The Cameroonian government has taken a significant step to combat the issue of fake diplomas, a challenge that undermines the integrity of its educational system and damages the credibility of institutions and the workforce.
On October 1, 2024, a new digital platform for verifying the authenticity of diplomas was launched at the École Normale Supérieure (ENS) of the University of Yaoundé 1.
The ceremony was co-chaired by the Minister of Higher Education (Minesup), Jacques Fame Ndongo, and the Minister of Public Service and Administrative Reform (Minfopra), Joseph Le.
This digital platform aims to modernize and expedite the recruitment process in the public sector, which has been hampered by lengthy diploma certification procedures.
According to Minister Joseph Le, the platform is “not only a modern tool for verifying the authenticity of diplomas but also a guarantee of trust for citizens, employers, and especially public institutions.”
As outlined in a joint circular issued on May 8, 2024, Minesup will provide Minfopra with a secure software interface to access diploma data. This allows Minfopra to submit verification requests digitally and receive secure confirmations, significantly speeding up the process.
The initiative reflects the government’s commitment to improving transparency and efficiency in public administration, particularly in managing civil servant integration processes.
The platform is also expected to address the rising number of fake diplomas in both the public and private sectors. For instance, in June 2024, Defense Minister Joseph Beti Assomo reported the discovery of 1,312 fake diplomas during the recruitment of young gendarmes and soldiers.
Similarly, in 2022, nearly 1,000 gendarmerie students were dismissed due to falsified credentials. By streamlining the document verification process, the platform is anticipated to reduce such incidents significantly.
The platform’s launch is the result of an agreement signed on April 6, 2023, between Minesup and Minfopra. It will be implemented in collaboration with key ministries, including the Ministry of Secondary Education (Minesec), the Ministry of Basic Education (Minedub), and the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training (Minefop). By improving the verification process, the platform aims to enhance recruitment and certification efficiency across multiple sectors.
Source: We Are Tech Africa
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