Cowater International: Water and Sustainable Economic Growth in the Sahel Project official launch in Burkina Faso

Water and Sustainable Economic Growth in the Sahel Project official launch in Burkina Faso
March 4, 2016
By: Cowater International: News and Insights

Cowater and its partners are pleased to announce the official launch of the ‘Water and Sustainable Economic Growth in the Sahel Project’ in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Officially launched on Tuesday Feb. 23rd, the $14M, four-year project will accelerate sustainable economic growth in Burkina Faso through: improved local livelihoods through support to market gardening activities by local women’s groups, improved access to markets, livestock support activities and microfinance; increased drinking water availability and sanitation through the installation of a water treatment plant and sanitation and hygiene promotion activities; and reinforced local governance to better support economic development and service delivery in the project region.

The project is funded through a partnership between the Government of Canada, Cowater International and IAMGOLD in the context of increased corporate social responsibility for Canadian mining companies operating overseas.

The formal launch and media event was attended by Cowater International officials including: Mark Redwood, Vice President of Water, Sanitation and Environment; Véronique Doyon, West Africa Regional Lead & Senior Project Director; and, Maxim Fortin, Project Manager. IAMGOLD was represented by Stephen Letwin President and CEO; Benjamin Little, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, HSS & People; and Gilles Ferlatte, Director General of IAMGOLD Essakane SA. Representing the Government of Canada was M. Luc Pincince, Chargé d’affaires representing His Excellency, the Ambassador of Canada to Burkina Faso. The Government of Burkina Faso was represented by M. Niouga Ambroise Ouedraogo, Minister of Water and Sanitation; M. Jean-Paul Rouamba, Minister of Livestock; and M. Djibril Lalle, Governor of the Sahel Region. The event included speeches and presentations from IAMGOLD, the Embassy of Canada, Cowater and Government of Burkina Faso representatives, as well as cultural dances and a celebratory event for the 80 attendees.

About IAMGOLD: IAMGOLD is a leading gold producer with four operating gold mines and a pipeline of development exploration proejcts. The company’s growth plans are focused on countries in South America and Africa, and the organization is well known for its CSR and local development initiatives.

Cowater is proud to be partnering with IAMGOLD and the Governement of Canada to better the lives of the rural population of the Sahel region in Burkina Faso.

Web link: https://www.cowater.com/en/water-and-sustainable-economic-growth-in-the-sahel-project-official-launch-in-burkina-faso/