Martin A. Nkemngu
6 July 2009
If there is a problem that will give the June 30 newly-appointed government nightmares, it is certainly corruption. The out gone Inoni government fought the vice vigorously but, like a hydra, it always resurfaced with new heads and in different forms.
The Head of State acknowledged this problem when he pointed out at the July 3 Council of Ministers Meeting, that "Corruption continues to constrain our action". But like a general to his troops, President Paul Biya instructed the government not to give up. "We should not surrender in the face of difficulties " he said.
In spite of the fact that the government has waged a sustained fight against corruption, the vice has resisted such efforts. One would have imagined that the arrest, trail and conviction of high-profile government functionaries on charges of corruption, would dissuade others from going the wrong way. Far from it! Today, we find that corruption continues to raise its ugly head in various sectors of activity in Cameroon. A plethora of anti-corruption state institutions like the Ministry in charge of the Supreme State Control, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (CONAC), the National Agency for the Investigation of Financial malpractices, (ANIF), the Audit Bench of the Supreme Court and the Good Governance Programme has not succeeded in dissuading hardened criminals from indulging in acts of corruption.
However, public expectations are high. Everyone is watching to see how the Yang government will tackle this multifaceted problem. The new team should map out new strategies to check corruption in sectors like the public contracts, the civil service, the customs, the judiciary, the police, ports, forestry and so on. The seriousness and courage with which the new government tackles this problem will determine whether or not foreign investors will invest in our country. The new Prime Minister has had long years of experience working in the highly corruption-free western society. It is hoped that he will bring new tactics to fight corruption and consequently instill fresh confidence in investors who will help to relaunch the economy.
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