Consupe to Learn From Swiss Anti-Corruption Experience

Cooperation between Cameroon and Switzerland is intact and more avenues are opening. The Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of the Supreme State Audit Office, Henri Eyebe Ayissi is currently preparing to visit Switzerland and tap on its experience in fighting corruption. To finalise preparations, Henri Eyebe Ayissi last Thursday July 26 received in audience the Swiss Ambassador to Cameroon, Urs Berner.

"I came to settle a few last points on the Minister's visit to Switzerland," Urs Berner told the press after the audience. The Swiss diplomat said Henri Eyebe Ayissi is expected to hold talks with the Swiss service in charge of Audit and Financial Affairs.

The Chargé d'Affaires at the German Embassy, Mahnken May followed suit. Next to be received by Eyebe Ayissi in the series of separate audiences was the Chargé d'Affaires at the British High Commission (Acting High Commissioner), Timothy Fisher. It was a courtesy visit though, but Timothy Fisher said: "There are already cordial relations between Cameroon's Supreme State Audit and the Audit Office in the UK." Collaboration between the two structures is therefore successful and they are working at strengthening the ties.

World Bank Interest in Fight

Future partnership between the World Bank and the Supreme State Audit Office was also under discussions between Henri Eyebe Ayissi and World Bank Director of Operations in Central Africa with residence in Cameroon, Gregor Binkert. "It is important to know that public resources are well managed and controlled," Binkert said, while adding that he is happy many institutions have been put in place for this purpose. "We are ready to work with anti-corruption institutions put in place to reinforce governance", Binkert declared.

Public resources, he stressed, should be translated into results like the building of roads, schools, health units and the provision of water for sustainable development and the betterment of the living conditions of Cameroonians. Governance and the proper management of State resources is one of the World Bank's areas of interest.

Chinese Diplomat Appreciates Fight

Outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Cameroon, Xue Jinwei on July 30 after an audience with Minister Henri Eyebe Ayissi said corruption is a universal illness. He however expressed satisfaction at the way Cameroon is tackling the issue especially with the putting in place of several structures, all to ensure good governance. Having worked with Henri Eyebe Ayissi for some time even while at the Ministry of External Relations, Xue Jinwei said it was time to appreciate fruitful ties that exist between the two sides, China and Cameroon. The Minister also received the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Fund to Cameroon, Cornelle Agossou.