Manga, Burkina Faso — The “Lands of Opportunity in the Sahel” (LOGMe) project convened its national annual review meeting on Thursday to discuss the project’s implementation during 2023 and strategize for future interventions.
According to a new release by Burkina Information Agency, the focal point of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Burkina Faso and representative of the Permanent Secretariat of the National Council for Sustainable Development (SP-CNDD), the review team discussed performance evaluations and final adjustments to maximize benefits for local communities.
Mr. Tagnabou spoke during the meeting, which brought together an array of stakeholders including representatives from beneficiary municipalities, civil society organizations, and other related projects and programs. The goal was to evaluate the project’s performance in the local intervention areas and to adjust plans for the remaining duration of the project. The project is in its third year of implementation and has received positive feedback from participants for its contributions to local communities.
Aimé Gué, the prefect and president of the special delegation of the commune of Tiébélé, noted several accomplishments, such as the construction of storage facilities and the development of irrigated areas that have positively impacted farmers and the local economy. Martine Koutiangba, representative of the Gnoanitoua-miel beekeeping cooperative in Tiébélé, also acknowledged the training and material support provided by the LOGMe project.
Looking ahead, Salam Marané, the prefect and president of the special delegation of the commune of Ziou, expressed hopes that the project would extend its support to more beneficiaries in his area while consolidating its achievements. Ms. Koutiangba shared similar sentiments, advocating for the project’s expansion to benefit more communities, particularly women.
According to Mr. Tagnabou, the recommendations that will be generated at the end of this annual review will form the basis for planning and future action. He also revealed plans for a second phase of the project, which would incorporate the actions identified in this review.
The LOGMe project operates in two regions of Burkina Faso—the South-Central and East-Central regions—with financial backing from the Italian Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security through the Global Mechanism (MM) of the UNCCD. The project aims to make a “significant and lasting contribution to the restoration of landscapes in the Sahel while creating income-generating opportunities for local communities,” as stated in the meeting’s terms of reference. Initially slated for three years starting in 2021, the project has been extended until April 2024.