By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
30 outstanding laureates of the 2026 General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level examination were honoured at the 2026 Barnabas Mbigha Excellence Awards (BMEA).
The award ceremony, held in Yaoundé on Tuesday, October 20, was chaired by the Minister of Secondary Education (MINESEC), Prof Pauline Nalova Lyonga, and brought together various government officials.
Beyond recognising academic performance, this initiative aims to foster a culture of excellence and inspire young people to maintain their efforts. In addition to celebrating scholastic achievement, the event highlighted ongoing work to strengthen healthcare delivery and position Cameroon as a regional hub for medical tourism in Central Africa.
Speaking during the ceremony, Prof. Pauline Nalova Lyonga, Minister of Secondary Education (MINESEC), emphasised the importance of supporting academic excellence and investing in healthcare. She also commended the initiative for recognising outstanding students and contributing to efforts to address healthcare needs.
A highlight of the ceremony was an address by Barnabas Mbigha, founder of the Peace and Comfort Medical Foundation. He outlined his organisation’s vision, which seeks to help position Cameroon as a destination for medical tourism in Central Africa.
This strategy centres on developing modern healthcare infrastructure equipped with cutting-edge medical technology, as well as improving access to primary healthcare for the general population.
According to the founder, this ambition is already beginning to take shape in the Littoral Region, through initiatives designed to strengthen the provision of care and attract patients seeking high-quality medical services.
The discussions also focused on the prevention and management of high blood pressure, addressed through an interactive awareness-raising session. Furthermore, participants explored ways to mobilise the diaspora in support of development initiatives in Cameroon.
The programme featured an interactive session on hypertension, and participants also explored proposed initiatives involving the diaspora to support development efforts. The 30 laureates received awards in recognition of their outstanding performance in the 2026 GCE Advanced Level examination.
Through this 2026 edition, the Barnabas Mbigha Excellence Awards combine the recognition of academic achievement with reflections on health and social issues. This approach places youth, community engagement, and investment in strategic sectors at the heart of Cameroon’s development prospects.
