Abstract

The work titled the fight against Corruption in Cameroon is focusing on anti-corruption strategies in Cameroon, much has been uncovered in this research work. It is already an established fact that, corruption is an invisible part of Cameroon’s existence and that the government in place is making tireless efforts to see to it that, corruption is no longer attached as a second name to Cameroon. However, not everyone is contented with the fact that the problem has to be put to an end.

There are still individuals who have enriched themselves so much from corruption to the extent that the accumulated ill-gotten wealth far surpasses their salaries even for their whole professional career. In effect, they would hardly support an anti-corruption drive since it will mean an automatic end to their ever sure and permanent Source of income.

CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Corruption is not a phenomenon that is particular to Cameroon; rather, it is universally experienced. Corruption lacks a universally acceptable definition.

Oxford English Dictionary defines corruption “as the perversion of integrity by bribery or favour.”

Transparency International (1996), on its part, defines corruption as “behavior on the part of officials in the public sector, whether politicians or civil servants, in which they improperly and unlawfully enrich themselves or those close to them, by the misuse of public power entrusted to them.”

Corruption poses a serious developmental challenge in Cameroon, and worst of all in 1991, Cameroon emerged as the most corrupt country in the world by Transparency International. It was due to this that n anti-corruption body was created in 1998 known as the National Corruption Observation.

The presidential decree No 2006/088 of 11 March 2006 establishing the organization and functioning of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). NACC replaced the National Corruption Observation in May 2007. NACC has a coordinating and regulatory role in relation to the National anti-corruption policy framework in Cameroon. It investigates cases and has the mandate to gather and analyze information about corrupt practices.

Since it relation, NACC has been running a number of anti-corruption programs. It has a rapid intervention unit that enables citizens to denounce corruption by calling the numbers 22 20 37 32 or 22 20 37 30, and the rapid intervention unit will come and investigate the problem.

NACC also has a slot on the Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV) called “Espace CONAC” where it disseminates information to the public on its strategies to combat corruption, while at the same time sensitizing citizens against the act.

In the struggle against corruption, NACC is being assisted by the audit bench of the Supreme Court, the National Good Governance Committee.

NACC has also launched programs to track down corrupt officials and these programs include the “change Habit Oppose Corruption,” and the “Operation Sparrow Hawk.”

It is with the consideration of the various measures taken by NACC to combat corruption that this research seeks to evaluate NACC’s efficiency in reducing corruption in public services.

1.2 Statement of the Problems

Corruption in Cameroon is very alarming and outstanding. And it appears to be increasing over time, from a tiny worrisome bug of the early years t a virus that is deadly.

The spirit of patriotism, honesty among Cameroonians is diminishing due to selfish desires. They do not want to share the national cake, they want the whole cake and keep it to themselves.

Due to corruption, public investments have been reduced. Since both foreign and national investors are scared to invest in Cameroon due to embezzlement, the level of public investments in Cameroon remains low.

Corruption does not only kill the nation economically. It also prevents the building of a solid society.

The state loses a lot of because of this corruption contracts awarded either to nationals or expatriates, always come as a result of envelopes left in the various contracts award, payment, and control channel. All that is thus paid into the pockets of officials has repercussions on the global cost of the contract. Thus a project that should have cost one billion, is billed at two billion or two and a half billion (Cameroon Tribune of 9th April 1998).

1.3 Hypothesis of the Study

Since Cameroonians were not alert enough to prevent corruption from taking hold of our society, Cameroon indisputably emerged as one of the corrupt nations in the world.

In as much as the anti-corruption campaign is trying to put a stop to corruption practices through means like the “sparrow Hawk Operation”, there still exist hardened individuals who would not give up corruption for anything in the world.

The consideration that the establishment of  NACC has led to the reduction o corruption in the public service is influenced by the age of respondents and also by the sex of the respondents.

There are so many things posing as obstacles to the fight and total eradication of corruption in Cameroon; the inefficiency of our public service, the unreliability of our state officials, and the obscurity of the activities of the anti-corruption commission.

1.4 Aims and Objectives

The main aims of the study had to do with the following points below;

This study aims at giving corruption in Cameroon a more critical look, focusing on how far it has gone and its impacts on Cameroonian society, economy, and politics.

1. Also, the purpose and activities of the NACC to combat corruption in Cameroon public services
2. To assess the direct impact of anti-corruption programs on the efficiency, accountability, and transparency of taxation officials.