In her newly appointed role as Cameroon Ambassador for DearYou, award‑winning journalist and women’s health advocate Comfort Mussa popularly known as Commy Mussa steps into a mission that blends purpose, responsibility, and impact. In this interview with NewsWatch, she speaks on what the role means to her.
The ambassador also highlights the urgent need for accessible, multilingual, and stigma‑free health tools for women across the country—and why DearYou is poised to make a transformative difference. She insists that DearYou is a lifeline for women’s health in Cameroon. She spoke to Ndi Eugene Ndi. Read on…
Congratulations on your appointment. What does being named Cameroon Ambassador for DearYou mean to you personally and professionally?
It feels like stepping into a role that blends purpose with possibility. Personally, it’s meaningful because women’s health is not an abstract cause for me. It is something I have lived, witnessed, and actively fought for. Professionally, it offers an opportunity to use my voice and platform to champion a tool that can genuinely transform lives. DearYou is practical, accessible, and rooted in dignity. Being entrusted to promote it in Cameroon is both an honor and a responsibility I embrace wholeheartedly.
How did this opportunity with DearYou come about?
They followed my work around women’s issues, storytelling, and community engagement. When they reached out to me about this opportunity it aligned well. We share a clear, common vision: to make women’s health information accessible to every woman, regardless of language, literacy level, or where she lives. The alignment was natural.
What qualities or experiences do you think made you the right fit for this role?
I believe it’s the combination of advocacy, communication, and lived experience. My work in media has taught me how to break down complex issues into relatable stories, while my work with women’s groups has taught me how to listen deeply. DearYou needed someone who understands both the cultural nuances and the communication gaps around women’s health and that is a space I have operated in for years.
For those hearing about DearYou for the first time, what is the core mission of the initiative?
DearYou’s mission is simple yet powerful: to put essential women’s health tools directly into the hands of every woman. The DearYou app supports breast health, menstrual cycle tracking, and emotional wellbeing all delivered in a multilingual, low literacy friendly, and offline functional format. It’s health education without barriers.
What specific women’s health issues does DearYou focus on globally?
DearYou focuses on three key pillars: Breast cancer health including a guided breast self-exam coach and reminders. It also focuses on menstrual and cycle tracking to help women understand their bodies and patterns. Emotional wellbeing through mood tracking and supportive, culturally adaptable content. All materials are reviewed by experts and designed to meet women where they are. It is available on Google Play.
Why is women’s health awareness especially important in Cameroon right now?
Because too many women continue to navigate health challenges in silence. Breast cancer awareness remains low, menstrual health is wrapped in stigma, and emotional wellbeing is often dismissed. Combine this with limited access to reliable health information (particularly in rural areas) and the need becomes urgent. A free, multilingual, offline friendly tool like DearYou is not just helpful; it’s transformative.
What are your immediate priorities as Cameroon Ambassador?
My first priority is awareness ensuring women know the app exists and understand that it is free, safe, and designed with them in mind. Community engagement, bringing DearYou into real conversations everywhere.
Are there particular health challenges facing women in Cameroon that you plan to address first?
Breast health is a major focus. Early detection saves lives, yet many women either don’t know how to perform a self-exam or don’t feel confident doing it. Menstrual health education is another urgent priority; too many girls still start their periods with fear and misinformation. Emotional wellbeing also deserves more attention, as stress, trauma, and mental health struggles are often minimised or misunderstood.
With DearYou, we have a practical, stigma free way to address all three.
This interview was first published in NewsWatch newspaper No. 228 of Wednesday, March 4, 2026
