Ouagadougou – After a remarkable four-year tenure leading the World Health Organization (WHO) representation in Burkina Faso, Dr. Seydou Coulibaly is preparing to depart the nation. His mission was distinctly characterized by an innovative approach, unwavering dedication to public health, and a collaborative management style that significantly strengthened both local teams and national partnerships.

Dr. Coulibaly emphasized that his primary objective consistently revolved around enhancing WHO’s support for Burkina Faso’s key health priorities. To achieve this, he and his teams focused intensely on mobilizing financial resources to bolster government health initiatives. “Since assuming my role, I have successfully secured over US$42 million through substantial bilateral and multilateral contributions. This enabled us to fully deploy our operational capabilities and provide robust support to the government’s efforts to improve population health. The positive outcomes are now clearly evident,” the Representative affirmed.

The head of WHO in the country notably deepened cooperation with the government, particularly with the Ministry of Health. During the visit of the WHO Regional Director for Africa to Burkina Faso on March 25, Dr. Lucien Robert Kargougou, the Minister of Health, reiterated the strategic importance of this partnership and the excellent collaboration between his department and WHO. He commended Dr. Coulibaly’s leadership qualities, stating, “You have an exceptional representative.”

Dr. Coulibaly’s working methodology stands out for its human-centric approach, designed to empower every individual to perform at their best. “I always strived to cultivate an environment where each 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. He championed integrated, results-oriented 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, Assistant to the Representative, 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 consistently worked with serenity and efficiency, achieving my goals with ease. Dr. Coulibaly is a very sociable person.”

For Dr. Moyenga Laurent, Administrator for Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases, “his leadership is marked by transparency and clarity in communication. He supported me in achieving my objectives, 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 major bottlenecks.”

Dr. Coulibaly particularly excelled in coordinating organizations, forging stronger relationships that facilitated greater funding for joint program implementation. Maurice Azonnankpo, Interim Coordinator of the United Nations System in Burkina Faso, remarked on his contributions: “Your unwavering commitment, your collective spirit, and the quality of your collaboration have been instrumental in strengthening our collective action and achieving remarkable results for the population, recognized at both national and regional levels.”

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 greatly contributed to the progress we’ve made over recent years. I especially 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 Men concludes, Dr. Coulibaly wishes to convey a message of hope, continuity, and advocacy: “We have journeyed far and achieved significant results, which have proudly elevated the WHO’s standing. I advocate for the preservation of these gains and hope to see further innovations to strengthen the organization’s position and effectiveness. Reinforcing human resources is crucial for ensuring the continuity of actions. I also urge 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 period at the helm of the WHO national representation in Burkina Faso will be remembered as notably impactful and widely appreciated. For his colleagues, in particular, it is clear that the profound influence of his work will resonate for many years through the programs he championed and the dedicated teams he inspired.

Dr. Coulibaly is now transitioning to the Dakar Hub, an essential facility established by WHO several years ago for managing health emergencies across the sub-region’s nations.