Nayala: The Bankui Regional Directorate for Human Rights organized a conference on Thursday to raise awareness among Toma traders about economic and fiscal civic duty, and the law banning plastic bags in Burkina Faso.
According to Burkina Information Agency, this initiative aims to encourage traders to adopt civic and responsible behaviors to actively contribute to the economic and social development of the province of Nayala. Keynote speaker Bandaogo Saidou elaborated on the concepts of economic and fiscal civic responsibility, recalling that “living in society requires understanding and respect for the laws that govern it.”
According to Mr. Bandaogo, civic responsibility refers to a set of responsible behaviors that promote social cohesion and sustainable development. He explained that economic civic responsibility consists of adopting ethical business practices that respect the rules and consumers. “A trader who respects the law but takes advantage of crises to unreasonably increase prices lacks economic civic responsibility,” he illustrated.
He also emphasized the distinction between civic responsibility and patriotism, while stressing that love of country should not lead to the rejection of neighboring countries: “Loving one’s country does not mean hating that of others,” he explained. The speaker recalled the main duties of a citizen, including respect for institutions, symbols of the State, and the payment of taxes.
He explained that taxes are an essential resource for financing public services such as education, health, security, and infrastructure. “Taxes help build schools, pay the salaries of police and military personnel, and support small businesses,” he stressed, calling on taxpayers to voluntarily fulfill their tax obligations.
Addressing the consequences of incivility, Mr. Bandaogo cited fraud, mismanagement of public assets, corruption and illicit price agreements as behaviors that hinder national development. He also denounced the sale of expired products, cheating on weights and measures, as well as non-compliance with hygiene and traffic regulations.
The second communication, presented by Diarra Dapoba, focused on Law No. 043-2024/ALT prohibiting the production, importation, marketing, and use of non-biodegradable plastic bags in Burkina Faso. The speaker recalled that this measure aims to protect the environment, public health, and livestock, which have been severely affected by plastic pollution.
He clarified that the law applies to all activities related to single-use plastic bags, while providing certain exceptions for packaging intended for industrial, medical, or scientific research uses. Mr. Dapoba finally urged traders to comply with current regulations: “Protecting our living environment is a collective responsibility,” he concluded.
Fran§ois Toe, president of the traders’ association, praised the relevance of the communications and expressed their commitment to relaying the messages received to their peers. The Secretary General of Nayala Province, Adama Diallo, congratulated the traders for their active participation. He urged them to be patriotic traders who pay their taxes.