Ouagadougou – After an impactful four-year term as the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative for Burkina Faso, Dr. Seydou Coulibaly is preparing for his departure. His leadership has been distinguished by an innovative approach, unwavering commitment to public health, and a collaborative management style that significantly strengthened local teams and national partnerships.

Dr. Coulibaly emphasized that his primary objective consistently revolved around bolstering WHO’s support for Burkina Faso’s critical health priorities. To achieve this, he and his dedicated teams strategically focused on mobilizing financial resources to aid governmental health projects. “Since assuming my role, I have successfully secured over 42 million US dollars through substantial bilateral and multilateral contributions. This enabled us to fully deploy our operational capabilities and provide robust support to the government’s initiatives aimed at enhancing population health. The positive outcomes are now clearly evident,” stated the departing Representative.

The senior WHO official in the nation fostered stronger 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, reaffirmed the strategic importance of this partnership and the excellent cooperation between his department and the WHO. “You have an exceptional representative,” he declared, commending both the quality of this partnership and Dr. Coulibaly’s exemplary leadership qualities.

Dr. Coulibaly’s operational methodology was characterized by a human-centric philosophy, designed to inspire individuals to perform at their peak. “I consistently aimed to cultivate an environment where every team member felt heard and valued, while simultaneously reinforcing collaboration with national partners, the United Nations System, and all stakeholders within the health sector,” he explained. This approach fostered the implementation of integrated, results-driven projects, thereby establishing a climate conducive to high performance and engagement, even amidst challenging circumstances.

Testimonials from his colleagues vividly illustrate his profound positive influence. Hortense Meda-Traoré, the Representative’s Assistant, shared: “What truly struck me about Dr. Coulibaly was his humility, his attentiveness, and his encouragement of initiative. The trust he placed in me allowed me to work with serenity and effectiveness, achieving my objectives with ease. Dr. Coulibaly is a remarkably sociable individual.”

Dr. Moyenga Laurent, Administrator for Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases, noted, “His leadership stands out for its transparency and clarity in communication. He provided crucial support 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 obstacles.”

Dr. Coulibaly particularly excelled in coordination efforts, forging improved relationships that facilitated greater fund mobilization for the execution of joint programs. Reflecting on his contributions, Maurice Azonnankpo, Interim Coordinator of the United Nations System in Burkina Faso, asserted: “Your unwavering commitment, your spirit of collaboration, and the quality of your partnership have been instrumental in strengthening our collective action and achieving remarkable results for the population, recognized both nationally and regionally.”

Similarly, Seibou Coulibaly, 1st Vice-President of the National Coordination Body for Global Fund grants to fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (CCM), added: “Your consistent support and professionalism have significantly contributed to the progress we have witnessed in recent years. I particularly commend your dedication and the quality of the partnership you successfully built and maintained with all stakeholders.”

As his mandate in the Land of Upright People concludes, Dr. Coulibaly wishes to convey a message of hope, continuity, and advocacy: “We have journeyed a long way and achieved significant results, which have allowed WHO’s banner to fly high. I advocate for the preservation of these gains and hope to see further innovations to strengthen the organization’s standing and effectiveness. Reinforcing human resources is vital to ensure the continuity of our actions. I also advocate for the optimal utilization of available resources, for fostering a culture of cohesion within teams, and for promoting a spirit of listening and collaboration.”

Dr. Seydou Coulibaly’s tenure at the helm of the national WHO representation in Burkina Faso will undoubtedly be remembered for its notable and appreciated impact. His colleagues, in particular, are certain that the effects 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 to manage health emergencies across the sub-region.