Cameroon: Journalists urged to expose corruption

Media professionals have been urged to valorise acts of integrity and expose corrupt practices in the country. The call was made last October 20 at the Yaoundé Hotel Azur by the Chair of Business Coalition against Corruption, Henry Kiven at the opening of a training seminar to sharpen the skills of journalists on reporting corruption issues.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Henry Kiven explained that “Even though Cameroon is no longer the most corrupt country, we are still up there amongst the most corrupt countries in the world. If corruption is such an impediment to development, our 2035 vision for the country would likely meet some challenges. It is your role as communicators to assist the government in ensuring a business environment free of corruption and you definitely need the skills with which to transmit this communication.”

He stressed that “Corruption is harmful. Corruption is unfair because it harms those without a voice to resist it. Corruption results in a loss of values and morality, corruption results in financial loss for companies and for all of us, corruption results in loss of trust in government, justice and public services, corruption results in illegal activities, encourages organized crime; in summary, corruption creates an inefficient society undermined by fear and insecurity.”

In their talks, the facilitator, Mamy Raboanaruaona and CONAC official, Irene Morikang Tche underlined that corruption persists in Cameroon because people are always ready to corrupt or accept to be corrupted.

It was explained that the Business Coalition Against Corruption (BCAC), an initiative of the Business Council for Africa is the private sector approach to join forces with the government and accompany the government in this fight against corruption.

From 2011 to date, the BCAC has achieved the following; 195 members have joined out of 347 companies contacted, 505 Managers trained in 26 sessions in Douala, Yaoundé and Limbe, 21 Companies have in place, or are preparing, their Code of Conduct, 18 companies have benefitted from coaching program.

The Sun