🇧🇫Burkina FasoWest Africa
Dédougou canton chief supports girls' education, stating educated girls contribute more to their families
via Lefaso.net2 min read
On Saturday, April 18, 2026, a delegation of students met with the canton chief of Dédougou to advocate for girls' education, coinciding with the launch of a communication campaign for girls' schooling in the Boucle du Mouhoun and Centre-Nord regions. Fatima Bambara, a student in her first year of high school, and her classmates presented concerning statistics: over four out of ten girls in the country do not complete primary school, and in some areas, one in two girls is married before 18. Out of 100 girls entering primary school, only 34 reach the ninth grade, and barely 15 make it to the final year of high school. The students, accompanied by teams from the Women's Empowerment and Demographic Dividend in Sub-Saharan Africa SWEED+ project and officials from the Union of Religious and Customary Leaders of Burkina for Health Promotion and Development URCB/SD, called for increased awareness campaigns, encouragement for families to send their daughters to school, and support to keep them enrolled until completion. They pledged to respect teachers, supervisors, and parents, and to contribute to the collective effort. The canton chief of Dédougou found their plea courageous and meaningful, expressing his commitment to mobilizing his community for this cause. He believes that "a successful girl brings more to her nuclear family than a man." Moussa Bambara, executive director of URCB/SD, highlighted the crucial role of traditional and religious authorities in promoting behavioral c
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UBA Burkina celebrated Africa Day on May 25, 2026, at its Ouagadougou headquarters with cultural and festive activities. The event, themed "Celebrating Africans, Empowering Africans," aimed to promote African unity, celebrate diversity, and strengthen the sense of belonging among staff and clients. Activities included traditional music performances, traditional attire contests, local food tasting, and interactive quizzes for clients. UBA, present in 20 African countries, used the occasion to highlight the continent's cultural richness and reiterate its ambition to expand its presence further to contribute to economic development and regional integration. Madame Rasmata Djibo, Managing Director of UBA Burkina, emphasized the celebration as a moment of communion and unity, thanking staff for their dedication. Mr. Serge Coulibaly, Executive Director of the bank, stated that African integration is central to UBA's vision. Madame Diah Dossou, Head of Customer Experience, highlighted that the event reminded clients that UBA is an African institution for Africans, demonstrating proximity and commitment. UBA Burkina is a customer-centric, digital, and integrated bank serving individuals, SMEs, commercial companies, large enterprises, multinationals, governments, parastatals, and financial institutions, with 26 branches and 450 employees.
Must ReadThe National Armed Forces of Burkina Faso have paid a final tribute to Major General Honoré Nabéré Traoré, who passed away on May 25, 2026. In a Facebook post, the General Staff of the Armed Forces EMGA honored the memory of an officer who dedicated his life to the nation. Major General Traoré, who served as Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces from April 2011 to September 2014, left a significant mark on the history of the National Armed Forces through his strong sense of duty, rigor, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to the homeland. His leadership and vision were notable during his command. He is remembered as a man devoted to the core values of the military institution, always concerned with the well-being of his subordinates, and a man of honor who demonstrated courage and responsibility during pivotal moments in Burkina Faso's history. The EMGA stated that his career will continue to inspire present and future generations, especially the officers of the 18th graduating class of the Georges Namoano Military Academy.
Dr. SOME/DAO Madjelia Cangré Ebou, Research Director at CNRST/INERA in Ouagadougou, highlights the critical role of insect biodiversity in agroecosystems and food security in the Sahel, coinciding with the International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22, 2026. Insects, comprising 75% of the animal kingdom, are essential for pollinating crops, regulating pests, fertilizing soils, and maintaining ecosystem balance. Research in Burkina Faso on Moringa oleifera and Piliostigma reticulatum demonstrates that insect biodiversity is fundamental to survival. These two multi-purpose woody species are vital for maintaining entomological diversity and ecological function in Sahelian agroecosystems. Piliostigma reticulatum supports 30 insect families across 10 orders, serving as a habitat, food source, and breeding ground for pollinators, agricultural auxiliaries, and organic matter recyclers. Its long flowering period ensures continuous nectar and pollen availability. Similarly, Moringa oleifera flowers provide significant nectar for pollinators like bees, hoverflies, and butterflies, also hosting diverse useful insects and phytophagous species. These species act as "biological crossroads" for Sahelian entomofauna, supporting a diverse network of insects crucial for ecological balance and agricultural sustainability. The disappearance of even one link in this chain can lead to cascading ecological imbalances, affecting agricultural productivity, climate resilience, and food security
Lieutenant-Colonel Pélagie Kaboré, Minister in charge of Solidarity, launched the digital platform Deme Sira on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in Ouagadougou. The platform is designed to effectively implement the government's social protection and action policy, addressing new vulnerabilities created by sociopolitical challenges and crises. Deme Sira aims to provide rapid support to vulnerable individuals across Burkina Faso, allowing anyone with a phone to submit a request for themselves or others. Key innovations include enhanced traceability, transparency, and security in resource collection and utilization. The platform will coordinate actions among social actors and report on resource use, ensuring contributors know their donations directly help specific individuals. While not replacing existing individual solidarity efforts, Deme Sira will complement and coordinate them, bringing greater rigor and transparency. All non-contributory social protection structures within the ministry are integrated into the platform to efficiently manage cases. For specific interventions, a dedicated fund is opened, allowing contributors to track its progress and verify the use of funds. In urgent social cases, the Ministry can draw on the national social assistance and solidarity fund. To address the challenge of illiteracy, the platform currently allows literate individuals to submit requests on behalf of others, with future plans to integrate voice commands and artificial intelligence in nationa