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Journal of Social Economics Research

December 2020, Volume 7, 2, pp 91-106

An Empirical Analysis of the Impact of Decentralization on Poverty in Cameroon

Moses Abit Ofeh

Joachem Meh BIN

Sergeo Beng CHE

Moses Abit Ofeh¹

Joachem Meh BIN²
Sergeo Beng CHE³

Higher Teacher Training College Bambili, University of Bamenda, Cameroon. ¹

PhD Student, Faculty of Economics and Management, University of Bamenda, Cameroon ²

PhD Student, Faculty of Economics and Management, University of Yaounde II-Soa, Cameroon. ³

on Google Scholar

on PubMed

Pages: 91-106

DOI: 10.18488/journal.35.2020.72.91.106

Article History:

Received: 06 July, 2020
Revised: 11 August, 2020
Accepted: 14 September, 2020
Published: 24 September, 2020

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Abstract:

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of decentralization on poverty in Cameroon in a holistic stand point. This was done using data from the Ministry of decentralization and local development in Cameroon from 2011-2019, African election data and ECAM II and III. A Panel data linear regression model was used and the results showed that decentralization procedure is poverty reducing in Cameroon. These findings have implication for poverty reduction in Cameroon. The paper then suggests that by putting an effective and efficient decentralization strategy (that is letting local councils to exercise their own developmental activities by taking into consideration their local realities, there will be growth and development enhancing). This will equally lead to competition among councils in the country for creativity and other initiatives. To allow for a healthy working environment, both local and central governments should implement decentralization processes without reservations. Inspection, supervision and control should be intensified.

Contribution/ Originality
This article contributes to knowledge as a case study in Cameroon. It explains some challenges in the subject matter and gives the policy-maker a chance to appreciate principles of effective implementation of decentralization to reduce poverty.

Keywords:

Decentralization local governance, Poverty development, Panel data regression model, Cameroon.

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