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

Dr. Coulibaly consistently emphasized his primary goal: to enhance WHO’s support for Burkina Faso’s critical health priorities. To achieve this, he and his dedicated teams focused intently on mobilizing crucial financial resources to bolster government health projects. “Since assuming this 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 improving population health. The positive outcomes are now clearly evident,” Dr. Coulibaly explained.

Under his guidance, the senior WHO official in the country significantly deepened cooperation with the Burkinabe government, particularly with the Ministry of Health. During the visit of the WHO Regional Director for Africa on March 25, Dr. Lucien Robert Kargougou, the Minister of Health, underscored the strategic importance of this collaboration and praised the excellent working relationship between his ministry and WHO. He specifically commended Dr. Coulibaly, stating, “You have an exceptional representative,” acknowledging his outstanding leadership qualities and the effectiveness of their partnership.

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 reinforcing collaboration with national stakeholders, the United Nations System, and all actors within the health sector,” he elaborated. This philosophy fostered integrated, results-driven projects, creating a conducive atmosphere for high performance and commitment, even amidst challenging circumstances.

Testimonials from his colleagues vividly illustrate his profound positive influence. Hortense Meda-Traoré, Dr. Coulibaly’s assistant, 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 confidence and efficiency, achieving my objectives effortlessly. Dr. Coulibaly is a truly sociable individual.”

Dr. Moyenga Laurent, Administrator for Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases, noted, “His leadership stood out for its 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 malaria control program’s performance, he mobilized international experts and contributed to developing the new strategic plan. I am deeply grateful for his assistance in overcoming key obstacles.”

Dr. Coulibaly particularly excelled in strengthening coordination mechanisms, forging stronger relationships that facilitated greater funding for joint program implementation. Maurice Azonnankpo, Interim Coordinator of the United Nations System in Burkina Faso, affirmed his contribution: “Your consistent dedication, your commitment to collective action, and the quality of your collaboration have been instrumental in strengthening our shared efforts 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 unwavering support and professionalism have significantly contributed to the progress we’ve experienced over these past few 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 come a long way and achieved significant outcomes, which have proudly upheld the WHO banner. I advocate for the preservation of these gains and hope to see further innovations that will strengthen the organization’s standing and effectiveness. Reinforcing human resources is vital to ensure the continuity of actions. I also urge for the optimal utilization of available resources, the fostering 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 widely appreciated. For his colleagues, in particular, it is clear that the positive 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 countries in the sub-region.