On Friday, July 19, 2024, at 4:00 p.m., COFEB’s Auditorium A hosted the official closing ceremony marking the completion of the first phase of theoretical training for the Center’s 46th graduating class.
This formal event was presided over by the Governor of the BCEAO, Jean-Claude Kassi Brou. Also taking part were members of the BCEOA’s Government, Directors General and their Advisors, and Central Services Managers, as well as COFEB officials, auditors from the 46th graduating class and the COFEB’s lecturers.
As is customary, the General Manager of COFEB, Patrick Kodjo, took the floor to welcome the Bank Authorities and expressed his gratitude for their presence at the ceremony. He also took note of the implementation of the training programs for the first and second semesters, the encouraging results achieved by the participants, and the key factors contributing to their performance. He concluded by announcing that the practical phase of the participants’ training, primarily focused on internships and dissertation writing in the participants’ home countries, was scheduled to begin on August 5, 2024.
Following Mr. Kodjo, Sessi Fabrice Hospice Dougbé, delegate and spokesperson for the participants, reflected on the key moments of their time at COFEB. He highlighted the core subjects taught by the Center, including economics, monetary policy, and finance, as well as complementary subjects such as languages, public speaking, and management. Mr. Dougbé went on to underscore the impact of the training received at COFEB on the learners’ professional trajectories and reassured the Bank’s Authorities of the graduating class’s commitment to contributing to the resolution of the challenges facing their respective countries. He concluded by reiterating the collective gratitude of his colleagues to the Governor of the BCEAO and to COFEB.
In his speech, the Governor expressed his satisfaction with the successful completion of the first phase of the training and the academic results achieved by the graduating class, which he ascribed to the discipline and spirit of solidarity they had shown. He pointed out that the training programs delivered by COFEB were the BCEAO’s response to the needs expressed by economic and financial administrations, credit institutions, microfinance institutions, and other financial organizations, adding that the curricula were regularly updated to ensure that the courses remained aligned with the needs of the target audience. In the same vein, he stressed the Bank’s ongoing efforts to uphold the Center’s reputation for excellence, which was maintained thanks to the provision of relevant training, the professionalism of the facilitators, and the diversity of its partners. Governor Bou noted that COFEB’s reputation had recently been enhanced by the recognition of its master’s degree program by the African and Malagasy Council for Higher Education (CAMES). He urged the participants to embrace the culture of excellence upheld by the BCEAO.
The Governor went on to encourage the auditors to demonstrate even greater dedication and determination in completing their internships and drafting their dissertations, in preparation for their future responsibilities.
He then extended his heartfelt congratulations to COFEB’s academic staff for their commitment and strong sense of duty throughout the training. He also expressed his hope that this collaboration would continue and lead to even greater accomplishments.
In conclusion, he wished the students every success in their internships, a safe return to their home countries for those residing outside Senegal, and a prosperous career after obtaining their master’s degrees in finance and banking management.
The ceremony ended with a group photo in front of the conference room at Headquarters, followed by a cocktail reception graciously hosted by the Governor in the COFEB hall.