Walter Sisulu University Degree of Doctor of Medicine Honoris Causa was conferred on Professor Gottlieb Lobe Monekosso at the graduation ceremony of the university last May 10, in South Africa. The former Minister of Public Health, who received his primary and secondary education in Lagos, Nigeria, has carried out extensive scientific research accompanied by publications in health literature. Professor Monekosso is a recipient of many other honorary degrees in recognition of his scholarly work that has earned him the title, “Father of Medicine in Africa”.

Member of World Bank panel on “Education” and World Bank working groups on health, Professor Monekosso was also consultant to many other international agencies, organisations and foundations like the Organisation of Africa Unity, the Dag Hammarskjold Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation, UNESCO, the International Council for Education Development and the World Bank. His extensive experience in the international arena resulted in his being appointed PAHO/ WHO Representative in Jamaica (1980-1984). This was followed by elevation to the WHO Regional Director for Africa, where he served two 5-year terms (1985-1995). During this period, he was a member of WHO executive management in Geneva and he gave technical advice to 46 countries in Africa, the Organisation of African Unity and the Economic Commission for Africa.

In 1995, Professor Monekosso returned to his mother country, Cameroon, where he founded Global Health Dialogue, a foundation devoted to the health and welfare of young people with its headquarters in Buea, South West Region, which he still runs. Between 1997 and 2000, he served as Cameroon’s Minister of Health. Today, he is retired but not tired. He still continues to oversee the work of Global Health Dialogue and is currently engaged, among other projects, in advising the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on the quality of medical teaching in Sub-Saharan Africa.