Day: April 8, 2024

Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso – The Western Regional Directorate (DRO) of Editions Sidwaya commemorated the 40th anniversary of the daily Sidwaya with a vibrant ceremony on April 5, 2024, in Bobo-Dioulasso. The event featured a symbolic raising of the national colors, celebrating four decades since the newspaper’s inception on April 5, 1984, under the leadership of President Thomas Sankara and the National Council of the Revolution.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the Western Regional Director, the ceremony was not only a tribute to the newspaper’s founders but also an acknowledgment of the ongoing efforts and dedication of the current staff. Ouédraogo highlighted the importance of Sidwaya’s mission to provide reliable information and praised the team for their commitment to public service.

Sermé Sitta, head of the Finance and Accounting Department at the DRO and a long-standing employee since 1997, emphasized the commemoration as a meaningful gesture of loyalty and dedication. She encouraged readers to continue supporting Sidwaya, referring to it as “the newspaper of all Burkinabè people,” known for its trustworthy reporting.

Alassane Nombré, a distributor for Sidwaya newspapers since October 14, 1986, shared his journey with the publication, noting the significant growth and evolution of Sidwaya over the years. From its modest beginnings selling at 75 CFA francs per copy to the current price of 300 CFA francs, Nombré reflected on his entire career spent with the newspaper and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve its readership.

Sidwaya’s ruby jubilee in Bobo-Dioulasso serves as a testament to the newspaper’s enduring legacy and its role in Burkina Faso’s media landscape, celebrating a history of dedication to journalistic integrity and public service.

Ouahigouya, Burkina Faso – In a bid to promote civic engagement and patriotism, the governor of the Northern region, Issouf Ouédraogo, spearheaded a sanitation day at the still-functional former Regional Hospital Center (CHR) of Ouahigouya on April 6, 2024. This initiative was part of the National Days of Patriotic Commitment and Citizen Participation (JEPPC), a period dedicated to fostering a sense of national pride and active participation among citizens.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the event saw a wide-ranging participation from members of the special regional delegation, Ouahigouya town hall staff, the defense and security forces (FDS), and various civil society organizations. Armed with cleaning tools such as rakes, cutters, shovels, wheelbarrows, and machetes, volunteers convened at the hospital center located in sector no. 10 from 6 am, ready to engage in a day of cleaning and community service.

The JEPPC, which kicked off on March 26, is aimed at encouraging acts of patriotism and civic duty among the populace. “This strong mobilization shows that people attach a lot of importance to these days of patriotic commitment,” Issouf Ouédraogo remarked, noting the enthusiastic response from the community to the call for participation.

Botetessan Bonou, the president of the special delegation (PDS) of the commune of Ouahigouya, hailed the initiative as a significant step towards improving the community’s living environment, especially focusing on health centers. He further urged the population to continue engaging in acts that promote citizenship, tolerance, and cleanliness, emphasizing that such efforts are foundational to true development.

BOBO-DIOULASSO — In the bustling city of Bobo-Dioulasso, preparations for the 21st edition of the National Culture Week (SNC), a highly anticipated biennial cultural festival, are in full swing, with Minister of State, Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts and Tourism, Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, personally overseeing the progress. On Friday, April 5, 2024, Ouédraogo made a detailed inspection of the facilities set to host the event from April 27 to May 4, underscoring the government’s commitment to ensuring its success.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the inspection tour included several key venues in the town of Sya, such as the SNC headquarters, the National Institute for the Training of Teaching Personnel (INFPE), the Abel Sanou Center (CAS), and the Catholic Organization for Development and Solidarity (OCADES). These sites, apart from the SNC headquarters, will provide accommodation for the festival-goers, highlighting the significance of lodging as a critical aspect of the event’s organization.

Nearly 1,500 artists and troupes are expected to descend on Bobo-Dioulasso for this cultural showcase, with Ouédraogo expressing satisfaction with the preparations thus far. “Everywhere we went, we truly felt that the site managers took an interest and paid attention to the rooms that will accommodate the artists,” he stated, emphasizing the efforts to ensure a minimum standard of comfort for participants.

