The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) launched on Thursday a campaign called ‘I am Sahel’, aimed at telling the world the stories of progress, hope and opportunities countries of the Sahel and Sahelians through governance, youth and renewable energies.

According to UNDP, the ‘I am Sahel’ campaign is a groundbreaking initiative to redefine the narrative surrounding the Sahel region by focusing on the achievements and contributions of local heroes, potentials, as well as young entrepreneurs and innovators in various fields.

It is a communications approach that emphasizes the successes of Sahelians and the rich cultural heritage of the Sahel countries, a region populated by around 384 million people, the program said.

‘The Sahel is one of the regions of Africa very often perceived as an area of ??hunger, poverty and conflict. However, this space is full of many riches at different levels that must be promoted,’ indicated the UNDP.

The UN program, through the ‘I am Sahel’ campaign, intends to show an
image of a resilient, innovative, enterprising Sahel committed to real and sovereign development through governance, youth and renewable energies.

In Burkina Faso, the launch of the campaign was attended by the resident representative of UNDP in Burkina Faso, Alfredo Teixeira, and his collaborators, with by their side the artist Alif Naaba, UNDP goodwill ambassador.

Alif Naaba indicated that music plays an important role in the success of this campaign. For him, music is a force and it can help send positive messages from the Sahel to the rest of the world.

In addition to artists, journalists were asked to support the dynamics of the UNDP.

The campaign was launched on Thursday August 15, 2024 online simultaneously in all countries concerned. These are Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Mali, Senegal, Gambia, Chad and Mauritania.

Source : Burkina Information Agency