Women from every social background  turned out in large numbers to storm the new bus station in Adzopé early in the morning to celebrate with the First Lady, Ms Dominique Ouattara.

The event witnessed the presence of Ms Maïmouna Koné, Wife of the Vice-President of the Republic; Mr Patrick Achi, Prime Minister and Head of Government, and President of the Mé Regional Council, and his wife; Madame Nassénéba Touré, Minister for Women,  Family and Children, and many other personalities.

For this occasion,  the First Lady Dominique Ouattara, presented gifts in kind and in cash worth over a billion FCFA to the women of the region. Specifically, the Wife of the Head of State offered agricultural equipment, tricycles, sewing and hairdressing equipment, as well as numerous gifts to her traders, with a view to strengthening the capacities and empowerment of the  women.  The value of these in-kind donations is estimated at 500 million F CFA.

FAFCI additional funding of 500 million F CFA

In keeping with her commitment to empowering women and breaking down the barriers of poverty, the First Lady also granted an additional 500 million FCFA to women in the Mé region. This additional amount brings the FAFCI total for the Mé region to over 2 billion FCFA. She also offered over 13 million FCFA to the women and people present.

Grateful to their godmother, the people of the Mé region also offered numerous foodstuffs and a painting bearing the effigy of the Presidential couple.

Taking the floor, the First Lady, Ms Dominique Ouattara, thanked the women of the Mé Region for their contribution to the region’s development. The First Lady praised not only the courage of her sisters, but also their efforts to ensure the education and well-being of their children. she recalled that it is for all these reasons that these women deserve to be celebrated on Mother’s Day.  “Today, you are in the limelight. We celebrate you not only for the life you have given, but also and above all for all the efforts to ensure the well-being and education of your children”, said Ms Dominique Ouattara. She also paid tribute to them for all the work they do for the development of the Mé region and Côte d’Ivoire. “Dear Mothers of Mé, I would like to solemnly thank you for all your efforts and your contribution to the construction of our beautiful country. On this day, I would like to pay you a vibrant tribute,” she said. For Ms Dominique Ouattara, these Mother’s Day celebrations give her the opportunity to contribute to the emancipation and empowerment of the women of the Mé. She also reiterated her faith in the determination and working strength of women. “The celebration of Mother’s Day in Adzopé also gives me the pleasant opportunity to promote women’s empowerment and promote the well-being of a greater number of families in the region. Indeed, I have never doubted the potential of the women of Côte d’Ivoire, and I have always believed in their working strength, their courage and their capacity to be productive”, she added.  For her, the manifestation of this confidence is undoubtedly the creation of the Fund for Women of Côte d’Ivoire (FAFCI) to enable women to undertake income-generating activities. According to the Wife of the Head of State, to date, this fund has enabled more than 360,000 women throughout the country to escape from poverty.

Lastly, the First Lady paid tribute to the Prime Minister and his wife Florence Achi for their commitment to the people of the Mé region.

The Prime Minister’s tribute to the First Lady

Speaking well ahead of the First Lady, Prime Minister Jérôme Patrick Achi, who is also President of the Mé Regional Council, took advantage of the ceremony to pay a heartfelt tribute to the First Lady for her many commitments and efforts for the betterment of the people alongside H.E. Mr. Alassane Ouattara, her husband. The Prime Minister hailed her as a noble fighter, working alongside her husband to build a modern country. According to the Prime Minister, Ms Dominique Ouattara was at her husband’s side in every battle. He also hailed her as a benevolent First Lady. One who fights for the cause of the underprivileged, especially women and children. It’s the fight of a queen for her children”, said the Prime Minister. The Head of Government, as a witness and close collaborator of the Head of State, thanked the First Lady for her leadership alongside her husband, and also for her empathy towards her fellow human beings.

Ms Florence Achi, Wife of the Prime Minister and spokeswoman for the women’s movement, thanked the First Lady for agreeing to organize this Mother’s Day celebration at the request of the women of the Mé region. For her, this shows the affection that the Wife of the Head of State has for women. She also praised the First Lady’s commitment to the well-being of women and children. “Wherever you go, your light illuminates desperate people. You make tomorrow better for women and children”, said Ms Florence Achi.

Ms Nasseneba Touré, Minister for Women, the Family and Children, also underscored the First Lady’s commitment to the well-being of women and children. For her, through this commitment, the First Lady is contributing to the implementation of the President of the Republic’s vision to build a more united country  by 2030. She also took advantage of the ceremony to pay tribute to women.

Ms Dedji Sylvie, Regional Councillor, gave her welcome address. She thanked the First Lady, Madame Dominique Ouattara, for her presence in Adzopé to celebrate Mother’s Day. For her, this presence shows the First Lady’s love for the Mé region.