OUAGADOUGOU – In a significant move to enhance transparency and governance, the Council of Ministers in Burkina Faso, led by the President of the Transition and Head of State, Captain Ibrahim Traore, convened on Wednesday to deliberate on multiple pivotal matters. Among the key decisions made was the adoption of a new decree aimed at improving the management of the Patriotic Support Fund (FSP), as announced by Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo, the Minister of State and Government Spokesperson.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the Minister Delegate in charge of the Budget, the revised decree introduces substantial changes to the framework governing the FSP. Notably, the decree for the first time includes the FSP in the state budget for the fiscal year 2024, establishing a special allocation account. This account designates the Minister of Finance as the authorizing officer for revenues and the commander of the Brigade of Monitoring and Patriotic Defense (BVDP) as the authorizing officer for expenditures.
Further innovations highlighted by the Minister Delegate include the integration of recommendations from control institutions like the general inspectorate of the armed forces. These institutions are now empowered to conduct audits at the FSP level, reinforcing the fund’s accountability and oversight mechanisms.
These measures, as detailed by the government, are geared towards bolstering transparency in the management of the FSP’s resources, thereby ensuring public confidence in the administration’s handling of the fund. The Council of Ministers also examined other draft decrees under the Ministry of the Economy, Finance, and Foresight, including those pertaining to the management of fund deposit accounts at the Public Treasury and the application of a preferential regime on capital gains revaluation of balance sheets.
In addition to fiscal management reforms, the Council addressed issues related to energy security and mining sector governance. It adopted a report on the management of the mine rehabilitation and closure fund and deliberated on asset transfer requests from state mining companies. An oral communication proposing measures to secure the electrical energy supply to Burkina Faso was also discussed, reflecting the government’s comprehensive approach to national development and stability.
OUAGADOUGOU – The beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday and the recent triumph of the Ivorian national football team at the CAN 2023 have captured the attention of Burkina Faso’s media this Wednesday. The private daily Le Pays highlighted the significance of Lent as a journey towards forgiveness, as explained by Father Paul Dah, the communications officer of the Burkina-Niger episcopal conference.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Father Dah described Lent as a path led by God’s spirit towards the Easter of Jesus, emphasizing prayer and sharing as the means to achieve forgiveness, joy, and life. Additionally, the Observer Paalga published a poem by Abbot Justin Zangré, calling for radical conversion during this Lenten season.
In sports news, L’Observateur Paalga celebrated the Ivory Coast national football team’s victory at the 34th African Cup of Nations (CAN 2023), noting the generous rewards bestowed upon the team. According to reports, the players, technical staff, and the Ivorian football federation (FIF) received significant cash prizes and other rewards, including villas for key players like Max Alain Gradel, to honor their performance. The private daily Le Pays emphasized that this victory should act as a catalyst for strengthening national unity.