Mount Akok Ndoue recently hosted a unique blend of adventure, healing, and grassroots diplomacy as Link Up Cameroon successfully concluded the second edition of its “Hike for Peace” initiative.
Convened by Jude Thaddeus Afumbom, a Youth Peace and Development Practitioner, the event brought together over 60 dynamic young people for a transformative experience. Far from a standard trekking expedition, the project was strategically structured around two core pillars, social empowerment and cultural expression, to reclaim spaces for unity, creativity, and active peacebuilding.
The social segment of the hike served as an open-air classroom dedicated to addressing critical community issues. Miss Ethel Lehdufe, Founder of the Holistic Queens Movement, led a profound session on living together, child protection, and civic responsibility.
Meanwhile, Dr. Welisane, Founder of the Welisane Foundation, engaged the youth on Gender-Based Violence – GBV, equipping participants to recognize abuse, adopt prevention methods, and practice responsible social media usage.
Facilitated by Afumbom, the cornerstone peacebuilding session immersed participants in conflict realities, incorporating nostalgic peace games to reignite communal bonds shared prior to current socio-political tensions.
Complementing these critical dialogues, the cultural pillar provided a creative space for emotional expression and connection. Youths engaged in conflict-transformation drama, role-playing, and collaborative mural painting, alongside vibrant circles of poetry, spoken word, and folktale sharing.
Traditional and contemporary dance sessions further broke down cultural barriers, allowing participants from diverse backgrounds to connect authentically while networking to pitch grassroots projects and form collaborative teams.
The success of the Mount Akok Ndoue expedition was championed by a robust coalition of civil society organizations dedicated to youth development. The initiative was organized in synergy with key partners including the Cameroon Youth Award, Welisane Foundation, Holistic Queen, Yali Sport Africa, TIC Foundation, and the Lion Institute. This collaborative framework ensured that participants received comprehensive mentorship across peacebuilding, leadership, and community advocacy.
Now in its second edition, the “Hike for Peace” initiative has directly impacted over 100 young people cumulatively. Jude Thaddeus Afumbom and the Link Up Cameroon team have announced ambitious plans to scale the initiative to major urban centers, including Yaoundé, Bamenda, Buea, and Douala.
By expanding its reach across regions, the organization aims to continuously empower local youth to lead sustainable peace initiatives from the ground up.
By bringing social dialogue to natural landscapes, Link Up Cameroon is demonstrating that peace is an active, living pursuit rather than a distant policy debate.
The initiative proves that addressing complex socio-political conflicts requires stepping out of traditional comfort zones and climbing new heights together. As the project expands across the country, it offers a tangible blueprint for youth-led peacebuilding, social cohesion, and community resilience in Cameroon.
