Diplomats say new Transparency International rankings show Cameroon still has serious corruption problem that must be tackled
DAKAR (TrustLaw) - Cameroon’s ranking in Transparency International’s corruption index may have improved but authorities in the west central African nation still need to take robust action against rampant graft, foreign diplomats say.
The country ranked 134 out of 183 countries (or 45th most corrupt country in the world) in the corruption perception index released on Thursday, which is an improvement from past rankings especially 1998 when it was ranked the most corrupt country in the world.
“Cameroon is still among the countries at the bottom of the rankings and that is something that needs to change,” the U.K. High Commissioner to Cameroon Bharat Joshi said on government run TV (CRTV).
The German ambassador said the rankings showed that Cameroon still had a serious corruption problem that has to be tackled.
Such action would include the enactment of an anti-corruption law, the ratification of the African anti-corruption convention and the implementation of article 66 of the Cameroon constitution, which requires that government officials should declare their assets upon appointment and/or election, said Charles Nguini, the head of the country’s branch of Transparency International.
However, Dieudonne Massi Gams, the head of the national anti-corruption commission said the improved rankings showed that Cameroonians were more aware and determined to combat graft.
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