Ouagadougou: The Minister in charge of Basic Education, Jacques Sosth¨ne Dingara, expressed appreciation for traditional meals prepared and showcased by students in Ouagadougou's 4th district. The event was part of an exhibition organized by the Basic Education District (CEB) to demonstrate students' culinary skills and promote cultural values.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the exhibition took place just before the conclusion of the first phase of the third edition of the National Days of Patriotic Engagement and Civic Participation (JEPPC). Students, guided by their teachers, presented various traditional recipes, highlighting their nutritional benefits. The Minister commended the initiative, emphasizing the importance of educating children on the production and consumption of locally sourced foods, which not only enhances nutrition but also preserves traditional eating habits.

Minister Dingara noted that the activity highlighted several local dishes, some of which are not well-known to younger generations. He stressed that such initiatives are crucial for cultivating citizens who are aware of their cultural identity and can contribute to the country's development.

The governor of the Kadiogo region, Abdoulaye Bassinga, who sponsored the event, expressed pride in the participation levels. He emphasized the significance of this year's theme on promoting local consumption and urged the population to focus on consuming local products to achieve food sovereignty. The products displayed during the event, sourced from school and botanical gardens, underscored the local potential in food production.

Sawadogo Adjarata, the regional director of preschool, primary, and non-formal education in Kadiogo, praised the educational structures for their initiative. She pointed out the nutritional value of traditional eating habits inherited from previous generations, which should be preserved amidst the increase of imported products. Adjarata also mentioned that the ministry is working on reforms to develop market gardening and educational fields, enabling students to enhance school canteens.

Tapsoaba Djaourata, a student at Somgand© A school, shared her excitement about the minister's visit and hoped for more such ceremonies to gain practical skills, particularly in preparing traditional dishes like gonr©, babenda, and zamnin.