Léo Hosts Belated International Day of Persons with Disabilities Celebration
Léo – The International Day of Persons with Disabilities was commemorated on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, in Léo. This event, organized by the regional coordination of disabled people in the Center-West in partnership with the Sissili province and financially supported by the Catholic Organization for Development and Solidarity (OCADES), focused on inclusive humanitarian action in Burkina Faso.
The day’s theme was “Inclusive humanitarian action in Burkina Faso: what strategies and modes of action for adequate care of internally displaced people with disabilities?” The High Commissioner of the Sissili province, Tewendé Isaac Sia, chaired the event, with sponsorship from Lassané Ziba, CEO of Zil Télécom International.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the day featured several activities, including the creation of 23 disability card application files, discussions on inclusive education and the rights of disabled people, and medical examinations for disabled individuals aged 0 to 25.
The commemorative ceremony, held in the morning, was presided over by Baowindsida Bingo, the secretary general of the Sissili province, representing the high commissioner. Among the attendees were Michel Anouga, director of the “Sissilis” hotel representing the sponsor, Alice Valéa/Beloum representing OCADES Caritas, various directors and heads of services, and a significant number of people living with disabilities from across Sissili province.
The event included speeches and artistic performances. Abdoul Razack Napon, president of the provincial association of disabled people of Sissili, expressed gratitude to all contributors, paying special tribute to Lassané Ziba for his support and to the high commissioner, Tewendé Isaac Sia, for his guidance and encouragement.
Victorine Guissou, the regional coordinator of disabled people in the Center-West, emphasized the day’s goal of raising awareness about the humanitarian situation and advocating for the protection of the rights of people living with disabilities, especially in emergency situations. She also acknowledged OCADES-caritas for its support of vulnerable individuals.
Baowindsida Bingo, representing the high commissioner, highlighted the importance of the day’s theme, calling for a strict respect of the rights of people living with disabilities and a change in societal attitudes towards them.
Guissou concluded by expressing her appreciation for the regional coordination’s decision to hold the delayed commemoration of this international day in the province of Sissili.