The U.S. Embassy in Yaounde welcomed Josiane Mbakop of MUDEF and Dr. Charles Tante of the University of Buea, Cameroon’s 2016 Hubert H. Humphrey fellows and two Humphrey alumni Praxedes Banseka and Yves Martial Bitama Ada.

Josiane Mbakop’ s program will begin next August with English language training at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia and continue with training in economic development and finance and banking at Boston University.

During a meeting with the group, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Roberto Quiroz II said: “We are proud to congratulate you on your selection to the Hubert Humphrey Program, and are encouraged that you have established contacts with alumni from this program.

You are each distinguished in your respective fields of economics, academia, and entrepreneurship. More than that, you serve as role models for Cameroonian youth, especially women and girls. Your story conveys to citizens the message that every person must have a dream and then persevere to achieve their dream.

Goals and achievements must be earned and you have reached this point in your professional careers through sheer will and determination, and because someone along the way mentored you. We commend your vision to mentor others, expand private sector growth to create jobs, promote education, and to serve this great nation of Cameroon.”

The Humphrey Program brings young and mid-career professionals from designated countries to the United States for a year of non-degree graduate-level study, leadership development, and professional collaboration with U.S. counterparts.