Sassandra hosts 37th edition of United Nations Days

The 37th edition of United Nations Days kicked off on Wednesday, 21 January 2015 with a school sensitisation caravan for local children and a blood donation operation at the Lycée Raymond Goffri de Sassandra, situated at 140 km southwest of Abidjan. Sports activities were also part of the Days' programme.

The theme of the three-day event which saw the participation of several divisions of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) and several UN agencies is ''People of Sassandra and the United Nations, hand in hand for the consolidation of peace, the promotion of national reconciliation and development. ''

The head of the UN delegation, Abdourahamane Ganda, expressed his satisfaction with the encounter between the UN and the people of Sassandra. For him, the latest edition of UN Days was proof that the Organisation wants peace and national reconciliation to be consolidated in Côte d'Ivoire in order to make development possible.

In addition to the blood donation operation, the different UN agencies set up stands from which they explained their activities and mandate to local people.

The school sensitisation caravan attracted a record number of children from different educational establishments in the area as well as representatives of the local administrative authorities.

Part of the entertainment in the afternoon included a canoe race and traditional boxing watched by an enthusiastic crowd.

The green-light for the sports activities was given by the Prefect of Sassandra, Ernest Boni. Teams from Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia and Ghana competed in the canoe race which was dominated by the Liberians. With regard to the traditional boxing competition, three categories of fighters from Niger and Côte d'Ivoire battled for first place. In the end it was an Ivorian who triumphed in the 60 and 90 kg categories.

The first of UN Days in Sassandra ended with a screening of Africa Nations Cup matches andf a film on the United Nations.

The 37th edition of UN days continues on Thursday, 22 January with a programme of workshops with partners such a traditonal chiefs, NGOs, elected local officials. During the final days of the event, the UN will also hold working sessions with local leaders and members of civil society organisations.