Hon. Agho Oliver Bamenju, Member of Parliament, MP, for the Bafut-Tubah Constituency in the North West Region of Cameroon, has raised concerns over Africa’s long history of agricultural commitments that have often failed to produce the expected results. Speaking at the African Food Systems Forum that held in Kigali, Rwanda, from August 28, 2026 to September 5, 2026, the Cameroonian MP called for stronger parliamentary oversight, legal backing and financial accountability.
Hon Agho’s worry comes on the heels of the decision by African states to begin implementing the Kampala Declaration and the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme, CAADP, Strategy and Action Plan for 2026–2035.
It is worthy to recall that The Kampala Declaration was adopted by African Heads of State and Governments in January 2025, and is intended to guide efforts towards building more resilient and sustainable agri-food systems across the continent. Its priorities include food production, investment, financing, food and nutrition security, inclusive livelihoods, resilience and stronger agricultural governance. But for Hon. Agho Oliver, the major question is whether the new commitments will produce different results from previous declarations that have often remained in closets.
He argues that political commitments alone will not be enough to transform agriculture unless governments put in place stronger systems to ensure that promises are translated into laws, budgets, programmes and measurable results.
The Bafut-Tubah MP has particularly highlighted the important role of parliamentarians in ensuring that governments remain accountable for the commitments they make at continental and international levels.
His position is in line with wider calls for legislators to play a central role in converting the Kampala Declaration and other agricultural commitments into concrete national action.
For him, the success of the new agricultural agenda will depend on more than speeches at summits and declarations signed by political leaders.
Parliaments, he suggests, must play their constitutional role by scrutinising government policies, questioning agricultural spending and ensuring that commitments made in the name of citizens are properly implemented.
The issue of financing is equally central to the debate.
Africa has repeatedly identified agriculture as a key driver of economic growth, employment, food security and poverty reduction. Yet, many farmers across the continent continue to face difficulties accessing finance, modern equipment, quality seeds, irrigation systems, markets and other basic support needed to improve production.
Recent parliamentary debates elsewhere on the continent have also highlight challenges related to agricultural support, access to financing and the timely provision of farm inputs.
As Africa enters a new 10-year agricultural framework, Hon. Agho Oliver’s message is therefore a call for the continent to learn from the shortcomings of the past.
The question, he argues, should not simply be how many declarations Africa has adopted, but whether governments can be held accountable for implementing them.
For the Bafut-Tubah legislator, the Kampala Declaration presents another opportunity for Africa to transform its agricultural sector. But that opportunity, he warns, could be lost if political promises are not matched with strong laws, adequate funding, parliamentary oversight and clear systems of accountability.
As implementation of the 2026–2035 CAADP strategy begins, the challenge for African governments will be to ensure that the new decade does not become another period of ambitious declarations with limited results.
Hon. Agho Oliver’s position is clear: Africa must move beyond making commitments and begin building stronger systems that compel governments to deliver on them.
Culled from Observer237
