The international workshop of the launching of the CERDOTOLA’s new program called African Food Heritage (ALIPA) has started on this Wednesday May 24th in Yaoundé.

Safeguarding the African local gastronomic and culinary customs which tend to disappear because of food-processing industry is the main goal of this new program. Under the high patronage of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MINADER in French), the opening ceremony has welcomed many authorities: the Minister of Arts and Culture (MINAC), Madam Director of the Central African bureau of UNESCO; special guests as His Majesty Bruno Mvondo the coordinator of the traditional authorities network for biodiversity; and also many national and foreign experts, researchers, businessmen, students and medias.

Two short speeches have punctuated this ceremony. The Executive Secretary of CERDOTOLA Professor Charles Binam Bikoi made a report on the creation goal of this program and the necessity for Africa to safeguard and promote its gastronomic heritage. Madam Minister Delegated to MINADER, Clementine ANAGA MESSINA, the representative of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development has congratulated the initiative and renewed her trust to the institution.

This ceremony that inaugurated a set of activities on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of CERDOTOLA lasted about two hours and has been animated by a patrimonial dance group from the forest areas of Cameroon.

Before the official opening of the launching the ALIPA program, Madam Minister of the MINADER has invited the participants to try their best so that will emerge concrete proposals for a prosperous Africa proud of its traditions, its heritage and its diversity.

From May 24th to 26th, four sessions will take place in the headquarters of CERDOTOLA in the residence area of Bastos in Yaoundé in order to put into orbit this new program. Indeed, African and international experts will discuss and share their experiences and knowledge on diversity of food practices in Africa.