Question One: Suggestions on how we can minimize or solve the problem of

corruption in this country Cameroon.

At the hearing of the word corruption, it paints the picture of an evil which is a worry of
many countries. Not just the countries which it exists but also those that do not experience it in
such rampant forms. This is because the world is now termed a global village, countries and
organizations interact with one another in the regular act of international business and
development and neighborly relations. The problem of bribery and corruption seems to have
eaten so deep into the fabrics of the society that virtually everybody around the globe believes
that Cameroon is arguably one of the most corrupt countries on earth.

Cameroon is a country on its own with many unique features and happenings
because of diverse cultures, people tribe and so on that makes up the country. Though it seems
that the eradication of corruption in the country is impossible, starting from somewhere will
probably lead to an accomplishment.

To begin with, anti-corruption units should be opened in every establishment in

the country and campaigns carried out to educate even the least person on the negative effects of
corruption to the society. For corruption to be addressed properly, every citizen must be
involved. With everybody recognizing that these practices are a significant impediment to
development and deprives people of their basic rights makes economic sense overall to eradicate
corruption as it costs money. By these, initiatives should be taken at all levels; national level,
regional levels, divisional levels and sub-divisional levels in order to address this problem.

Also, Government establishment and security outfits such as the armed forces
forestalling the breakdown of law and order in the country should be critically examined and
dubious minds eradicated from the system. Corruption cannot be destroyed when those charged
with the responsibility of destroying it are themselves culprits. If bribery is part of corruption,
then who should be arrested, charged and prosecuted? Anybody no matter how highly placed
found wanting or corrupt in anyway must be arrested, charged and duly prosecuted.

Furthermore, for corruption to be minimized in this country Cameroon, the

economic sector or business milieu should be paid greater attention. Conferences should be held
to educate business individuals and government corporations. They should be educated on the

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term corruption, what it is and the forms it takes; bribes, facilitating payments, “gifts” out of
relevance and context, contracts and dues involving conflicts of interests. The following should
be well spelt out;

 Most importantly, individuals should understand the legal structure of their environment
as their own rights.
 Policies and workable procedures should be clearly written pertinent to the local situation
and should be an action which the person faced with corruption should undertake.
 There should be clear commitments to ethics through the practice of internal audits and a
strong internal control system and processes in every establishment. These control
systems should have monitoring activities, responsibilities at various levels and regular
reporting also included.
 There should be implemented a clearly defined communication channel and manner of
reporting corruption, fraud or such practices. There should be no holding back because of
fear or repercussions and the policy should of course assure protection of the identity of
the informants.
 The establishment of accountability to every employee of an organization or citizen for
upholding these practices and policies and know that they are accountable and also
establishing levels of accountability to vendors will also facilitate the eradication of the
bad practice in the country.

The key factor is to establish a strong anti-corruption culture in business. Once businesses
become convinced that the long term cost outweigh the short term gains, then the commitment to
put this practice to an end in our country will be achievable.

Lastly, educating the minds of young Cameroonians at an early stage will be of great
value to the country. The study of this phenomenon (corruption) should be introduced in the
curriculum study of primary, secondary and higher institutes of education in the country.

In conclusion, the above solutions are not entirely the cure of corruption in Cameroon but
will definitely help to minimize it in the country. Corruption can only be dealt with in Cameroon
when nobody is ready to offer a bribe and nobody is ready to receive it. If every one living in

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Cameroon makes up his or her mind to be honest and truthful with his or her dealings, then the
country will be a better place like never before and one we all will love to live in.

Question Two:

- Positive aspects of Nation Building ; Patriotism and Good Governance

Patriotism and its effect on Nation Building

Patriotism is the love for one’s country which enables you to rebel when things are not
going right. Patriotism if used without judgment contributes positively in nation building.

