A change of leadership has occurred at the head of the regulatory body for print and digital media in Ivory Coast. By presidential decree, Bakary Sanogo has been appointed president of the National Press Authority (ANP). He succeeds Samba Koné, whose term has expired.

A seasoned communications expert

The new president of the ANP has a particularly extensive career, alternating between senior public administration positions and international institutions:

1. At the heart of the State: Before his appointment, he served as a technical advisor at the Ministry of Communication. He also headed the Government Information and Communication Center (CICG) and held the position of Director of Communication at the Prime Minister's Office under the late Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly.
2. On an international level: Bakary Sanogo has nearly 20 years of experience as a communication expert for development. An international career that has taken him from the World Bank (Abidjan, Dakar, Paris) to the African Development Bank (Tunis, Abidjan).

From field journalism to regulation

This return to his industry roots makes sense for this professional who began his career in newsrooms. A former journalist for the Fraternité Matin group (where he was the New York correspondent), he also collaborated with the international news agency Reuters in Abidjan.

In terms of education, he holds a Master's degree in communication sciences from the Félix Houphouët-Boigny University of Abidjan and a Master's degree in journalism and mass communication from the prestigious New York University (NYU) .

Regional pride Following this appointment, Bouaké Fofana, president of the Worodougou Regional Council — the region from which Bakary Sanogo originates — wanted to publicly offer him his warmest congratulations in a press release.