The chairman of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (CONAC), Dieudonné Massi Gams, has called on students to embrace integrity and reject shortcuts in securing their futures. He delivered these remarks during the official launch of a nationwide campaign aimed at addressing the harmful effects of fake diplomas at Amphi Theatre 300 of the University of Yaoundé 1.
The event was attended by the rector of the University of Yaoundé 1, Prof. Magloire Dieudonné Etoa, who voiced strong support for the initiative. During the ceremony, much was discussed regarding the importance of young people adhering to ethical standards and avoiding dishonest practices.
“Dear Students, Be Careful! Say No to Fake Certificates. Avoid the Easy Trap. Uphold Integrity. Guarantee Your Future! The Offence of Forgery of Official Documents is punishable by Criminal Law and can compromise your chances in the job market.”
In recent years, numerous verifications of certificates held by candidates seeking employment in both the public and private sectors have uncovered a troubling number of forged documents. Notably, during the recruitment process for young Gendarmes and soldiers for the 2024 financial year, an alarming 1,312 fake certificates were detected. This trend highlights a growing issue among youth engaging in forgery and the use of counterfeit documents, which is closely linked to corruption.
The Campaign’s Goals
The primary aim of this campaign is to raise awareness among students about the detrimental effects of fake certificates and corruption.
Specific Objectives
– Install CONAC awareness-raising boards about fake certificates on university campuses.
– Distribute flyers detailing the harmful effects of fake certificates and corruption.
– Educate university students on the critical importance of adopting integrity as a guiding principle through informative leaflets.
Expected Results
– Installation of 150 CONAC awareness-raising boards warning against fake certificates in 11 state universities and 75 higher education institutions across 10 regions of Cameroon.
– Distribution of 10,000 flyers to raise awareness about the damaging effects of fake certificates and corruption.
– Distribution of an additional 10,000 flyers promoting the importance of integrity.
– Increased awareness among students regarding the significance of integrity and a stronger commitment to combating corruption and related offenses.
This campaign, expected to run through November 3, represents a significant effort by CONAC to tackle the issue of fake certificates and promote integrity among the youth in Cameroon. The initiative is framed under the theme: “Fake certificates are a disgrace; genuine documents uplift. Choose the path of hard work and integrity.”
Che Tembuck
The chairman of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (CONAC), Dieudonné Massi Gams, has called on students to embrace integrity and reject shortcuts in securing their futures. He delivered these remarks during the official launch of a nationwide campaign aimed at addressing the harmful effects of fake diplomas at Amphi Theatre 300 of the University of Yaoundé 1.
As a constant reminder for students to refrain from using fake diplomas, a sensitization board was planted by the chairman of CONAC alongside the rector of the University of Yaoundé 1. The message read: 
Background and Rationale
