Municipality of Ouagadougou: The special delegation inquires about the living conditions of MACO detainees and residents of the Delwendé center in Sakoula

On the occasion of the end-of-year and New Year celebrations, the first officials of the commune of Ouagadougou visited the residents of the Ouagadougou Remand and Correctional Center (MACO) and those accused of witchcraft in the Delwendé center in Sakoula in district 4 of the city of Ouagadougou. A visit initiated just like every year, to pay tribute to certain institutions and organizations, according to Maurice Konaté, high commissioner of the province of Kadiogo and president of the special delegation of the commune of Ouagadougou.

Delivery of food to residents of the Delwendé center

The MACO detainees were the first to receive the delegation. This is for municipal officials, to touch the finger of the living conditions and detention of detainees and encourage them to overcome this situation. MACO staff also received encouragement and tributes from the first officials of the commune of Ouagadougou.

“We are here this morning to pay tribute to MACO staff and also support those who are at odds with the law. We presented our best wishes to them on the eve of the New Year and made a small contribution to them”, explains Maurice Konaté.

Maurice Konaté, president of the special delegation of Ouagadougou

The special delegation took the opportunity to hand over two tons of food and an envelope of one million FCFA to residents of MACO. For their part, the staff received 500,000 FCFA from the hands of Maurice Konaté, high commissioner of the province of Kadiogo and president of the special delegation of the commune of Ouagadougou.

Initiatives praised by the first officials of the MACO and the detainees. Prison Security Guard Inspector Alexis Paré, Acting Director of MACO, welcomes this regular visit from municipal authorities, which he says demonstrates how sensitive they are to the concerns of MACO inmates and staff.

Inspector Alexis Paré, Acting Director of MACO

The detainees submitted grievances to the special delegation with a view to improving their conditions of detention. These are problems of prison overcrowding, defective cells, a dilapidated mill, lighting problems, etc. They also called for adequate care for the children of female prisoners. Grievances to which Maurice Konaté promises to respond to them immediately or in the medium or long term, after examination and consultation with the various partners.

After the MACO, the delegation headed for the Delwendé center in Sakoula in district 4 of the commune.

Delivery of the donation to MACO detainees

There, they were received by women and men accused of witchcraft. In addition to the encouragement, the residents of the center received a ton of food. Created in 1966, this center welcomes mostly marginalized women, expelled in particular for suspicion of witchcraft. Its mission is to promote human dignity, comprehensive care until the end of life, mediation for the return of people to their families.

Family photo with MACO staff

The center currently welcomes 187 boarders, including 8 men, all from the elderly, according to Sister Muloya Vickless, director of the center. She thanked the special delegation for the visit and the donation of food. The director took the opportunity to address some concerns to their hosts of the day. These are health difficulties due to the very advanced age of the residents, the lack of aid and certain foodstuffs such as corn due to the security situation, the poor condition of the road leading to the center , etc.

Sister Muloya Vickless, director of the Delwendé center in Sakoula

The center also encounters difficulties in honoring its medical prescriptions, according to its director. Sister Muloya Vickless also pleaded with the communal authorities and with the media for greater awareness of the stories of witchcraft in order to allow these residents to return home to their families.

Family photo with residents of the Delwendé center in Sakoula

In order not to remain idle, the residents engage in activities such as soap making, gardening, raising poultry and pigs, producing soumbala, etc. Literacy and spiritual activities are also organized for the benefit of these boarders.

The representative of the residents invited the special delegation to provide them with a television to be able to follow the news of the country. She also pleads for their effective return to their respective families, because she says “We miss nothing here but we miss our children and grandchildren a lot”.

Mamadou ZONGO

Lefaso.net