The President of Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, presided over the official opening of the 17th edition of the Ouagadougou international craft fair on the morning of Friday October 25, 2024, in Ouagadougou.
It is in a solemn atmosphere, punctuated by speeches, dance performances and artists that the Ouagadougou International Craft Fair (SIAO) opened its doors on Friday October 25, 2024, in the Burkinabe capital. For 10 days, the African craft biennial offers a time of giving and receiving for professionals of art, crafts, culture and other lovers of the sector. Placed on the theme: “African crafts, youth entrepreneurship and empowerment”, the event was chaired by the President of Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traoré. His speech was read by his Minister of Industry, Commerce and Crafts, Serge Poda. For him, despite a security context marked by terrorist attacks and multiple vain attempts to paint the free and sovereign land of Burkina Faso red, the SIAO succeeded in bringing together delegations from Africa and elsewhere to celebrate the richness of African craftsmanship.
“This success is the fruit of the unwavering resilience of the people who stood united behind our fighting forces. Their commitment, determination and courage on the ground made it possible to inflict heavy losses on the enemy and to maintain the security necessary and essential for this event to take place,” he suggested. Thus, he wished a speedy recovery to the injured. In memory of the civilian victims and heroes who fell on the field of honor, he invited the audience to observe a minute of silence. For the President of Faso, the presence today of delegations from many countries testifies to confidence and international solidarity towards the country of honest men in its constant quest for real independence and sovereignty. To this end he expressed his deep gratitude for this mark of friendship. Captain Ibrahim Traoré also indicated that the theme of the 17th edition is of capital importance, because it highlights the determining role of craftsmanship in the economic and social development of Africa. “The theme of SIAO 2024 highlights the involvement and commitment of youth in the craft sector. Crafts contribute more than 20% of the continent’s gross domestic product and employ more than 60 million people, mostly young people.
In addition, it constitutes an essential income resource for many households while constituting an essential lever for growth and poverty reduction,” he revealed. The sponsor of the ceremony, the president of the Transitional Legislative Assembly (ALT) Ousmane Bougouma praised the bravery of the fighting forces and the resilience of the Burkinabè people. For him, the holding of the 2024 edition of the show is proof that Burkina Faso will stand and remain inflexible in the face of these attacks against its population. “We are convinced that no difficulty is eternal and Faso in unity will overcome. I express my gratitude to all Burkinabè people for their sacrifice,” he continued. Mr. Bougma also praised the presence of eminent personalities, professionals from the craft sector, exhibitors, media people and festival-goers all mobilized to magnify craftsmanship in all its richness and diversity.
“Africa in general and Burkina Faso in particular are experiencing strong demographic developments marked by rapid growth in the young population. This requires us to find the endogenous resources that make it possible to offer economic opportunities to this valiant youth so that they can be the true spearhead of our development and real sovereignty,” he noted. Thus, the president of the ALT believes that youth entrepreneurship in a productive sector such as crafts can be a key factor in the structural transformation of the African economy given its strong potential for job creation. As for the president of the special delegation of the commune of Ouagadougou Maurice Konaté, he welcomed the effective presence of guests of honor from sister countries such as Mali and Niger. He reassured festival-goers of the hospitality and security that his city offers them for a successful SIAO 2024.
Evariste WANTS