Mombasa, Kenya – In a significant milestone for Africa’s food security and nutrition, Dr. Barrister Ateh Thomson Pepeah of RADA has been elected Secretary General of the Pan African Legal Network on Food and Nutrition PALNEF. This development is a major win for the continent, marking a turning point in its struggle against expired and toxic food products dumped by Western industries.
For years, Africa has been exploited by unscrupulous food manufacturers, taking advantage of weak institutions, poor regulations, and corrupt officials. The PALNEF, headquartered in Arusha, Tanzania, aims to change this narrative. As a continental network of lawyers, researchers, and professionals, PALNEF advocates for Africans’ right to healthy and nutritious food, promoting evidence-based research and result-driven advocacy.
Dr. Ateh’s appointment to the PALNEF Governing Council puts Cameroon and the Central African Region at the forefront of this fight. His expertise in health economics, medical law, and human rights will be invaluable in leading public interest litigations against big food industry actors.
Dr./Barrister Ateh Thomson Pepeah
A renowned lawyer and multidisciplinary academic, Dr. Ateh has extensive experience in litigating and lecturing on law and economics. He has championed the fight against non-communicable diseases, NCDs, in Cameroon, leading research and policy initiatives, including drafting the country’s first legislation on front-of-package warning labels for unhealthy food products.
Dr. Ateh’s uncompromising leadership and commitment to advancing human dignity have earned him recognition across the continent. His election as PALNEF Secretary General is a testament to Africa’s determination to reclaim its food sovereignty.
“This victory marks a new era in Africa’s fight against ultra-processed food industries,” said a PALNEF spokesperson. “With Dr. Ateh at the helm, we are confident that Africans will have a stronger voice in advocating for healthy and nutritious food.”
