Ouagadougou – After an impactful four-year tenure at the helm of the World Health Organization (WHO) representation in Burkina Faso, Dr. Seydou Coulibaly is preparing to conclude his mission. 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 consistently emphasized his primary objective: to enhance WHO’s support for Burkina Faso’s health priorities. To achieve this, he and his dedicated teams focused extensively on mobilizing crucial financial resources to bolster government health initiatives. “Since assuming my role, I have successfully mobilized over 42 million US dollars, thanks to substantial bilateral and multilateral backing. This funding 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 visible,” stated the departing Representative.

During his leadership, the head of WHO in Burkina Faso notably fortified collaboration with the government, particularly with the Ministry of Health. Dr. Lucien Robert Kargougou, the Minister of Health, publicly affirmed the strategic nature of this partnership and the excellent cooperation between his department and WHO during the visit of the WHO Regional Director for Africa on March 25. “You have an exceptional representative,” the Minister declared, praising both the quality of the collaboration and Dr. Coulibaly’s outstanding leadership qualities.

Dr. Coulibaly’s distinctive work methodology centered on a human-centric approach, empowering individuals 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. He championed integrated, results-oriented projects, fostering a climate conducive to high performance and engagement, 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. The trust he placed in me allowed me to always work with serenity and efficiency, achieving my goals with ease. Dr. Coulibaly is a very sociable person.”

Dr. Moyenga Laurent, Administrator for Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases, commented, “His leadership is characterized 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 deeply grateful for his assistance in overcoming key bottlenecks.”

Dr. Coulibaly excelled in coordinating various organizations, forging stronger relationships that facilitated greater fund mobilization for joint program implementation. Maurice Azonnankpo, Interim Coordinator of the United Nations System in Burkina Faso, acknowledged his contribution: “Your unwavering commitment, your collective spirit, and the quality of your collaboration have been instrumental in strengthening our joint actions 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 greatly contributed to the progress we have made 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 People,” Dr. Coulibaly wishes to convey a message of hope, continuity, and advocacy: “We have come a long way and achieved significant results, which have proudly upheld the banner of WHO. I advocate for the preservation of these gains and hope to see further innovations to strengthen the organization’s position and effectiveness. Strengthening human resources is vital for ensuring the continuity of actions. I also advocate for optimal use of available resources, fostering a culture of cohesion within teams, and promoting a spirit of listening and collaboration.”

Dr. Seydou Coulibaly leaves an undeniably notable and appreciated mark on the national representation of WHO in Burkina Faso. 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 to manage health emergencies in countries across the sub-region.