Dr Mayaki, the NEPAD CEO, while visiting the ABNE node in Ouagadougou paid a courtesy visit to the Burkina Faso Minister of Scientific Research and Innovation, Prof. Gnissa Konate, on Wednesday July 31, 2013. Dr Mayaki was with Prof. Makinde Director ABNE, Dr Moussa Savadogo, Senior Program Officer ABNE, Mr Ladji Sidibe, Communication and IT Manager ABNE. 

Introductory remarks by Dr. Mayaki

Dr Mayaki stated that this is a courtesy visit which also gives him the opportunity to thank the Honorable Minister and the Government of Burkina Faso for hosting ABNE and granting this center all freedom to operate in and from the country. The visit also aimed at seeking advice from the Minister on how best ABNE could operate and make more impact in the country and the sub-region in order to meet its mission.

Remarks by the Hon. Minister

NEPAD is an excellent tool for all of us

Hon. Minister Konaté expressed his gratitude and thanks to Dr. Mayaki and NEPAD for the special consideration shown to his country. He indicated that NEPAD is an excellent tool for all Africans and then strongly commended the CEO for the new vision brought to NEPAD.

Insufficiency in sharing experience between Africans is a critical issue, but ABNE is doing well in his area of expertise

Hon. Minster stressed that the lack of experience sharing between African countries and African experts is one of the most critical issue that put hindrances on African development. He added that ABNE is helping a lot on this particular issue. He indicated that one the key objective of his ministerial department  is to promote experience sharing.

ABNE contributed tremendously to the revision of the Burkina Faso biosafety law

The Minister clearly recognized that ABNE played a critical role in assisting his department with the revision of the national biosafety law. This excellent collaboration between his department and ABNE led to a new biosafety law that the key players in the biotechnology and biosafety sectors are all satisfied with. He hoped that ABNE could do so for other Africans countries where the Burkina Faso new law can serve as a good template or model.

We share the same vision as NEPAD on the role of science, technology and innovation in African development

The Minister stressed that he strongly believes in science and innovation as critical tools to boost the development in Africa. He indicated that he totally shares NEPAD vision on science and technology developed in the pillar 4 of the Consolidated Plan of Action (CPA). He expressed his appreciation on the role that NEPAD is playing in moving this agenda.

Concluding remarks by Dr. Mayaki

It will be difficult to move the African development agenda without science and innovation

Dr Mayaki agreed with the Minister and shared his vision on science and innovation. Dr Mayaki stressed that “without science and innovation it will be difficult to move forward in resolving the issues that hinder the development in Africa”. He added innovation must be fully part of strategic policies in Africa.

Burkina Faso is showing a good leadership in the area of biotechnology and biosafety

Dr Makayi acknowledged with satisfaction the leading role that Burkina Faso is playing in the area of biotechnology and biosafety. He indicated that other countries African countries could learn from the Burkina Faso experience. He promised to facilitate such an experience sharing opportunity. He thus expressed his desire to invite the Hon. Minister to the NEPAD office in Midrand to share the Burkina Faso experience with stakeholders from other African countries. The Hon. Minister has accepted the invitation.