Recentring Cultural Infrastructure as Vectors of Social Cohesion and Sustainable Development in Cameroon

Various art forms, such as theatre, film, painting, sculpture, music, and others, influence society by instilling positive values, raising awareness on pertinent issues confronting their lives, changing opinions, communicating ideas to reform society, empowering individuals economically, and fostering social cohesion. However, the paucity of cultural infrastructure in Cameroon underscores the disregard for this important sector by policymakers and stakeholders, at a time when Cameroonian society is in dire need of alternative and inclusive avenues for social dialogue. Also, previous studies have failed to shed light on the socio-economic benefits of cultural infrastructure in a pluralistic society like Cameroon and on how such infrastructure could help mend specific socio-political fissures, such as political, ethnic, and linguistic divides. Drawing on a broad review of the literature and international policy documents, this paper examines the state of cultural policy and cultural infrastructure in Cameroon and proposes strategies to improve their quantity and quality. Major findings indicate that cultural infrastructure, such as performance spaces, film halls, museums, and exhibition halls, benefits society in several ways, including job creation and economic development, identity creation that fosters social cohesion and reduces conflict, and sustainable development through innovation. This means that the culture and creative industries constitute a very important sector in Cameroon, and policymakers need to make deliberate efforts to create an enabling environment for this sector to thrive.

Keywords: Cultural Infrastructure, Social Cohesion, Sustainable Development, Recentring.