Following a direct exchange between the Minister of Professional Integration and Youth and the residents of Sakassou in the Gbêkê region, the local youth expressed their expectations and ambitions to him. In response, Minister Mamadou Touré announced a portfolio of specific projects worth 200 million FCFA to support government actions benefiting Sakassou's youth. This announcement took place on Friday, October 25, 2024, at the Sakassou Cultural Center during a ministerial outreach tour in the Gbêkê region.
Present at this gathering were Emmanuel Ahoutou Koffi, a native of the area, Minister and Chief of Staff to the Vice President, and Kalil Konaté, Minister of Digital Transition and Digitalization.
Before announcing the projects, Minister Mamadou Touré encouraged young people to stay informed about government initiatives supporting them. He emphasized that the Pj-Gouv program includes everyone, regardless of their ethnic, political, or religious backgrounds. “The government allocates funds every year for your training, professional integration, and project financing. Don’t stand on the sidelines,” he urged.
Minister Emmanuel Ahoutou Koffi expressed satisfaction with Minister Mamadou Touré’s open and honest discussion with the young people of his community. According to him, testimonials from beneficiaries highlight the effectiveness of government initiatives supporting youth. "If they have benefitted without knowing the Minister and his collaborators, it means you, too, should have the courage to approach the ministry’s services here in Sakassou," he encouraged the youth.
Indeed, beneficiaries such as Loukou Jean Romaric, a glazier; Abenan Kouman, a hairdresser; and N'Guessan Vincent Depaule, owner of a shop and a Mobile Money service, all from Sakassou, shared their experiences. They testified that after presenting their projects to the local Youth Employment Agency (AEJ), they received funding that has since been repaid. This support helped expand their businesses, allowing them to hire other young people. They thanked the President of the Republic and the government for these actions that facilitate youth empowerment.
As of June 2024, 608 young people in Sakassou have benefited from programs within the Ministry of Youth Promotion, with a total amount of 259.6 million FCFA. These programs include the Retraining and Reskilling Program (FRR), High-Intensity Labor Work (THIMO), qualification internships, school internships, immersion internships, and income-generating activities.