Director of CBCHS CEO of RADA
The Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services (CBCHS) and the Reconciliation and Development Association (RADA) have signed a strategic partnership agreement aimed at strengthening the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Cameroon.
The agreement was signed on Friday, January 23, 2026, at the Conference Hall of the CBCHS Head Office in Nkwen, Bamenda, during a meeting that brought together health leaders, program managers, and representatives of both institutions.
Opening the ceremony, the Director of CBCHS, Dr. Ngum Samuel, welcomed participants and highlighted the shared objective of the partnership which according to him, is to reduce the growing burden of non-communicable diseases while empowering communities to live healthier and more productive lives. He noted that improvements in life expectancy in Cameroon mean that more people are living into their 60s, 70s, 80s, and beyond, a positive development that also increases exposure to age-related chronic diseases.
“As life expectancy improves, the likelihood of developing non-communicable diseases also increases,” Dr. Ngum said. “Aging comes with changes in our cells and organs, and our systems no longer function the same way they did in our 20s. The challenge is to ensure that people live healthier lives even as they grow older.”
Dr. Ngum explained that the partnership leverages the complementary strengths of both institutions. RADA, he said, brings strong expertise in community engagement, advocacy, and promotive health, while CBCHS contributes its nationwide reach and experience in clinical care and community-based health services. He stressed that partnerships are essential for achieving population health goals, referencing Sustainable Development Goal 17, which emphasizes collaboration as a driver of sustainable development.
Linking the discussion to universal health coverage, Dr. Ngum expressed concern over Cameroon’s healthcare financing situation, where more than 70 percent of healthcare costs are paid out of pocket by households. He warned that this model impoverishes families and limits access to care. “When healthcare expenses rely heavily on household resources, people are pushed deeper into poverty,” he said. “That is why we must bring promotive, preventive, rehabilitative, and clinical care closer to communities, with minimal financial burden.”
He also noted the shift in health priorities over the years, as the focus moves from infectious and tropical diseases toward chronic non-communicable diseases. “The burden of NCDs is huge, and every effort matters,” Dr. Ngum said. “At CBCHS, we value partnerships that are impactful, practical, and aligned with shared goals, not partnerships that exist only on paper.”
Speaking on behalf of RADA, Ferdinant Mbiydzenyuy Sonyuy, Chief Executive Officer of RADA and Secretary General of the Cameroon Non-Communicable Disease Alliance, described the occasion as personally, professionally, and strategically significant. A former staff member of CBCHS, he reflected on his early career within the institution and the values of service, discipline, and stewardship he acquired there.
“I return not just as a former colleague, but as a representative of institutions that have matured and positioned themselves to contribute meaningfully to the future of NCD prevention and control in Cameroon,” he said.
Ferdinant M. Sonyuy paid tribute to past and present CBCHS leaders and acknowledged the NCD Program team, led by Takwe Boniface, for sustaining momentum in addressing chronic diseases. He stressed that the partnership is forward-looking and rooted in urgency, noting that NCDs already affect mortality, productivity, household poverty, and the sustainability of healthcare systems.
“Non-communicable diseases are not inevitable,” he said. “They are largely preventable and increasingly manageable, but this requires strong institutions, sound policies, and strategic partnerships like this one.”
Drawing lessons from countries such as Kenya and Ghana, the RADA boss emphasized that progress against NCDs comes from alignment of vision, technical competence, and leadership. He praised Dr. Ngum’s leadership, describing him as a forward-looking and action-oriented leader capable of steering a complex health system through change.
He also outlined RADA’s evolution over the past five years into a technically grounded organization working at the intersection of policy reform, health system strengthening, data systems, health economics, and national advocacy on issues such as unhealthy diets and Type 1 diabetes. “When technical knowledge meets a service delivery institution with depth like CBCHS, the result is positive impact, not noise,” he said.
The details of the partnership were presented by Achataseh Godwill, Executive Officer for Operations and Development, who read out the Specific Partnership Agreement (SPA) signed by both parties. He explained that the agreement defines the framework for collaboration between CBCHS and RADA in the domain of NCD prevention and control, while building on existing cooperation.
Under the SPA, RADA will serve as a strategic technical partner, supporting the design of CBCHS’s five-year NCD prevention and control program for 2026–2030, providing technical assistance in funding proposal development, and contributing to the implementation of World Health Organization recommendations and innovative NCD interventions. RADA will also support specific initiatives such as the Type 1 Diabetes, and other initiatives that will be mutually developed for implementation.
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CBCHS, as the strategic implementing partner, will provide implementation support, administrative coordination, funding contributions, and knowledge sharing for joint NCD initiatives at both facility and community levels. The agreement is valid for an initial period of two years (2026–2027), with the possibility of extension by mutual agreement.
As the event concluded at the CBCHS Conference Hall in Nkwen, both institutions emphasized that the signing marks the beginning—not the end—of disciplined and smoothened collaboration. With clear roles, shared commitment, and a focus on results, the CBCHS–RADA partnership is expected to contribute to a stronger national response to non-communicable diseases and to improve the health, productivity, and well-being of Cameroonians.
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