Koupela: The Permanent Secretariat of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI-BF) initiated an awareness campaign in Koupela aimed at evaluating stakeholders' roles in promoting transparency within the extractive sector. The event was presided over by Christophe Yameogo, the 2nd Vice-President of the special delegation of the commune of Koupela.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the campaign seeks to educate local authorities and populations about the evaluation process scheduled for 2026. This initiative aims to foster broad support and enhance understanding of individual roles in ensuring transparency in the extractive sector.
The campaign provided an opportunity to explain the evaluation criteria, the rating methods, data collection processes, and the stakeholders involved. An evaluation guide was also presented to the general public. Boureima Diallo, a study officer at the EITI-BF permanent secretariat, emphasized the necessity of informing the populace in advance to ensure a smooth evaluation process.
Diallo elaborated that the evaluation criteria will focus on information production, monitoring, control, combating corruption, and the accessibility and dissemination of information. A fifth criterion will involve public evaluation of extractive sector stakeholders through questionnaires targeting profiles such as researchers, parliamentarians, local authorities, and civil society organizations.
Despite Koupela not being a mining commune, its proximity to Zabre, a mining area, underscores its relevance to the evaluation. Diallo noted that involving large urban municipalities is crucial, given the national scope of the assessment.
The meeting witnessed participation from various stakeholders, including local administrative authorities, decentralized State services representatives, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organizations, and journalists. Dr. Leila Traore/Barry, Chief Physician of the Koupela Urban Medical Center, praised the initiative for its role in enhancing transparency in mining activities, which she believes is beneficial for the local population.
Dr. Traore expressed that the initiative provides an opportunity for the public to gain insights into EITI-BF and contribute to transparency efforts. Christophe Yameogo, the 2nd vice-president of Koupela's special delegation, highlighted the importance of such gatherings in promoting accountability in the extractive sector.
Yameogo remarked that the session empowers the population to become intermediaries in supporting transparent management of mining resources. He added that the campaign could inspire structural projects to enhance the economic capacity of the municipality and the country.