Never-ending scandals of corruption riddle Cameroon’s integrity worldwide. The humiliation and scolding resulting from these scandals, if not noted by those that abused authority or privilege as an appointed agent(s) or head of an administration but causes distress to most Cameroonians at Diaspora and home.
The Certified Forensic Investigation Professionals (CFIPs) and anti-corruption expert suggests that the Government of the Republic of Cameroon should provide enabling atmosphere to implement ethics-related laws, and enforce discipline among public employees that requires accountability.
The administration is encouraged to ensure stiff criminal penalties for those who intentionally provide enticement or those that receive kickback based on their official responsibility or others that support the corruption process.
The rapid change of events in the nation is now beyond control, scandals –upon –scandals and the fight against corruption adds no new dimension, but corruption has reinvented itself with the issuing of driving license to individuals without actually checking the driving skills in the driver leads to accidents and death. Due to corruption, there are many people who can have a driving license without any tests.
The anti-corruption community patiently watches the unending lawmaker bribery and corruption scandals, which is self-evident of the height of deviation among trustees of government. The abused of public trust, “corruption” has become a standard way of living, but such a corrupt orientation is challenged by other countries of the world, considering that the lack of a nation’s integrity is injurious to trustworthiness.
The recent Eseka tragic train derailment tends to support the hypotheses that “corruption in Cameroon is practiced with impunity” and “attempts to correct the situation are difficult.”
Strategist analyst would suggest that Cameroon chief problem is massive unemployment, but the writer argues that if a nation experiences uncontrolled level of corruption and gross mismanagement, citizens and other nations of the world would doubt the integrity of the transport system, the judiciary system, the law-making body, and the executive because of the collective corrupt coordination, which itself is lawlessness that increases the vulnerability of the nation’s insecurity.
Cameroon has a synchronize corruption system that makes it difficult for any administration to fight unemployment, and the same time to meet the social responsibilities of government toward her citizens is tough to achieve with no strong anti-corruption mission.
According to UNODC’s Action against Corruption and Economic Crime, Corruption is a complex social, political and economic phenomenon that affects all countries.
Corruption undermines democratic institutions, slows economic development and contributes to governmental instability. Corruption attacks the foundation of democratic institutions by distorting electoral processes, perverting the rule of law and creating bureaucratic quagmires whose only reason for existing is the soliciting of bribes.
Economic development is stunted because foreign direct investment is discouraged and small businesses within the country often find it impossible to overcome the “start-up costs” required because of corruption.
Transparency International defines corruption as “the abuse of entrusted power for private gain”. Corruption can be classified as grand, petty and political, depending on the amounts of money lost and the sector where it occurs.
The Impact of Corruption on Society, Individuals and Businesses
a. Effects of Corruption on Individuals
Accidents: The issuing of driving license to individuals without actually checking the driving skills in the driver leads to accidents and death. As a result of corruption, individuals can obtain driving license without any tests.
In addition, it
– Erodes the quality of life
– Ruins careers and reputation
– Denies access to basic services
– Denies access to Justice
– Denies opportunities for employment
– May lead to violations of human rights
– Results to poor health and hygiene
b. Effects of Corruption on Society
– Undermines democracy and the rule of law
– Allows organized crime, terrorism and other threats to human security to flourish
– Hampers development
– Distorts markets and drives away investment
– Leads to loss of confidence in government and institutions
– Increases costs and lowers the quality of services and products
– Increases inequality
– Destroys the environment
c. Effects of Corruption on Businesses
– Discourages shareholders and investors
– Distorts businesses
– Causes loss of business reputation
– Increases cost of doing business
– Provides wrong incentives
– Undermines innovation
In conclusion, Government or organizations must methodically provide anti-corruption enabling environment, overseers to ensure check and balance between agents of authority and activities of law enforcement agencies, implement stringent compliance’s rules, promote positive work ethics culture that could systematically and significantly demobilize employees and citizens’ impulsive desire to get-rich-quick that has metamorphosed to a societal syndrome.
Therefore, the fight against corruption needs a systematic approach, which requires the implementation of internal control strategies and effective management and leadership that reinforces transparency and accountability to ensure organization integrity.
The writer argues that the problem of corruption in Cameroon is promoted by a get-rich-quick syndrome, and should be treated as part of social dysfunction. Therefore, government should develop ethical cultural orientation programs as an added tool in the fight against corruption.
Additionally, the Anti-corruption Specialist, Forensic Researcher, Author & Lecturer suggest that the lapse in the judiciary system is major impediment for the fight against corruption.
Cameroon should redirect the fight against corruption more in deterrence and early detection of fraud, the high network techniques of the bribery and corruption rather than using the limited resources for unsuccessful legal battles through a failed court system for trials of white-collars or corruption crimes.
The writer points out that it is more effective and less expensive for the implementation of corruption preventive programs rather than fighting the crime of white-collar or corruption.
About the Researcher:
LINUS AKEPE ENOBI
PhD, FCFIP, CACC, CPFA, CFA, MSC, BSC. (HONS)
Anti-corruption Specialist, Forensic Researcher/Investigator, Author & University Lecturer
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
