By Elise Kenimbeni
Yaoundé, Cameroon — In a highly anticipated press conference held on August 12, 2026, in Yaoundé, François Désiré Ekouma Ananga, the promoter of the popular local balm Bome François, firmly contested recent reports claiming his product is unfit for human consumption.
Facing a room packed with media practitioners, the Chief Executive Officer of François Santé SARL launched a vigorous defense against what he termed "false allegations" and a coordinated media smear campaign designed to destabilize a success story of the Cameroonian traditional pharmacopeia.
Countering the "Unfit" Verdict
The media firestorm erupted after leaked information suggested that the National Laboratory for Drug Quality Control and Expertise (LANACOME) had formally rejected the formulation.
During the press conference, Mr. François directly countered these claims by emphasizing three key points:
Denial of an Absolute Rejection: He strongly refuted rumors of a permanent ban, stating that the product has not been definitively rejected.
An Active Partnership: He reminded reporters that François Santé SARL has been bound to LANACOME by a formal collaboration convention since November 2025 specifically to guarantee quality standards.
Ongoing Standardization: He framed current scientific evaluations as part of a cooperative; long-term upgrading process aimed at aligning the local balm with international health regulations.
Disowning Viral Social Media Forgeries
A major focal point of the press conference was the ongoing proliferation of false health claims circulating online. Over the past week, viral networks on WhatsApp and Facebook displayed fraudulent German medical certificates falsely asserting that Bome François could cure cancer.
Mr. François used the media platform to strictly distance his company from these fabrications, attributing the unauthorized, escalated claims to informal, rogue distributors eager to boost black-market sales.
"We have chosen not to consider these constraints as a criticism, but as an opportunity to progress." Mr. François stated.
"One of the first steps was the training of our personnel. With the support of LANACOME, our teams have been trained in good hygiene practices, good production practices, the HACCP approach, the standard operating procedures method, and traceability."
The Socio-Economic Stakes
The briefing highlighted the intense tension between rigid biochemical standards and the healthcare realities of millions of citizens.
For lower-income families throughout Cameroon, Bome François remains a staple, low-cost solution for everyday pain relief.
By standing his ground, Mr. François sought to reassure an anxious consumer base that the product remains safe and will continue to operate within legal frameworks while factory and laboratory upgrades proceed.
He ended up his address by reaffirming his company's deep commitment to producing high-quality products for Cameroonians and consumers across other African countries.
"Our message to all our consumers is simple: transparency takes quality seriously," Mr. Ekouma Ananga said.
"We want Cameroonian-made products to inspire confidence through a structured approach to improving quality, hygiene, health security, and traceability. 'Made in Cameroon' must not be just a slogan. It must be associated with quality, rigor, traceability, and responsibility. We want Cameroonian-made products to be looked at with confidence, pride, and high regard across the entire world." He concluded.
