Ouagadougou:Student Joël Patrick Poukiwiligba Koala received a commendable grade of 17/20 for his final project at the Institute of Information and Communication Sciences and Technologies (ISTIC) on Thursday, October 22, 2026. His study delved into the visions of endogenous development held by three prominent Burkinabe leaders Daniel Ouezzin Coulibaly, Thomas Sankara, and Captain Ibrahim Traor.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Koala's project, titled "Endogenous Development in Burkina Faso Visions of Daniel Ouezzin Coulibaly, Thomas Sankara and Ibrahim Traor," analyzed the similarities and differences in the leaders' approaches within their historical contexts. Koala observed that despite varying eras and conditions, each leader emphasized national autonomy in their policies.
Koala's analysis highlighted Daniel Ouezzin Coulibaly's early advocacy for autonomy and national capacity-building as far back as 1958. Thomas Sankara's tenure from 1983 to 1987 focused on popular mobilization, anti-imperialist stances, and food self-sufficiency, along with advancements in health, education, and agriculture. Captain Ibrahim Traor, in office since 2022, has prioritized sovereignty and national production amid challenging security and humanitarian conditions, achieving notable results like a record cereal production of over six million tonnes.
The project concluded that while each leader pursued autonomy, they did not replicate one another's models. Production manager Noël Dah praised Koala for tackling such a complex subject, highlighting the student's aptitude for addressing demanding issues. Dah noted the need for Koala to adapt his work to the expectations of journalistic writing rather than academic dissertations.
Jury president Jean-Marie To and rapporteur Tilado Apollinaire commended Koala's research efforts, advising him to refine the document based on their feedback. The jury awarded Koala his grade as both encouragement and a push to enhance the quality of his journalistic work. Koala expressed his appreciation for the grade and viewed it as a chance to improve further. His defense was part of the journalism training at ISTIC.