Mohamadou Youssoufa, Head of Department, Sub-Department of Authorisation and Classification, Ministry of Tourism.

Is there a service in charge of the control of the quality of food sold in restaurants, supermarkets, bakeries, etc?

The Ministry of Tourism is in charge of issuing authorisations for the creation of restaurants.

We ensure from the beginning that the hotel or the restaurant satisfies all quality conditions. We equally carry out inspections to ensure the quality of services offered to clients. This is to say our controllers go to the restaurants to see the quality of food that is sold to clients.

The ministry has noted a weakness. That is why in the new organisational chart that has just been signed, a service has been created for promoting Cameroonian dishes. We hope that the service will be a stepping stone in the standardisation of Cameroonian dishes. We also hope that with this service, we will be able to create partnership with the Standards and Quality Agency (ANOR).

What measures have been taken to ensure that restaurant owners preserve their food in right hygienic conditions?

Among the documents for the acquisition of authorisation, there is what is called the Director's documents. The Director must have a specific qualification and an adequate number of staff. Moreover, all the staff in the restaurant must have medical certificates attesting that they are healthy.

Are there sanctions against structures which do not respect the laws?

Evidently, all activities which do not respect standards are sanctioned. Restaurants are not exempted. I must affirm that there are sanctions and fines against those who do not respect regulations. The sanctions are of a pecuniary nature. These are fines that owners of restaurants must pay to the Ministry of Tourism.

But when we notice that there is resistance, we proceed with the closing of the restaurants to avoid food poisoning of clients. The Ministry of Tourism has carried out a campaign for the fight against clandestine establishments, including hotels and night clubs. But concerning restaurants, we are restoring order. The Regional Delegates are doing a remarkable job. The proof is that we are registering many applications for authorisations.

In reality, many people do not know that for a restaurant to be opened, it should be authorised. There must be sensitisation to let the people know that for a restaurant to be created, it must obey certain criteria. The Ministry of Tourism gives such authorisations.