Ouagadougou: 'Responsibility and commitment to a sovereign confederal space.' It was around this powerful theme that the Boulgou province celebrated International Youth Day this Wednesday. A day marked by the legacy of 1983 and a call to action.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the conference room of the High Commission served as the setting for the commemoration. Presided over by the High Commissioner of Boulgou, Dom¨gb¨gui¨re Constantin Dabir, in the presence of the President of the Special Delegation of Tenkodogo, Sami Brenger Poda, the ceremony mobilized regional directors, heads of department and a large delegation of young people.
A highlight of the day was an immersive panel discussion on the August 1983 Revolution, led by Dim-teng-Naaba, Gilbert Zabsonr, and Abdoulaye Sorgho, known as "the Blind Man of IB." These three witnesses from that era transported the audience back to the tumultuous years of the time. Through concrete examples, such as the construction of the May 20th Stadium, built through popular mobilization, they demonstrated what a united and committed youth can achieve.
'This panel wasn't just a history lesson, it was a life lesson,' says Gis¨le Ilboudo, head of the youth empowerment department. For her, commitment today means taking concrete action: 'Raising awareness, training young people in financial literacy and job search techniques, giving them the tools to be independent.'
The participants echoed this sentiment. For Ebenezer Bamogo, a young man from Tenkodogo, this day is more than just a celebration: 'It's a call to conscience. We must make a clear choice in the face of current challenges. But for that, we need the authorities to trust us, to entrust us with real responsibilities. When we are supported, we can move mountains.'
In her message read by the High Commissioner, the Minister in charge of Youth and Sports paid a strong tribute to the youth of Burkina Faso, particularly praising the commitment of young people in productive sectors and the sacrifice of the Volunteers for the Defence of the Homeland (VDP).
Recalling that August 12 is a global platform to make the voice of young people heard, the minister urged them to become the architects of peace, social cohesion and national sovereignty, in the spirit of the People's Progressive Revolution (PPR).
Pleased with the strong turnout, the provincial director of Youth, Fran§ois Balima, invited young people to continue the momentum. A citizens' march is planned for this Thursday, August 13th, at Place de la Nation in Tenkodogo to conclude the activities.
From history to action, Tenkodogo's message is clear: the legacy of 1983 must now be transformed into concrete projects for the Burkina Faso of tomorrow.