Scholars

Densley Awa Awafong is a humanitarian aid worker with over twelve years of experience in both the development and humanitarian sectors. He has always had focus on both programs and field operations; optimizing productivity, efficiency, and service quality across various environments. He is a holder of a Bachelor’s degree in the Social Sciences and a Master’s degree in international relations from the Protestant University of Central Africa. He is currently serving at the International Rescue Committee (Cameroon Program) as Senior Field Manager for the past four years. His position entails managing the IRC’s Northwest Region field office with an oversight of all operations and supply chain functions. This includes Safety and Security Protocols, Procurement, Finance, Warehousing and Asset Management, Fleet Management, and Office Administration. Through his leadership and dedication, backed by strong work ethic and excellent breadth of experience in aid programs, the visibility of the organization has met with much positivity. This, because of the highly impactful programs implemented which are geared towards meeting the needs of the most vulnerable. He is very passionate about integrating in a multicultural and multidisciplinary team of Humanitarian aid workers. His strives are to provide life-saving emergency assistance to people living in some of the most inhospitable environments. As a result, he has worked effectively with cross functional teams in local NGOs and International NGOs such as Plan International and INTERSOS in ensuring operational and service excellence.

Dione Sharon has five years of experience in peacebuilding and humanitarian coordination programming. She has a Master’s Degree in International Relations and Social Science from the Protestant University of Central Africa and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Buea. She is also Certified in Disaster Risk and Humanitarian Management from the Pan African Institute for Development – West Africa and is an alumnus of the Young African Leaders Initiatives (YALI). She currently works as INGO Forum Officer, fostering coordination initiatives, collaboration, joint research, analysis, and advocacy among 24 international NGOs advancing emergency relief and development response within complex security contexts in Cameroon. Prior to this role, Sharon volunteered with the Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassadors Network as a Program Consultant where she facilitated joint program coordination, collaboration, and learning for effective peacebuilding by youth organizations within the Network in Cameroon. Sharon previously led as the program team lead for a National Peacebuilding NGO, implementing peace and conflict management initiatives including USAID-funded community peace and security initiatives, peace research and policy, as well as community dialogue, and mediation processes. She is a lifelong learner, passionate, and committed to supporting collaboration and partnership in delivering humanitarian assistance and peacebuilding.

Fanwi Seraphine Kakwi is a community social change worker and a Child Protection/Safeguarding Officer at SUSTAIN Cameroon and ECPAT Cameroon. She has over eleven years of experience in the development field. She is passionate about empowering women and girls providing them with the environment to achieve their full potentials. Fanwi is also an Evangelist and the founder & Executive Director of Mercy Seed Outreach. She holds a BA in Bible and Theology from All Nations For Christ Bible Institute International in Benin City, Nigeria and she has a diploma in inclusive special needs education and a Teacher’s Grade I Certificate.

Etali Genesis Akwaji has over eighteen years of experience in community mobilization, development, and humanitarian work. He is the founder and CEO of the Association for Sustainable Development Livelihood Initiatives (SUSTAIN Cameroon), a grassroots nonprofit organization focused on eradicating harmful practices and cultures that perpetuate violence against women and children. These practices include child early and forced marriages, sexual exploitation and abuse of children, gender-based violence, human trafficking, and modern-day slavery. Currently, Etali is also involved with ECPAT Cameroon, an affiliate member of ECPAT International. Throughout his career, Etali has demonstrated the ability to engage project beneficiaries and mobilize communities for full participation in planning, implementing, and monitoring project activities. He has collaborated with local, national, and international organizations, assuming key roles in project management and organizational development. Notable positions held by Etali include UN-WFP TPM monitor at the African Initiatives for Relief and Development (AIRD) in Uganda, Casual Program Support Assistant Field (CPSA-F) for the Psycho Social (PSS) Project with Plan International Cameroon in the Bamenda PU, and Program Officer with Women in Action against Gender Based Violence (WACameroon). Additionally, he has worked with Heifer International, Cameroon, mobilizing communities in various regions for significant humanitarian and development projects.