By Boris Esono Nwenfor
BUEA, Cameroon – The Nkafu Policy Institute, a think tank of the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation has launched the second edition of the Public Policy Analysis Course (PPAC), following the hugely successful first edition held from March 10-12. The second edition will run from May 13-15 in Yaounde.
The three-day intensive training, tailored to meet the pressing policy challenges of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), is expected to significantly boost the capacity of policymakers, researchers, civil society actors, and other governance stakeholders.
Held annually, the PPAC is designed to provide participants with theoretical and practical tools to enhance evidence-based policymaking, communication, and advocacy. This edition aligns with African Union (AU) and global development priorities, seeking to bridge policy gaps in ECCAS member states through inclusive and informed policy processes.
“One of the things I will tell you is that there is a lot of policy that’s done without real evidence supporting it. Our goal is to ensure that all, the vast majority of policies that are being undertaken are being supported by credible evidence,” Dr Denis Foretia, Co-Chair of the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation and Executive Chairman of the Nkafu Policy Institute told Pan African Visions back in March.
“For that, you need folks who are trained and will know all the different policy dimensions and will know how to engage with policymakers to have the skills to be able to do that effectively. And ensure that good policies end up in the books. Because when we have bad policies, bad policies are costly, they are harmful, they are deadly. So, we want to make sure we prevent that from the very get-go.”
A Hands-On Learning Experience
The course features modules such as Introduction to Public Policy and the Policy Cycle; Policy Analysis Techniques; Identifying Policy Gaps in ECCAS; Policy Impact and Evaluation; Strategic Communication for Advocacy; Stakeholder Engagement in Policymaking and Effective Policy Writing and Use of Media.
Through a blend of lectures, case studies, and group exercises, participants will be trained to critically assess public problems, design feasible interventions, and communicate their recommendations effectively to decision-makers and the public.
The PPAC places a strong emphasis on the specific governance and development needs of ECCAS countries, which often face complex institutional, economic, and socio-political challenges. The curriculum addresses how policy issues are identified, prioritized, and introduced onto the public agenda, with a focus on regional integration, service delivery, accountability, and inclusive growth.
“Adopting a good policy is a process, so you have to start from somewhere and you don’t get discouraged because the policy happens within a political space. So, they have to be able to figure out how to navigate those political spaces and ensure that there are policy windows that open and be ready to ensure that when one of those policy windows opens, the right policy can be pushed forward to ensure that the citizens benefit from that right policy,” Dr Foretia added.
Outcomes that Matter
Upon completion of the course, the 25 selected participants are expected to: Develop and implement effective public policy recommendations; Produce evidence-based opinion pieces to shape policy debates; Design targeted advocacy campaigns; Improve stakeholder engagement strategies and strengthen technical and interpersonal capacities for policy reform.
The training is open to a wide range of professionals including think tank researchers, government officials, civil society leaders, development practitioners, private sector actors, and journalists, with participants selected based on merit and the payment of participation fees.
By empowering policy analysts, researchers, and decision-makers, PPAC through the Nkafu Policy Institute remains a timely and strategic investment in the continent’s policy leadership. It reinforces the critical need for well-informed, collaborative, and proactive decision-making processes in advancing sustainable development goals within the ECCAS region.
“Nkafu’s mission is to ensure that in our countries we have free, fair and democratic institutions in Cameroon and the Central African region in particular. We work a lot to ensure that that can become a reality in different areas as well. This is just one aspect of a whole lot of different things that Nkafu is engaged in to ensure that that goal can be attained,” Dr Denis Foretia said.
