02/04/2026
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We have often observed media personalities, opinion leaders and organisations make calls for public generosity. Most often than not, we are tempted to question if, appeals for public generosity (public donations) fall within the scope of the Latin maxim, , ? This maxim means that “what is not prohibited is allowed.” In other words, we always seek to know if these appeals are made within the ambits of the law. Our objective is therefore, to draw the attention of our audience on issues relating to appeals for public generosity and to encouraged them to always follow the law.
Truly, appeals for public generosity are not prohibited in Cameroon. However, such appeals have been regulated. Under the Cameroonian law, an appeal for public generosity is considered as “any appeal for funds or materials, whether through subscriptions, collections, charity sales, raffles or fairs, directed at individuals or legal entities, carried out in public places or venues open to the public, or through door-to-door canvassing, or accompanied by advertising such as press advertisements, posters or any other written material.”
Excluded from the above definitions are: fundraising activities organised to mark family occasions in accordance with the conditions laid down by tradition; fundraising activities for the benefit of legally recognised cultural associations, carried out in places designated for their worship; and fundraising within a small group to buy a present for one of its members on special occasions.
In fact, save for the exceptions listed above, any appeal for public donations is subject to prior authorisation which is valid only for the purpose for which it was granted. Also, it is prohibited to make appeals for public generosity through diplomatic missions accredited to Cameroon.
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