Fight against corruption: CONAC Chairman says protecting whistleblowers important.

The interview was in line with the conclusion of activities CONAC organised in Bertoua in the East Region from July 9 to 11, to commemorate the African Union Anti-Corruption Day.

According to Rev Massi Gams, the fight against corruption in Cameroon over the past 20 years has been strengthened, but with room for improvement. He said the institution, within this period, has equipped itself with robust tools and instruments to fight corruption, notably the National Strategy to Fight Corruption, adopted by the government in 2011.

Rev Massi Gams furthered that thanks to the many awareness-raising activities conducted by CONAC, corruption is no longer a taboo topic in our society, and Cameroonians are now fully aware of the evil and its consequences on the country’s economic development.

The Chairman disclosed that as a result, this cankerworm is increasingly being denounced, even from within the corrupt networks and systems, but the scourge still persists.

Challenges faced

Rev Massi Gams disclosed that the fight against corruption cannot be waged without difficulties. He said one of the obstacles, is raised by the African Union through the Advisory Council against Corruption, relating to the protection of whistleblowers.

“It is important that whistleblowers have the necessary guarantees to enable them freely denounce the corrupt practices they witness. That is why CONAC is campaigning for an anti-corruption law that takes account of this and other concerns, such as the criminalisation of illicit enrichment,” Rev Massi Gams said. 

He added that another obstacle worth mentioning is the limited access of citizens to CONAC, whose services are located only in Yaounde.

“The channels available to Cameroonians for denouncing bad practices would be much more effective if CONAC could be closer to Cameroonians, as many are demanding,” the Chairman continued.

With regards to the proximity challenge, Rev Massi Gams pointed out that activities such as the commemoration of anti-corruption days in the various regions and the organisation of anti-corruption clinics, are aimed at meeting these challenges of citizens access to CONAC.

He said the number of denunciations received each year confirms the need for CONAC to move closer to the people, so as to better lead this fight, which the President of the Republic remains much attached.

Progress made

The Chairman of CONAC reiterated that progress is being made in the fight against corruption in the country. At the end of activities organised recently in Bertoua to commemorate the 8th African Anti-Corruption Day, the Chairman expressed satisfaction with the work being done by the institution.

The institution organised two major activities, including a training session for heads of anti-corruption units and an awareness-raising march. 

“More than 150 heads of anti-corruption units in ministries, companies, public establishments and certain decentralised local authorities are better equipped to protect whistleblowers, fight corruption in public procurement and lead in the fight against corruption in their respective institutions,” Rev Massi Gams stated.

There was also an anti-corruption awareness-raising march, with awareness-raising materials distributed led by the Governor of the East Region, Gregoire Mvongo.

According to the Chairman, the march brought together over 5,000 people who were morally reinforced and strengthened to say no to corruption.

He said a sketch, educating the public on the importance of breaking the chain of corruption by denouncing it was also performed by the Integrity Club of the University of Bertoua. 

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3176 of Monday July 22, 2024