Crackdown on illegal churches: Good, but too little, too late.

Reports that an 11-year-old boy was repeatedly stabbed by a young girl who allegedly claimed she was acting under the guidance of the Holy Spirit have once again raised troubling questions about the activities of certain religious groups. 

Whether that incident is ultimately attributed to religious influence or other factors, it has highlighted the urgent need for greater oversight of organizations that exercise enormous influence over vulnerable followers.

For many years, the proliferation of churches in Cameroon has occurred with little effective regulation. Across cities, towns and villages, it has become common for individuals with little or no theological training to establish churches overnight. Many adopt lofty titles such as “Prophet”, “Bishop”, “General Overseer”, or “Man of God”, claiming divine calling as their only qualification.

This raises an important question: if the objective is truly to serve one God and spread the Gospel, why do so many individuals choose to establish personal ministries rather than serve within existing churches? While there may be legitimate reasons in some cases, the sheer number of new churches suggests that other motivations may also be at play.

It would also be naive to ignore the growing commercialization of religion. In the opinion of many Cameroonians, some churches have evolved into business enterprises where enormous sums are collected through offerings, tithes, special levies, seed sowing, thanksgiving services and the sale of so-called spiritual products. These practices are not confined to unregistered churches alone. They can also be found in some legally recognized churches.

This naturally leads to another important question: does government authorization automatically legitimize every activity carried out by a church? Registration should not become a shield against accountability. 

Whether a church is legally registered or not, its activities should remain subject to the laws of the Republic and to standards that protect public safety, financial transparency and the dignity of worshippers.

Some founders of unregistered churches argue that they are being targeted because they criticize the government or because established churches are seeking to eliminate competition.

While such claims deserve to be examined where credible evidence exists, they should not distract from the central issue. No organization religious or otherwise should operate outside the legal framework established by the State.

Another question that deserves serious attention is why so many churches continue to operate illegally in the first place. Is the registration process unnecessarily slow or burdensome?

Has enforcement been inconsistent? Or have authorities simply turned a blind eye for years? These are questions the government itself must answer.

The present operation also invites skepticism because Cameroon witnessed a similar campaign around 2013. At the time, many churches were closed, yet the exercise gradually faded away without any convincing explanation. 

Within a few years, the same phenomenon had resurfaced, often on an even larger scale. This history makes many citizens wonder whether the current campaign will endure or whether it will once again lose momentum after public attention shifts elsewhere.

If the government is truly determined to restore order, this operation must not become another short-lived publicity exercise. Authorities should establish a clear deadline for every unregistered church to regularize its status or cease operations. 

Those who deliberately ignore the law should face appropriate legal sanctions. More importantly, registration should be accompanied by continuous oversight to ensure compliance with laws governing public safety, financial accountability and the protection of worshippers.

It is also worth asking those Christians who oppose the government’s action whether God encourages illegal operations. Freedom of worship is a fundamental right, but no freedom exists outside the rule of law. Churches, like schools, businesses and non-governmental organizations, should respect the legal requirements governing their establishment and operation.

Equally worrying is the mindset that some religious movements promote among vulnerable believers. Many struggling families are encouraged to believe that every problem is purely spiritual and can only be solved through prayer, deliverance or prophetic declarations. 

Poverty, unemployment, poor health and hunger are often presented as spiritual attacks rather than challenges requiring education, hard work, sound public policy and economic opportunity.

While faith undoubtedly plays an important role in people’s lives, it should not discourage personal responsibility or practical solutions to real world problems.

Finally, government consistency is essential. Cameroon cannot selectively enforce the law. If authorities are serious about protecting citizens, the campaign against illegal churches should be matched by equally determined action against illegal pharmacies, counterfeit medicines, dangerous alcoholic beverages, narcotics and other activities that threaten public health and public safety.

The crackdown on illegal churches is therefore a positive step. But it is too little, too late. Cameroon deserves a government that prevents problems instead of waiting for tragedy before acting. The rule of law must be proactive, consistent and impartial not reactive, temporary or selective. Only then will citizens have confidence that the state’s actions are guided by the public interest rather than by circumstances or convenience.

By Jitzi George Tando Tankoh: He is a journalist, analyst & critic based in the US

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3847 of Tuesday July 14, 2026