Cameroon has recently uncovered significant levels of fraud, corruption, and mismanagement within its public administration, leading to financial losses estimated at 59 billion CFA. The Ministry of Finance, led by Louis-Paul Motazé, revealed these shocking irregularities during a comprehensive cleanup operation targeting public finances.
Some of the most glaring issues include:
Fraudulent Birth Certificates: Investigators discovered 13,000 fraudulent birth certificates in pension files, resulting in losses of 19 billion CFA. These fake documents allowed individuals to claim pensions they were not entitled to, draining public funds.
Ghost Workers: The investigation identified 14,000 fictitious employees, including 10,632 individuals who receive salaries without actually working. This widespread issue accounted for a loss of 32 billion CFA, highlighting the need for stricter oversight and verification processes.
Fraudulent Leases: The rental of dilapidated or nonexistent buildings by individuals posing as government officials drained an additional 4 billion CFA from state coffers. These fraudulent leases were used to siphon off public funds under the guise of legitimate expenses.
These findings highlight the urgent need for structural reforms to address systemic corruption, safeguard public funds, and restore trust in Cameroon’s administrative processes. The government is now under pressure to implement measures that will prevent such abuses in the future, including stricter auditing procedures, enhanced transparency, and accountability mechanisms.
The revelation of these irregularities has sparked public outrage and calls for swift action to hold those responsible accountable. It also underscores the importance of continued vigilance and reform in the fight against corruption, ensuring that public resources are used for the benefit of all citizens rather than being siphoned off by a corrupt few. The Ministry of Finance’s efforts to clean up public administration are a crucial step in this ongoing battle, but much work remains to be done to fully eradicate these deeply entrenched issues.
Cameroon Uncovers Massive Fraud and Corruption in Public Administration, Losing 59 Billion CFA
