Henriette Ekwe Ebongo is a Journalist, publisher of Bebela, political activist

The US Secretary of State, Mrs Hillary Clinton and United States Department presented the International Women of Courage award to Ms Ebong and other nine wowen in Washington DC at Dean Acheson Auditorium of the U.S. Department of State. First Lady Michelle Obama, Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues Melanne Verveer and foreign dignitaries were present.

Henriette Ekwe Ebongo of Cameroon is 61 years old publisher and activist. According to her Bio in US State Department website, Ms Ebong is "Regarded as one of the most experienced and influential female journalists in Cameroon, Henriette Ekwe Ebongo has spent a lifetime advancing press freedom, freedom of expression, human rights, good governance, and gender equality. From the struggle against dictatorship in the 1980s, to the struggle against corruption and injustice in recent years, she has refused to be silenced for standing up for justice and the rule of law. The publisher of Bebela, a weekly independent newspaper, she was instrumental in the founding of a freer and more independent media in Cameroon." She also speaks fluent English and French.

On receiving the award Ms Ebong said, "Mrs. Obama, Secretary Clinton, distinguished invitees, today is a great day for us. The sun is brightly shining in our hearts. Each of us is waging a fierce battle for the ideals and unshakable convictions she stands for. Each of us does it, whatever the price to pay, the loneliness of (inaudible), repression, torture, and (inaudible) from everywhere the violence of those who (inaudible) humiliations. We tried to achieve our goals, making our country the best place to live where you enjoy freedom, (inaudible) in democracy, development, gender equity, and good governance. "

She continued, "Our societies still suffer so many diseases that we could not just fold our arms and wait. Our commitment to changes likely to improve our citizens’ lives was and still is our life’s missions. We did not think about becoming heroines, but it just happened that we were there and had to fulfill our historical duty."

Ms Ebong concluded, "We do appreciate this award of International Women of Courage as a wonderful umbrella and shield to protect us in our daily activities. We welcome this precious award as a tremendous (inaudible) tool for younger generation to stand up and fight and pave the way for the future, a better future. The International Women of Courage Award represent for all of us a new beginning and a good reason to stand firm. This country has done a lot in shaping the mentalities and contributing to building a modern, democratic society. Only half of my (inaudible), let me express our deep and sincere gratitude.

The names of 2011 year’s honorees for the award of International Women of Courage

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, center right, and First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama, center left, pose for a photo with the honorees of the 2011 International Women of Courage Awards at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C..   PIc: US State Dept.

Her Excellency, Roza Otunbayeva, President of the Kyrgyz Republic;

Maria Bashir, Prosecutor General, Herat Province (Afghanistan);

Nasta Palazhanka, Deputy Chairperson, Malady Front (Young Front) non-governmental organization (Belarus);

Henriette Ekwe Ebongo, journalist and publisher of Bebela (Cameroon);

Guo Jianmei, lawyer and Director of the Beijing Zhongze Women’s Legal Counseling and Service Center (China);

Yoani Sanchez, Innovator and Blogger, Founder of Generación Y blog (Cuba);

The Honorable Agnes Osztolykan, Member of Parliament, Politics Can Be Different Party (Hungary);

Eva Abu Halaweh, Executive Director of Mizan Law Group for Human Rights (Jordan);

Marisela Morales Ibañez, Deputy Attorney General for Special Investigations against Organized Crime (Mexico);

Ghulam Sughra, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Marvi Rural Development Organization, (Pakistan)

Source : US State Dept.

Africa Political & Economic Strategic Center (AFRIPOL) is foremost a public policy center whose fundamental objective is to broaden the parameters of public policy debates in Africa. To advocate, promote and encourage free enterprise, democracy, sustainable green environment, human rights, conflict resolutions, transparency and probity in Africa.

Deaths Reported In Nigeria and Cameroon

Most of Africa is experiencing heavy rainfall and instead of greeting the rains with happiness, many people in Cameroon, Nigeria and the northern Nigerian states of Bauchi and Borno are fighting for their lives as they face the perils of a severe cholera outbreak.

Cholera is a contagious water-borne infection that is easily and quickly transmitted through dirty, contaminated water and food, which is cooked in unhygienic conditions, using such unclean water. Even though the disease can be prevented through proper sanitation and fresh supply of clean drinking water, this is not the case.

Every year, during the monsoons, there is a surge in cholera cases in Nigeria. One of the main reasons for its spread is heavy rainfall leading to an overflow of dirty water into wells and ponds which serve as the main source of water supply in the village areas.

Cholera is caused by the Vibro cholera bacteria usually spread through contaminated water. Although contaminated water is the primary means of spread of cholera infection, raw shellfish, uncooked fruits and vegetables, and other foods can also harbor cholera bacteria. The cholera bacteria can remain dormant in the water for a prolonged period, especially in the public wells found commonly in the third world countries, and are responsible for the large-scale cholera outbreaks.

The use of modern sewage systems and treatment has almost eradicated cholera in the developed countries. For example, the last outbreak of cholera in the United States was in 1911. However, cholera outbreaks continue to remain an epidemic in many underdeveloped countries including sub-Saharan Africa, India, Latin-America, Asia, and Middle East. These outbreaks are common in communities without adequate sanitation and crowded living.

The most common symptoms of cholera include diarrhea and vomiting, leading to dehydration. Urgent medical attention is needed in people suffering from cholera. If treatment is not started on time, it can even lead to death. Cholera can be easily treated, and death prevented with simple and inexpensive rehydration solution.

The main goal of treatment is the replacement of fluids and electrolytes lost through diarrhea and shorten the time of diarrhea and vomiting. The Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) has been formulated with the optimal water, salts and sugar content to meet part of this objective. If not adequately rehydrated close to fifty percent of the people with cholera will die. In severely dehydrated, intravenous rehydration would likely be needed.

In addition, studies have demonstrated that a single dose of azithromycin (a form of erythromycin antibiotics) given to adults or children with severe cholera can significantly reduce the symptoms and duration of diarrhea and vomiting. Also, oral zinc supplement has been demonstrated to reduce the duration of the diarrhea in children suffering from cholera. Overall, with adequate treatment, the morality or death from cholera is almost none existent.

Formal announcements have been made regarding the seriousness of cholera spread this year. It has been estimated that more than 1,300 people have been infected with this dangerous disease in Nigeria alone. In Cameroon, the estimate goes up to almost 2,000 cases with a couple of hundred deaths.

The healthcare sector in Nigeria and Africa are taking necessary steps to make drugs accessible to those infected. Moreover, campaigns are being run to sensitize the general public on what they can do to protect themselves and curb the spread of cholera and other water-borne diseases.

G. Stanley Okoye, M.D., Ph.D. , Chief Medical Correspondent, Africa Political and Economic Strategic Center (Afripol) and St. Jude Medical Missions ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).