Bilingualism, Multiculturalism Commission : Management Announces New Incentives For Deserving Personnel

In an address marking the 141st International Labour Day, Dr. Chi Asafor Cornelius, Secretary General of the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism (NCPBM), delivered a sobering yet resolute message to staff and stakeholders in the Cameroonian capital, Yaounde. Speaking on May 1, 2026, Dr. Asafor balanced traditional celebrations with a blunt assessment of the "dismal" economic challenges facing both the Commission and the broader Cameroonian State.
The event, held on the theme "Social Dialogue, Decent Work: Factors of Peace, National Cohesion and Economic Development of the Company," served as a platform for the Secretary General to represent the President of the Commission, H.E. Peter Mafany Musonge.

Striving For Improvements
“We want to perform better to put into real application, implementation bilingualism, promotion of official languages, promotion of living together, promotion of multiculturalism as we've done for the past nine years. And we will do that by always putting our foot on the accelerator. From the staff representatives’ speech, there is harmony between hierarchy and personnel. Because we listen to their complaints, we address those complaints. 
“The President of the Commission cannot receive a single genuine complaint of personnel and won't ask that it be addressed adequately, appropriately. And you know that to maintain peace, to maintain harmony within personnel, you must always listen to them. That's what we call social dialogue. And more to that, we do implement decent work here. We don't only theorise, we don't only read articles of the law,” noted Dr. Asafor. 

Staff Incentives 
“We put into practise and give personnel the amenities that will make it possible for them to feel that in reality, there is decent work, not just work. You have official government awards, national awards. But we want to slice down and give internal awards of performance, of excellence, of encouragement, of assiduity to personnel who distinguish themselves by the quality of work done during a financial year. 
“Every time they have grievances to express relative to the conditions of work, relative to the conditions of their existence within the institution, carry the message to the hierarchy. And the hierarchy takes the time to listen and to find solutions, the solutions that are possible. I also speak of possible problems that can be solved. That is, for them to work in a comfort that allows them to be efficient. Yes, we will arrange. If they have a situation that requires medical attention, we deal with it,” the Secretary General stated. 

Backdrop Of Economic Turbulence
While the day is traditionally one of "rejoicing," Dr. Asafor utilized the "rostrum" to provide a frank analysis of the "difficult backdrop" currently affecting the institution. He highlighted a trifecta of economic pressures at the international, sub-regional, and national levels: The ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to destabilize the global economy, with Cameroon bracing for the "ripple effect" of rising crude oil prices on the national budget.
Within the CEMAC zone, member countries are facing increasing difficulty in financing the institutions vital for harmonious development. Most critically, Dr. Asafor cited recent warnings from the Minister of Finance. As of April 21, 2026, national tax revenues were reported to be 200 billion CFA Francs below target, prompting high-level discussions regarding a necessary budget revision.

Budgetary Stagnation, Staff Performance
The economic squeeze has directly impacted the NCPBM's internal operations. Dr. Asafor revealed that the Commission's budget has remained stagnant at less than 3.5 billion CFA Francs for the past three years. This financial plateau is particularly challenging, given that over half of the allocated funds are consumed by staff salaries, leaving limited resources to meet growing expectations.
However, the Secretary General did not reserve his critiques solely for external economic forces. In a stern "solemn" warning, he addressed a "marked lack of commitment" among some personnel. He specifically cited chronic lateness and poor attendance; “laxity" in the processing administrative files, and shortcomings that directly undermine the Institution’s overall performance.
"The misconduct I have just referred to must cease," Dr. Asafor declared, noting that failure to improve would result in the application of disciplinary sanctions as provided for in the institution’s regulations.

Social Dialogue, Decent Work
Despite the rigid warnings, the address remained anchored on the theme of "social dialogue." Dr. Asafor praised the staff representatives for their "kind words" and gratitude regarding measures already taken to ensure decent work. He viewed the Labour Day festivities not just as a celebration, but as a "timely opportunity" for management to speak "the truth" to staff and for staff to voice their "numerous" grievances.
As a concrete example of the Commission’s commitment to improving working conditions, the Secretary General pointed to the recent relocation of staff from the Don Bosco building to the 12th floor of Ministerial Building No. 1, the NCPBM’s new headquarters.

Workers' Week
The speech concluded a "week of intense activities," which included sporting events like a "fitness walk," intellectual conferences, and cultural displays. Dr. Asafor reaffirmed the commitment of H.E. Peter Mafany Musonge to maintaining a "pioneering stance" on social dialogue.
While acknowledging that the months ahead will be difficult, the Secretary General emphasized that "speaking frankly to one's collaborators" is the only way to foster the cohesion necessary for the Commission to fulfill its mission of promoting bilingualism and multiculturalism in Cameroon.
 

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