The city of Man in Ivory Coast may get a Brabant mayor in August. Journalist Alex Gbanse from Eindhoven is the founder of the only independent Ivorian internet newspaper and has put himself forward as a candidate. He wants to improve the place where he grew up and hopes that Brainport Eindhoven can lend a helping hand.
A male choir sings a song as Alex Gbanse kicks off his election campaign in the center of Man. The name of the Eindhoven resident is already singing around quite a bit in the city. He estimates his chances quite high himself. “I’m going to win,” he smiles confidently.
“I would like to ensure that all children can go to school as usual.”
With 200,000 inhabitants, Man is the ninth city of Ivory Coast and is located in a beautiful nature reserve with mountains and jungles. After the devastating war of a few years ago, the situation in the city has improved somewhat, but there are still serious problems.
Primary school classes are bursting at the seams. Taking lessons with 150 children at the same time in a classroom without air conditioning is a daily practice in Man. “It’s impossible,” says Alex in his home in Eindhoven while showing a photo. An incredible number of children can be seen in a classroom.
“They have a shortage of space and a shortage of staff. Half of the class now has lessons in the morning and the other half in the afternoon. How I would like to ensure that all children in the city can go to school as usual ‘, he sighs.
But there is much more: pollution, youth unemployment, corruption… The roads in the city are bad and the market vendors complain bitterly about poor facilities. If it is up to Gbanse, these problems will soon be tackled energetically.
“The innovations from Brainport Eindhoven can mean a lot there.”
Gbanse has already committed hundreds of people to support his campaign. Earlier this month, he traveled to the area to campaign himself.
If he wins, he wants to partly control the Ivorian city from Eindhoven. According to him, a deputy mayor in the city and a good video connection will go a long way.
“It is actually interesting to continue to live here and to establish a connection with Brainport. The innovations from our region can mean a lot there. Man also has a technical university. Who knows, I might succeed in setting up a partnership.”
But the ‘magic’ can work the other way. Gbanse is sure that the Brabant people around him can be charmed by the special landscape, the mystical culture and the cheerful national character of the Ivorians. That is why he organizes a trip in the week that the inhabitants of Man go to the polls.