Cameroon Academy of Sciences

The Cameroon Academy of Sciences (CAS) is a non-governmental organization that supports the progression of science and technology for the economic, social, and cultural development of Cameroon. It was established in 1990 by a group of Cameroonian scholars during a symposium on agriculture and agricultural research in Sub-Saharan Africa in Douala, Cameroon. The academy provides unbiased advice to the government and other stakeholders on issues related to science and technology.

History
The idea of creating a national academy of sciences in Cameroon was first proposed in 1972 by the Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research. In 1982, the council proposed a draft decree for the creation of the academy. However, it was not until 1990 that the academy was formed by a group of Cameroonian scholars during a symposium on agriculture and agricultural research in Sub-Saharan Africa in Douala, Cameroon. The symposium was organized by the International Foundation for Science and the Third World Academy of Sciences.

The founding members of the academy, 25 scientists from various disciplines, elected Jean-Pierre Tignol as the first president of the academy. The academy was officially inaugurated on 10 February 1993 in Yaoundé, Cameroon, by then Prime Minister Simon Achidi Achu. The academy received its legal status as a non-governmental organization in 1992 and was affiliated with both the Ministry of Scientific and Technical Research and the Ministry of Higher Education.