Imagine a nation's customs system that serves not just as a guardian of tax revenue but as a critical barrier protecting national strategic security. When this vital function relies on external agencies, both national sovereignty and economic security face potential risks. This is the challenge confronting Cameroon Customs, where reclaiming outsourced functions and enhancing institutional capacity has become an urgent priority.
The Leadership and Management Development Initiative
To address these challenges, Cameroon Customs has prioritized management development across technical and administrative domains. A key objective involves reclaiming functions currently outsourced to pre-shipment inspection companies and border security agencies. In this context, the World Customs Organization (WCO), funded by the Customs Cooperation Fund - Korea, conducted a Leadership and Management Development (LMD) workshop from July 20-31, 2015, at the CAF Center of Excellence in Mbankomo, Yaoundé, attended by 20 senior officials.
The workshop aimed to cultivate a cadre of dedicated managerial leaders capable of collaborating effectively to implement ongoing customs reforms and modernization efforts. This initiative seeks to build an elite team combining professional expertise with strategic vision and operational efficiency, laying a solid foundation for institutional advancement.
Program Objectives: Building an Autonomous, Effective Customs Team
The workshop focused on several core objectives:
- Leadership Enhancement: Developing strategic vision and leadership capabilities to drive reform initiatives
- Management Optimization: Strengthening competencies in strategic planning, personnel management, and change management
- Team Collaboration: Fostering cross-departmental cooperation and communication
- Ethical Standards: Reinforcing integrity and professional ethics
- Strategic Transition: Supporting the recovery of outsourced functions through capacity building
Workshop Content: Comprehensive Management Training
The intensive 10-day program provided participants with opportunities for self-reflection while addressing critical topics including:
- Strategic Management: Tools for environmental analysis, SMART goal setting, and implementation monitoring
- Leadership Development: Adaptive leadership styles, motivation techniques, and conflict resolution
- Vision Crafting: Creating and communicating inspirational institutional visions
- Personnel Management: Recruitment strategies, performance evaluation systems, and professional development
- Management Styles: Situational application of directive, participative, and delegative approaches
- Workplace Culture: Promoting diversity, equity, and ethical standards
- Communication Skills: Active listening, clear articulation, and nonverbal communication
- Negotiation Techniques: Strategy formulation, bargaining tactics, and diplomatic protocols
- Change Management: Overcoming resistance and implementing organizational transformations
The Mbankomo II Declaration: A Commitment to Reform
Participants concluded the workshop by presenting a strategic roadmap to the Director General for reclaiming customs functions from pre-shipment inspection contractors. Their "Mbankomo II Declaration" demonstrated concrete commitments to support government reforms, serving as both a pledge and action plan for institutional transformation.
Outcomes and Future Directions
The initiative yielded significant results:
- Enhanced leadership and management competencies among senior staff
- Improved interdepartmental collaboration
- Strengthened institutional accountability
- Established foundations for functional reintegration
Cameroon Customs expressed gratitude to the WCO Secretariat for its ongoing support, recognizing the workshop as a crucial milestone toward operational autonomy. Continued investment in human capital development promises to strengthen the institution's capacity to safeguard national economic and security interests.