Extraordinary Woman: Meet Hon. Esther Ngala; The Sparkling Politician

By Fai Cassian Ndi 
In Cameroon, they are millions of women who have moved above the male artificial barriers to becoming Ministers, Directors, Senior Divisional Officers, Parliamentarians, development experts, lawyers, journalists, pastors etc. In fact this rare specie of woman apart from the fact they are caring mothers in their various homes have become role models to other young girls. However, since charity begins at home, I would like to use this opportunity to pay respect, appreciation and love to the woman who brought me to this world, my mum, Regina Muchop as she is known by her young girl’s name. Nothing is worth celebrating than a lifetime achievement in purely masculine dominated world. The story of other women like Rosa Parks, Mother Teresa, Queen Elizabeth, Allen Johnson and many others continue to act as a stimulant to the woman.Thumbs up woman. Exceptionally, one woman whose philanthropist gestures have touched the heart of Cameroonians is Madame Chantal Biya, the first lady of Cameroon. She is a model example of a mother who look closely at people by doing just what the communities need. .

Nothing is more fascinating than celebrating the Life of these transformed women, who have rose above their own adversity, self doubt and have directly or indirectly impacted the lives of other women, especially those that suffer from childhood abuse and/or molestation. Today these statistics speak for themselves.

It is inspiring to know that women:

• Are 52% of the world’s population
• Are responsible for 66% of the world’s output
• Earn 10% of the world’s income
• Own 1% of the world’s property
On this International Women's day may we rededicate ourselves once more to improving the quality of life for women especially by working hard to get women elected into positions where they can influence policies.

Here below is one of those women who according to my own critical judgment analysis has done extraordinary things in a very common way to the point that her actions have attracted public attention and admiration.

Meet Hon. Esther Ngala Ntala: The Self-Motivated Sparkling Politician 

Hon. Esther Ngala

To be a female political giant in is just like driving along the Bamenda Ring Road where you need to withstand all the odds against you. And trying to change the mentality of a society that was purely male dominated is also an up hill task that only dynamic women can overcome.

Yet, Hon. Esther Ngala Ntala, SDF Member of Parliament for Ndu in Donga Mantung Division of the Northwest region is one of those exemplary female politicians who have dismantled these barriers. Before becoming a career politician, her hard work, determination and involvement in community work and sound education shaped and influenced her life to where she is today.

This good natured, self-motivated and sparkling political icon has had a distinguished career as a teacher before a jump-start in politics where she is going into records in great names. Conscientiously speaking she has been rated as the agrarian political messiah who continues to stimulate the woman that “what a man can do in politics, a woman can likely do it twice”. This is great motivation because she is and continues to make a difference in the lives of the rural woman. From Taku to Ntundip through Ndu, Ntumbaw, right down to Luh, Ngarum, Talla, Mbipgo, she moves from women of little and no education to learned ones. Her success story as a politician is the beginning of a new page for women. Skilled with political strategies, Hon. Esther Ngala Ntala remains a force to reckon with in Mbumland. Despite her prestigious position as MP, Hon. Esther Ngala still believes in the African root concept because she remains a mother and a home maker. As an educationist, she has a soft spot for the education of the girl child. Before going to Parliament, she was the President of the (Wimbum) Mbum Women in Bamenda with a membership of over 7.000. She helped set up a micro credit for woen in Ndu where more than 1500 women have benefited. Her drive to provide improved seed material to the women cannot be forgotten. Every year, she distributes maize seeds and improved tree seedlings to women. Her largess has touched every aspect of society from water to health, education etc..She is on her second mandate as Representative of the people in Parliament.  

Besides, she was also a member of the Steering Committee of the Grassfeild Participatory and Decentralized Rural Development Project-GP DERUDEP. All these positions were not handed to her on a platter of gold but were as a result of hard work and merit. At the National Assembly, she is the Chairperson of the Social Committee. Yet, Hon. Esther Ngala moves along with innovation, meet her on her political trips and you would have met a politician of great magnitude. Furthermore, she is also one of those MPs that have continued to caution farmers and grazers on the phenomenon of climate change.

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