Mismanagement of COVID-19 funds: Women Urge IMF To Reject Gov’t’s Loan Appeals If ‘Embezzlers’ Not Arrested

Over 20 outspoken women group leaders, rights activists, lawyers and others have urged the International Monetary Fund, IMF, to reject all loan requests made by government if those suspected of mismanaging funds meant to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in the country are not brought to book. 

The women including Alice Nkom, Kah Walla, Maximilienne Ngo Mbe, Henriette Ekwe, Bergeline Domou, Esther Omam, Hon. Tomaino Ndam Njoya, Rebecca Enonchong, Monique Kwachou, Sylvie Ndongmo and othersiIn their open letter addressed to IMF Executive Director, Kristalina Georgieva, a copy of which The Median procured, expressed “grave  concerned  about  the  financial  governance  of  Cameroon and  specifically  its  relationship  with  the  IMF’s  Extended Credit Facility (ECF) of US$ 666.2 million accorded  to  Cameroon  on  June  26,  2017” which  enabled it to  stay  afloat in the phase of the ravaging pandemic.  

The women insinuated that the mismanaged funds might have been diverted to purchase arms used in killing citizens in the regions with violent conflicts or to scandals of billions of FCFA being embezzled in the construction of AFCON infrastructure.

They said the likelihoods of government requesting more loans as  populations remain desperately  in need of assistance  for  healthcare  as  well  as  to  wither  the  economic  turbulence are high but urged the IMF to reject all such attempts to get more loans if accountability is not rendered on the other funds. 

“It is likely, Cameroon needs one or more IMF loans.  However,  the  funds  managed  by  the  current  Government  of  Cameroon  under the  ECF  from  2017  to  2020 as  well  as  those  managed  under  the  RCF  in  2020,  must  be  audited  and  fully  accounted  for  before  any  new funds are  disbursed,” they proposed, adding, that all  persons  found  responsible  for  misappropriation  and  theft  of  funds be brought to book. 

“Our request to you is simple. Until  the  above  two  conditions  are  met,  no  funds  should  be  disbursed  to the current  Government  of  Cameroon,” they insisted, praying the IMF not to engage  contracts  with  persons  who  have  not  respected  their commitments  or  the  most  elementary  rules  of  public  financial management,  which  they are legally  bound  to  do.

“We  ask  that  you  do  not  increase  our  burden  by  emboldening  government  officials  who  have  not  on steered  our  resource-rich  country  to  this  place  of  poverty  where  we  currently  find  ourselves,  but  have done  so  by  indebting  us even as they  steal  to  enrich  themselves,” the letter further read, indicating that many have died  from  Covid-19  because of unavailability of tests kits. 

Results of investigations ordered by the presidency have left many ministers panicking with others making last minute efforts to justify funds allocate their respective ministries. Partial reports said to be from the Audit Bench of the Supreme Court making rounds on the social media and reported by several media organs indicates gross overbilling of personal protective equipment said to have been purchased by some ministries as well as the no respect public bidding for contracts. 

By Doh Bertrand Nua