Ove 10 nations brainstorming to advance forensic investigation globally

By Akumany David*

Representatives from the over ten counties have begun exchanging ideas in Yaounde on the new phase of forensic investigations to better humanity.
The conference was opened by a representative of the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute.

The forensic investigation experts in Yaounde are drawn from India, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Zambia, and Botswana. Their interest is in improving forensic actions in the fight against Corruption and other financial crimes.

"It is the 7th edition of the global conference. It is taking place at the Yaounde Conference Center under the theme " New perspective in forensic in the fight against Corruption,cyber terrorism and financial crimes in countries"

Experts said it is a very important rendezvous for the participating nations and the globe at large.
The host country’s Director, Dr. Mathias Mokube used Tuesday’s opener to highlight what it has taken them to come to this level.

According to him, “Since the renewal of the local executive of the International Institute of Certified Forensic Investigation professionals, IICFIP in Cameroon, my team has worked tirelessly to bring awareness about the institution, to expand membership, and set up an office here in Yaounde”

Dr. Mokube furthered that: “It goes without saying that we have put in time and effort to make this conference a reality, this despite all the adversity and naysaying.”

The Representative of the Head of Government, Attache Okono Serge stressed the efforts put in place by the government to eradicate corruption and other financial crimes in the country.

Okono Serge said all these measures have greatly stepped down the rate of corruption in the country.

” The president of the Republic His Excellency President Paul Biya in his end-of-year speech on December 31st, 2021 said we must enhance public finance management by fighting against corruption and embezzlement of public funds. Some steps Cameroon has taken to address some of these issues include; the ratification of a significant legal framework in the fight against Corruption, cyber terrorism, and criminality. The creation of several state agencies like CONAC, the national agency for financial investigation, the telecommunication regulatory board, the creation of a special criminal court and an audit bench of the Supreme Court, and the gradual implementation of an E-government to dematerialize administrative procedures.”

All these amongst others, Akono said are what the government has done to fight against financial crimes in the country.

According to the US ambassador to Cameroon, John Lamora, the fight is a global concern and there is a need for all to come on board to ensure its effectiveness.

To him “improving governance lays the groundwork for a bright future which is the key reason why our president Joe Biden recently launched a serious fight against corruption a key national security priority.”

The US representative in countries works hand in hand with government institutions and NGOs to enhance decentralization and fight against cyber criminality and financial crimes, the diplomat stated.

The Zambian director of drugs, Mary Chinwa on her part besides citing the devastating effects corruption has on an economy, mentioned that over 2 billion dollars are lost due to corruption globally.

The situation, she said, is a very disturbing signal, highlighting that “this conference provides a golden opportunity for the step-up of the fight against this vice that is eating up the fabrics of the global economy. She added.

The Zambian official also said, “the conference provides an opportunity for participants to savor through over 20 practical sessions on a wide range of forensic topics, problem-based practices and an opportunity to develop valuable contacts to enable participating countries to fight fraud in all its forms.”

Note should be taken that the conference runs from July 19 to July 21, 2022. The expectations are high that at the end of the conference the participants will be equipped with the necessary skills to combat frauds of any kind so as to permit the global economy to regain its steam.