Colette Wokam, originally from Baham in the Western region of Cameroon, has been elected as the 6th deputy mayor of Gisors, a town in Normandy with approximately 12,000 residents. This election marks her as the fourth person of Bamiléké origin to hold a municipal mandate in France.
"I have been a Gisorsian at heart for 12 years," Colette Wokam stated. This election is a source of pride for the Cameroonian community in France and may signify the emergence of a generation of Cameroonians making a lasting impact on French politics.
Colette Wokam, who became a French citizen through naturalization, settled in Gisors 12 years ago. She built her credibility by working on the ground before joining the municipal team. She is known for her empathy towards vulnerable individuals and her commitment to children. Her colleagues describe her as "a hard worker who does things thoroughly".
Her responsibilities within the municipality include inclusion, solidarity, and social support, areas she has chosen herself. "This commitment was an opportunity for me to give back to France a small part of what it has offered us," she declared after her election.
Colette Wokam's election highlights a discreet but real trend: the successful integration of citizens of Cameroonian origin into French political life. More and more are engaging in the life of their community, demonstrating a desire to integrate permanently into French society.
Baham, Colette Wokam's home village, is renowned for its economic and cultural dynamism. This election is seen there as a collective source of pride. For the Cameroonian diaspora in France, Colette Wokam's journey is an example of possible success through local and long-term investment.
This silent but steady progression illustrates the civic engagement of naturalized Cameroonians who have chosen to invest in their adopted community over the long term. This election sends a clear message: political success is possible, provided one invests locally and with determination.
