Bougouriba: The Secretary General of Kourweogo Province, Harouna Kombassere, presided over the installation of the new provincial secretariat office for the coordination of the African Youth, Health and Development Network (RAJS/BF) in Kourweogo on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Bousse. The event was attended by community leaders.
According to Burkina Information Agency, elected at the general assembly on November 10, 2025, Michel Ouedraogo was sworn in as provincial coordinator for a five-year term. Leading a team of six, the new coordinator outlined his priorities, which focus on strengthening unity and collaboration among member organizations, promoting innovative initiatives for youth and communities, and developing sustainable partnerships.
He expressed his gratitude to the network members for the trust they placed in him, while emphasizing the magnitude of the responsibility entrusted to him. Mr. Ouedraogo highlighted that the current context, marked by economic, social, and security challenges, necessitates increased youth mobilization. "A conscious, organized, and engaged youth constitutes a true force for social transformation," he stated, pledging to consolidate the achievements of RAJS/BF in the province. He also called for the support of the various stakeholders to ensure the success of his mission, which he intends to carry out with transparency and dedication.
The outgoing coordinator, Seydou Ilboudo, who had led the network in the province since 2006, reviewed two decades of activities. He cited, among other things, awareness campaigns on HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections, the organization of socio-cultural and sporting activities, as well as educational support programs for vulnerable children. Acknowledging that the network had experienced periods of slowdown, the coordinator commended the resilience of the stakeholders and their unwavering commitment. Seydou Ilboudo thanked the administrative, traditional, and religious authorities, as well as the partner organizations, for their support, before reaffirming his willingness to assist the new team.
The Secretary General of Kourweogo Province, Harouna Kombassere, recalled that RAJS/BF, established in 2001, works to support national youth policies, particularly in the areas of health, education, and empowerment. He paid tribute to the outgoing coordinator for his commitment, which enabled the network to become firmly established in the province. Addressing the new team, Mr. Kombassere emphasized that the mandate entrusted to them requires mobilization, cohesion, and dynamism in order to strengthen the network's impact on the youth of Kourweogo.