On this Friday, May 12, 2023, the AGORA Abobo dressed up for its official inauguration, attended by several personalities and members of the Ivorian and French governments.
A new chapter begins: after Koumassi, Abobo becomes the second commune in Abidjan to officially receive its AGORA. The AGORA Abobo is the first of the 11 planned infrastructures in the framework of the AGORA Program duplication in Côte d’Ivoire, following the model of AGORA Koumassi. The first days of this new socio-sports and cultural infrastructure were celebrated on May 12th, with more than 2500 people gathered on the site, including schools, communal associations, local sports federations and clubs, religious and traditional leaders, and future users of AGORA.
A Bridge of Pride Between Côte d’Ivoire and France
This significant event took place in the presence of Ivorian and French authorities. This official meeting between Côte d’Ivoire and France reaffirms the words spoken by President Emmanuel Macron during the inauguration of AGORA Koumassi in December 2019: “The AGORA project is a bridge of pride through culture, sport, entrepreneurship, but also a dream that we will continue to build.”
The guest of honor for the ceremony was none other than Mrs. Chrysoula ZACHAROPOULOU, Secretary of State for Development, Francophonie, and International Partnerships, accompanied by Mr. Jean-Christophe BELLIARD, Ambassador of France to Côte d’Ivoire.
Four ministers from the Ivorian government, along with Mrs. Kandia CAMARA, Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration, and the Diaspora, Mayor of the commune of Abobo, and Mr. Paulin Claude DANHO, Minister of Sports, welcomed this new infrastructure with all honors.
Present were:
- Mr. Adama Coulibaly, Minister of Economy and Finance.
- Mr. N’Guessan KOFFI, Minister of Technical Education, Vocational Training, and Apprenticeship.
- Mrs. Mariatou KONE, Minister of National Education and Literacy.
- Mr. Mamadou TOURE, Minister of Youth Promotion, Professional Integration, and Civic Service.
The official delegation toured the various fields and installations, featuring demonstrations of wheelchair basketball, football, martial arts, and breakdance.
Bringing Sports and Culture Closer to Distant Populations
The AGORA Abobo is located in the heart of the Akeikoi neighborhood, the village of Anyama, and the Abobo district, at a time when the peripheral communes of the Abidjan district are experiencing constant spatial development. This strategic location will provide the surrounding populations with simplified access to a sports, cultural, social, and economic ecosystem.
The AGORA Abobo will be a place of sharing, expression, and exchange, especially for the most vulnerable individuals, women, and the youth, representing 85% of Abobo’s population. The idea is to bring them closer to certain areas they are currently distant from.
The upcoming opening of this place supports the commune of Abobo in its approach to territorial enhancement and openness to the world, just like the Abobo La Joie street art project and the MuCAT Museum.
150 Football Clubs to Benefit from a Synthetic Turf Field
Abobo now boasts a new synthetic turf field for the delight of the 150 football clubs in the commune. The first kick-off was given by Mayor Kandia CAMARA!
In total, an area of 17,000 m2 will soon welcome all athletes on a synthetic football field, an outdoor platform dedicated to hand sports, and a covered multisport field. AGORA Abobo also stands out by providing a dojo for the practice of combat sports and martial arts, as well as a climbing wall, an underrated discipline that the AGORA Program hopes to develop. Finally, enthusiasts of petanque and table tennis will also enjoy quality facilities.
Signing of an MoU for the AGORA FORMATION Project
With its social character and the creation of an ecosystem of NGOs and associations wherever it goes, the AGORA program in Côte d’Ivoire plans to establish a training center dedicated to sports professions and reserved for women. The SEPHIS Foundation has firmly established itself as a strategic actor in the growth of women-led SMEs in Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond, with a mission to provide critical support, training, and assistance to these businesses.
Without hesitation, the AGORA program chose this foundation to carry out its 100% female training project hand in hand. In this regard, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the SEPHIS Foundation, represented by its illustrious President, Mrs. Sefora KODJO, and Winwin Afrique, represented by its President, Mr. Régi Charpentier.
Winwin Afrique is always proud to commit to gender equality.