OUR STORY

In the charged year of 2021, a fracture cracked the foundation of what had once been a unified Manyu Women’s Association- MOHWA USA Inc.

From a collective of 478 members, a resolute cadre of 17 women walked away, patchily spread across the USA, - not quietly, not defeated, but with unshakable purpose to detach from unfounded allegations that continue to haunt, taunt and rip apart the fabric of the USA Manyu female community.

All efforts at a peaceful resolution of then internal National Exco differences by the parent Chapter, MOHWA Cameroon, were aborted by the Texas-based “Founding Mothers.”

Following the silent internal dismissal by 6 (out of a 21-man National Exco cabinet), of 3 senior elected National Officers (Nat President, Nat Secretary and Nat Protocol Officer), the oldest and most venerated National Adviser usurped power. She was convening National meetings amidst countless letters pleading for the sage to use her motherly wisdom to calm the storm, put back needed peace and “put her house in order!” A seed was sown- of scandal, slander, allegations of financial misappropriations, which has continued to bear fruit in those quarters. She had the power!

After much turbulence, on Sept. 12, 2021, she convened a Gen Assembly meeting attended by 300+ members. It was the last straw- America was waiting- she was in control and shunned the decision-making power of the same Gen. Assembly that had elected the three Officers into their respective positions 2 years earlier (Dallas, August 2019).

The following day, Sept. 13, 2021, she convened an exclusive extraordinary National Exco meeting. On Sept 14th, 2021, she installed her leader of choice. The move-away 17 who are Ma Ayuk Bakia-Parker, Ma Bridget Tanyi Tabe-Agbor, Ma Elza M’Agbor Etchu, Ma Joan Achere Bakia-Eno, Ma Pamela Tanyitiku-Assam, Ma Vannessa Davis, Ma Gladys Tataw, Ma Besong Ako-Ebot Ebot, Ma Nkongho Bakia Besong, Ma Irene Ashu Agbortabi, Ma Gladys Ako-Ebot Arrey, Ma Rebecca Akonjang, Ma Ayamba Tanyi Arrey, Ma Annette Tabe, Ma Jennet Nfonoyim and Ma Catherine Enongene stayed resolutely unified to their founding Chapter, MOHWA Cameroon.

All their financial contributions to MOHWA USA Inc. were forfeited. Some of these 17 women were unanimously appointed and others volunteered into positions that became the national executive body, headed by Ma Pamela Tanyitiku-Assam as their national president. Several positions remained vacant and were slowly filled as the group grew. The 17 left with nothing.

Cameroon’s place as MOHWA founder was rather threatened by the inevitable reckless bluff, youthful exuberance and exaggerated arrogance that emanate from money and number. Amidst rumors of plans for legal ownership in the US, the 17 had to move fast. With private pocket funds, they paid attorney fees and legal processes, through years of accusations, mockery, insults and provocations, to have MOHWA (GLOBALLY) branded as a registered trademark in the USA, Cameroon and several other countries (OAPI and USPTO) but choose to give back the protective patent rights to the true founders/ Mother Chapter in Cameroon. What many predicted would be their end was, in truth, a powerful beginning. Though few, these women did not splinter; they seized their independence. Their split was born of chaos, but brought clarity about values, leadership type and a future unshackled by stagnation.

Against all odds, and under the weight of doubt from those who underestimated them, these few women, all with heart-to-pocket freewill donations, launched and registered something both formidable and visionary: a new independent, MOHWA USA NFP Inc. (Oct 1, 2021, in Chicago, Illinois) defined by a commitment to service, empowerment, and sisterhood. They didn’t just survive, they thrived. What started as a single fragile stem, born from resolve and righteous discontent, has since blossomed into a powerful network of 11 branches across the United States.

The road was far from smooth. Establishing new branches in diverse states requires relentless drive. Rebuilding trust in Manyu communities and among new members demanded teamwork of the highest caliber. And ensuring fiscal responsibility in a sector that often struggles with sustainability!! That took grit and strategic brilliance.

Today, this Association stands not as a mere successor to what was lost in the split, but as something greater: a reimagined model of resilience, strength, love and unity. Demographically, they are flourishing, drawing in new generations of revolutionary women who choose peace and purpose over power. Financially, they are solid—an enviable position for any nonprofit. Their ledgers are clean, their growth is measurable, and their mission remains undiluted- from where new-name Associations have benefited through the umbilical cord that once connected them to the mother, MOHWA Cameroon!

MOHWA USA NFP Inc. is proof that from division can come direction. From rupture, renewal. And from 17 heads, hearts, hands and voices, a chorus that has now reached thousands—women bound not by convenience, but by history, shared conviction and relentless will.

This is not a footnote in the history of MOHWA in America. This is a chapter all on its own. “MOHWA is “WATER GO LEAVE STONE ”, as Moh-senen Etando Moh Manyu says.

Ma'  Achere Bakia-Eno
Secretary General, MOHWA USA NFP Inc.