Mr. B. Bouato

On this symbolic send-off ceremony marking the end of

Dr. N. Nkouka

your service at the African Union, kindly permit me, on behalf of my colleagues here present, and even those who have left the IAPSC before you, to present these words of goodbye.

It is worth recalling that you devoted about 20 years of your career to the IAPSC, at a crucial period when the African Union was undergoing far-reaching reforms and needed supplementary efforts for its construction.

You arrived here as the Assistant Scientific Secretary, and you were therefore fortunate to work with the staff, first as a colleague, observing the IAPSC system and the scope of its missions, before taking over the helm of this vital organ of the African Union which at the time seemed to be ungovernable…

Upon taking over the helm of this boat which was almost drifting, you immediately set out to calm the tempest before considering the direction you were to take. Thanks to your insight and your spirit of tolerance, you succeeded in instating a healthy climate within the IAPSC. The social climate thus cleansed, you tackled the arduous task of restoring the image of IAPSC, which more or less had been tarnished, with its partners and the public.

Faced with the problem of human resources, your sense of discernment led you to detect among us those with good predispositions which you successfully channeled into a modest, but efficient team.

Without being perfect (as every human endeavour), the balance sheet of the IAPSC is nevertheless positive, and we have regained the trust of our partners. However, as the saying goes, much has been done, and much still remains to be done.

As you depart from the IAPSC with the impression of not having totally accomplished your vision for Africa of "food for all and competitive agricultural products on the world market", we firmly believe that you will regularly be with us so that we continue benefiting from your enormous experience whenever the need shall arise.

You are temporarily leaving Africa, land of your birth, whose interests you relentlessly defended throughout your career. We dare hope that the end of your service here does not mean that you will stop defending the interests of this continent that still needs such illustrious sons as you.

Thus, on behalf of the entire staff, while wishing you good luck in your new life, I offer you this symbolic gift, representing Africa and which will continue reminding you of this continent wherever you shall go.

To your entire family, and more particularly your spouse who was with you in all your efforts, we convey our heart-felt thanks.

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