Project GAPIN

Progress made in West Africa

Project GAPIN (Great Apes and Integrity) is financed by the Swedish government and focuses on protecting wildlife and enhancing integrity. The Project entails a range of events, including a visit by GAPIN Ambassadors to the participating countries. For that reason, Burkina Faso Customs has made one of its officials available to the World Customs Organization (WCO) in order to travel though the different countries within the region, raising awareness and informing Customs officers and users about the issue of CITES-related offences and associated corruption.

Activities have been carried out in Ouagadougou Airport and in western Burkina Faso. The GAPIN Ambassador has also travelled to Guinea and is planning additional visits to Gabon and the Central African Republic.

In addition to the favourable response and the interest shown in this Project, the visit by the GAPIN Ambassador has spurred on Customs officers, especially those in the Bobo Dioulasso Mobile Unit which recently seized 300 crocodile skins originating in Ghana and bound for Nigeria, being transported by a Malian national.

The Burkina Faso Customs Administration has also taken the initiative to produce roller banner stands displaying official Project posters. As shown in the photos, these have been placed in the arrivals and departures halls at Ouagadougou Airport, as well as in the visa waiting area and VIP lounge.