Burkinabè Healer Awarded Honorary Doctorate for Contributions to Traditional Medicine and Peacebuilding
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso – Renowned traditional healer Saidou Bikienga of Nagréongo was awarded an honorary doctorate by the franco-Arab African Council for grades (CAFAG) on August 30, 2025, in recognition of his dedication to healthcare, social cohesion, and the promotion of traditional medicine across the Sahel region. The ceremony, held at Ouaga 2000, centered on the theme of “Contribution of community and religious leaders in the strengthening of peace and social cohesion in the space of the Confederation of Alliance of the States of the Sahel (AES).”
The honorary doctorate acknowledges Bikienga’s long-standing commitment to providing care and sharing knowledge, notably within Burkina Faso and neighboring countries within the AES. Dr. Ousmane Zango of CAFAG emphasized the award as both a gesture of gratitude for Bikienga’s work and an encouragement to further expand access to healthcare and support for vulnerable populations.
Bikienga, who previously received the Super African Development Prize (PADEV) in Kigali in 2021 for his contributions to population care and traditional medicine, expressed his gratitude for the recognition. He pledged to continue advocating for and practicing traditional medicine, stating, “It is a gesture that comes to encourage us in our momentum. We are going to continue the dynamics of promoting traditional medicine.”
This event is part of a broader initiative by CAFAG, which includes 27 countries, to honor influential community and religious leaders working to foster peace and unity. Similar distinction ceremonies have already been held in mali and Niger, recognizing prominent figures in those nations. The award highlights the growing recognition of the vital role traditional healers play in providing healthcare and contributing to social well-being within the Sahel region.
Burkina Information Agency
