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The exploratory committee that was created by the ACC last December to conduct a preliminary study regarding a proposed Cameroon Cultural Centre in Montreal has submitted its report.

The report was submitted to the ACC president by Eliane Kepya, the coordinator of the committee, on July 9, 2009. The report was initially expected by the end of March, but the committee requested an extension given the large number of centres it had to visit as part of its study. The report will first be reviewed by the ACC board before being made available to the public. With the report ready, the second phase of the project is expected to start soon.

The second phase involves carrying out a broad-based consultation that will give an opportunity to all community groups and individuals to make suggestions and recommendations regarding the centre. As a reminder, the exploratory committee was made up of five members who effectively produced the report: Magnus Ajong, Charles Koum, Bebe Ekongolo, Gisèle Moluh, Eliane Kepya, plus two ACC board members. The mandate of the committee was to visit existing cultural centres in Montreal, note their characteristics and facilities, interview key officials regarding sources of funding, the management of the centres, etc., and submit a report of its findings.

The groundwork has been laid for a Cameroon Cultural Centre in Montreal with the creation of an exploratory committee.

The committee is made up of six members drawn from all parts of the community, plus two board members. The members of this committee are known for their commitment and dedication and are thus expected to deliver the goods on schedule.

The members of the committee are: Dr Magnus Ajong, Charles Koum Robert Ndjentcha (board member)

Dr Bebe Ekongolo, Gisèle Moluh, Daniel Atangana (board member), Eliane Kepya, and Antoine Ondoa Zita

This committee has a three-month mandate during which it will visit existing cultural centres in the Montreal area, note their characteristics and facilities, the activities that are organized at the centre as well as interview key officials regarding the maintenance of each centre, sources of funding for its construction, etc. The committee is expected to submit its report by the end of March 2009.

According to ACC president, Paul Ayah, this committee has a clear role: "This committee will help the community avoid certain mistakes by providing a clear picture of what is possible and realistic, and the best way to accomplish this is to learn from other communities that have already embarked on such a project."

This is a broad-based community project, so all parts of our community will be involved and have their say. Consultations will take place so that all Cameroonian community groups can make suggestions and outline their expectations regarding the cultural centre. After this process, another committee will be set up to produce final proposals for the centre, after which experts will be consulted to provide cost estimates. Only then will we be ready to spring into action with a fund-raising plan. If all goes on schedule, fund-raising should start by autumn 2009.