Ouagadougou: The Manga Detention and Correctional Center (MAC-M) celebrated Nelson Mandela International Day on Saturday under the theme "The Social Reintegration of Prisoners in the Context of the Popular Progressive Revolution." The ceremony was presided over by the Governor of the Nazinon Region, in the presence of administrative, traditional, and religious authorities from Manga. The event aimed to shift the perception of prisons from mere places of punishment to spaces of transformation and human development.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Oumarou Demi, the director of MAC-M, emphasized the importance of viewing prisoners as potential contributors to the nation within the framework of the Popular Progressive Revolution. He stressed that reintegration is not just a patriotic act but also a mechanism for self-sufficiency and development. MAC-M is committed to preparing inmates for societal reintegration through a variety of vocational training programs, including soap making, laundry, gardening, weaving, sewing, fish farming, and animal husbandry. Demi also announced plans to open a welding workshop, facilitated by the event's sponsor.
Massadalo Yvette Nacoulma, the governor of the Nazinon region, highlighted that Nelson Mandela International Day represents a commitment to the rights of incarcerated individuals. She noted that prisons should serve as environments for rehabilitation and preparation for social reintegration. The governor called for collaboration among stakeholders to provide inmates with opportunities for future rebuilding.
She encouraged residents to actively participate in the available training and activities, aiming for them to emerge as responsible citizens and contributors to national development.
Ali Tarpaga, the judge responsible for the enforcement of sentences, summarized the activities held during the 72-hour event. He expressed gratitude to those who contributed to the event's success and continuously work to alleviate the challenges of detention. Tarpaga advocated for a shift in the perception of the prison system, urging authorities, partners, and citizens to support reintegration initiatives, emphasizing that supporting prisons means supporting humanity.
As a reminder, UNESCO declared July 18 as "Nelson Mandela International Day" on November 10, 2009. This date honors the birthday of Nelson Mandela, who was a champion of human rights and spent twenty-seven years in prison.