The minister reassured that the organizing committee is diligently working to finalize all arrangements before the arrival of the artists. He highlighted that within a week, the exhibition stands at the SNC site would be completed, reflecting the satisfactory pace of the ongoing work. “We are leaving reassured by this visit to the SNC headquarters and accommodation sites, reassuring ourselves that three weeks from now we are in the right rhythm to welcome festival-goers,” Ouédraogo remarked, noting that some additional work, such as sanitation, plumbing, and lighting, remains to be addressed.

The INFPE, designated to host the majority of the artists, was chosen for its proximity to the Maison de la culture, facilitating easy access for the participants. Christiane Sanon, the general director of the SNC, elaborated on the strategic choice of this venue to enable main actors to be closer to the event’s central activities. Additionally, the OCADES site will accommodate artists from the Malian and Ivorian diaspora, ensuring a diverse representation of cultural expressions.

With the final countdown underway, the enthusiasm for the 21st edition of the SNC in Bobo-Dioulasso is palpable, with organizers and government officials confident of providing a memorable experience for artists and attendees alike.

Ouahigouya, Burkina Faso – In a unifying move, the Federation of Islamic Associations of Burkina (FAIB), Northern section, held an interfaith iftar on April 4, 2024, in Ouahigouya, bringing together leaders from various religious communities to break the fast together during the Muslim month of Ramadan.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the primary aim of the gathering was to strengthen social bonds among different religious faiths and to pray for the restoration of peace in Burkina Faso.

Leaders including imams, priests, church pastors, and regional authorities shared a common meal and collectively prayed for peace to return to the nation. Sidi Moctar Maiga, the president of the FAIB’s Northern section, emphasized the iftar’s significance in bridging the gap between religions. “Together, we implored God the Almighty for peace to return to the land of the upright. And that it protects the authorities of the Transition as well as the fighting forces in missions to reconquer the territory,” Maiga stated.

The initiative was also warmly received by Issouf Ouédraogo, the governor of the region, who recognized the importance of such events in fostering social cohesion and unity. He praised the leaders’ collective efforts to seek divine assistance and highlighted the positive impact of interfaith harmony on society.

The event, held at the FAIB headquarters in Ouahigouya’s sector no. 5, was marked by a spirit of camaraderie and mutual respect. It underscored the community’s ongoing commitment to promoting peace and living together harmoniously, reflecting the collective desire for a peaceful future for all citizens of the region.

OUAHIGOUYA — In a significant administrative change within the agricultural sector, Oumar Ouédraogo was officially inaugurated as the new provincial director of agriculture, animal, and fisheries resources in Yatenga on Thursday, April 4, 2024. The ceremony, led by the High Commissioner of the Yatenga province, Tasséré Nacoulma, marked the beginning of Ouédraogo’s tenure in the vital role that oversees agricultural activities in the region.

According to Burkina Information Agency, 2024, Ouédraogo, a seasoned livestock advisor, steps into the position previously held by Oumarou Gnodogo, who directed the provincial department for nearly 11 months. The change in leadership is poised to bring renewed focus and energy to the province’s agriculture, animal husbandry, and fisheries sectors.

Expressing his dedication to his new role, Ouédraogo underscored his commitment to the advancement of agriculture and related fields within Yatenga. He acknowledged the importance of collaborative efforts and called for the support of his colleagues to achieve the goals set before him. “I am committed to doing everything possible to meet your expectations. But I would not be able to achieve the expected results without the support of my colleagues. For this, I remain open to all and I ask for your support for the success of the mission,” he stated during his inauguration.

The outgoing provincial director, Oumarou Gnodogo, reflected on his tenure with satisfaction, attributing the successes achieved to the collective efforts of his team. As he transitions to other responsibilities, Gnodogo encouraged his former colleagues to extend the same level of support to his successor, Ouédraogo, to ensure the continued progress of the department.

The High Commissioner of the Yatenga province, Tasséré Nacoulma, while praising the outgoing director for his contributions, emphasized the importance of immediate action from the new director amidst the challenging security context that the region faces. The transition of leadership is seen as a crucial step towards addressing the agricultural challenges and opportunities in Yatenga, with the community eagerly awaiting the new director’s impact on the sector.