21/05/2026
of the Webinar- 20th May Package Held on Tuesday, 19th May 2026
Politik21 successfully organized an engaging and thought-provoking webinar on 19 May 2026 under the theme: “Will Young People Take Advantage of the Youth Bulge to Define A New Cameroon in the Next Local Elections 2027?”
The webinar brought together democracy advocates, researchers, entrepreneurs, civil society actors, and young Cameroonians from different backgrounds to discuss the future of youth participation in Cameroon’s democratic process, particularly in the lead-up to the 2027 local elections.
Opening the session, the Host and Moderator, Betrand Nwachan Awazi, Democracy Advocate and Political Analyst, emphasized that Cameroon’s youthful population represents one of the country’s greatest democratic assets. He noted that political distrust, unemployment, voter apathy, exclusion, and frustration continue to discourage many young people from participating actively in governance and elections. He stressed that democracy cannot thrive when the majority of the population remains disconnected from civic participation.
Awazi further outlined the objectives of the webinar, which included promoting civic awareness among young people, encouraging participation in the 2027 local elections, addressing youth disengagement, and inspiring responsible democratic leadership among Cameroon’s youth population.
The first speaker, Blanche Emerinwe Ketly - an Alumni of the International Relations Institute of Cameroon (IRIC), Development and Cooperation Analyst, delivered a presentation on “From Voter Apathy to Civic Engagement: Mobilizing Cameroonian Youth for Democratic Change.” She explained that democracy remains central to national development and questioned the role young people are currently playing in shaping Cameroon’s future. She defined voter apathy as a widespread lack of interest, motivation, and emotional connection to civic and political affairs.
According to her presentation, frustration, economic hardship, disappointment, and distrust in the political system have contributed significantly to youth disengagement in Cameroon. She noted that many young people feel their votes and voices do not matter, leading to low political participation and declining civic interest. She challenged participants to move beyond political silence, warning that continued inaction would only prolong existing social and governance problems.
Blanche Emerinwe further advocated for stronger civic education, responsible use of digital platforms, and greater youth participation in democratic processes. She emphasized that politics should be viewed as public service rather than a dangerous activity and encouraged young people to engage constructively and peacefully in civic affairs.
The second presentation was delivered by Dr. Ngoufack J.S. Ezechiel, Virologist and Researcher, who focused on civic education, local elections, and the role of youth in governance. He argued that poor civic education and political misinformation have fueled youth apathy in Cameroon. He stressed that many young people remain unaware of the different categories of elections beyond presidential elections, thereby limiting their participation in local governance processes.
Dr. Ezechiel highlighted the importance of local elections, explaining that local councils directly influence the everyday realities of citizens through decisions affecting roads, sanitation, schools, markets, and community development. Referring to Cameroon’s youthful demographic profile, he argued that young people must no longer wait to become “leaders of tomorrow” but should actively position themselves as present-day stakeholders in governance and national development.
The webinar also featured Temban Joshua T., Business Consultant, who discussed the role of digital activism and social media in youth mobilization and democratic participation. He emphasized that social media has become an important tool for political communication, civic education, and citizen engagement among young people. He encouraged youths to use digital platforms responsibly to influence governance, promote accountability, and participate in democratic conversations beyond election periods.
Drawing lessons from democratic experiences across Africa, he noted that organized digital mobilization can influence policy discussions and encourage greater youth involvement in governance processes. However, he also acknowledged challenges such as poor internet connectivity and misinformation, which continue to limit effective digital civic engagement in some communities.
The final reflection was delivered by Eric Tsayem, Civil Society Leader and Entrepreneur, who spoke on the importance of active citizenship and youth commitment to nation-building. He described young people between the ages of 15 and 35 as a strategic force for Cameroon’s economic, political, and social transformation. He called on youths to become more committed to democratic participation, civic responsibility, and community leadership.
Throughout the webinar, participants engaged in interactive discussions on practical ways young people can influence governance beyond voting, including participation in civil society activities, community initiatives, policy discussions, and local development processes. Questions were also raised concerning the role of youth councils, political inclusion, and mechanisms for improving youth participation in democratic institutions.
The webinar concluded with a strong collective call for greater youth participation in Cameroon’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 local elections. Speakers and participants agreed that the future of Cameroon’s democracy will largely depend on whether young people transform their numerical strength into meaningful civic engagement, political participation, and responsible leadership.
Organized by: AFRIKA POLITIK21
Promoting Civic Consciousness, Democratic Participation, and Youth Engagement in Africa
