Ouagadougou: The Employers' Association of the Kadiogo region carried out on Thursday, December 4, the relocation of the Paspanga market (a district of Ouagadougou) part of which was ravaged by flames on Sunday.

According to Burkina Information Agency, a large delegation from the Kadiogo Employers' Association, led by its secretary in charge of social affairs, Lassane Compaore, went to express their condolences to the traders who saw their goods go up in smoke last Sunday, following a fire. Mr. Compaore indicated that they were sent by the president of the Kadiogo employers' association, El Hadj Amado Ouedraogo, who was out of the country. "With a heavy heart, he sent us to come and support the occupants of the Paspanga market because this unfortunate event affects all of Burkina Faso," he said.

He explained that "it is important for us to make this trip to come and greet and comfort the people of Paspanga and to sympathize with their pain. That's life. What God has foretold cannot be disputed by a human." For him, "if unfortunate cases like this occur, we must support each other and continue to pray because this unfortunate event can attract much brighter situations, God willing. It is possible that thanks to our prayers, God will make you prosper in your activities and by next year, you will call us to celebrate your successes."

Visibly very moved by the damage caused by the flames, Mr. Compaore made invocations to ask God to "keep us away from these kinds of situations," mentioning that "we will always support each other." Issouf Sana, the delegate from Paspanga who had mobilized some shopkeepers to welcome their guests, was deeply touched by the gesture from the employers' association. "We are certainly discouraged by the situation we are facing, but the various forms of psychological support we have already received since the unfortunate event are a comfort. The fact that they came to visit us strengthens us further and gives us the strength to hope for a better tomorrow."

'We are really happy. We don't know what to say. We are small business owners and we didn't know that people would support us like this. Any help we can get is welcome,' he said on behalf of everyone. The head of the employers' delegation indicated that he will brief the president of the employers' association on the situation and together they will see what support they will provide.

Part of the Paspanga market was ravaged by flames on Sunday, November 30th, the origin of which is unknown. The fire destroyed nearly 160 stalls, including those selling condiments, and coolers were heavily damaged, according to witnesses. An investigation by the forensic police is underway to determine the cause of the fire. In January 2023, a fire also broke out at the Sankar-Yaare market, a neighboring district of Paspanga, causing enormous damage.