History of research in Cameroon
Genesis of scientific institutions
As in most other African countries, so-called “modern” science was introduced to Cameroon with Western colonization. We owe the beginning of scientific research activities in this country to explorers, Christian missionaries, colonial administrators, officers of the German and French armies, as well as to fields as diverse as botany, zoology, archaeology, anthropology, history, sociology, sociology, physical and human geography, geology, etc.
Initially individual, research will gradually evolve into more organized and institutionalized forms. At the institutional level, the major event to note during the colonial period is the creation in 1935 of the Société d’Etudes Camerounaises (SECAM), an organization whose purpose is the study of all questions relating to the human sciences, geology , oceanography, flora and fauna, both terrestrial and marine, and, in general, everything related to the peculiarities of the country. SECAM’s work resulted in the publication of the first Cameroonian scientific journal. Well before the creation of SECAM, German colonization had also created from 1889 a few trial gardens in Edéa, Akonolinga, Limbé (formerly Victoria). Research on the rural world was also carried out at this time by individuals attached to scientific institutions (universities or metropolitan research centers) or others (church, army, etc.). This was in the aftermath of the 1914-18 War. that research began to take off with the creation, by the Agricultural Services of the High Commission of the Republic of Cameroon.
Many experimental stations were created: in Dschang in 1925 (arabica and cinchona coffee), in Ngaoundéré in 1930 (animal production), in Bambui in 1933 (food crops), in Ebolowa in 1938 (robusta coffee and food crops), in N ‘kongsamba (soils) and in Djarengol-Maroua (groundnuts and animal traction). After the Second World War, the first French institutes specialized in colonial agricultural research began to settle in Cameroon. The French Institute of Colonial Fruits and Citrus (IFAC, which later became IRFA) was the first to settle in Njombé in 1944. Followed by the Research Institute for Oils and Oilseeds (IRHO) in Dibamba in 1948 and the Institute of Livestock and Veterinary Medicine of Tropical Countries (IEMVT) in Wakwa in 1955. These last three institutes are also present in most countries of Central and West Africa. In fields other than agriculture, notably that of the human sciences, we note the creation in Douala in May 1944 of the French Institute of Black Africa (IFAN). In 1949, the Overseas Scientific Research Office (ORSTOM) created the Cameroon Research Institute (IRCAM), which covers disciplines as varied as pedology, veterinary and medical entomology, geography and ‘anthropology. In the western part of the country, under British administration, we note the creation in 1951 of the Barombi-Kang Station near Kumba and, in 1954, that of Ekona by the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC).
The establishment of agronomic research institutes results from the evolution of practices and controversies which move from the initial stage of test gardens, to the more elaborate stage of experimental stations, to finally reach the final institutional stage of research institutes. For Mina Kleiche, this three-stage periodization corresponds to “three strong moments in agricultural experimentation and in the training of executives in the colonies; the transition from colonial agriculture to colonial agronomy in the 1920s; the emergence of tropical agronomy on the eve of the Second World War; its full development, after 1954”. During the “gardens” and “stations” phases, activities were limited to the collection of more or less elaborate information, which was then transferred to mainland France for processing for scientific purposes. Test gardens before the First World War, experimental stations between the wars, and finally agronomic research institutes after the War of 39-45. This was the genesis of the emergence of the first research institutions in Cameroon as in most countries of French-speaking West Africa (formerly AOF). At independence, the Cameroonian State had an appreciable research infrastructure, and showed a particular interest in scientific and technical research, which was directly attached to the federal authorities, a measure which, at the time, demonstrated of its importance for the authorities. The operating costs of the institutes were covered by the Cameroonian authorities, but the salaries of the researchers, who were mostly French, were provided by the former colonial power. The fact that research is, in part, supported by France, will allow the emerging Cameroonian State to initially concentrate its resources on higher education and training.
Followed by the Research Institute for Oils and Oilseeds (IRHO) in Dibamba in 1948 and the Institute of Livestock and Veterinary Medicine of Tropical Countries (IEMVT) in Wakwa in 1955. These last three institutes are also present in the most Central and West African countries.
In fields other than agriculture, notably that of the human sciences, we note the creation in Douala in May 1944 of the French Institute of Black Africa (IFAN). In 1949, the Overseas Scientific Research Office (ORSTOM) created the Cameroon Research Institute (IRCAM), which covers disciplines as varied as pedology, veterinary and medical entomology, geography and Anthropology. In the western part of the country, under British administration, we note the creation in 1951 of the Barombi-Kang Station near Kumba and, in 1954, that of Ekona by the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC).
At independence, the Cameroonian State had an appreciable research infrastructure, and showed a particular interest in scientific and technical research, which was directly attached to the federal authorities, a measure which, at the time, demonstrated of its importance for the authorities. The operating costs of the institutes were covered by the Cameroonian authorities, but the salaries of the researchers, who were mostly French, were provided by the former colonial power. The fact that research is, in part, supported by France, will allow the emerging Cameroonian State to initially concentrate its resources on higher education and training.
Successive ministers
| Période | Ministres | Dénominations |
|---|---|---|
| 2004- | Mme Madeleine TCHUENTE | Ministère de la Recherche et de l'Innovation |
| 2002-2004 | Zacharie PEREVET | Ministère de la Recherche Scientifique et Technique |
| 1997-2002 | Henri HOGBE NLEND | |
| 1996-1997 | Bava DJINGOER | |
| 1994-1996 | Joseph MBEDE | |
| 1992-1994 | Jacob AYUK TAKEM | Ministère de la Recherche Scientifique et Technique |
| 1990-1992 | Joseph OWONA | Ministère de l'Enseignement Supérieur, Informatique et Recherche scientifique |
| 1988-1990 | Abdoulaye BABALE | |
| 1986-1988 | Ministère de l'Enseignement Supérieur et Recherche Scientifique | |
| 1985-1986 | David ABOUEM à TCHOYI | |
| 07/84-1985 | Gibering_BOL_ALIMA | |
| 02/84-07/84 | Ministère de l'Enseignement Supérieur, Informatique et Recherche Scientifique |
