As Cameroonians prepare to elect a new president this October, a retired diplomat turned petroleum businessman has outlined a sweeping set of proposals he believes are crucial to the country’s transformation into a thriving economic giant by 2035.
Dr. Nkwenti Ignatius Ndefru speaking to Hilltopvoices
In a detailed memorandum addressed to the incoming president whom he refers to as the "true winner" of the 2025 presidential election Dr. Nkwenti Ignatius Ndefru argues that Cameroon stands at a historic crossroads. He warns that failure to implement key reforms immediately after the election could plunge the nation into deeper economic, social, and political decline.
Dr. Nkwenti Ignatius, a former envoy now active in the oil sector, has proposed constitutional, economic, and institutional changes that he believes will help realise the long-articulated vision of President Paul Biya for an emergent Cameroon by 2035.
Central to his proposals is a return to a federal system of government. He suggests either a two-state federation reflecting the historical West and East Cameroon, or a broader configuration of nine or ten federated states. Dr. Ndefru advocates for a national referendum or plebiscite to determine which model the population prefers.
He also calls for the establishment of an independent electoral commission made up of respected Cameroonians from religious, legal, and civil society backgrounds, aimed at restoring public trust in the electoral process.
Dr. Nkwenti Ignatius recommends a significant overhaul of the structure of government. He proposes a presidential system where the president and vice president serve five-year terms, renewable once. Leadership, he argues, should rotate among the states to promote national inclusion and fairness.
He further insists that all top government appointments including judges, ministers, and heads of key institutions must be subject to confirmation by parliament and senate after nomination by the president.
One of his more controversial proposals is the abolition of decrees in favour of executive orders that remain subject to judicial review. He argues that rule by decree is reminiscent of communist and autocratic regimes, which he believes are incompatible with democracy and development.
Dr. Nkwenti recommends capital punishment or life imprisonment for severe crimes such as murder, manslaughter, baby abandonment, and public embezzlement. In the case of corruption, he proposes that offenders’ assets be seized both in Cameroon and abroad before sentencing.
The retired diplomat is highly critical of what he describes as an "over-bloated" government. He compares Cameroon’s 64 ministers to the United States' 15 cabinet secretaries, suggesting a drastic reduction to 15 or 20 ministers. He also proposes reducing the number of parliamentarians from 180 to 100 and senators from 100 to 50.
Institutions such as ENAM, CONAC, MIDENO, and the National Commission for Bilingualism and Multiculturalism come under scrutiny in his proposals. He argues that their functions are already covered by existing ministries and delegations, making them redundant and economically burdensome.
“The funds spent on these duplicate institutions could be redirected to essential infrastructure development,” he states.
Dr. Nkwenti Ignatius proposes a leaner local government structure, eliminating regional assemblies and sub-national administrative units like Senior Divisional Officers and District Officers. He believes local governance can be effectively handled by state governors, city mayors, and divisional councils.
To underscore his point, he cites New York City which is home to over 8 million people and governed by a single mayor as a model of administrative efficiency. He contrasts this with Cameroonian cities of less than 2 million residents, which he claims are weighed down by excessive bureaucracy.
The former diplomat concludes that adopting these measures will create conditions for good governance and sufficient public revenue. He envisions a Cameroon with robust infrastructure including roads, electricity, and potable water attracting both domestic and foreign investment.
“If we implement these reforms, we will not need to burden our children with foreign loans. We will have the liquidity to fund our own development,” Dr. Nkwenti asserts.
He frames his proposals as a continuation of the vision of President Paul Biya, describing him as “the longest-serving head of state in the world” and a “great son of Mvomeka’a.”
As the country moves closer to a pivotal election, it remains to be seen whether the candidates and ultimately the victor will adopt any of Dr. Ndefru’s bold recommendations. However, his proposals have already sparked debate in political and academic circles, highlighting the growing demand for systemic change in Cameroon’s governance.
By Bakah Derick for Hilltopvoices Newsroom
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