CLOSING OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ONACAM FUNCTIONAL EVALUATION MISSION WORKSHOP

ONACAM: a fundamental reform for an institution at the service of veterans

Yaoundé, 15 January 2026 – The National Office of War Veterans Exservicemen and War Victims of Cameroon (ONACAM) has just taken a decisive step in its process of modernization and strengthening. The Director General of the ONACAM, Colonel (rtd) Alfred FULLER, presided this Thursday, 15 January 2026, at the « Maison du Combattant » in Yaoundé, over the closing ceremony of a series of strategic workshops dedicated to strengthening the internal capacities of the institution.

Held in person from 13 to 15 January 2026, following an initial phase of information and methodology work conducted since 6 January 2026, these workshops fall within the framework of the support, monitoring and evaluation mission of ONACAM’s functioning, instructed by the Minister Delegate to the Presidency in charge of Defence, President of the Board of Directors of the Office.

A reform guided by rigour and transparency

Conducted under the banner of rigour, transparency and inter-institutional collaboration, the work benefited from the technical support of a team of experts from the specialised directorates of the Ministry of Defence. Coordinated by Frigate Captain ABANDA MINKADA Jean Jacques, team leader and technical coordinator of the mission, this approach aimed to pragmatically and operationally support ONACAM’s internal structures.

The discussions focused on major themes: strengthening governance, rationalising the management of human, material, financial and infrastructural resources, as well as exploring opportunities offered by institutional and strategic partners. Issues related to the “ONACAM Membership Card”, to the preservation and promotion of veterans’ memory also occupied an important place in the exchanges.

According to the technical coordinator of the mission, the holding of these workshops responds to the clearly expressed wish of the President of the Board of Directors to see ONACAM fully assume its sovereign missions for the benefit of its priority target: veterans, former military personnel, widows, orphans and war victims.

Valuable expertise from retired officers

The work also benefited from the notable contribution of retired officers, invited to share their experience and expertise. Among them, Colonel (rtd) Gédeon YOUSSA, officer of the National Gendarmerie and certified expert in security-defence, welcomed the initiative of ONACAM’s General Manager.

“It is a real satisfaction to have taken part in these workshops structured around precise themes. Our role was to bring our experience, enlighten the debates and contribute to the development of relevant and realistic resolutions,” he emphasised, thus expressing the retirees’ appreciation for their effective involvement in this reform process.

Awaited Recommendations full of hope

At the end of the discussions, a coherent set of operational recommendations was formulated. These will be the subject of draft resolutions to be submitted to the hierarchy. They are based on a precise and exhaustive diagnosis of the current situation of the Office and on a clear identification of the challenges to be addressed in the short and medium term.

In his closing speech, the General Manager Colonel (rtd) Alfred FULLER, expressed his satisfaction with the quality of the work carried out and the constructive spirit that prevailed throughout the proceedings.

“Despite the density of the themes addressed and the complexity of the challenges, our exchanges were oriented towards realistic, bold and operational solutions. The proposals resulting from these discussions reflect a collective desire to equip ONACAM with the institutional, organisational, human and financial tools essential to its strengthening,” he declared.

He further urged all stakeholders to take these recommendations to the competent authorities, stressing that the sustainable transformation of ONACAM cannot be the work of a single actor, but the result of collective commitment.

Strong expectations from veterans

Created more than twenty years ago, ONACAM constitutes the main mechanism established by the Head of State for the care and recognition of former military personnel who have served the Nation with honour and loyalty. The results from these workshops are therefore particularly awaited by the beneficiaries, who see in them the hope of a more effective institution, closer to their concerns and better equipped to defend their rights.

At a time when the Office must assert its full operational capacity, these works appear as the foundation of an institutional renewal, in the service of collective memory, national solidarity and social justice.

ONACAM thus seems resolutely committed to the path of performance, with the recognition due to those who have made the greatest sacrifices for the Nation as its guiding principle.

(é) CELCOM / ONACAM