking conservation with economic and
health needs of the local population – has been doing this
for 17 years
Cam-Eco’s mission is capacity building for rural communities
– has 11 years of field experience

3. GFI Cameroon Approach
 BDCPC focused on the 18 Land Use Indicators so as dig
out the much needed data on governance in this sector in
Cameroon and recommend improvement. This subject has
not been having enough attention from previous research
work.
 Cameroon Ecology focused on 25 indicators from the
pillars of Forest Management and Forest Revenue.
Although research has been carried out on these thematic
areas before, it has been reported in an isolated manner.
This will be a comprehensive report on forest governance
that is all encompassing.

4. Methods of Data/Information
Collection – phase one
 GFI Cameroon partners first started with a project
planning workshop. The purpose of which was to have a
common understanding of the toolkit and methods and
also choose the pertinent indicators.
 We first started with desk research which was mainly
collecting laws, documents and analysing them in
response to corresponding indicators .
 The second stage was elaboration of field research tools,
mainly interview guide and mini questionnaires.

5. Methods of Data/Information
Collection – phase one
Identifying key respondents/informants and making contacts
by phone or mails to schedule interviews and discussions.
The next stage in this phase was to request the
administrative authorities for letters allowing us to access
some key institutions and documentation/information.

6. Methods of Data/Information
Collection-phase two
Phase two was meeting people following the schedule agreed
with them for interviews and discussions .
NB. It should be noted that though some meetings and interview
sessions were scheduled well in advance, it frequently turned out
that the authorities were never available on schedule. In this case,
we had to negotiate other planning;
Using informal channels to get access to information and using
direct observations

7. The major strengths of the approach
Collaborative work through the GFI coalition (this
can be very challenging in Cameroon)
Using GFI as a comprehensive approach to gathering
data (bringing together existing information with
some new information to create a more complete
picture of forest governance)
Learning by doing!

8. Major Challenges For Gathering
Governance Data in Cameroon
Forest sector corruption
Sensitive issues
Staff are concerned about being seen talking to
civil society
Access to information
The government controls a lot of the information
and does not make it available over the internet
No Freedom of Information Act

9. Major Challenges For Gathering Governance
Data in Cameroon (continued)
Culture of secrecy
Harsh penalties for civil servants who give
information
Not clear whether or not people have rights to
obtain information
Quality of data
The information/data is hardly ever updated and
information is not even well organized especially
in public services. E.g., satellite maps on forest
area.

10. Major Challenges For Gathering Governance
Data in Cameroon (continued)
Mutual suspicion
Poor Internet connection
Literacy level, generally among the rural stakeholders
Enclaved nature of sites
Lack of capacity of information officers

11. Thank you!