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The Case of the National Anticorruption Commission in Cameroon Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2018 Assessing Governmental Anticorruption Strategies: The aC se of the National Anticorruption Commission in Cameroon Daniel Ketuama Tangumonkem Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Political Science Commons, Public Administration Commons, and the Public Policy Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Daniel Ketuama Tangumonkem has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Morris Bidjerano, Committee Chairperson, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. Christopher Jones, Committee Member, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. Anne Hacker, University Reviewer, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2018 Abstract Assessing Governmental Anticorruption Strategies: The Case of the National Anticorruption Commission in Cameroon by Daniel Ketuama Tangumonkem LLM, Southern Methodist University, 2015 MPA, The University of Texas at Dallas, 2009 LLB, University of Yaoundé II, 2005 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University December 2018 Abstract Combatting corruption in Cameroon has become a primary policy focus for the government and the civil society; yet, the success on that front has been modest. The literature on anticorruption efforts in the country is scant. Using Rothstein and Santiso’s conceptualization of anticorruption strategies as the guide, the purpose of this case study of government’s anticorruption policy and practice was to explore and contextualize the anticorruption strategies in Cameroon to fill the gap in the literature and potentially contribute to solving the problem. Data were collected through interviews with 20 government employees working with the government’s main anticorruption agency –the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), and through documents obtained from government published archives and expert publications. The data were inductively coded and organized in themes, then an integrated content analysis was conducted on the themes. The key finding of the study is that the government’s anticorruption strategies faced major challenges due to their poor design, formulation, and implementation. Potential approaches to addressing these challenges were also identified by participants to include leadership/political solutions such as regime change, institutional reforms such as granting NACC institutional autonomy, and conceptual solutions such as reforming NACC into an organization with judicial status. This study will impact positive social change through the recommendations it makes for good governance, which if implemented by the Cameroon government, would improve systems, institutions, and services to the citizens of the country. Another benefit is the improvement in government revenue, better investment budgets, and greater economic activity to alleviate poverty. Assessing Governmental Anticorruption Strategies: The Case of the National Anticorruption Commission in Cameroon by Daniel Ketuama Tangumonkem LLM, Southern Methodist University, 2015 MPA, The University of Texas at Dallas, 2009 LLB, University of Yaoundé II, 2005 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University December 2018 Dedication To my parents, Celine and Abraham Lekunze, who taught me the ways of the Lord of diligence and faith and reinforced in me the importance of education and gave me the tools for success from my childhood. To my beloved wife Rachel who stood by me through the process and taught me that all things are possible to those who are willing to learn and never afraid to try. To my brother Eric who has always been a great academic resource. To my only sister Joanna who kept the smile on my face with her entertaining words and hospitable service. And to our wonderful children, Eringo, Ebong, Elame, and Eyome, who gave me the reason and joy to embark on this journey. Acknowledgments My deepest gratitude goes to Dr. Morris Bidjerano, my committee chair for his tremendous intellectual support thus far. He has been very instrumental for this accomplishment. I’m sincerely grateful to him. A big thank you to Dr. Christopher Jones, my committee member for the stylistic instructions he contributed toward this work. I will remember him for that. To my family members and friends, especially my wife, Rachel and my good friend, Valery I say thank you for believing in me. Table of Contents List of Figures ..................................................................................................................... vi Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ................................................................................... 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1 Background .................................................................................................................... 4 Problem Statement ......................................................................................................... 7 Purpose of the Study ...................................................................................................... 8 Research Questions ..................................................................................................... 10 Conceptual and Theoretical Framework ..................................................................... 10 Nature of the Study ...................................................................................................... 11 Operational Definitions ............................................................................................... 15 Assumptions ................................................................................................................ 17 Scope and Delimitations .............................................................................................. 18 Limitations ................................................................................................................... 18 Significance ................................................................................................................. 20 Summary ...................................................................................................................... 21 Chapter 2: Literature Review ............................................................................................ 22 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 22 Literature Search Strategy ........................................................................................... 22 Theoretical Foundation ................................................................................................ 23 Conceptual Foundation ................................................................................................ 25 Instruments for Anticorruption Practice ...................................................................... 31 The Policy Instrument ................................................................................................. 31 i Anticorruption Programs and Campaigns ............................................................. 31 Standards for Public Performance and Integrity ................................................... 37 Open Government Strategy ................................................................................... 47 The Legal Instrument .................................................................................................. 57 Punitive Measures ................................................................................................. 58 Institutionalization of Anticorruption .................................................................... 70 The Role of Leadership and Society ........................................................................... 77 The Political Will for Change ................................................................................ 78 Normative/ Cultural Applications of Societal Behavior ....................................... 90 Anticorruption Approaches and the Contextualization Perspective ............................ 98 The Universal Anticorruption Perspective .................................................................. 99 The Particularistic Anticorruption Perspective ......................................................... 103 Adaptation of Strategies for Successful Anticorruption Practice .............................. 106 Summary .................................................................................................................... 109 Chapter 3: Research
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