By Franck Essi

According to François Perroux, ‘Development is the combination of mental and social changes in a population that enable it to grow its overall real product cumulatively and sustainably.’

This definition, which I agree with, clearly implies that before there can be sufficient production and equitable distribution of wealth, mental and social changes must first take place.

Instead of looking at the material achievements of societies that are richer and more powerful than our countries and being enthralled, we must learn to focus on the processes that enabled them to get there.

Indeed, material wealth, social harmony and general well-being are the consequences of mental and social models adopted by a majority of citizens.

These appropriate mental and social models are crystallised in strong institutions, fair and consensual laws, and behaviours that are largely aligned with positive principles.

We cannot bring about lasting change on the outside without first making profound changes on the inside.

This means that the state of our country or our society is above all a reflection of the state of our mindsets and social structures.

When we look ourselves straight in the eye:

⚫ Is it possible to have a tolerant society when the majority of us are intransigent?

⚫ Is it possible to produce enough wealth when we cheat at work and in business?

⚫ Is it possible to maximize wealth creation when merit and competence are not relevant criteria for promotion to key positions?

⚫ Is it possible to have children who behave well when leaders, parents and teachers are not themselves constantly striving for excellence and exemplary behavior?

⚫ Is it possible to achieve our economic and social goals when impunity reigns, lessons from failure are not learned, and incompetent and dishonest people are systematically promoted?

⚫ Is it possible to reach our full potential when women are deprived of their rights and injustices against them are continuous?

⚫ Is it possible to have a well-managed society when leaders feel no concern for taxpayers?

⚫ Is it possible to have a state that manages our public finances well when we ourselves, in the private and public spheres, are engaged in juggling, cheating, overcharging and embezzlement?

⚫ Is it possible to have collective momentum on issues of general interest when we look at each other with suspicion, systematically accusing others of bad faith and a desire to deceive?

⚫ Is it possible to have leaders who are accountable to us when, in our places of work, our associations and our companies, we refuse to be rigorous and transparent?

⚫ Is it possible for our rights and freedoms to be respected when we ourselves ignore them and refuse to fulfil our duties?

⚫ Is it possible for us to develop if the search for real peace, based on justice, truth and reconciliation, is not our obsession in these times of crisis?

We could go on indefinitely listing questions that highlight the paradoxes of our societies in search of development.

The important thing is to focus on the mental and social changes without which lasting peace, economic prosperity, general well-being and social harmony are not possible.

In this regard, it seems clear to us that:

▶ Cameroon cannot be more advanced than its people. For Cameroon to move forward, Cameroonians must evolve positively in their minds, hearts and behaviour.

▶ If we continue with the same flawed model, we cannot hope for significant, qualitative and lasting change. The same causes produce the same effects.

▶ At this point, the task of the current generation of young political, economic, social and cultural leaders is to take action to rebuild the foundations on which our society operates. Without a overhaul of the country’s institutions and a new social contract, we will not be out of the woods anytime soon.

For the new class of leaders to do better and more than those who came before them, they must be uncompromising with themselves.

✅ They must understand that pointing out the failures and criticising the shortcomings of current leaders is not proof of competence.

✅ They must arm themselves with knowledge, know-how and interpersonal skills to the hilt!

✅ It must embrace the great challenges and difficult problems of its time, with a view to positively transforming the current reality and building something more viable.

✅ It must carry out the political transition that is necessary to rebuild the state.

Because, ultimately, it must be clear that Cameroon will either recover through a democratic political transition or it will not rise again.

Franck Essi

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