Abstract: The article Marginalized Voices: The Result of Power Relation, Donor Agendas and Institutional Incentives in NGOs’ Projects in Africa (The case of Bamenda in the Ongoing Anglophone Crisis) interrogates the complex interplay between external donor priorities, institutional incentives, and local power relations in shaping the outcomes of NGO interventions in conflict-affected communities. Using Bamenda, Cameroon, as a case study within the broader Anglophone crisis, the article explores how the voices of marginalized populations particularly women, youths, and internally displaced persons are systematically silenced or reshaped to fit donor-driven narratives. The research adopts a qualitative methodology, combining ethnographic fieldwork, semi-structured interviews with community members and NGO staff, and critical discourse analysis of project documents. Findings reveal that donor agendas often prioritize measurable outputs and politically safe interventions over grassroots needs, leading to a disconnect between project design and lived realities. Institutional incentives within NGOs such as competition for funding, reputational concerns, and alignment with state actors further reinforce exclusionary practices. Power relations manifest both vertically (between donors, NGOs, and communities) and horizontally (within communities themselves), producing a layered system of marginalization. The case of Bamenda illustrates how NGOs, despite their stated mission of empowerment, risk perpetuating structural inequalities when they fail to critically interrogate the political economy of aid. The Anglophone crisis intensifies these dynamics as NGOs navigate a fragile environment where neutrality is contested, and survival often depends on appeasing both donors and state authorities. The paper argues that genuine inclusion requires a paradigm shift, moving beyond tokenistic participation toward co-created agendas that prioritize local agency and contextual knowledge. This study contributes to debates on humanitarian governance, postcolonial critiques of development, and the politics of voice in conflict settings. It highlights the urgent need for NGOs to reconfigure accountability mechanisms, ensuring that marginalized voices are not only heard but also shape the trajectory of interventions. By situating Bamenda within the broader African NGO landscape, the article underscores that the silencing of communities is not accidental but structurally embedded in the aid system. Ultimately, the paper calls for a rethinking of NGO practices in Africa, advocating for participatory frameworks that resist donor-imposed homogenization and institutional self-interest. Such reorientation is essential for fostering resilience, justice, and sustainable peace in contexts of protracted crisis.
Ndode* et al. (Mon,) studied this question.