Cameroon’s First Lady Madam Chantal BIYA has been designated the Matron of the Association of the Wives of African Ambassadors in Belgium, alongside some other African First Ladies on Wednesday 2nd April 2014, during a ceremony organised to pay tribute to them at the Sheraton Hotel by the association.

In recognition of all her humanitarian and charitable endeavours, Madam Chantal BIYA and her colleagues of Congo Brazzaville, Tanzania, Swaziland and Madagascar each received a certificate, designating them as matrons of the association, during lunch that was organised in their honour. A good initiative that was well taken by the audience, as it also provided an opportunity for an exchange of ideas on different issues by the wives of the Heads of State present in Belgium for the EU – Africa summit.

During the same event, they were heartily congratulated for the support that they each give to humanitarian actions in their respective countries. In Cameroon, several initiatives have been taken by the wife of the Head of State, Madam Chantal BIYA, towards reducing the sufferings of the poor and destitute. This is the case with the Circle of the Friends of Cameroon or of African Synergies which carry out concrete actions in favour of women and children in the domains of education and health.

The Association of the Wives of African Ambassadors in Belgium, which was set up in November 2013, has as objective the fostering of a positive image of Africa, which is always associated with ills such as poverty, disease, insecurity, social injustice… As was explained by the president of the association, Perseveranda Mangue de NVONO NEA from Equatorial Guinea, their aim is to promote the good values from the continent, such as solidarity, cooperation and selfless generosity.