Cameroon’s Double Heritage: A Reflection of its Peculiarities

As Cameroon prepares to table a draft in parliament, the spotlight is shining on the country’s unique heritage and the intricacies of its society. The topic at hand is the punishment of economic crimes, which is crucial in maintaining social order and promoting economic growth.

The Good Governance Programme

In 1997, Cameroon embarked on an Economic and Financial Development Plan for 1997/2000 with the support of donor organizations. A major achievement was the establishment of a Good Governance Programme aimed at various economic development measures. These include:

Respect of rules of public contracts
Reforms in the system of award of contracts
Strengthening of the state of law to ensure judicial security for investments
Intensification of the fight against corruption

Judicial Structural Reforms

To implement government policy of bringing justice closer to the people, decongesting the courts, speeding up the judicial process, and instituting a credible judicial system in the fight against crimes, major judicial structural reforms were carried out. These include:

Creation of several Courts of First Instance
Infrastructural investments in the judiciary

These measures have provided a more conducive working environment.

Preventive Measures

Other efforts by the government provide a preventive mechanism for the commission of economic crimes due to mismanagement of public property. Preventive measures taken in implementation of the National Programme on the Fight Against Corruption include:

A vast national campaign in 1998 to sensitize the public as both culprits and victims of corruption

Private Sector Initiatives

The private sector, particularly the banking sector, has also taken steps to prevent financial and economic crimes. Major para-public corporations and private institutions have implemented measures to prevent cheque-related offences, including:

Abolition of counter payments of cheques issued to third parties
Requirement that all cheques be pre-barred and paid through a bank account

Institutional Arrangements

The institutional framework for combating economic crime includes:

Repressive jurisdiction
Law enforcement institutions
Penitentiary institutions
Other relevant bodies

These include the criminal law courts, which are competent to entertain cases of economic crimes.

Conclusion

As Cameroon continues to navigate its path towards economic growth and social stability, it is essential that all stakeholders work together to prevent and punish economic crimes. The country’s unique heritage and peculiarities must be taken into account in order to create a just and equitable society for all.