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In the context of Burkina Faso’s call for local consumption, counterfeiting is also in full swing. Whether it is dishes or clothing styles, fakes are present in people’s daily lives. Abdoulaye Kouanda, a lawyer by training and president of the Education of Conscience Burkina Faso (EDEC Burkina Afrique), is committed to fighting the counterfeit Faso Dan Fani fabrics that flood the Burkina Faso market. The associate judge of the Labor Court of Ouagadougou is a staunch participant in “local consumption”. In an interview with the editorial staff of Lefaso.net, he tells about his association and the challenges they face.
Lefaso.net: Could you please introduce the EDEC Association to us?
Abdoulaye Kouanda: EDEC Burkina Faso is a non-profit civil society organization founded in 2015. Among them are weavers from different socio-professional categories. EDEC Burkina develops in sustainable development, particularly affecting education, culture, health, economy, good governance, among others. It has focal points in thirteen regions of Burkina Faso. We are in receipt in September 2023.
Why is it named EDEC Burkina Africa?
The name does not necessarily refer to Burkina Faso. It means integrity. Every African must have integrity. Everything is achieved through education, so we have a credo: “Always act through education to change mindsets and promote development.”
In terms of promoting local consumption, you have launched a campaign against counterfeit Faso Danfani. Please tell us why you made such a commitment?
First, my love for Faso Dan Fani came in school when I was a student. My grandmother was a spinner (making yarn) and my cousin was a traditional weaver. People made fun of me when I went to Nelson Mandela High School in 1992-1993 wearing traditional clothes. I was walking from Kwame Nkrumah Avenue to go to high school. Even in school, one of my teachers said it was a pre-Cambrian dress.
In 2008, I decided to create a school with the responsibility of promoting Faso Dan Fani. I knew that I could not promote everything that Thomas Sankara did, but at least I could promote one of his revolutionary ideas. I started advocating at the administrative level and at the highest level. The first authority I wrote to was the Prime Minister, Luc Adolphe Tiao. He told me that it was really expensive and not within the reach of parents, so we had to see what they could afford. They did not try to meet with me to see how I could dress the students and what support I expected from the authorities. However, I have proven four basic reasons, if not five, because I could not tell them at the time that it was the idea of Thomas Sankara that pushed me. These four reasons were: for the health of the students, because the clothes were cotton; cultural identity, because it was the pride of Burkina Faso; economic, because it would promote business; and to create jobs in Burkina Faso.
How to tell whether Faso Dan Fani fabric is authentic?
This is some fake fabric that I brought to show you. We burned this fabric. It’s very thick, and it burned like a plastic bag. Whereas if it were cotton, it should be ash, and it would disappear with just a light touch. So for the difference between real Faso Danfani and fakes, first of all, it’s the touch. The real thing is softer, while the fake is rougher. But this is very random. People who don’t know can’t touch it to understand.
What can we do to combat fakes that look like the real thing?
This requires a patriotic commitment. When a consumer reaches a retailer and wants 100% Faso Dan Fani, he must insist on quality.
In your struggle, have you also raised awareness among traders?
Yes! As part of the 2024-2025 activity plan, we held a press conference on June 21, 2024, outlining some of the activities. Raising awareness is our most important activity. Going to the markets to meet the merchants and guide the consumers to show them the four consequences of local consumption. Last week, we embarked on a caravan through the poor to speak directly to the consumers. Then we made a demonstration between the fake and the real Faso Danfani and listed the effects on certain arteries at times. We have visited four markets and we will visit others in the coming days.
Of course, those who made mistakes did not receive us; they even ran away. On the other hand, those who sold genuine products also appreciated our initiative.
People say fake fabrics are cheaper than real fabrics. What kind of policies do you think are needed to support the people who actually make fabrics?
Every time we are told it is expensive, but I believe it is relative. I know that the price of imported counterfeit thread is much lower than the domestic thread. But when counterfeit thread is used, the loincloth is sold at twice the price of the local loincloth. See the controversy of the trader? He pays less for the yarn, the fact that it is not even labeled, it does not adhere to any standards. So in terms of price, we have to qualify. We know that bazin costs more than Faso Dan Fani and its maintenance, but people buy it anyway. It is a question of will, choice.
What challenges does EDEC face in promoting local consumption?
Our first challenge is to strongly call on the current authorities to adopt the protectionist policies of Faso Dan Fani for at least ten years, implement them in schools and let everyone have a taste of it. Anyone who knows Ethiopia knows that you cannot travel with their companies without passing through Addis Ababa. They protect the transport industry to such an extent that it has become an African and even global company.
The authorities of the Ministry of Education, let them not let go of those who want to undermine the government’s national policies.
Interview conducted by Cryspin Laoundiki
Photo credit: Bonaventure Paré
Lefaso.com
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