Ouagadougou – After an impactful four-year term leading the World Health Organization (WHO) representation in Burkina Faso, Dr Seydou Coulibaly is preparing to depart. His mission has been distinguished by an innovative methodology, unwavering commitment to public health, and a collaborative leadership style that significantly strengthened both local teams and national partnerships.

Dr Coulibaly consistently emphasized that his primary objective was to enhance WHO’s support for Burkina Faso’s health priorities. To achieve this, he and his dedicated teams focused intensely on mobilizing financial resources to bolster government projects. “Since assuming my role, I have successfully secured over US$42 million through substantial bilateral and multilateral contributions. This funding enabled us to fully deploy our operational capabilities and provide robust support to the government’s initiatives aimed at improving population health. The tangible results are now evident,” stated the outgoing Representative.

During his leadership, the WHO Representative in Burkina Faso notably fortified collaboration with the government, particularly with the Ministry of Health. This strategic alliance was underscored during the visit of the WHO Regional Director for Africa on March 25, when Dr Lucien Robert Kargougou, the Minister of Health, lauded the excellent cooperation between his department and WHO. He specifically praised Dr Coulibaly’s exceptional leadership qualities, remarking, “You have an outstanding representative.”

Dr Coulibaly’s distinctive work approach centered on human-centric principles, inspiring individuals to achieve their utmost potential. “My constant endeavor was 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. This philosophy fostered integrated, results-driven projects, creating a conducive atmosphere for high performance and collective 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 keen listening skills, and his encouragement of initiative. The trust he placed in me allowed me to work with serenity and efficiency, consistently achieving my objectives with ease. Dr Coulibaly is a truly sociable individual.”

Dr Moyenga Laurent, Administrator for communicable and non-communicable diseases, noted that “his leadership is characterized by transparency and clarity in communication. He provided invaluable support in achieving my goals, 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 key bottlenecks.”

Dr Coulibaly particularly excelled in coordination efforts, forging stronger relationships that facilitated greater funding mobilization for joint program implementation. Maurice Azonnankpo, Interim Coordinator of the United Nations System in Burkina Faso, affirmed 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 benefit of the population, recognized both nationally and regionally.”

Echoing this sentiment, Seibou Coulibaly, 1st Vice-President of the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) for Global Fund grants to fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, added: “Your consistent support and professionalism have significantly contributed to the progress we have witnessed in recent years. I especially commend your dedication and the quality of the partnership you successfully built and nurtured 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 journeyed far and achieved significant outcomes, which have elevated the WHO’s standing. I advocate for the preservation of these gains and hope to see further innovations to enhance the organization’s position and effectiveness. Strengthening human resources is vital to ensure the continuity of our actions. I also advocate for the optimal utilization of available resources, the reinforcement of a culture of cohesion within teams, and the promotion of a spirit of listening and collaboration.”

Dr Seydou Coulibaly’s tenure as the head of the WHO national representation in Burkina Faso will be remembered as notably impactful and widely appreciated. His colleagues are certain 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.