Recognition: The First Lady Dominique Ouattara elevated to the dignity of Grand Officer in the

Mrs. Dominique Ouattara, First Lady of Côte d’Ivoire, was elevated to the dignity of Grand Officer in the National Order by Mrs. Henriette Dagri Diabaté, Grand Chancellor of the National Order, on Thursday, December 1, 2022, at the Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire.

This decoration is the highest that a civilian can reach in the national order and is the ultimate recognition that a state can give to a personality. It comes to sanction more than two (02) decades of humanitarian commitment to the poor and services to the nation. Thus, after having been elevated to the dignity of Commander of the National Order in 2011, the State of Côte d’Ivoire has once again honored her for her rich career in humanitarian work for the benefit of the weakest.

It is important to note that the decoration ceremony witnessed the participation of H.E. Mr. Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic, Mr. Tiémoko Meyliet Koné, Vice-President of the Republic, Mr. Jérôme Patrick Achi, Prime Minister, Presidents of institutions, Ministers of the Government and several other personalities.

Taking advantage of this ceremony, the wife of the Head of State shared the motivations that led her to launch the Children of Africa Foundation more than 24 years ago.  The need to provide assistance and happiness to others explains the reason for creating the most famous humanitarian foundation in the country. “For as long as I can remember, bringing happiness to others has been part of my life philosophy. I have always cared, wherever I have lived, about the well-being of the less fortunate, those who feel neglected, those who are suffering, and those who are ill. It is this motivation that led me to create the Children Of Africa Foundation 24 years ago,” said Mrs. Dominique Ouattara. She also added that at the beginning, her attention was particularly focused on abandoned children. Then with time and experience in the field, the wife of the Head of State understands that to be effective  it is essential to offer children an environment conducive to their development that takes into account both their education, their health and food, material and financial resources. “This overall vision has allowed the Children of Africa Foundation to carry out various activities,” said Mrs. Dominique Ouattara.  Also, the Founder of Children of Africa wanted to thank and dedicate her award to President Alassane Ouattara, her husband and first support in her humanitarian commitment for many years. “This distinction, I would like to dedicate it to my dear husband President Alassane Ouattara, who has always supported me in the accomplishment of my projects and my humanitarian actions. My darling, I thank you from the bottom of my heart believing in me and for providing your support during all these years,” she said.  Looking back on her commitment, the First Lady shared some of her major projects that are close to her heart. Thus, she mentioned the Mother-Child Hospital Dominique Ouattara of Bingerville opened to the public in 2018. With a construction cost of 25 billion CFA francs and more than 5 years of work, this health project is a huge pride in that it has allowed her to realize her wish to make available to the population quality care. “The Mother and Child Hospital of Bingerville receives patients from all over Côte d’Ivoire and the sub-region, and 25% of them, among the poorest, are treated free of charge,” she said. She also mentioned her commitment to adress child labour in the country. She finally spoke about the Support Fund for Women of Côte d’Ivoire (FAFCI), a program to finance women’s projects which has enabled 340,000 women members to gain autonomy and be fulfilled and more than 2 million families to escape poverty.

A love for her neighbor, an almost obsessive need to do good around her without ever expecting anything in return except the joy of seeing smiles. These are the qualities of Mrs. Dominique Ouattara recognized and praised by Mrs. Henriette Dagri Diabaté, Grand Chancellor of the National Order. And which, according to her,  is a good reason to  elevate her to the dignity of Grand Officer of the National Order. Mrs. Henriette Dagri Diabaté also revealed that these qualities are recognized both at the national and international level.

Minister Ally Coulibaly, Special Advisor to the President of the Republic, Mrs. Fanta Diakité, FAFCI beneficiary and Mr. Akpro Essy Ezéchiel, former resident of the Children’s Home, the reception center of the Children Of Africa Foundation respectively expressed their thanks to the First Lady through moving testimonies about the wife of the Head of State and on the qualitative impact of her actions on their lives.

It is important to note that several artistic performances marked this important celebration.