UvA-DARE is a service provided by the library of the University of Amsterdam (https://dare.uva.nl)
UvA-DARE (Digital Academic Repository)
Win-wins in forest product value chains? How governance impacts the
sustainability of livelihoods based on non-timber forest products from Cameroon
Ingram, V.J.
Publication date 2014
Link to publication
Citation for published version (APA):
Ingram, V. J. (2014). Win-wins in forest product value chains? How governance impacts the sustainability of livelihoods based on non-timber forest products from Cameroon.
General rights
It is not permitted to download or to forward/distribute the text or part of it without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), other than for strictly personal, individual use, unless the work is under an open content license (like Creative Commons).
Disclaimer/Complaints regulations
If you believe that digital publication of certain material infringes any of your rights or (privacy) interests, please let the Library know, stating your reasons. In case of a legitimate complaint, the Library will make the material inaccessible and/or remove it from the website. Please Ask the Library: https://uba.uva.nl/en/contact, or a letter to: Library of the University of Amsterdam, Secretariat, Singel 425, 1012 WP Amsterdam, The Netherlands. You will be contacted as soon as possible.
xiii
Acknowledgements
Only I can take responsibility for this study. However many, many people and organisations gave invaluable help on the way. I would like to express, in no particular order, my gratitude to you all, and in particular Professor Ton Dietz, for providing inspiration, continued guidance, strategic vision and a sharp, thought provoking helicopter view; Mirjam Ros-Tonen for her incredibly prompt responses, insights, constructive and on-going encouragement, rich comments, superb editing advice and on-going support – even through periods of sabbatical and sickbed. Koen Kusters initiated the model of being an UvA guest researcher and working with CIFOR, and gave welcome support over coffee throughout the years. Barbara Lawa helped navigate the UvA administration.
At CIFOR, thanks especially to Cyrie Sendashonga (a stimulating coordinatrice) and Bruce Campbell (who left too soon) for making CIFOR an amazing place to work at, for having faith in my ability to be livelihoods coordinator while working on my PhD, providing research budgets and a supportive atmosphere. Abdon Awono and Jolien Schure have been great colleagues, writing partners and a pleasure to work with. Sheona Shackleton provided thought provoking reviews and guidance as a mentor. Thanks to Patrice Levang, Terry Sunderland, Peter Cronkleton, Robert Nasi, Manuel Ruíz Pérez, Anne Larson, Andrew Wardell and Tony Cunningham for their support, critical comments and reviews, Guillaume Lescuyer for his cheeky and challenging views and major translation effort (merci beaucoup!), Paolo Cerutti for cartography and getting hold of official data; and Madeleen Husselman and Fiona Paumgarten for their cross continental collaboration on honey. Friendship, footballing pleasure and gourmet lunchtimes were much appreciated with Florence Munoh, Cecile Effila, Collince Menel, Pamela Enoh, Ivo Ekane, Martin Ahanda and Louis Lekegang – the latter three also keeping me safe on the road. At the FAO, Ousseynou Ndoye – a guide and major source of inspiration - and Julius Chupezi Tieguhong provided support, collaboration and friendship which is highly valued. Thanks also to Armand Asseng Zé, Irine Ako, Elvis Tangem and Sophie Grouwels. At SNV – where it all started, I greatly appreciated the leadership and encouragement from Jean Marc Sika and Pieter de Baan; the collegiality of Julius Niba Fon, Merimé Njetchu, Ilse Pelkamns, Michael Vabi, Pascal Cuny, Paul Anspach, Moussa Charlot, Roger Koukam and especially the NTFP ‘bad boys’ (Arend van der Goes, Maurice Schill, Raoul Ngeuko and latecomer Raj Jani) for questioning the ethics of development work and providing a balance of working, playing and laughing hard. Julie Graham and Sophie Diestelhorst-Lesselin greatly enlivened Bamenda with bubbles and laughter. Invaluable support and Cameroonian cultural
xiv
lessons were provided by Angela Mbatcham, Maureen, George, Sam, Esther Nsas, Francoise Etoga and drivers Isaac Ndukong, Anthony Ndikontar and Steven Mbuh.
Particularly helpful were the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife, especially Denis Koutou Koulagna, Henri Zedong Akagou, Joseph Ntsegue Levodo, Samuel Ebia Ndogo, Paul Wamba, Belinga Salomon Janvier, Philipe Evoe, Gerry Nkemla and Mbomgblang Joseph, Grace Mbah, Jean Pierre Kebou. Also Narcisse Mbarga, Désiré Ibourou Tole and Martin Nganteh at ANAFOR; Nouhou Ndam of TRAFFIC; Frank Stenmans, Yanek Decleire and Mambo Oyene at GIZ, KfW and GFA; Donald Midoko Iponga of IRET; Andrew Benton, Michael Kwaku and Jolanda Jonkers at INBAR; René Boot, Marc Parren, Charlotte Benneker and Hans Vellema at Tropenbos International; Oscar Eyog Matig and Judy Loo at Bioversity International; Ann Degrand, Divine Foundjem Tita, Ian Dawson, Honoré Tabuna, Ebenezar Asaah and Zac Tchoundjeu at ICRAF; Christian Asanga and Phillip Ndakwa of the Bamenda Highlands Forest Project; Pierre Mieuguem of Project RICG; professors Marie-Louise Avana, Athanathuis Nkwatoh, Fernand-Nestor Tchuenguem Fohouo and Jean Lagarde Betti, and researchers Marie Caroline Momo Solefack, Benjamin Toirambe Bamoninga, Gabriel Enchaw, Céline Termote and Kristine Stewart.
