Ambassador Mushingi led a ten-person delegation from the U.S. Embassy to the launching ceremony of the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) at Blaise Compaore Hospital on August 4, 2016. The ceremony, presided over by Prime Minister Paul Kaba Thieba, marked Burkina Faso’s formal commitment to the GHSA as it joins in the effort to accelerate progress toward a world safe and secure from infectious disease threats. The Minister of Health signed a declaration of commitment and gave remarks, along with the WHO Resident Representative, the Governor of the Centre Region, and Ambassador Mushingi.
In his remarks, the Ambassador said, “The United States government is proud to support the government of Burkina Faso as it commits to better protect Burkinabe and save lives.” He added, “Health security is national security.” The U.S. delegation included USAID Representative Jim Parys, Peace Corps Country Director Keith Hackett, and the Director of the Embassy’s new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention office, Rebecca Greco Koné.