- Patriotism brings about civic pride where by people consider the wellbeing of the nation
to be important in their every day lives. As JFK said, it is best when he pronounced
“think not what your country can do for you, think what you can do for your country”.
- Patriotism gives to a country Development Vision which is shared and supported by all,
this will guide economic and social development efforts, awaken, co-ordinate and direct
the peoples’ efforts, minds and their national resources towards those core sectors that
will enable them attain their development goals and withstand expected intensive
economic competition ahead of them. This brings about a great nation building.
- Patriotism brings about a more cohesive society so long as nationalism is not linked to
racial qualities. True positive nationalism embraces new comers and instills them with
the same pride in their new homeland that those born there already have.

Good Governance

Good Governance and the rule of law has a positive contribution to nation building, in the
process of creating wealth and sharing benefits in the society and ensures that its people are
empowered with the capacity to make their leaders and public servants accountable.

A permeated national socio-economic structure, will lead to a culture of accountability,

rewarding good performance and efficiency and curbing corruption and other vices in the
society.

Also, good governance is an instrument for the promotion and realization of

development, equity, unity and peace buttressed by the rule of law involving public participation
in the war against corruption and other vices in the society.

Moreover, an appropriate institutional frame work exhort and exhilarate the commitment
of men, women and youths to stimulate creativity, galvanize diverse efforts and recognize,
reward deserving performance.

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 Furthermore, good governance harnesses the power of the market and the dynamism of
private initiative to achieve a high economic growth. It goes further to strike a balance between
the state and other institutions which permits and facilitate various actors to participate in the
market in the context of national and global realities.

Conclusively, good governance promotes democratic and popular participation, good

incentives for nation building.

Negative aspects of nation building; Corruption and Tribalism.

Corruption, its effect on Nation Building

Corruption poses a serious development challenge. Its negative effects could be seen in
the political sector, economic sector, environmental and social sector, on humanitarian aid and in
other areas like public safety, education, health and trade unions.

Firstly, in politics, corruption undermines democracy and good governance by

disrespecting formal processes. In elections and legislative bodies, it reduces accountability and
distorts representations in policy making. In the judiciary, it compromises the rule of law. In
summary, corruption erodes the institutional capacity of government as procedures are
disregarded, resources siphoned off and public offices are bought and sold. It undermines the
legitimacy of government and such democratic values as trust and tolerance in a nation.

Secondly, in the economic sector, corruption weakens economic development by

generating considerable distortions and inefficiency in both the private and public sector. Where
corruption inflates cost of business through illicit payments and cost of negotiating with officials,
it destroys the paying field, shielding firms with connections from competition and thereby
sustaining inefficient firms. Also, in the public sector, it generates distortions by diverting
investment into capital projects where bribes are more plentiful. These reduce the quality of
government services and infrastructure and increases budgetary pressures on government.

Furthermore, looking at the effect of corruption on the environment, it facilitates

environmental destruction where in legislation to protect the environment cannot be enforced
because officials have been bribed; this also applies to social rights workers.

Summarily, with corruption in a nation, nation building remains a fantasy for it destroys
every component in the economy right down to sports activities.

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Tribalism

Tribalism is another aspect that impedes nation building. To begin with, tribalism breeds
nepotism. Once people feel that their tribesmen are better than people from other tribes, when
they get into positions of trust, they are willing to hire people from their tribe who may not even
have the skills to occupy such positions, these leads to inefficiency, embezzlement hence
retarding development.

Secondly, tribalism affects national unity or cohesion. To the tribalist, they do not see
themselves as Cameroonians but as a member of a particular tribe in the country. By so doing,
they do not look for ways that will benefit the whole nation but rather, ways that will strengthen
their tribes at the expense of the nation.

Moreover, tribalism results to civil wars which severely retards development. An

example could be drawn from the civil wars in sub-Sahara Africa over the past fifty years. This
situation has severely retarded development to the extent that despite some $600 billion of aid
and millions more of indigenous resources, the Commission on Africa – a group of eminent
persons assembled by former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair in 2005 – has characterized the
subcontinent's poverty and stagnation as the greatest tragedy of our time.

Lastly, Tribalism directly affects the quality of governance, is conducive to corruption,

negatively impacts the availability of investment finance, prevents thousands of skilled Africans
from returning home and indeed encourages many who are trained in the subcontinent, to
emigrate. Civil wars consume resources, destroy infrastructure, discourage investments and
therefore inhibit development.