Cameroon's Mirror: Building Better Youth Starts with Better Adults

Yaoundé — Cameroon’s Mirror, If We Want Better Youths, We Must First Be Better Adults.

In Cameroon today, a troubling paradox confronts us: we lament the delinquent behavior of our youths, yet we model the very vices we condemn. Parents, leaders, and elders cry out that the future of the nation is at risk because of the reckless actions of young people. But let us pause and ask ourselves, what example are we truly setting?

How can we expect honesty from our children when lies dominate our politics? How can we demand respect when public discourse is filled with insults, quarrels, and intolerance? How can we preach integrity when embezzlement and theft are normalized in high offices? How can we call for sobriety when drunkenness in public is treated as entertainment? How can we ask for love when hatred and tribalism are sown daily?

The truth is simple: children do not learn from sermons, they learn from observation. They imitate what they see. If society is corrupt, the youth will mirror corruption. If society is violent, the youth will mirror violence. If society is hypocritical praying in church but living against God’s commandments,the, the youth will mirror hypocrisy.

The Bible reminds us: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This is not just a spiritual principle; it is a social contract. If we want a Cameroon where youths are disciplined, visionary, and morally upright, then adults must first embody those values. We cannot plant thorns and expect roses to grow.

What Must Change

Leadership by Example: Politicians, teachers, and parents must live the values they preach. Integrity must be visible, not just spoken.

Public Decency: Respectful dialogue, tolerance, and sobriety should become the norm in our communities.

Accountability: Corruption and embezzlement must be punished, not excused.

Family Responsibility: Parents must understand that their daily actions are lessons written on the hearts of their children.

Cameroon’s future is not written in textbooks or political speeches; it is written in the everyday actions of its adults. If we want a society of peace, justice, and progress, we must first embody peace, justice, and progress ourselves.

The youth are not failing us,we are failing them. And unless we change, they will continue to reflect the broken mirror we hold before them.

A good society begins with good citizens. Cameroon must rise, not by blaming its youth, but by transforming its own example.