Dr. Kouamé Jean KONAN, new WHO Representative, presented his letter of appointment to the Minister of International Affairs of Benin

Cotonou, April 4, 2025 – Dr. Kouamé Jean KONAN, now not too lengthy ago appointed Representative of the World Well being Organization (WHO) in Benin, officially presented his crendentials on Friday, April 4, 2025, to His Excellency Mr. Olushegun Adjadi BAKARI, Minister of International Affairs of the Republic of Benin. Dr. Kouamé Jean KONAN thus becomes the 12^th WHO Resident Representative in Benin since 1961.

The official ceremony, which took online page online at the Ministry’s premises in Cotonou, offered a possibility for Minister Olushegun Adjadi BAKARI to warmly congratulate Dr. Kouamé Jean KONAN on his appointment. He emphasised the importance of cooperation between Benin and WHO, describing the organization as a extraordinarily crucial strategic partner in the battle against communicable diseases, strengthening the health system, and making improvements to the residing conditions of the Beninese inhabitants.

The Minister reaffirmed the dedication of the Beninese Authorities to asserting fruitful cooperation with WHO, in admire of the nation’s sovereignty and the strategic priorities outlined in the Authorities Trip Program (PAG 2021-2026). “Well being is one of the three fundamental pillars of the Beninese Authorities’s program, and internal the framework of the upcoming five-year action cycle, these priorities will be strengthened by map of a global health procedure geared toward guaranteeing fetch admission to to quality care all over the existence cycle,” defined the Minister of International Affairs.

For his allotment, Dr. Kouamé Jean KONAN conveyed greetings from WHO Director-Customary Dr. Tedros Adhanom GHEBREYESUS, as smartly as from the Acting Regional Director of the WHO Regional Office for Africa, Dr. Chikwe IHEKWEAZU. He expressed his pleasure in serving Benin at a necessary 2d for the nation, marked by health challenges nonetheless furthermore sizable opportunities for sustainably strengthening the health system.

In the direction of his assembly with the Minister of International Affairs, Dr. KONAN said: “Taking on the mission entrusted to me in a global context marked by fundamental health challenges and a decline in public pattern aid is a responsibility I embrace with decision.” He continued, “Greater than a dedication, it is a requirement to strengthen the cooperation between WHO and the Authorities of Benin so as that each and each Beninese man and girl can revel in the fundamental gorgeous to health.”

He furthermore shared his vision for health in Benin, emphasizing the importance of a bolstered partnership with the government and other technical and financial partners. “In shut collaboration with the Ministry of Well being, I intend to work toward making health an efficient gorgeous for each and each citizen. Together, we are able to invent a sturdy, accessible, and resilient health system, by implementing the WHO Nation Cooperation System with Benin 2023-2027,” he declared.

Certainly, the WHO Nation Cooperation System with Benin 2023-2027 is based on four strategic action pillars: guaranteeing efficient current health protection, strengthening health emergency preparedness and response, accelerating the battle against communicable and noncommunicable diseases, and helping to invent a resilient and sustainable health system.

The two leaders discussed collaboration priorities, including the battle against communicable and noncommunicable diseases, public health emergency administration, and making improvements to fetch admission to to quality healthcare for all segments of the Beninese inhabitants.

Dr. KONAN, a public health doctor with over 25 years of abilities, furthermore highlighted the importance of resource mobilization and strategic alliances to flip these ambitions into concrete actions and tangible outcomes.

His appointment as WHO Representative in Benin is considered as a necessary step in strengthening the cooperation hyperlinks between WHO and Benin, for a future the place health will develop into a key pillar of pattern and collective smartly-being. His abilities will be an asset to strengthen Benin in achieving the Sustainable Style Goal (SDG 3).