Many thanks to all the fieldwork enumerators: Patrick Shiembo, Yves Minlo, Martin, Michel, Hilaire, Daniel, Bruno Mvondo, Léopold Aimé Ndongo; student enumerators: Ghislaine Bongers, Germaine Ntsama, Marcus Ewane, Louis Ndumbe, Irène Kalunga Kyobela, Philip Nkeng, Andrew Lemnsah, Charles Ndifomi, Georges Nlend, Alexander Tajocha, Stephanie Tangkeu, Madeleine Etoumbe Nkengue and Sandrine Djomo; and the Prunus inventory teams of Bernard Foaham, Dagobert Samba, Isaac Fokom, Alfred Nsom Jam and Ernest Keming. Henri Owono patiently and skilfully helped with statistical analysis. Michele Bolo and Vivian Che assisted with maps.
I greatly appreciate and enjoyed the partnership with WHINCONET and am especially grateful to ‘Forest Hero’ Pa Paul Mzeka, Cyprian Tingyu, Jaff Francis, Alfred Nsom Jam, Kenneth Tah and Fon Nso for their openness, sharing their knowledge and patiently answering my numerous questions. Cyprian and Jaff in particular took me into their families and honoured me with namesake daughters. All the Community Forests and their Associations in Kilum, Ijim, Bihkov and Baba II gracefully put up with my continued visits, questions and comments, particularly Bah Peter, Samuel Yungavei, Bobo Peter Yama, Sani Thaddeus, Fulai Johnson, Bunda Bernard, Lukong Majoda Fonyua, John and Constance. Their Royal Highnesses Fon Ngum III and Fon Sentieh II of Oku, Fon Vincent Yuh II of Kom in Fundong, Chief Tempe Jonathan Fon of Fru Awa, Ardo Sule Mohamadou Diko in Wum, Lamido Mamouda Sabga Abdoulaye in Sabga, Fon A.C Mokoroka III in Mbu Santa, San Angwafor III of Mankon, Fon Sehm Mbinglo of Nso, the paramount Fon of Pinyin, Fon Doh Gahyonga of Bali-Nyonga, Fon Abumbi II of Bafut, the Fon of Tabeken, and Fon Patrick Ttat Nll of Dom were welcoming, and their permission to work in their forests is highly appreciated. Thank you plenty to Fuh Martin (best bottle-dance musician and cook in the Highlands), Julia Fuh, the Bafut Guinness Smooth njangi group, Joan Mifang and Mozes Lonton for your help at home and continued warmth and friendship. Un grand merci à tout le monde de Guiding Hope (GIC Guide de l’Espoir) : Michael Njikeu Tchana, Rebecca Howard, Yves Soukontoua, Paul Mboui, Hermann Tchamba et Aminatou. Une lueur d'espoir et pas seulement pour moi. I continue to be amazed at your achievements, enthusiasm and innovation. Also all the Ngaoundal and Northwest beekeepers, especially those who initiated me into the art and magic of beekeeping:
xv
George Bang of Oku Honey Coop, Paul Mzeka, John Bime and Augustine of ANCO, Caroline Ngum of HONCO, Simon Ngawmbi, Fidelia Tim, Godwin Mawoh and Enock Ntam Chiambah of BERUDEP, Jaff Francis Agiamntebom of FAP and George Badjang at Les Miellieries. Jean Michel Onana at the National Herbarium and especially Martin Cheek at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, gave me the first chance to beinvlved in botanic inventories and helped with plant identification.
At both ends of numerous trans-continental travels, I am highly indebted for the many and great evenings of welcome distraction, support, superb hosting and food for thought given by: Janine Kiers, Symon Miedema and Sophie Koers, Sachin Kapila, Tim Sumner, Babette de Haan and Marcus Slingsersby, Rebecca Howard, Emiel Muller and Mariet Nijholt, Gees and Karel van der Waarde (in Europe), and Michael Tchana, Valentina Robilglio and Claudio Proietti, Arend van der Goes, Erin Papworth and Desiré Zongo, Griet and Thorsten Huber (in Cameroon).
My parents could not have realized that bringing me to life in one of the most ancient British woodland commons would lead to a passion for the environment and for forests. My thanks to you and all my Ingram and van der Waarde family for your continued love, encouragement and support, the visits and parcels of goodies from across the globe, which have made all the difference. Also to my wonderful girls, Alys and Janine (who learned to count using pygeum trees, without realizing how much they helped) for their love and tolerance of my antics, and Jaap – my soul mate, rock, source of love, patience, support and much joy and laughter. Thank you.
