The Pendulum of Change: Ending Corruption by Changing Corrupt Habits Dear Patriotic Cameroonians and concerned citizens of the world After making a compelling case for a new political paradigm for Cameroon under the suggested 33 councils for a transitional government, our next focus is going to be a careful examination of the correlation between Government, Social Policy and Civil Society as one of the government obligations to meet the social needs of families. We know that Cameroonians who resist change will rather believe in corrupt dictatorship because of skeletons in their cupboards or refrigerators. The downtrodden and poor have been abandoned for too long and we have a Social Policy agenda for them. But before we explore this correlation as a blueprint to alleviate and lift up families from poverty in our societies, in the next few days FREECCAM'A will focus on how we intend to bring about veritable change in Cameroon by first of all curbing and ending corruption. We wanted to take this issue very seriously because it is one of the major obstacles in the path to any productive effort to empower ourselves. As you all know Transparency International (TI) once ranked Cameroon as the most corrupt country in the World. FREECCAM'A is taking this issue very seriously. We have decided to revisit it as well as suggesting some solutions. The Pendulum of change is always swinging accordingly to our favor in consistence with the changing times. This paradigm is like the rising and setting of the sun. Every generation emerges and shines like the sun and stars, and later they pass on and give way to the next sun to rise. If the Sun rises and does not set on time then everything comes to a stand still. No other time in history could be more urgent than now for us to ask for the mantle of leadership from the previous generation. Our generation is knowledgeable, intelligent, matured and experienced because of information and intelligence, which we have gathered in the course of time from the previous generations. Therefore, generational change becomes necessary because the present generation learns from the mistakes of the previous generation and then takes the initiative to bring about positive change. A transitional government must tap into the pendulum of change in order to address the cankerworm of corruption that has eaten deep into the moral fabric of the society immediately. Today we are very pragmatic about what, why and how we will change Cameroon. It is true that changing one person does not guarantee a complete change. However, bringing in a new generation of heartfelt Cameroonians as change agents will be a step in the right direction. Let us be clear that any cabinet reshufflement, recycling and repackaging of the same people over and over again within a government that is insensitive to the social needs of the people is what creates a statusquo of resistance to change. What we mean is the lack of social policy as a consequence of colonial and neo-colonial practices in Cameroon leads to domination of the majority by the minority. It is a self-evident fact that when a society like Cameroon is so corrupt, it is no longer desirable for habitation as people seek solace elsewhere where they are sure of a better life for themselves and their families. By the same token a corrupt leadership in every society makes the people vulnerable and desperate. It leads to social chaos and ironically more determination for corrupt practices because of the loopholes systematic corruption has created. The downside to this is the perpetuators instead prey on the vulnerability and desperation of the people who are reduced into beggars. Whether they are begging for charity or food, their human condition is not necessarily their fault and we must not blame them unless we are honest that they have to survive. When people are pushed against the wall, when there is no other option left except to act unethically we must be extremely careful how we blame them. When corruption is a way of life then the best are not valued as meritocracy is punished and mediocrity is heavily rewarded because most people do not excel through their talents. All such people need to do is know how the corrupt system works and pay themselves through. Of course there are Cameroonians who have earned a Master degree of the corrupt system in Cameroon. They have mastered the system to their fingertips and know how to press all the corrupt buttons to get things done. Any government that ordains corruption, mediocrity and cronyism are violators of human rights of the people. Their corrupt behavior and an attitude that glorifies corruption are some of the major problems we must deal with in order to change Cameroon. If you agree with us that Good governance and the Rule of Law is necessary for the progress and prosperity of all Cameroonians, then we must concentrate on curbing corruption. Appointing a corruption Czar against corruption will be one solution to the problem but we also have to work on the attitude of condoning corruption as an acceptable way of life. We must assert that is not acceptable because it is a tool used by the corrupt leaders in order to escape from being held accountable. We agree that human beings by nature are imperfect but the fact is the kind of endemic corruption in Cameroon is an invention of the CPDM system because to them if everyone is corrupt then it will be impossible to hold them accountable. Once you are corrupt you become morally incapable to stand up to corruption. That is why we are very certain that we will acquire the moral capital to fight instituted corruption, which is corruption injected into the system like a rat poison. It is not an unfounded allegation that there is a group of Cameroonians in the Diaspora who are still on the payroll of Cameroon Ministry of Finance. They have sought residence overseas and still receiving salaries through every hook and crook. This problem requires immediate action from us by ensuring that there is transparency and accountability through all the pay roll banks and officials, and most importantly the people who receive the salaries and pay rolls must be accounted for at the end of every financial year. In that way if anyone is caught aiding and abetting corruption, and fraud they will pay back the money, and also held accountable. This can only be reached through constitutional reform. FREECCAM'A is a virtuous organization focused on cultivating the passion and hunger of our people for change of leadership in our society. We must avoid the temptation of blaming the people who are oppressed because only responsible leadership translates into responsible citizenry. What we mean is corrupt leadership breeds corrupt children and so we have so much work to do toward changing the mentality and habit for corruption, which has been engrained into our people. We must change the way corruption has been made a norm and way of life. We must act against corruption and not just talk against it. It is not Ok to give a bribe to admit a student into college or Professional School. Cameroonians who sit in their offices and collecting bribes before they process the documents (dossiers) of people should know that the wind of change is coming. There must be a clean up campaign against corruption in all institutions in Cameroon with bold action to hold everyone whether a child or adult accountable. We must act swiftly so that if one is asked to give bribe he or she would know that by bribing someone they will be as guilty as the person who asked for it. The Social Welfare Worker who refuses to establish a domestic violence report and also to take action unless the victim gives him or her money should be punished. We will coach people how to record tape cases of people asking bribery so that we prosecute the perpetuators. FREECCAM'A will be sending out an investigation team to Cameroon immediately any professional exams is announced to investigate, report and publish the names of those who are selected base on bribery and corruption in ENAM, INS etc. we are working hard behind the scene to deploy a team of expert to Cameroon to gather and publish detailed report relating to bribery as part of our practical action against corruption in Cameroon. Regime change and constitutional reform would be the only possible means of ending corruption in Cameroon and to restore in Cameroon a sense of national unity and progress. Thank you all for joining FREECCAM'A to fight corruption within Cameroon by changing the mentality and habits of corruption from the moment a new baby is born into this world. We take this problem of corruption seriously and so will dwell on it from time to time. In the meantime, we wanted to make sure everyone understands that it is a very critical issue for us to address. Thank you sincerely
Jonathan Awasom
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