Dr. Koussao Somé recently took office as the newly appointed Director General of the Agence Nationale de Biosécurité (ANB) in Burkina Faso, succeeding Dr. Oumar Traoré, who had held the position since 2021.

On February 9, 2024, Dr. Somé was sworn in by Prof. Samuel Pare, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation, during a handover ceremony in Ouagadougou.

Dr. Oumar Traoré served nearly two years as the Director General of the agency. During his tenure, he successfully facilitated the contribution of Burkinabè expertise to the development of standards and the establishment of regional and community regulatory systems for modern biotechnologies. He also played a pivotal role in expediting the accreditation process of the National Biosafety Laboratory. Dr. Traoré expressed his willingness to continue supporting the incoming Director General for the success of his mission.

In his congratulatory message to Dr. Traoré, Dr. Somé commended his predecessor for his significant accomplishments. He expressed his dedication to addressing the current challenges with the support of the agency's staff.

Dr Somé is a seasoned scientist and plant breeder specializing in sweet potato and root crop breeding. He held several research and managerial positions at the National Environment and Agricultural Research Institute, INERA. Before joining ANB, he was appointed Technical Advisor to the Minister of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation, cumulatively with his position as Vice-Chair of the National Variety Registration Committee.

AUDA-NEPAD collaborates closely with National Biosafety Authorities across Africa to bolster their efforts on the ground. These government regulatory bodies are responsible for ensuring that the use of modern biotechnologies aligns with national regulations and international standards, particularly concerning products derived from genetic engineering and new gene technologies. Through its flagship biosafety program, the African Biosafety Network of Expertise, AUDA-NEPAD offers technical support to African countries to establish functional biosafety regulatory frameworks and leverage biotechnology opportunities. Such assistance aligns with the African Union's Agenda 2063 Aspiration 1, aiming for "a prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development," and Goal Number 5, targeting "Modern agriculture for increased productivity and production."