Ouagadougou – After a distinguished four-year tenure as the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Burkina Faso, Dr. Seydou Coulibaly is preparing to depart the nation. His mission has been defined by an innovative approach, unwavering dedication to public health, and a collaborative management style that significantly strengthened local teams and national partnerships, leaving a profound impact on health initiatives across the country.
Dr. Coulibaly emphasized that his primary objective was consistently to enhance WHO’s support for Burkina Faso’s health priorities. To achieve this, he and his dedicated teams focused intensely on mobilizing crucial financial resources to bolster governmental projects. “Since assuming my role, I have successfully mobilized over 42 million US dollars, thanks to substantial bilateral and multilateral backing. This achievement allowed us to fully deploy our operational capabilities and provide robust support to the government’s initiatives aimed at improving the population’s health. The positive outcomes are now clearly visible,” stated the outgoing Representative.
The head of WHO in Burkina Faso notably fortified collaboration with the government, particularly with the Ministry of Health. During the visit of the WHO Regional Director for Africa on March 25th, Dr. Lucien Robert Kargougou, the Minister of Health, reiterated the strategic importance of this partnership and the exceptional cooperation between his department and WHO. “You have an outstanding representative,” he declared, commending the quality of this collaboration and Dr. Coulibaly’s remarkable leadership qualities.
Dr. Coulibaly’s working methodology is characterized by a human-centered approach, inspiring each individual to perform at their best. “I always strived to cultivate an environment where every team member felt heard and valued, while simultaneously strengthening collaboration with national partners, the United Nations System, and all stakeholders in the health sector,” he explained. Through this philosophy, he championed integrated, results-driven projects, fostering a climate conducive to high performance and commitment, even amidst challenging circumstances.
Testimonials from his colleagues vividly illustrate his positive influence. Hortense Meda-Traoré, his assistant, shared: “What struck me most about Dr. Coulibaly was his humility, his attentiveness, and his encouragement of initiative. Thanks to the trust he placed in me, I always worked with serenity and efficiency, achieving my objectives with ease. Dr. Coulibaly is a very sociable person.”
Dr. Moyenga Laurent, Administrator for Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases, noted: “His leadership stands out for its transparency and clarity in communication. He supported me in achieving my results, particularly in the fight against these diseases. Through his guidance in implementing the WHO Package of Essential Noncommunicable Disease Interventions (WHO PEN) and reviewing the performance of the malaria control program, he mobilized international experts and contributed to the development of the new strategic plan. I am profoundly grateful for his assistance in overcoming key bottlenecks.”
Dr. Coulibaly particularly excelled in coordinating organizations, fostering improved relationships that facilitated greater funding for joint program implementation. Speaking of his contributions, Maurice Azonnankpo, Interim Coordinator of the United Nations System in Burkina Faso, affirmed: “Your constant commitment, your collective spirit, and the quality of your collaboration have critically contributed to strengthening our common actions and achieving remarkable results in service of the population, recognized both nationally and regionally.”
Similarly, Seibou Coulibaly, 1st Vice-President of the National Coordination of Global Fund Grants for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (CCM), added: “Your consistent support and professionalism have greatly contributed to the advancements we’ve seen in recent years. I particularly commend your dedication and the quality of the partnership you successfully built and maintained with all stakeholders.”
As he concludes his mandate in the Land of Upright Men, Dr. Coulibaly wishes to convey a message of hope, continuity, and advocacy: “We have come a long way and achieved significant results, which have raised the WHO banner high. I advocate for the preservation of these gains and wish to see further innovations to strengthen the organization’s position and effectiveness. Reinforcing human resources is essential to ensure the continuity of actions. I also advocate for optimal utilization of available resources, for strengthening a culture of cohesion within teams, and for promoting a spirit of listening and collaboration.”
Dr. Seydou Coulibaly’s leadership at the national WHO representation in Burkina Faso will be remembered as notably impactful and highly appreciated. For his colleagues, in particular, it is clear that the impact of his work will resonate for many years through the programs he championed and the teams he inspired.
Dr. Coulibaly will now join the Dakar Hub, established by WHO several years ago for managing health emergencies in the sub-region.
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