Fada N'Gourma: A public conference was organized on Saturday, May 10, 2025, in Fada N'Gourma to encourage better supervision of the Day of Customs and Traditions (JCT). The initiative aimed to facilitate direct exchanges on the institution of the JCT and the culture of the Eastern region.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the Governor of the Eastern Region, Ram Joseph Kafando, stated that the conference was held as a precursor to the JCT celebration on May 15, 2025, with the goal of generating best practices. The event, themed "Day of Customs and Traditions: Celebrates culture and consolidates the secularism of the State," featured moderation by Dr. Parfait Ilboudo from the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Dr. Yendifimba Dieudonn© Louari from Nazi Boni University.
The speakers highlighted that by establishing the JCT celebration every May 15, the Burkinabe State aims to ensure equity in the treatment of citizens regarding their religious beliefs. They pointed out that the JCT seeks to provide a platform for followers of traditional religions to express their practices, promote indigenous cultural heritage, and foster unity among different religious communities to strengthen social cohesion.
Dr. Louari noted that certain aspects of the JCT institution have been misunderstood, leading to controversies during the initial celebration. To address these issues, the State decided to organize public conferences to communicate the intent behind the institution of the day and highlight local culture.
He suggested that beyond traditional worship practices, the JCT should include the promotion of local heritage, ensuring the day is both enjoyable and beneficial for the community. Participants appreciated the initiative, with Kambambor© Victor Onadja commending the conference's approach to addressing challenges from the first edition of the JCT.