For enhancing democracy, good governance across Africa: Dr Fomunyoh gets another prestigious, global role at National Democratic Institute.

 NDI global boss, Dr Tamara, made the announcement in a key message addressed to the staff of the institution on May 28. 

Dr Fomunyoh was raised to such high rank alongside Leslie Campbell. Campbell is Senior Associate and Regional Director of Middle East and North Africa Programs.

According to NDI global boss, Dr Fomunyoh, alongside his colleague, will put their revered wealth of experience serving across the globe for decades, in shaping the next phase of the organisation.

Citing policy shifts and organisational reforms that have occurred at the Institute, Dr Tamara wrote: "Dr Fomunyoh and Campbell will, in their new role, act as call-on advisers to the president. They will put that tremendous wisdom to work for NDI as a whole”.

This, the NDI president added, will be through offering of their “institutional memory and wise advice as I make decisions that will shape the organisation for the next decades”.

With the fresh appointment, Dr Fomunyoh, the appointment noted from NDI president indicated, will now go by the title of Senior Associate, Regional Director and Special Adviser to the President.

 Dr Tamara, in the appointment note, thanked Dr Fomunyoh, for accepting to shoulder a new responsibility in an organisation, he said, he has given his all for decades.

He specified that the promotion is “a formal recognition of an additional and as-needed role they have generously been playing already”.

Appointment boosts my determination to do more- Dr Fomunyoh 

Reacting to the global elevation, Dr Fomunyoh told The Guardian Post that it is a recognition that will further energise him to do more in enhancing democracy globally in a challenging era.

“I am humbled by the appointment and recognition by NDI’s president, Dr Tamara Wittes,” Dr Fomunyoh remarked, adding that: “In these challenging times for democracy around the world, NDI’s mission and its presence alongside its partners and pro-democracy forces is more significant and critical than ever before”. 

He was particular that: “Being appreciated by the leadership of the organisation goes a long way to boost my determination and resolve to do more in our collective efforts to make the world a better place for all”.

Globe celebrates with Dr Fomunyoh

Since news of Dr Fomunyoh’s appointment as Special Adviser to NDI president, in addition to his previous responsibilities, reactions have continued to stream in from across the globe. 

Most of those who know Dr Fomunyoh’s influence, weight and more he has done in improving on democracy and governance, particularly in Africa and beyond, say the nomination is the beginning of another era.

People from across the continents of the globe have been sending the erudite good governance champion and heralded humanitarian, messages of congratulations. Many of them have been describing and rightly so, the appointment as a more than merited recognition.

Dr Fomunyoh on steady rise at NDI

The recent appointment of Dr Fomunyoh comes to add to a steady rise he has enjoyed working at NDI over the years. 

He has been a committed and productive advocate of democracy, good governance, peace and conflict resolution, among other responsibilities he has been given.

In the last two decades, he has been serving as member of the senior management of NDI. The global award-winning governance best practices champion has also been part of the Senior Management Committee of NDI, for several years. 

Dr Fomunyoh is also Co-Chair of NDI’s Global Diversity Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee. This is an additional portfolio he has been holding since 2020. 

Dr Fomunyoh’s inspiring achievements 

In countries such as The Gambia, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Nigeria and Liberia, among others, Dr Fomunyoh’s golden footprints in enhancing democracy and inclusive governance are acclaimed regularly.

Dr Fomunyoh is on record for the good reasons for putting his expertise in these countries and more, consulting parliaments, Heads of State, political actors, civil society, elections management entities and other influential country-specific voices, to ensure democracy thrives.

Across Africa, the Cameroonian global gemstone has also been the harbinger of major initiatives that have birthed peace and good governance. 

The globally respected African Statesmen initiative can be cited.  Under this framework, he engaged former democratically elected presidents to enhance peaceful democratic governance.

Dr Fomunyoh is also credited with having created the Regional Initiative on Constitutionalism and Rule of Law. 

Thanks to the platform, he made the respect of presidential term limits a standard in countries such as South Africa, Kenya and Guinea. The orderly and peaceful transfer of power, in most of these countries, are highly visible in Dr Fomunyoh’s basket of honour as NDI Senior Associate for West and Central Africa.

Dr Fomunyoh on high global demand

Given his impeccable integrity and positive political transformative agenda across Africa and beyond, many, globally, have continued to seek his services.

Little wonder, he also served as mentor on former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s Centre for Women’s Leadership in Africa.

 Dr Fomunyoh is also Goodwill Ambassador for Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy’s Grain From Ukraine humanitarian initiative.

Dr Fomunyoh at one time served as Adjunct Prof of African Politics at Georgetown University and the African Centre for Strategic Studies, ACSS. 

Humanitarian side of democracy, good governance icon

It is no secret that Dr Fomunyoh has a humane heart. This explains his setting up of The Fomunyoh Foundation, TFF, several years ago to reach out to people in need. 

Across the North West, South West, Centre, Littoral and Far North Regions and beyond, he has kept the TFF dream alive in supporting the needy. 

Within the context of the armed conflict in the two English-speaking Regions of Cameroon, Dr Fomunyoh has, through his foundation, been supporting especially women and the girl child. 

He is also among the very few elite nationwide who have visited Anglophone crisis refugees in Nigeria, with tonnes of gifts.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No3127 of Friday May 31, 2024