A workshop aimed at training controllers on the use of matrix in the follow-up and sustainable management of wildlife in forest concessions took place at the Yaoundé Mont Febe Monastery.

The workshop was with the technical support of the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife, financed by the EU/FAO/FLEGT and put in place since March 19, 2015, by the NGO, Wildlife Conservation Society, Cameroon.

Chairing the opening ceremony last November 9, on behalf of Minister Ngole Philip Ngwese, the Director of Wildlife and Protected Areas at the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife, Lekealem Joseph told participants to make good use of the knowledge they will receive on the use of the matrix as a tool to ameliorate governance in the forestry sector in Cameroon through objective, transparent and independent management of wildlife in forest concessions.

Speaking to reporters after the opening ceremony, the Director of Wildlife and Protected Areas at the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife, Lekealem Joseph explained that “The raison d’être of this workshop is to present this matrix for the follow-up of wildlife, sustainable management of wildlife in forest concessions.

He added, "The objective today is to familiarize various stakeholders; civil society, the administration, and the private sector as this matrix has been elaborated and validated. That is why we are training people on how to use it. By the end of this workshop, we expect that participants understand clearly what the matrix is all about and how to use it properly so that they can understand the audit that will be carried out later on.”

In his speech, the National Director of Wildlife Conservation Society, Cameroon Biodiversity Programme, Dr Roger Fotso hinted that they are organizing this workshop after benefitting from financial support from the EU-FAO-FLEGT since March 19, 2015.

While reminding participants that they are the first to be trained on this developed matrix, Dr Roger Fotso reiterated their determination in contributing to the sustainable management of biodiversity in Cameroon.