The Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts and Tourism, Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo chaired this Thursday, in Ouagadougou, the official ceremony for the handing over of computer equipment by UNESCO for the benefit media, especially local and community radio stations trained in handling conflict-sensitive information and promoting social cohesion.
"It gives me great pleasure to take part this morning in this official ceremony to hand over materials and equipment in support of the Burkinabè government in the context of media development and access to information," said declared the representative of the director of the multisectoral regional office of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for West Africa, Oumou Boly/Pafadanam.
Mrs. Boly, also Coordinator of the UNESCO antenna in Burkina Faso, specified that the gesture of her structure is composed, among other things, of 10 laptop computers, 10 dictaphones, 10 inverters, 5 office computers and 2 mixers estimated at 12 million 670 thousand F FCA.
She was speaking Thursday in Ouagadougou, during an official ceremony for the delivery of broadcasting materials for the benefit of nine local and community radio stations trained in 2021, in the processing of information, conflicts and the promotion of social cohesion. by UNESCO Dakar.
This training of media actors was possible thanks to the collaboration of the Inter-African Network for Women, Media and Development (FAMDEV).
The coordinator of the UNESCO antenna in Burkina Faso explained that since the beginning of the current decade, the Liptako-Gourma area has become one of the major centers of tension and violence in the Sahel, particularly the border areas. shared by Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.
According to Oumou Boly/Pafadanam, UNESCO and its partners are working through training, strengthening social cohesion and providing quality and accurate information to local populations.
"For UNESCO, its action in favor of youth is reflected in its operational strategy 2014-2021 and covers various themes, disciplines and various issues, ranging from education to culture, science and communication. “, she continued.
According to the Minister in charge of Communication, Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, the delivery of the audiovisual material is the result of a fruitful collaboration between the government of Burkina Faso and UNESCO.
Mr. Ouédraogo pointed out that this is in fact a joint regional support program for the implementation of cross-border cooperation activities in the Liptako-Gourma region.
He maintained that the said program is implemented by UNESCO with funding from the European Union (EU) through the Government of Sweden through the UNDP Multi-Party Trust Funds.
"This project, initiated in 2019, aims to strengthen the resilience of communities and human security in the face of environmental and climatic shocks, and the various conflicts in the Sahel", added the Minister.
The spokesperson for the beneficiaries, Ibrahim Lompo, said he was satisfied with UNESCO's gesture, which will enable them to contribute to the strengthening of peace and social cohesion in their respective localities.
Mr. Lompo reassured the donor that the material provided will be used wisely for the benefit of local populations.
It should be noted that within the framework of the promotion of peace and social cohesion, UNESCO supports the other community radio stations of Liptako-Gourma with audiovisual equipment.
Source: Burkina Information Agency