Cameroonian journalist and women’s rights advocate Comfort Mussa has been appointed volunteer ambassador for DearYou, a global women’s health awareness initiative of the DEAR Foundation Switzerland, as stakeholders warn that gaps in breast health awareness remain a growing concern in Cameroon.
The announcement comes at a time when public health data continue to show rising pressure from breast cancer across the country, underscoring the need for stronger information campaigns and early detection efforts. Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women globally, and Cameroon is not insulated from the trend. Estimates from the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) show Cameroon registers more than 4,000 new breast cancer cases annually, with over 2,000 women dying each year, underscoring the disease’s heavy burden on women’s health.
Health professionals have repeatedly warned that late presentation and low screening rates significantly worsen outcomes for many Cameroonian women. In many cases, patients arrive at health facilities when the disease is already at an advanced stage. They have also identified that lack of awareness, particularly culturally accessible information remains one of the weakest links in the response chain. It is within this context that DearYou’s media-centered strategy is expected to take the bull by the horns.
Comfort Mussa, a multi-award-winning journalist and founder of the women-focused platform SisterSpeak237, is expected to support outreach through media engagement, public events, and community conversations aimed at improving women’s access to reliable health information.
In its statement, the DEAR Foundation Switzerland said the collaboration reflects the initiative’s emphasis on working through credible local voices to promote informed dialogue on women’s health: “Our collaboration with Comfort Mussa reflects our commitment to supporting women through respectful and accessible information, while recognising and strengthening existing community leadership.”
The organisation noted that Cameroon’s bilingual environment and established media networks present opportunities for culturally grounded health communication, an area where many international awareness campaigns have historically struggled to gain traction.
“This collaboration marks an important step in DearYou’s growing presence in Central Africa, where trusted local voices play a crucial role in promoting informed dialogue on women’s health… As a DearYou ambassador, Comfort Mussa advances awareness by engaging the media, participating in public events, and facilitating community conversations that encourage women to access reliable health information and strengthen their health literacy.”
Planned Activities in Cameroon
According to the its announcement, DearYou’s activities in Cameroon will expand gradually through volunteer-led engagements. These include media outreach across radio, television, print, and digital platforms, participation in Women’s Month events and women-focused conferences, community discussions facilitated through local and regional networks, and distribution of informational resources and promotion of the DearYou mobile application
The foundation emphasised that the initiative is designed to complement and not replace ongoing work by local organisations active in women’s health and empowerment.
Responding to her appointment, Comfort Mussa underscored the importance of credible health information for women: “Access to reliable health information is essential for the dignity and autonomy of women,” she said. “DearYou’s approach aligns closely with the realities women face in Cameroon, where dialogue, trust and cultural sensitivity are fundamental.”
About the DearYou Initiative
DearYou is a global awareness program focused on improving women’s access to clear, culturally adapted health information. Its free mobile application, available in multiple languages, provides structured guidance to help women recognize symptoms, determine when medical consultation may be necessary, and locate reliable support resources.
The initiative currently operates across parts of Africa, Latin America, Europe and Asia through a network of volunteer ambassadors and institutional partners.
Comfort Mussa (Commy)
Comfort Mussa, popularly known as Commy, is a Cameroonian journalist and advocate recognized for her reporting on gender and social justice issues. She is the founder of SisterSpeak237, a platform that amplifies women’s voices and promotes conversations around empowerment and rights. Over the years, Mussa has built a public profile through both newsroom work and community-based advocacy, particularly on issues affecting women and persons with disabilities.
Her appointment as DearYou ambassador places a media professional at the forefront of the initiative’s Cameroon outreach at a time when health communicators say trusted local voices may be critical to improving early detection and informed health-seeking behavior.