It is important « to be able to forgive and contribute to resolving disputes because by talking about social cohesion, we create the rights conditions to live together peacefully while respecting the laws of the land, » stressed the traditional chiefs of Gagnoa at a discussion forum with local people held in the town situated at 275 km from Abidjan in centre west Côte d'Ivoire on 27 May 2015.



The forum, with local residents, administrative authorities, traditional leaders, elected representatives from the Department of Gagnoa in the Goh Region was organised as part of the activities of the 39th edition of United Nations Days which ended today.

Guest speaker at the forum, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and head of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), Mrs Aïchatou Mindaoudou, accompanied by the Deputy Force Commander, General Didier Lhote, with the Prefect of the Region and Prefect of the Department of Gagnoa, N'Zi Kanga Rémi, the Mayor, Metchu Bamba. Recommendations were made by the traditional chiefs, community and religious leaders, women's and youth associations during workshops organised on the eve of the forum.



Referring to these recommendations, Mrs Mindaoudou said that they « bring out the strong commitment of each and everyone of the participants to consolidating the reconciliation process and strengthening social cohesion in Gagnoa and in the region ». She added : « UNOCI and the United Nations System pays great attention to the pertinent observations and recommendations made because they illustrate the aspirations of the people of Gagnoa to act collectively for the stability, peace and development of Goh Region ». The chief of UNOCI concluded by reaffirming her personal commitment and that of the United Nations to support the action of the authorities and people of Côte d'Ivoire to create a peaceful climate in preparation for presidential election in October 2015.



Performances by different artists including a sketch titled «« rien ne va recommencer ici » - Nothing is going to start here » - by a group known as « Assika » to sensitise ex-combatants on tghe merits of joining the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration programme. Winners of sports activities organised as part of UN Days were presented with several trophies by members of the different authorities.



A donation of 2.398.000 FCFA (approximately $4,600) was made by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to buy equipment for medical centres in the department.



In the morning before going to Laurent Gbagbo Square in the centre of Gagnoa where the festivities were held, the Special Representative had a working session with a delegation of chiefs and local authorities of Bayota who came to raise a number of development concerns regarding their locality, with her.



The Prefect of the department, Mr. N'Zi Kanga Rémi presided over the closing ceremony during which he thanked UNOCI for organising UN Days in his department.