Ouagadougou: The To department launches the 3rd edition of the Patriotic Engagement Days: The driving forces of the To department, in the Sissili province, launched the first phase of the 3rd edition of the Days of Patriotic Engagement and Civic Participation (JEPPC) on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Marked by a solemn flag-raising ceremony at the departmental high school, this day mobilized authorities and citizens around the values of sovereignty.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the gathering began with a symbolic act: raising the national flag to the top of the flagpole, accompanied by the national anthem, the Ditany¨, under the solemn gaze of local authorities, education officials, and the assembled population.

The ceremony was presided over by the Prefect of the To Department, Rolande Raouda Konate/Kanko. After the full reading of the message from the President of Burkina Faso, Comrade Captain Ibrahim Traore, she expressed her profound gratitude to the community leaders for their continued mobilization.

"I wish to thank each of you for this presence, which testifies to your attachment to the Nation. But beyond physical presence, I urge every citizen of To to scrupulously respect and rigorously implement the directives contained in the Head of State's message. Patriotism is not an empty word; it is a constant practice," she stated.

For his part, the Principal of the To Departmental High School, Enock Relwende Sawadogo, expressed his satisfaction at seeing his school chosen to host the launch of this 3rd edition. He believes that the school environment is the ideal crucible for shaping the new citizen.

'It is an honor for us. I solemnly call upon the students, the administrative and teaching staff, as well as the entire population of To, to deeply embrace the patriotic values championed by the President of Burkina Faso. We must make these values the foundation of our education to build a strong and dignified Burkina Faso,' he declared.

The student body also demonstrated its support for this initiative through messages of commitment delivered by student representatives. They pledged to place discipline and hard work at the heart of their academic journey to 'ensure a responsible future generation.'

This day marked the starting point of a series of activities aimed at strengthening civic responsibility and food sovereignty within the population of To throughout this phase of the JEPPC.