CULTURALLY SENSITIVE COMMUNICATION IN LOCAL GOVERNANCE DURING CONFLICT: THE CASE OF MUYUKA MUNICIPALITY: : How does cultural sensitivity in communication influence trust and public participation in local governance in Muyuka Municipality during the Anglophone crisis (2024–present)?

Likowo, Andrew Nyama

4. term

Culture, Communication and Globalization, Master

2025

2025-06-02

50

Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan kulturelt sensitiv kommunikation påvirker tillid og borgerdeltagelse i lokal forvaltning i den kriseramte Muyuka Kommune i det sydvestlige Cameroun under den igangværende anglofone konflikt. Med et kvalitativt casestudie design er data indsamlet gennem semistrukturerede interviews og fokusgruppe-diskussioner med 20 deltagere på tværs af kulturelle, køns- og aldersbaggrunde og analyseret tematisk. Undersøgelsen adresserer, hvordan borgerne vurderer rådets kommunikationsstil og sprog, hvordan (u)følsomhed påvirker tillid, og om kulturelt relevant kommunikation fremmer deltagelse. Fundene viser, at formelt eller fremmed sprog og manglende hensyn til lokale skikke og følelsesmæssige realiteter skaber fremmedgørelse, lavere tillid og mindre deltagelse. Omvendt fremmer brug af lokale dialekter, en respektfuld tone og betroede kulturelle formidlere som høvdinge og præster følelsesmæssig tryghed og engagement. På trods af inddragelse af traditionelle ledere føler nogle grupper—særligt kvinder og internt fordrevne—sig fortsat udelukket, og symbolsk snarere end reel deltagelse undergraver tilliden. Analysen er forankret i en ramme for kulturelt sensitiv deltagende forvaltning inspireret af Sheikh (2014) og Balzer (2024), som understreger, at kommunikation skal afspejle menneskers kulturelle og følelsesmæssige liv. Studiet peger på, at kommunikation i sådanne kontekster både skal oplyse og forbinde: ledere bør bruge forståeligt sprog, vise respekt for identiteter og skabe plads til alle stemmer for at genopbygge tillid og meningsfuld deltagelse.

This thesis examines how culturally sensitive communication shapes public trust and participation in local governance in crisis-affected Muyuka Municipality, Southwest Cameroon, during the ongoing Anglophone conflict. Using a qualitative case study design, the study collected data through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with 20 participants across diverse cultural, gender and age backgrounds, and analyzed it thematically. It explores how citizens assess the council’s communication style and language, how (in)sensitivity affects trust, and whether culturally relevant communication encourages participation. Findings indicate that formal or unfamiliar language and disregard for local customs and emotional realities lead to alienation, lower trust and reduced participation. Conversely, the use of local dialects, a respectful tone, and trusted cultural intermediaries such as chiefs and pastors fosters emotional safety and engagement. Despite the involvement of traditional leaders, some groups—particularly women and internally displaced people—still feel excluded, and symbolic rather than substantive participation undermines trust. The analysis is guided by a Culturally Sensitive Participatory Governance lens inspired by Sheikh (2014) and Balzer (2024), which emphasizes communication that reflects people’s cultural and emotional lives. Overall, the study argues that in such contexts communication must both inform and connect; leaders should use accessible language, show respect for identities, and create space for all voices to rebuild trust and meaningful participation.

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