Some stakeholders in Bamenda met at Ayaba Hotel, Wednesday 7 July 2010 and brainstormed on some possibilities to eradicate corruption in Cameroon. The one-day seminar was organised by former minister and politician, Garga Haman Adji, who said corruption in Cameroon should be given the same publicity as HIV/AIDS.

Under the banner of Garga’s NGO, Bonne Conscience, the seminar participants focused on the fair competition and transparency of the award of public contracts, and immediate payment of the corresponding bills without any compensation of any kind, before, during or after transaction service delivery or the completion of the contract.

After serious brainstorming by participants who were drawn from the Civil Society, politicians, and law enforcement officers, there was the general view that those Cameroonians with strong moral values and integrity should be given positions of responsibility as a means to fight corruption. Others shared the view that corruption is more at the top, hence a system should be put in place which acts against corruption, while another school of thought was for the restoring of some cultural values.

Bonne Conscience, on its part, participants held, should have some clear partnership with the international community if it will succeed in curbing corruption. Some participants also advocated for smaller structures to be put in place where youths can join in the fight against corruption, while persons who denounce and report corruption practices should be protected. Educationists present at the seminar suggested that school curriculum from basic to university level should include a subject that handles corruption within the society.

Participants finally watched a documentary on the different forms and practices of corruption in Cameroon. Garga Haman Adji was in Bamenda for the for the eighth lap of a nationwide campaign that is aimed at sensitizing stakeholders in the fight against corruption.