The NGO NDI (National Democratic Institute) organized a community day under the theme “Live, Act and Build together”, on June 14 and 15, 2024 in the commune of Toécé, in the Center-South. The official ceremony took place on Saturday June 15, 2024.
In a context marked by insecurity, and where speeches can jeopardize living together, the NDI (National Democratic Institute) initiated a community day under the theme “Living, Acting and Building together”. For a first in the town of Toécé, this day, according to the organizers, aims to contribute to the promotion of interculturality to strengthen living together and social cohesion.
According to the NDI Burkina program manager, Abdoulaye Koné, this activity is part of a program called “Democracy gniè sira”, which means “the path to democratic success” in Bambara or Dioula.
“Burkina Faso is in a context of resilience at the national level. It is within this framework that we deemed it useful to create the conditions for religious, customary and professional communities to come together to say together, with one voice, that there are things that bring them together. It is on these things that we must work and always continue to make Burkina Faso a country of cohesion, understanding, peace,” he explained.
- “This day meets the expectations of the communities,” said Abdoulaye Koné of NDI Burkina.
Promoting the religious tolerance of yesteryear
According to the High Commissioner, Téné Justine Kientega, this theme concerns everyone. At the same time, she invited the nationals of the Bazèga province to be peacemakers, “because without peace, we cannot meet the challenge that faces us.”
Several traditional and religious leaders participated in this day. Through prayers and messages, they insisted on living together and social cohesion.
The Naaba Saga, chief of Toécé canton, urged the audience to take the good example of religious tolerance of yesteryear.
- The High Commissioner, Téné Justine Kientega, called on the population to return to their roots.
“There must never be a fight”
Clément Zongo, a native of Toécé, is positively affected by this communities day. “It’s a great day, a day of thanks for the population of Toécé who are experiencing this first community day. It is a great example which allows communities to fraternize, to discover each other and to learn the gestures, the words and the message of peace,” he confided.
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- A view of customary and religious leaders during the ceremony.
Coming from the griot caste, Clément Zongo was delighted with the joking kinship that was demonstrated during this community day. “Between joking parents, there should never be a fight, whatever the problem,” he insisted.
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- “This day is welcome,” said Clément Zongo.
An example to copy
Officials visited exhibition stands for this communities day which began on Friday June 14, 2014 with a sanitation action.
Speeches, artistic performances and a forum theater on living together punctuated the official ceremony of this communities day. The “rakiré” (joking relationship) kept the population of Toécé in suspense, who came out for the occasion.
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- A sketch on living together and social cohesion delivered to the audience.
This program is funded by the Swedish Embassy, through the Swedish International Development Agency, which has supported NDI since 2004.
According to Abdoulaye Koné, this program is implemented in twelve municipalities spread across the entire Burkinabe territory to benefit from this community day. He invited Burkina Faso’s other partners to promote this type of initiative to promote living together and social cohesion.
Cryspin Laoundiki
Lefaso.net
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