CONAC to investigate stolen state funds invested in real estates.

The Chairman of CONAC, Rev Dr Dieudonne Massi Gams, gave the hints February 1 in Yaounde. 

He was speaking while receiving New Year wishes from members of CONAC, his close collaborators and staff of the commission. The annual ritual took place at the Yaounde Conference Centre. 

The ceremony served as an occasion for CONAC to make an appraisal of its activities in 2023 and to outline its ambitious plans for 2024, with view to stepping up the fight against corruption and the misappropriation of public funds as stated in President Paul Biya’s end-of-year address to the nation. 

Rev Dr Massi Gams said on the firm instructions of the Head of State, President Paul Biya, there are plans underway to “look into and verify” the origin of funds used for construction of the said houses across the country. 

The CONAC boss was firm that investigating sources of houses constructed in the country speedily will be the “main priority” of the institution for 2024.

Rev Dr Massi Gams stated categorically that “2024 will be a year committed to the fight against corruption”. 

He went further to reveal that CONAC is “going to look at buildings that are constructed within two weeks and we don’t know their source of revenue”.

“It is the duty we got from the President of the Republic in his address at the end of year. We were called to be really present and to examine and see how buildings are done in our country and the origin of the funds that are used. We are ready to go to the field and verify and present a report about that,” Rev Dr Dieudonne Massi Gams told reporters.

Counts strides, recommits to intensify fight against corruption 

The CONAC Chairman hailed the institution's strides recorded in 2023 and pledged to step up the fight against corruption nationwide.

The CONAC boss expressed satisfaction with the increase in the number of denunciations recorded during the last year, disclosing that the commission received 10,795 denunciations from 7,000 registered in the previous year.

Rev. Dr Massi Gams said the increase in the number of denunciations in 2023, was ample proof that the population has changed and are resisting acts of corruption. 

The denunciations, he added, lend credence to the trustworthy relationship between the population and CONAC.

Massin Gams was also pleased with the “setting up of the permanent framework for dialogue between CONAC, anti-corruption units and courts”.

He said thanks to such collaborations, CONAC has been able to organise two seminars, respectively in Ngaoundere and Ebolowa, which coincided with the commemoration of the 7th Africa Anti-corruption Day on July 11, 2023, and the celebration of the 20th International Anti-corruption Day on December 9, 2023.

Urges staff to redouble efforts

The CONAC Chairman seized the opportunity to urge his staff to redouble efforts in order to achieve the institution's objectives for 2024. 

He said the successes recorded in 2023 should serve as a source of motivation to work harder instead of sleeping on their laurels.

 He said CONAC shall this year mobilise Cameroonians of all walks of life against corruption.

“We see 2024 as the year to wake up in the fight against corruption. In this connection, we hope that the efforts made by the parliamentary anti-corruption network to strengthen the legal anti-corruption framework in Cameroon will produce positive results,” he said.

He emphasised on the need to “step up efforts, not only to consolidate the institutional achievements but also to improve performance”.

“We are thinking especially of the treatment of denunciations, the ratio between the volume received and the number of investigative reports produced are very unsatisfactory,” he said. 

Massi Gams used the occasion to thank the heads of anti-corruption units in State institutions, many of whom were present, for their immense support and fruitful collaboration in the fight against corruption. 

He also hailed them for the renewed commitment to promoting integrity within the administration.

Promises to address staff complaints

The CONAC boss promised to address some of the socio-economic challenges of his collaborators. 

“We have listened to your complaints with keen interest. We are committed to respond to them to the best of our ability. We will continue to lobby the relevant bodies for a substantial and consistent increase in the resources allocated to our institution. But we must work with what we have already obtained,” Rev Dr Massi Gams said.