Brussels, 29 July 2020/OACPS: The Ambassador of Burkina Faso to Brussels, H.E. Mrs. Jacqueline Marie Zaba/Nikiéma, decorated Mr. Bagnenou Lamien, Officer-in-Charge of the Department of Macro-Economics, Development Finance and Intra-ACP Programming (MDFIP) with the Knight of the Order of Merit of Burkina Faso at a special reception on 25 July 2020, hosted at the Embassy of Burkina Faso in Brussels.

The Award was given to Mr. Lamien in recognition of his distinguished career to date; which comprises 14 years of dedicated service to the Government of Burkina Faso and a further 12 years of service within the Secretariat of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States.

According to the Ambassador, the award of the medal acknowledges not only the distinguished work of their countryman, but also the work of the OACPS in support of the countries of the OACPS and Burkina Faso in particular. Ambassador Zaba stressed the important role of the OACPS in the continued development of the country and that it was important at the local level, to be aware of these efforts and the contribution made by country representatives to achieve the ambitious goals set by the Organisation.

For his part, Mr. Lamien said: “I was very surprised when the Embassy contacted me to say that the Government decided to present this award to me, to recognize all that we do here, at the OACPS as well as to recognize the work I did previously, when I was employed with the Government in Burkina Faso. It is not often that you receive such an honour from your government and I am indeed touched and pleased to receive this medal.”

The Secretary-General of the OACPS, H.E. Mr. Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti, congratulated Mr. Lamien for the honour extended to him and, by extension, to the OACPS and thanked him for his continuing endeavours on behalf of the organization.

Mr. Lamien’s substantive position is that of Expert – Global Economics,Financial Matters, Macroeconomic and Aid Modalities with the MDFIP Department, however, with the departure of the previous management team at the end of their five-year tenure, he has been managing the department until the arrival of the Head of Department, which has been stalled by the travel restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Knight of the Order of Merit of Burkina Faso is a medal given by the Government of Burkina Faso to recognize outstanding merit of citizens and their contributions to national development.