Taming The Corruption Hydra

President Paul Biya’s political vision from when he took the oath of office on November 6, 1982 has been the democratisation of the country’s political landscape, social and eco­ nomic liberalisation, the reinforcement of in­ ternational cooperation and more; rigour and moralisation. Some 44 years down the line, the focus has not changed though challenges remain huge; looking at field realities, aggra­ vated by the poor conduct of some office hol­ ders. In fact, corruption has eaten deep into the national fabric, leaving no sector indifferent. So many State functionaries have regrettably transformed the country into a national cake and so divert the lion’s share of the resources and opportunities for themselves and cronies to the detriment of the majority. The recent report published by the National Anti-Corruption Commission with startling revelations that the State of Cameroon incurred financial losses due to corruption-related activities to the tune of over FCFA 6,2 billion in 2025, up from FCFA 4 billion in 2024, is telling of the mag­ nitude of the cankerworm. A hydra that de­ prives the country and population of valuable development as perpetrators thrive in the dirty game. As the New Deal of President Paul Biya cele­ brates 44 years of his stewardship, there is need to revisit the Head of State’s Rigour and Moralisation vision. There seems to be a mis­ match between the talk and policies against corruption and the actual situation on the ground. There has been a multiplicity of struc­ tures tasked with combating the life and live­ lihood destroyer but the scale seems to be rather growing as the appetite of the perpe­ trators grows with eating. They reap from where they have not sown. Be it small corrup­ tion; involving public services on the daily basis; or big corruption, with huge sums of scarce liquidity drained, the effects of the problem are far and wide. Something is se­ riously wrong somewhere. Quite disturbing! Giving the fight a new lease of life should not be optional. Corruption is an enemy of good governance and by extension, development. There seems to be some impunity as the white-collar thieves sometimes proudly bran­ dish their wealth in disdain for the population who have been deprived of good roads, potable water, constant electricity supply and even healthcare as a result of the scourge. Vexing indeed! The stick should be used where the carrot has failed. Like Pope Leo XIV said during his Pontifical visit to Cameroon, the high offices citizens hold demand a twofold witness – “Collaboration between the various organs and administrative levels of the State in service to the people, and in particular to the poorest; the second witness is realized by uniting your institutional an...