Rédaction Africa Links 24 with BZ2 Africa Links 24
Published on 2024-04-12 13:17:39
Patriotic engagement and citizenship: Annihilating the ugly face of Burkinabè (Feature story)
Burkina Faso organized the National Days of Patriotic Engagement and Citizen Participation (JEPPC) from March 26 to April 9, 2024. The initiative aimed at raising awareness about sanitation, reforestation, discipline, as well as supporting the combat forces. At the end of the fortnight on Tuesday, Prime Minister Apollinaire Joachimson Kyélem de Tambe declared that the outcome was positive, meaning the expected results were achieved.
This initiative by the Transition authorities, a first of its kind, received approval from the citizens. They demonstrated their support through activities like raising flags, wearing traditional Burkinabè attire, consuming local food, among others during these two weeks. Alongside the fortnight, individual Burkinabè or associations engaged in citizen acts. For example, the national collective for rebuilding donated three tons of food to the women of the Green Brigade before Ramadan to enable them to celebrate.
It is important to note that many Burkinabè had already adopted these beneficial behaviors before the National Days of Patriotic Engagement and Citizen Participation and they will continue their generosity even after the fortnight ends.
Nevertheless, during the JEPPC, the national news showed that some Burkinabè (fortunately a minority) are capable of malicious acts. For instance, a merchant in Bobo-Dioulasso was caught selling stones disguised as cereals for human consumption. He and his associates were arrested by the Regional Judicial Police Service of Hauts-Bassins on April 3, 2024.
While promoting good behavior, this hideous side of the Burkinabè must be fought and eradicated. The Transition authorities are working to encourage positive examples and inspire others. The national coordinator of presidential initiatives regularly conducts field visits in Ouagadougou and other cities to highlight development initiatives by the locals and commend them.
It is heartening to see patriotic gestures from adolescents and children. For instance, in Tenkodogo, twin children saved their school snack money to contribute to the combat forces. Similarly, two students in 5th grade at the MonSeigneur André Dupont complex in Ouagadougou donated all their proceeds from selling candies in March to the Patriotic Support Fund (FSP).
With such behaviors from young children, it is certain that the future of patriotic engagement and citizen participation is secure. The focus now should be on continuing awareness and governance through leading by example.
Agency of Information of Burkina
Feature story by Alban KINI
Read the original article(French) on Agence d’Information du Burkina
