Perched on the slopes of Bamendakwe in Upstation Bamenda, a model eco-village built with sustainable landscape principles served as the venue where celebrated Cameroonian environmentalist Dieudonne Nforba better known as Farmer Tantoh officially presented the prestigious EARTHNA Prize to the Cameroonian public on Wednesday, 30th April 2025.
Farmer Tantoh at his Eco-village
The Farmer Tantoh Eco-village is more than a green space; it is a pointer to decades of grassroots environmental conservation and protection service rendered to his community. Designed to integrate easily with the natural terrain, the village features terraced gardens, water conservation systems, indigenous plants, a hydra interlocking block building and eco-friendly facilities.
It functions as both a community resource and an educational hub, while also supplying clean, drinkable water to the surrounding Upstation neighbourhoods.
“As we grow, the village is being developed to be inclusive." Farmer Tantoh told www.hilltopvoices.com during the media encounter.
From this symbolic platform, Farmer Tantoh presented the EARTHNA Prize, an international honour he received in Doha, Qatar just a week earlier. The award was handed to him personally by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, the Queen of Qatar, in the presence of high-ranking government officials and the Earthna Award management committee. The accolade, bestowed by the Qatar Foundation, recognises Farmer Tantoh’s over 20 years of service to grassroots environmental conservation, particularly in the provision of clean, portable water to underserved communities in Cameroon’s Western Highlands.
Out of a pool of 400 nominees from across the globe, Farmer Tantoh emerged first, thanks to his exceptional record in community-driven water and natural resource management. His work in constructing gravity-fed systems, protecting natural springs, and promoting sustainable water practices has impacted numerous villages in the North West Region and beyond.
“This award is not mine alone. It belongs to every villager, every young person who has ever joined me in digging a trench or planting a tree. It’s your dedication the world is now applauding.” he said humbly
A household name in Cameroon, Tantoh Nforba, popularly known as Farmer Tantoh, is widely respected for his expertise in landscaping, terracing, natural resource management, and environmental protection. His global exposure is matched only by his deep-rooted connection to local communities.
During the press briefing, he also announced the launch of the Farmer Tantoh Fellows Programme, an initiative under the Farmer Tantoh Foundation that aims to train and empower young environmental stewards. Over the years, he has already mentored more than 500 young people, many of whom now lead projects in water and environmental conservation across the region.
“Through this fellowship, we are preparing the next generation of environmental leaders, individuals who will carry forward this vision wherever they are,” he said.
Farmer Tantoh’s career continues to blossom with global recognition, but his heart remains grounded in the soil of Bamendakwe and around the North West Region. From this green sanctuary, he continues to dig, teach, and inspire a living embodiment of the belief that real change begins at the grassroots.
By Bakah Derick
Email: hilltopvoicesnewspaper@gmail.com
Tel: 6 94 71 85 77