Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso – In Burkina Faso, the escalating insecurity has led to the closure of around thirty parishes, highlighting the severe implications of the ongoing security crisis on religious and community life. Concurrently, the country is gearing up for significant reforms in the communication and media sector, as announced in recent statements by government and industry officials.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the developments were made public following a meeting between the Head of State, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, and the advisory board of the Superior Council of Communication (CSC), led by its president, Idrissa Ouédraogo. This meeting underscored the government’s commitment to addressing both the security challenges and the need for modernization within the communication sector.
The private daily Le Pays highlighted that the new legislation has expanded the responsibilities of the CSC, necessitating a comprehensive overhaul of the institution to better fulfill its expanded role. Idrissa Ouédraogo emphasized the importance of initiating these reforms with a general assembly of communication and media stakeholders. He advocated for an inclusive approach to identify and collaboratively overcome obstacles, ensuring a unified and effective strategy for advancing the sector.
Meanwhile, L’Observateur Paalga reported on the dire consequences of insecurity, particularly its impact on religious communities. The newspaper revealed that the Burkina-Niger Episcopal Conference (CBN) disclosed, during its second ordinary assembly of 2024, that about thirty parishes have been forced to close or remain inaccessible due to the prevailing insecurity. Despite commendable efforts by the Security and Defense Forces (FDS) and Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP), the situation has had a profound effect on the ecclesiastical life in the affected regions.
These developments come at a critical time for Burkina Faso, as the country grapples with a multifaceted crisis encompassing security, social, and economic dimensions. The government’s initiative to modernize the communication sector is seen as a step towards enhancing national cohesion and resilience against the backdrop of these challenges.
BOBO-DIOULASSO – The Youth Association for the Promotion of Entrepreneurship, Culture and Mutual Aid (AJPECE) held its inaugural charity gala on Saturday, February 17, 2024, in Bobo-Dioulasso, to celebrate and encourage solidarity and innovation among young entrepreneurs. The event attracted a diverse group of individuals from the realms of business, culture, and civil society, all gathered to support the entrepreneurial spirit and cooperative initiatives of the youth.
According to Burkina Information Agency, president of AJPECE, the gala served as a sparkling evening filled with generosity and enthusiasm, marking the association’s first annual charity event. It provided a valuable opportunity for young entrepreneurs to showcase and discuss their innovative projects in front of an engaged audience, illustrating the creativity and energy that defines the new generation of business leaders.
The event underscored the vital importance of entrepreneurship in driving economic and social development, as well as the role of solidarity in fostering a fairer and more inclusive society. Speeches throughout the evening emphasized these themes, highlighting the significant achievements of young entrepreneurs and the benevolent activities of the association.
Gansonré described the gala as a networking and opportunity event aimed at enabling participants to collaborate, integrate their projects, and explore potential partnerships. Ignace Koné, a participant and promoter of a business school, praised the networking aspect of the evening, noting it as a crucial initiative for entrepreneurs seeking to expand their contacts and forge new relationships in the business world. “An entrepreneur looking to progress must have a well-stocked contact list, which is why I am here this evening to build relationships,” Koné remarked, highlighting the significance of networking in entrepreneurial success.
The charity gala by AJPECE in Bobo-Dioulasso represents a significant step toward nurturing a community of young entrepreneurs who are committed to mutual aid and innovation, setting a precedent for future initiatives that aim to support and promote entrepreneurship among the youth.