By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
The Pan African Institute for Development, PAID, has inaugurated its general assembly in Yaounde. The event, which took place in Yaounde on February 28, was chaired by Alamine Ousmane Mey, Minister of Economy, Planning, and Regional Development, accompanied by Prof. Emmanuel Kamdem, Secretary General and various dignitaries.
The event which coinciding with the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the institution, also witnessed the official installation of Fatumata Djau Balde, President of the Board of Directors of the institution, who also serves as the Minister of Agriculture in the Republic of Guinea Bissau. The 60th anniversary is being celebrated under the theme, “Innovation and the originality of African scientific method.”
Saluting the institution for supporting the development process on the continent, Minister Ousmane Mey who also doubles as PAID Supervisory Authority in Cameroon stated that it is an instrumental in training, capacity building, research development, and promoting social and economic development in the countries.
He added, “Today we want to believe that the combination of the installation of the chairperson as well as the commissioning of the new headquarters of the Secretary-General will provide greater opportunities and better conditions for the training of those who will be trained in this important institution.”
According to the Minister, the institution is helping the continent accelerate its development. “We should keep in mind that one of the pillars of the National Development Strategy, SND30, is about human capital development and economic insertion. When you think of human capital, you think of training. When you think of training, you have institutions like this Pan African Development Institution that are helping Cameroon promote the great insertion of our youths.”
Expressing hope that the institution will continue training, collaborating, and integrating at the continental level, the Minister said, “this is a Pan African Institution. Considering the African Continental Free Trade Area, we are looking ahead with great hope and expectations, as well as challenges. We are also confident that the institution is in good hands and that the future is bright.”
Regarding the inauguration of the headquarters, Fatumata Djau Balde said, it will help the institution promote and exercise its functions, given that the institution is dedicated to the development of countries. In terms of economic development, she said, those who will be trained and enhance their capacities will enter the market with the expertise to bring about change in their respective countries.
Concerning the activities of the anniversary, discussions are focused on analyzing PAID’s activities over the past 60 years, and also reflecting on the next orientation the association shall undertake to address the challenges of concerted, decent, and sustainable development in Africa, with a focus on innovative methods of training and research.
Established in 1964, PAID has five regional offices and aims to promote action-oriented research and people-centered development. It also aims to enhance the capacity of individuals and institutions through the development of business and management skills in an effort to create employment and reduce poverty.
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