Monsignor Joseph ATANGA was born on August 14, 1952 in Akok-Bekoe, his native village.
He studied at the Akono Minor Seminary and later entered the Society of Jesus where he became a Jesuit priest on July 11, 1987.
He will be in turn a professor at the Catholic University of Central Africa in Yaoundé.
Pope John Paul II will appoint him after the death of Mgr Jean Zoa, apostolic administration of the Archdiocese of Yaoundé, from where he will leave to become on June 22, 1999 bishop of Bafoussam to replace Mgr André WOUKING raised to the dignity of Archbishop of Yaoundé.
On December 3, 2009, he was appointed Archbishop of Bertoua by Pope Benedict XVI.