A recent Afrobarometer survey reveals troubling trends: 57% of Cameroonians admit to paying bribes to avoid police trouble, nearly half have bribed officials for identification documents, and 37% for medical care. These figures underscore Cameroon’s persistent struggle with systemic corruption.

In a candid interview, globally acclaimed bassist Richard Bona—currently living in exile—delivered a stark assessment of his homeland’s youth. “The youth in Cameroon are deeply corrupted,” he asserted. “They’ve been raised in a culture that prioritizes handouts over effort. Apart from rare exceptions, this generation is steeped in corruption. I doubt Cameroon can recover from this.”

The statement ignited fierce reactions across social media. One user commented, “Children know police aren’t there for safety—they’re there for 500 francs.” In Yaoundé’s streets, similar sentiments resonate. A local resident noted, “Yes, some youth engage in corruption. But most are victims of it.”

Others defended the younger generation: “While corruption exists, judging an entire youth population by its worst elements is unfair. Many are resilient, dignified, and driving the nation forward. If all were corrupt, Cameroon would be paralyzed.”

Cameroon’s corruption crisis deepens

Cameroon ranks 142nd out of 182 countries in Transparency International’s latest corruption perception index. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (Conac) reported in 2024 that billions in CFA francs continue to vanish from state coffers due to systemic graft.

A civil servant anonymously shared, “Many young people don’t even recognize corruption as wrong—they’ve normalized it.”

Yet, public perceptions remain divided. One resident emphasized, “There’s a vibrant youth movement fighting for change. They’re ambitious, principled, and inspiring. Without them, Cameroon would stall.”

Youth trapped in corruption’s web

Maître Akere Muna, founder of Transparency International Cameroon, offers a nuanced view: the youth are both victims and “silent accomplices” of corruption, ensnared in a system rigged against them. “Corruption in Cameroon is systemic,” he explained. “Young people don’t control the levers of power—they survive by adapting. They shouldn’t be blamed, but they must recognize corruption endangers their future and speak out.”

Muna added, “For decades, Cameroon’s culture rewarded connections over competence. Youth learn quickly: nepotism and tribalism are the shortcuts to advancement.”

He advocates for education that instills the value of hard work: “Laziness leads nowhere. Those who work diligently will prosper.”

Conac urges all citizens—public and private sector alike—to report corruption via its hotline, 1517.