For strides in women’s empowerment: Bamusso chiefs, women honour Esther Omam with prestigious title.

The conferment ceremony, organised Saturday January 31, 2026, in Bamusso, was attended by community leaders, traditional authorities, and representatives of public institutions.

She was conferred the title of: “Moeneni mwa Barana”, loosely translated into English as Light of Women.

Officials said Esther Omam was bestowed the title in recognition of her sustained and selfless commitment to women and girls' empowerment, humanitarian response, peacebuilding, social cohesion, and community development within Bamusso Subdivision in particular, Ndian Division and across Cameroon.

The ceremony brought together a wide and diverse representation of society, including Chiefs from other Subdivisions of Ndian; the Senator of the Division; the Divisional Officer, DO; traditional authorities, women’s groups, youth representatives, men’s clubs, civil society actors, family members, and friends. 

The broad participation, it was said, reflected strong community endorsement and institutional recognition of grassroots leadership, rooted in selfless service.

Speaking after the ceremony, Esther Omam expressed deep gratitude to all those who supported the process through prayers, encouragement, presence, and material contributions. 

She described the moment as a powerful affirmation that consistent service, even when carried out quietly and under difficult circumstances, is seen and valued by communities.

Esther Omam, it should be said, isn’t new to such recognitions. She has severally been honoured, nationally and internationally, with distinctions, for efforts in working for peace and contribution to the empowerment of women and girls in disadvantaged communities.

The seasoned humanitarian, peacebuilder, and development leader, is serving as the Executive Director of Reach Out Cameroon. 

With nearly 30 years of experience in Cameroon, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, she has been at the forefront of peace mediation, human rights advocacy, and community development, particularly focusing on women and children in conflict zones.

Her journey in peace mediation began in 2011, in the Bakassi Peninsula, where her efforts in protecting women's and children’s rights earned her recognition from the Canadian High Commission. This was for her outstanding contributions to human rights in Cameroon. 

In June 2021, the UN Office in Guinea Conakry invited her to train the Coalition of Guinean Women for Peace, further expanding her impact on international peacebuilding efforts.

Esther is widely respected for her leadership in women-led peace initiatives, serving as the vision-bearer of Southwest/Northwest Women's Task Force Cameroon, SNWOT and a facilitator for multiple women’s peacebuilding networks. 

Her work has earned her numerous accolades, including the 2023 Global Pluralism Award by the Global Centre for Pluralism and the 2023 German African Peace Prize.

Driven by a commitment to pluralism, inclusion, and sustainable peace, Esther Omam continues to champion grassroots peacebuilding, mediation, and advocacy, empowering communities to navigate and resolve conflicts with resilience and unity.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3692 of Tuesday February 03, 2026