Section 3: Overview on the Movements of Persons with Disability in Cameroon
The first movement of persons with disabilities in Cameroon started in the 1970s and was called the General Union of Persons with Disabilities of Cameroon; known by its French appellation as Union Général des Grands Infirmes du Cameroun (U.G.A.G.I.C.).Its headquarters was in New Bell, Douala. Its founder and President, Mr. Nyaga Alphonse was blind but full of great ambitions as well as a strong uniting spirit. He successfully ensured the primacy of this organisation that brought together all categories of persons with disabilities until 1981, when it became the National Union of Persons with Disabilities of Cameroon (U.N.A.C.A.M.); led by Mr. Zogo Megne Alphonse, a lame man.
In June 1985, U.N.A.C.A.M. which was the broadest organisation that united persons with disabilities in Cameroon was in turn replaced by the National Federation of Associations of Persons with Disability of Cameroon (FE.N.A.H.CAM.).
This federation took into account, the peculiarities and diversities of each association or groups of associations with respect to their domains of activity. The federation enjoys a double tutelage: from the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Ministry of Territorial Administration. FE.N.A.H.CAM. was recognising for its social utility by decree no 71/DF/315 of 19 July 1971, when it took over from U.G.A.G.I.C.
By this recognition, the following associations immediately sprang up:
- l’Association Nationale des Aveugles du Cameroun (A.N.A.C.);
- l’Association Nationale des Handicapes Moteurs et Amputés du Cameroun;
- l’Association Nationale des Anciens Lépreux du Cameroun (A.N.A.L.CAM.);
- l’Association Nationale des Déficients Auditifs du Cameroun (A.N.D.A.C.);
- l’Association Nationale des Sourds muets du Cameroun (A.S.CAM.);
- l’Association des Handicapés Moteurs et Amputés du Cameroun (A.H.M.A.C.);
- l’Association des Parents d’Enfants Handicapés (COLOMBE);
- la Fédération des Handicapés Sportifs du Cameroun;
- Fondation Petit DAN et SAHAH ( for Orphan children);
- Club des Jeunes Aveugles Réhabilités du Cameroun (C.J.A.R.C.);
- Ligue de Solidarité des Femmes Handicapées du Cameroun (LI.SO.F.H.A.C.);
- Association des Etudiants Handicapés (A.E.H.);
- Amicale Nationale des Handicapées du Cameroun
This list may not be exhaustive one because, after the 19 December 1990 Law on the freedom of association, thousands of associations of or for persons with disabilities were created.
Each of the above mentioned associations have a legal status as well as internal rules and regulations in conformity with the law on the freedom of association in Cameroon – No 90/053 of 19 December 1990.They equally are affiliated to FE.N.A.H.CAM., but maintain their independence. This affiliation is completed by the payment of a standard membership fee which is defined by the executive committee of FE.N.A.H.CAM. They are all under the umbrella of the Ministry of Social Affairs (M.I.N.A.S.) .The federation was recognised for its social utility by a presidential decree. With this, it benefits from certain facilities as stated by the Cameroon legislation.
The main problem faced by these specialised associations is that of financial autonomy, which impedes their desire to operate in full independence and to organise their general assembly meetings within the expected time frame. The Government of Cameroon has not made budgetary allocations for these associations to operate smoothly.
Moreover, the 1990 law on the freedom of association equally inspired the creation of thousands of associations for persons with disabilities, whose founders were rather interested and motivated by the financial benefits .Poverty and unemployment had led many people to see the creation of associations as an easy way to increase contacts and foreign sponsorship.
Nonetheless, in Cameroon, we cannot consider all leaders of associations as stranded and unserious persons. A good number of leaders of associations are not only well qualified but also have devoted intentions towards their activities for persons with disabilities.