DAOUKRO, Côte d’Ivoire_Adjoua Henriette Lagou, presidential candidate for the GP-PAIX alliance, officially launched her campaign on Monday in Daoukro, her ancestral hometown, ahead of Côte d’Ivoire’s national elections scheduled for October 25.
The campaign kickoff, held at Henri Konan Bédié Square, came three days after the official campaign period began. Lagou used the delay to emphasize her commitment to moderation and civility in a political climate she described as increasingly polarized.
Nicknamed the “mother of peace,” Lagou called for a campaign that is “courteous, civilized, and above all, joyful,” framing the electoral process as a “celebration of life.”
A Centrist Vision for National Development
Lagou unveiled a comprehensive policy platform she described as a “centrist development project,” anchored on four foundational pillars, which include lasting peace and genuine reconciliation, an inclusive and equitable economy, A society grounded in shared value and Full integration of the Ivorian diaspora
The program is structured around twelve strategic priorities, with major initiatives in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic reform.
Key Policy Proposals
Lagou pledged to significantly expand the national railway system. In addition to existing central and northern lines, she proposed three new routes: a coastal line from Abidjan to San-Pedro, an eastern line to Bouna, and a western line connecting Abidjan to Man and extending toward neighboring Liberia.
To promote educational equity, Lagou announced plans to establish the Fund for Training, Education, Schooling, and Apprenticeship (FESA), aimed at making education “truly free and mandatory for all.”
Her platform includes a proposal to restructure the country into ten administrative regions, each equipped with a University Hospital Center (CHU) to improve access to healthcare.
Emphasizing equitable growth, Lagou advocated for agricultural mechanization, diversification, and value-added processing. “Sharing the fruit of growth is very dear to our centrist ideology,” she said, pledging to combat poverty through fair wealth distribution.
A Call for Unity
Lagou further appealed to voters for broad support, vowing to govern with “determination, integrity, and an unwavering will to see our nation flourish, heal its wounds, and regain its unity.” Her campaign slogan, “Everything is possible!”, underscores her message of optimism and national renewal.
