Kourweogo: The population is made aware of HIV/AIDS and STIs through a forum theatre. As a prelude to World AIDS Day, the Kourweogo Theatre Company (CTK) hosted a theatre-forum on Thursday, November 27, 2025, in Bousse, dedicated to prevention, screening, and treatment monitoring for people living with HIV.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the activity was financed by the mining company Nordgold and raised awareness among the populations of the mining communities of Bousse, Toeghin, and Niou about the high risks of STI spread linked to the socio-economic conditions around the gold mining sites. A competition on knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases allowed participants to leave with gadgets.

For this first outing, the Company set up in the market square of "Zougou daaga". The troupe staged situations inspired by everyday life, focusing on intense mobility, unprotected casual relationships, and false beliefs about diseases, all realities that promote the spread of sexually transmitted infections in these areas of intense mining activity. The play entitled "One minute of pleasure and a life of suffering" sparked exchanges, proposals, and debates around the need for a change in behavior.

Highlighting the importance of this awareness-raising activity, the High Commissioner of the Kourweogo province, Mahamadi Congo, indicated that mining sites attract an almost permanent influx of workers, traders, and young people looking for employment, creating an environment conducive to unprotected sexual relations. "In addition to this, there is persistent stigmatization and low attendance at screening centers, hindering early detection and access to treatment," he said.

For the director of the Kourweogo Theatre Company, commonly known as "Mr. Noaga," forum theatre remains an effective tool for reaching rural communities. "Our messages resonate better when people recognize themselves in what they see," he said. "The goal is for them to become aware of the risks and to take ownership of the screening services," explained the director.

The person in charge of communication with communities, Franck Ouedraogo, explained that supporting this initiative is part of his social responsibility policy. Nord Gold Niou SA, according to its spokesperson, considers the fight against HIV/AIDS a major issue in mining areas, where demographic pressure and economic activities promote the vulnerability of at-risk groups.

Participants welcomed the activity and called for this type of awareness-raising to be multiplied in villages and at gold mining sites, in order to encourage voluntary testing and reduce HIV transmission in the communes of Bousse, Toeghin, and Niou.