Cameroon: Anti-corruption body declares its incompetence

The Anti-Corruption Commission (CONAC) set up by the government of Cameroon to wage a war on corruption in the country has admitted that the task is overwhelming for the commission alone.

Members of the commission admitted recently that corruption scourge has eaten so deep into the fabric of the society that it will require joint action and efforts by the entire society to reverse the trend.
CONAC members made the disclosure on the occasion to launch a national coalition for the fight against corruption in the country. The meeting which took place at the headquarters of CONAC at the nation’s capital brought together representatives of government institutions, NGOs, the media and the general public.

Paul Tessa, president of CONAC said an autopsy carried out by the institution on society, revealed that all sectors of national life have been ravaged by corruption, with had far-reaching consequences on the economy, the mentality and the image of Cameroon and Cameroonians.
He noted that since its creation CONAC has been able to study only the education and transport sectors very closely and that all actors must be involved in the fight in other to touched and sought solutions.

By inviting other forces to join in the corruption fight, Paul Tessa said CONAC was adopting the recommendations of the UN convention on corruption which encourages the active participation of civil society. While emphasizing the fact that CONAC, does not pride itself in publishing lists of corrupt persons but rather sensitises the public on its existence as well as identify areas and cases and submit reports to the authorities Paul Tessa, however expressed hope that these new partners would help the body in enhancing its role of sensitising the public on the harmful effects of corruption.

It should be noted here that Paul Tessa is by nature and temperament quiet and unobtrusive. You hardly know if he has an opinion on anything at all. A long time partner of the Ahidjo and Biya regimes, Tessa’s best days lie in the past.
Tessa is best suited to the passive role of chairman of the board of SOPECAM, publishers of the government daily, Cameroon Tribune. He still keeps the job that requires him to chair two statutory meetings a year while enjoying his retirement.

Nobody thought Tessa suitable for the job when he was appointed to the chair of the newly created national anti-corruption commission in early 2006. The task of the commission was to investigate and bring out cases of illicit public behaviour.
The appointment of outspoken men like Garga Haman Adji a party leader not in the best books of the regime further strengthened the feeling of Tessa’s incapability. It took several months for the commission to appear to the public after which it began to hold advisory meetings with public services to discuss corruption.

It was only recently that Tessa finally made up his mind about what his commission is up to. Intimating that it is not their business to report people or submit names. That what they do is to forge coalitions against corruption because they cannot, and no single body can all alone fight corruption.
Whatever the case, Tessa needs to properly define how the coalitions would function to eradicate corruption. Analysts simply thought that Tessa had cowardly escaped back into his comfort zone, thus avoiding the probing task that is much unsuited to his nature and temperament.