Strengthening Producers-Users Dialogue in Cameroon: Case Study and Perspectives

1. PRODUCERS-USERS DIALOGUE: THE CASE OF CAMEROON Guy She Etoundi Deputy General Manager Bamako, 23-25 June 2014

2. OUTLINE CAMEROON DATA PRODUCERS CAMEROON DATA USERS CAMEROON DIALOGUE TOOLS INSTITUTIONAL DIALOGUE MEASURES PRODUCERS-USERS DIALOGUE AND THE SNIS DISTRIBUTION OF STATISTICS ACCESS TO DATA CONCLUSION AND PERSPECTIVES

3. DATA PRODUCERS IN CAMEROON (1/2) The NSDS distinguishes three main groups of statistics producers: Group 1: the two large producers are the National Statistical Institute (NSI); the Central Census and Population Study Office (BUCREP).

4. DATA PRODUCERS IN CAMEROON (2/2) Groupe 2: the statistical structures of sectorial administrations whichthemselves are classifiedaccording to theirdevelopmentlevel Group 3: the otherproducersfollowing the example of the Bank of Central African States (BEAC).

5. CAMEROON DATA USERS Government (President, Prime Minister, Sectorial Ministers, etc.) Universities (teachers, students, other researchers) Media International organisations NGO General pubic

6. CAMEROON DIALOGUE TOOLS Seminars/workshops for producing and strengthening capabilities; Technical work groups; Evaluation questionnaires for strengthening capabilities needs; Celebration of special events such as: African Statistics Day (JAF); International Women’s Day; World Population Day.

7. MAIN SPOKEPERSONS For the Government: The heads of structures in charge of statistical questions in various sectorial administrations. For non-governmental users: University teachers; Students; Journalists interested in statistical questions; Statistical departments in international organisations;

8. INSTITUTIONAL MEASURES OF THE DIALOGUE TheNational Statistical Council (NSC):formal structure for coordinating statistical activity in Cameroon The NSC brings together national producers and the main users of the system’s products and each year holds at least one work session.

9. PRODUCERS-USERS DIALOGUE AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE SNIS It was necessary for the preparation, implementation and monitoring/evaluation of the National Strategy for Development of Statistics (2009-2013 NSDS). All sectorial administrations are included in the design and preparation underway of the 2015-2020 NSDS. Exchanges have concerned especially: The SNIS state of condition reports The country's national development policy Administrations’ real needs for statistical information The system's statistical priorities

10. DISTRIBUTION OF STATISTICS (1/3) The statisticsdistributedcome from Censuses and surveys; Administrative sources. Distribution format:presetstatistical tables, derivedindicators, raw data depending on needsexpressed. Target Public:directlyconcerned administrations, politicaldecision-makers, general public. Distribution meansused: publications, interviews afterseminars/workshops.

11. DISTRIBUTION OF STATISTICS (2/3) Distribution channelsused: SNI website(www.statistics-cameroon.org); Cameroonstatistical web portal (http://cameroon.africadata.org) launchedsince 26/02/2014 and whichallows the user to search data, viewthematicmaps, consultdashboards of certain indicators, analyse data, download data and accessspecific SNIS publications; Television, radio, writtenpress, exhibitions during certain statistical meetings.

12. DISTRIBUTION OF STATISTICS (3/3) Combined data distribution methods: distribution of rawanonymousmicrodataunder certain conditions - for example the validity of the statistics or the use to be made of it; distribution of results and statistical publications through distribution of physical documents but mainlythrough the ability to downloadfrom the website; NSI direct response to short-termrequestsfor data.

13. MICRODATA ACCESS (1/2) The NSI offers several databases accessible from its website: The Integrated Data Management System (IDMS) which allows online processing, direct access to preset indicators, calculation of one's own indicators from the microdata survey files. Indicators may be disaggregated according to desired criteria and products on thematic maps. The National Data Archives (ANADOC)whichallowsaccess to data and metadatafromsurveys, studies and censusesheld by the NSI.

14. MICRODATA ACCESS (2/2) The Cameroon Data Portalwhich allows access to Cameroon statistical data. The Cameroon Socioeconomic Data Base(CamSED) which gives access to socioeconomic indicators for monitoring of programmes, especially the MDG and the Strategy Document for Growth and Employment (DSCE). For access to data not accessible on the NSI website, users wanting such data may contact the Institute which will examine their need for data and supply it to them in strict compliance with the law, if the approach to follow has been complied with.

15. CONCLUSION AND PERSPECTIVES The dialogue between data producers and users in Cameroon is real. However, progress remains in strengthening quality assurance of data and managing its use and interpretation. This is the major challenge to SNIS’ aspiration to develop a true statistical culture in Cameroon. The work of preparing the second generation NSDS is underway (to cover 2015-2020) and will make a point of the producers-users dialogue, whose cooperation is indispensable today for developing the national statistic apparatus.

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