The Alliance Française Bamenda director receives a national honour that places women’s leadership, perseverance and service at the centre of Cameroon’s cultural life.
Alliance Française Bamenda was a space of national pride on Thursday, 18 December 2025, as its Director, Meno Fogue Judith-Gisèle, received the Cameroon Medal of Knight of the Order of Merit. The distinction was officially conferred by the Governor of the North West Region, Adolph Lele Lafrique Tchoffo Deben, in recognition of more than two decades of dedicated service to culture, education and institutional leadership.
The ceremony was a rare public celebration of a woman whose career reflects steady progress and quiet authority. Meno Fogue has served the Alliance Française for 23 years, rising through the ranks from secretary to Director. Her journey stands as a powerful example of women’s leadership built on commitment, competence and loyalty to institution and mission.
In her acceptance remarks, the newly decorated Knight dedicated the medal to her colleagues at Alliance Française Bamenda, describing the honour as a collective achievement rather than a personal triumph. She paid tribute to the teams she has worked with over the years, noting that sustained leadership is only possible through shared effort and mutual respect.
Her recognition drew a wide cross section of the community, with cultural groups, associations and partners turning out in large numbers to celebrate a woman whose work has consistently opened doors for creativity and inclusion. The strong attendance was widely seen as a reflection of her impact beyond the walls of the Alliance Française.
The decoration was followed by a rich programme of cultural activities that echoed the values she has championed. The opening performance, a poem titled The Girl Child, Hope for the Future by Royal Jacket, also known as Sarah Success, told the story of Amina, a young girl who overcomes barriers to education to become what she aspires to be. The piece set the tone for an afternoon centred on empowerment and possibility.
The Deaf Empowerment and Visibility Network followed with a dance performance that highlighted inclusion through art, before Mottanni and the Band took the stage to thrill guests including the Governor of the North West Region. The Lux Armiger dance group added further energy, while presentations by the Fulbe Student Development Association and Afanyui reflected the diversity of communities touched by Meno Fogue’s leadership.
A second poetic moment came from the Deaf Empowerment and Visibility Network with Rising with the Nation, offered alongside a symbolic gift of gratitude.
Beyond the ceremony, the moment carried wider significance. In a context where women’s leadership often goes unrecognised, Meno Fogue Judith-Gisèle’s decoration affirms the value of long-term service and the role of women in shaping Cameroon’s cultural and educational institutions. Her story, rooted in patience and progression, now stands as a public reference point for younger women aspiring to lead.
By Bakah Derick for Hilltopvoices Online
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