Dr. Tounkara addressing the people of Namentenga

A campaign for girls’ enrolment in school was launched by Plan and the ministry of basic education on September 15th, 2008 in the town of Boulsa, Namentenga region, northern Burkina Faso. The ceremony gathered high officials from the government, traditional chieftaincies, Plan’s staff and the population with many children.The aim was to boost girl’s education in a region where the prevalence of negative socio cultural practices and believes deprive girls from formal education .

From left to right, Education Minister Odile Bonkoungou, literacy minister Tamboura, et Plan Burkina Country Director Dr. Tounkara Mahamadou

Plan's Support in Namentenga

Plan Country Director Dr. Mahamadou Tounkara said, in a speech he delivered during the launch ceremony, that the Namentenga region has been benefiting tremendous support from Plan on education in its program area. Plan has been leading campaigns on a yearly basis, inviting role-models to help sensitize people in the villages on the benefits of education. Dr. Mahamadou Tounkara also added that the promotion of girls’ education is very important to Plan as education is a priority program to overcome obscurantism, and has invested over $50 millions in education in the past 6 years.

Minister Odile Bonkoungou addressing the assembly

Local authorities support the campaign

The Minister of Basic Education, Mrs Odile Bonkoungou, who presented this situation made the following appeal: “People from Namentenga, we are here today to invite you to send girls, all girls to school. We are here to remind you that illiteracy is an obstacle to individual, family, provincial and national development”.

Other attendees where the UNICEF Program Director, students’ mothers and new female teachers whose training at a teachers’ college was sponsored by Plan. 

Dr. Tounkara Mahamadou greeting supreme chief Naba Bougoum of Namentenga

The supreme chief, Naba Bougoum, said: “The traditional chiefs and the religious authorities would like to insure all that they are committed to fight violence against women and girls…, to end negative practices such as female circumcision, forced marriage, and non schooling of girls…. We are convinced that education is the condition to development, especially girl’s education. We will therefore do our best to make it a reality…” . A good sign, as traditional chiefs are very influential depositories and promoters of local social cultural values.

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