OUAGADOUGOU — Burkina Faso’s government has dedicated a significant budget to enhance communication during crises and wars, as reported by the nation’s newspapers on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Sidwaya, a leading publication. The Council of Ministers, in its recent session, outlined substantial financial commitments toward this objective and announced the renaming of several public universities in homage to notable Burkinabè figures.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the Council of Ministers, during its Thursday session, earmarked 500 million F CFA for communication strategies in crisis and wartime contexts. Specifically, the plan includes allocating 100 million F CFA to enlist corporate communication agencies for crisis response initiatives and 400 million F CFA to develop war communication strategies. This financial strategy underscores the government’s prioritization of robust communication frameworks amid challenging times.
Further delving into educational reforms, Le Pays reported that the Council has approved a decree to rename public universities in Fada N’Gourma, Ouahigouya, and Dédougou after distinguished Burkinabè personalities. Consequently, these institutions will honor the legacies of Yembila Abdoulaye-Toguyeni, Lédéa-Bernard-Ouédraogo, and Daniel Ouézzin Coulibaly, reflecting a broader effort to embed national heritage within the academic landscape.
Simultaneously, Sidwaya, marking its 40th year, showcased its historical contributions to the Burkinabè media sphere. Celebratory coverage included reflections on the newspaper’s journey, its influence, and its commitment to journalistic integrity, featuring insights from Basile Laetare Guissou, the Minister of Information during 1986-1987, who chronicled the paper’s foundational years and its role in the nation’s media narrative.