During the last CPDM Mezam II Santa Joint Section Conference on 21st March  2026, Che Linidolf Ndongnyam, a fervent CPDM militant, decorated Officer of the Order of Merit by President Paul Biya and Chief Executive Officer of Merdolf Sarl, one of the North West Region's most active construction and engineering firms, shared his expertise on a subject that lies at the heart of every grassroots political operation : how to raise funds effectively, transparently and sustainably to finance party activities.

His presentation was grounded from the outset in the party's own constitutional framework. Article 29 of the CPDM's basic texts identifies eight recognised sources of party funding, from membership and subscription fees collected at branch level, to proceeds from party-organised activities, rental income from party property, public financing of political parties and donations subject to Central Committee approval. He also reminded the audience of a provision many militants overlook : the central committee has the authority to financially assist sections in difficulty.

From that constitutional foundation, Ndongnyam laid out nine practical techniques for financial mobilisation. He opened with the principle that underpins all the others : vision, unity and transparency. A section that manages its resources openly will always find it easier to attract and retain the confidence of donors, elites and supporters. Opacity, he warned, kills generosity.

On crowdfunding through subscription fees, he walked the audience through straightforward arithmetic, demonstrating that a section of Mezam II Santa's size, factoring in executives across the CPDM, WCPDM and YCPDM structures at section, sub-section, branch and cell levels, could raise millions of francs from internal contributions alone, without seeking a single external franc.

He spoke about appeal letters, emphasising that they must include a brief account of previous activities, a clear statement of purpose and a realistic budget. On face-to-face visits and personal calls, he was pointed : the faces you bring to a potential donor must be faces of integrity and honour. Reputation, he reminded the audience, is itself a fundraising instrument.

He dedicated particular attention to letters of appreciation, arguing that gratitude is not a courtesy but a strategy. A donor publicly acknowledged at a party event or honoured during a hierarchy visit will give again. One forgotten will not. He also highlighted the revenue potential of party gadgets, branded caps, scarves, key holders and t-shirts, a model with a proven track record in the section.

On rental income, Ndongnyam addressed Section President Mbah Shupong Michael directly, expressing the collective wish that during his mandate, Mezam II Santa should acquire a permanent party house that generates steady income and creates employment for youth. He also proposed the appointment of section patrons and matrons, personalities of irreproachable standing who can lead fund drives and open doors that ordinary appeal letters cannot.

Finally, he suggested themed local events, ceremonies honouring the most active militant, the longest-serving member or the most generous donor, as occasions that combine community recognition with practical fundraising.

His conclusion distilled everything into four principles : always acknowledge the donor, no amount is too small, manage funds with full transparency and account to the members. With those four commitments in place, he told the conference, fundraising becomes not a burden but a pleasure.

Ndongnyam's profile lends particular weight to his message. Decorated by the Head of State for meritorious service to the nation and recognised most recently for his contribution to the Peter Essoka Prize for Excellence in Journalism, he is a figure whose own career embodies the values of vision, integrity and community investment he preached from the floor in Santa. His words carried the authority of someone who has not merely theorised about financial mobilisation but practised it.