The Paramount Fon of Kom honours a veteran grassroots peacebuilder, recognising two decades of work with women, girls and conflict affected communities across Boyo and beyond.
The Paramount Fon of Kom, His Majesty Fon Clement Ndzi I, has conferred the traditional title Na Mboini, meaning Mother of Peace, on Andiensa Clotilda Waah, Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Advocacy in Gender Equality and Action for Development, CAGEAD, and National Coordinator of the South West North West Women’s Task Force, SNWOT.
The honour was bestowed during a ceremony held in Bamenda on Wednesday 17 December 2025, in recognition of her long standing commitment to community peacebuilding, social cohesion and the protection of women and girls.
Reacting shortly after the conferment, Andiensa Clotilda described the recognition as both humbling and deeply motivating.
“I received this title with a lot of joy. I have been working in Boyo Division for close to 20 years, and to be recognised by the Paramount Fon of Kom for the work I do tells me that someone somewhere is seeing and appreciating these efforts. It gives me strength to do even more. she said.
In a message shared earlier on her Facebook page, she said the title was evidence of the impact of community driven peace initiatives.
“I am honoured and humbled to be recognised as Na Mboine Kom, the Mother of Peace. I never imagined that the royal palace was closely observing my activities in the communities. I dedicate this to the staff of CAGEAD and to all the women and girls I have had the privilege to work with,” she wrote, calling for renewed commitment to peace and social cohesion.
Andiensa Clotilda’s work spans adolescent girls’ empowerment, sexual and reproductive health education and peacebuilding at community level. She told Hilltopvoices Online that her interventions in Boyo Division began with schools and youth groups.
“We have worked in over 20 schools, providing knowledge on sexual and reproductive health rights, menstrual hygiene management and setting up weekly clubs for adolescent girls. Beyond schools, we organise fireside dialogues to improve relationships between parents and girls, while respecting children’s rights.” she explained.
Her peacebuilding efforts also include the establishment of community peace clubs across the three subdivisions of Boyo, socio cultural activities that bring women together, and training men as partners in the fight against gender based violence.
“We have trained over 50 men to support women and girls and to stand against violence in their communities,” she added.
Speaking on behalf of the palace, Kom notable, Ngam Nsom said the title was a deliberate acknowledgement of her humanitarian and peacebuilding work.
“The Fon of Kom has conferred this important title in recognition of her peacebuilding activities and her humanitarian efforts in favour of the girl child, not only in Kom but beyond... To His Majesty, peace is the number one need of every human society, because without peace there can be no development.” he said.
Ngam Nsom noted that the Fon was encouraging her to continue and to go even further in what he described as a noble assignment to society.
A close collaborator, Esther Loh, who witnessed the ceremony, said the palace was visibly impressed after Andiensa Clotilda explained her work.
“She was given the opportunity to explain what she does in peacebuilding, and the Fon was very happy. He encouraged her to continue and to ensure that the Kom population feels the impact of her work.” she said.
As part of the ritual, the Fon decorated her with traditional regalia and granted her the rare privilege of wearing the 'doma' cloth, a material reserved for those authorised by the palace.
According to Andiensa Clotilda, the title goes beyond honour.
“Na Mboini is an assignment. Peace is something we must deliberately make. Wherever I go and with whoever I work, peace must come first, because our communities can only survive and develop if we live together in harmony.” she said.
By Bakah Derick for Hilltopvoices Online
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