The Effects of Corruption on The Right to Development and The Challenge in Combating It in Cameroon

Abstract

Corruption is a phenomenon with serious consequences that affect human society all around the world. It is so rampant in Cameroon that not even the church is free from it. In 1998 and 1999, Cameroon as per Transparency International Indices was classified as the most corrupt country in the world. The government in an effort to eradicate corruption and enhance the right to development has put in place legal, institutional, and policy frameworks to combat the ill, yet the phenomenon still prevails. This research, therefore, aims to critically examine the prevalence of corruption and its effects on the right to development. The study adopts a qualitative research methodology that involves the content analysis of primary and secondary data. This study reveals that corruption prevails in Cameroon because of the lack of political will to implement the laws against corruption, especially section 66 of the constitution which obliges public officials to declare all their wealth and assets at the start and end of their mandates, and other factors. The study concludes that, the prevalence of the phenomenon largely hampers economic growth and human rights protection especially the right to development. It leads to further indebtedness of the country, causes chaos and political instability, brain drain as skilled labour exits to seek greener pastures, and results in poverty and low living standards. The study, therefore, recommends that the political will and proper implementation of section 66 of the constitution will be a great step toward eradicating corruption in Cameroon. If Cameroon must be corruption free as Finland, there must be committed leadership with a strong political will to inculcate the principles of accountability, honesty, and patriotism in the management of public affairs and national resources for the common good of all.