Embassy of the United States

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People attentively watching election news update

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People attentively watching election news update

Election Day at the American Embassy of Ouagadougou

Tuesday November 4^th 2008, the American Embassy of Ouagadougou organized at its cultural center, a very diverse program full of a series of activities for its annual election night.  The program began at 20:30 and ended at midnight.  All guests present were able to cast their ballots at a voting booth.  Also available on the program for guests, were 5 booths with information on the presidential candidates, American cultural politics, campaign financing, political parties and government structure.  Life size posters of both candidates were disposed in the garden of the center for guests to take pictures with their favorite candidate.  Live news feed of CNN and France 24 was alternated throughout the evening at the end of each different presentation scheduled. 

In the multi-purpose room, a live web chat was also made available to guests interested in participating.

The Public Affair’s Officer kicked off the program at 21:00 by welcoming guests to this very important day in US politics and history.  A musical presentation by our own Anita Beamon-Freeman followed the welcoming speech.  Subsequent to the music, Ambassador Jeanine Jackson made remarks on the importance of democracy as well as this year’s very unique process in the candidate’s campaign.     Followed by her speech Anita Beamon-Freeman sang another song for the guests. 

Vice-Consul, Wossie Mazengia presented in the conference room a PowerPoint on the historical process of Elections in the United States.  A mock debate with students from the American Language center took place soon after the presentation by the vice-consul.  The debate attracted several guests into the conference room as participants representing both parties-Republican and democratic- argued the issues to the crowd.

Following the debate some guests walked through the conference room to look at poster presentations from a competition initiated by the American Embassy in Ouagadougou.  These drawing were for a ‘pagne’ competition and artists were to submit drawing to illustrate the friendship between the United States government and that of Burkina Faso.  The winner would have their drawing on a ‘pagne’.

Furthermore in the garden, a musical performance was held by another local reggae artist Lennox.

Following his presentation the announcement of the winner of the ‘pagne’ competition was made by the Public Affairs Officer and prizes from 6^th place to 1^st were handed out by the ambassador Jeanine Jackson.

The Deputy Chief of Mission also did a power Point presentation in the conference room.  His presentation was on Understanding the electoral college.

The evening ended with  two more musical performances by both Anita and Lennox. 

The winner for Burkina Faso’s candidate was also announced.  Barack Obama won in Burkina Faso.  Joann Lockard ended her program with a closing statement reiterating the great importance of this year’s presidential election not just because it marked a great step in America’s history but because it has proven the great benefits of American democracy.

Overall the event was a great success with several hundreds of people present including the minister of Culture and other key contacts of the Embassy.