The visit of the emissary of the First Lady of Congo to the headquarters of African Synergy for the Fight Against AIDS and Suffering, centred on sharing ideas.
The message was short but clear and rich in content. The First Lady of Congo, Antoinette Sassou Nguesso wants to join hands with her Cameroonian counterpart, Mrs Chantal Biya, to chart out ways of bringing together their many initiatives for the fight against suffering in their respective countries. Via Dr. Thalance Malonga, her adviser on health issues, Antoinette Sassou Nguesso sees a future where the many associations put in place by First Ladies will merge for the same cause.
Dr. Thalance Malonga who doubles as Chargé de mission of President Sassou Nguesso, was august guest to the Executive Secretary of African Synergy Against Aids and Suffering, Jean Stéphane Biatcha, yesterday November 10 in Yaounde. Dr. Thalance Malonga said African First Ladies have many initiatives and the need to strengthen the fight against child mortality, HIV/AIDS and other societal illnesses is imperative. “We want the many activities and organisations to be placed under the same umbrella so that together we can better extend our largess to the destitute in society,” he reiterated.
In recognition of their powerful position as role models, spokeswomen and advocates for their people, Jean Stéphane Mbiatcha on behalf of Mrs Chantal Biya praised Mrs Antionette Nguesso’s initiative and said Chantal Biya was waiting for recommendations as they continue to inspire and work towards greater change in their countries. He explained that the meeting was fruit of informal discussions on several occasions between the two First Ladies on the possibility of joining initiatives for greater efficiency in the fight against suffering on the continent. By bringing the initiatives together, he added, it is hoped that financing will be easier and projects will be cost effective.
The meeting that held in camera saw the handing of a letter from Mrs Antoinette Sassou Nguesso to Jean Stéphane Biatcha, inviting him in January 2012 for the continuation of talks on the issue. The special envoy from the cabinet of the First Lady of Congo Brazzaville, also expressed the wish to have Mrs Chantal Biya visit Mrs Antoinette Sassou Nguessou in the nearest future for the concretisation of initiatives.
