Ouagadougou – After an impactful four-year tenure as the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Burkina Faso, Dr. Seydou Coulibaly is preparing to conclude his mission in the country. His leadership has been distinguished by a forward-thinking approach, unwavering dedication to public health, and a collaborative management style that significantly strengthened both local teams and national alliances.

Dr. Coulibaly emphasized that his primary objective consistently involved enhancing WHO’s support for Burkina Faso’s crucial health priorities. To achieve this, he and his teams diligently focused on securing financial resources to bolster government-led projects. “Since assuming my role, I successfully mobilized over US$42 million, thanks to substantial bilateral and multilateral backing. This endeavor enabled 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 evident,” the Representative stated.

The senior WHO official in Burkina Faso actively fostered stronger ties with the government, particularly with the Ministry of Health. During the visit of the WHO Regional Director for Africa on March 25th, the Minister of Health, Dr. Lucien Robert Kargougou, 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 their collaboration and Dr. Coulibaly’s remarkable leadership.

Dr. Coulibaly’s distinctive work methodology centered on a human-first approach, motivating individuals to achieve their utmost potential. “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 in the health sector,” he explained. Through this, 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, the Representative’s assistant, shared: “What impressed me most about Dr. Coulibaly was his humility, his attentiveness, and his encouragement of initiative. The trust he placed in me allowed me to always work with composure and effectiveness, easily achieving my objectives. Dr. Coulibaly is a very sociable person.”

Dr. Moyenga Laurent, Administrator for Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases, noted: “His leadership is characterized by transparency and clear communication. He supported me in achieving my goals, particularly in combating 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 brought in international experts and contributed to the development of the new strategic plan. I am deeply grateful for his assistance in overcoming key obstacles.”

Dr. Coulibaly particularly distinguished himself in coordination efforts, establishing improved relationships that facilitated greater fund mobilization for joint programs. Reflecting on his contribution, Maurice Azonnankpo, Interim Coordinator of the United Nations System in Burkina Faso, affirmed: “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 populations, 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 significantly contributed to the progress we’ve made in 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 People” concludes, Dr. Coulibaly wishes to impart a message of optimism, continuity, and advocacy: “We have journeyed far and achieved significant outcomes, which have elevated WHO’s standing. I advocate for the preservation of these accomplishments and hope for further innovations to enhance the organization’s position and effectiveness. Strengthening human resources is vital to ensure the continuity of our actions. I also urge for the optimal utilization of available resources, the reinforcement of a culture of cohesion within teams, and the promotion of a spirit of active listening and collaboration.”

Dr. Seydou Coulibaly’s tenure at the helm of 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 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 in countries across the sub-region.