Tuesday, December 8, 2015: The Burkinabe Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources, Sanitation and Food Security, also President of the WSA Council of Ministers (PCM), Dr. François LOMPO, visited the institution staff. Encourage staff for the tremendous sacrifices made in the name of the institution recovery in this post-crisis period and inquire as to the progress in implementing the roadmap entrusted to the Provisional Administration, were on the agenda of this visit.
The meeting took place in an end of transition context. The two high-ranking leaders of the institution undertook an exchange session before meeting with the staff which provided the opportunity for the Provisional Administrator, Prof. Theophile GNAGNE, to give insights on actions undertaken in the frame of implementing the roadmap. Clearly, great efforts have been made in restoring WSA image which was somewhat tarnished by the last year crisis. These efforts are starting to bear fruits as the dialogue and collaboration with various partners has resumed and the institution is gradually federating sector actors around its sector development vision in line with newly adopted SDGs. The signature of several memoranda of understanding with major entities such as the African Union also evidences the repositioning of WSA on the African scene.
From left to right: Aly TRAORE, Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources, Sanitation and Food Security, Prof Theophile GNAGNE, Provisional Administrator of WSA, Dr. François LOMPO, Minister, and also President of the WSA Council of Ministers (PCM), and Dr. Joseph WETHE, Secretary General of WSA.
The Provisional Administrator has not failed to emphasize that these efforts have been productive thanks to the constant support and encouragement of the Minister LOMPO. For this is the reason he addressed particular thanks to the Minister for the support and advocacy he beared to his African peers in the name of WSA. Same words of thanks from the staff representative, Mrs. Assimaou DIALLO, who highlighted the PCM positive attitude toward all initiatives and steps undertaken to reassert WSA identity, legitimacy and authority.
From left to right: Prof. Theophile GNAGNE, Provisional Administrator of WSA, and Dr. François LOMPO, Minister, and also President of the WSA Council of Ministers (PCM).
In turn, Dr. LOMPO insisted "all the credit goes to WSA for the perseverance and sacrifices the staff has demonstrated" to put the institution back on-track. Recalling the high position in the African WASH sector WSA must return to, the Minister praised the tireless efforts of the whole team led by the Provisional Administrator. According to the PCM, WSA can rest assured of his full availability and that of the host country, Burkina Faso, to always support it in its efforts. The visit ended on a Minister who has taken the WSA matter head on and who gave pledges of hope to the entire staff which he invited to more selflessness and courage.
Other illustrative photos: The PCM meting all the staff and a family photo after his visit
Hubert OUEDRAOGO