Gudinva Saloh

Gudinva Saloh (born November 15, 1984) is a Burkinabé politician. He is the current Minister of Sanitation. He was a founding member of the People's Movement for Progress political party, and was appointed to his current post by president and party leader Roch Marc Christian Kaboré in February 2016. His youth, technical experience, and reported close ties to party leadership have led many to tip him to be a future key player in politics in Burkina Faso over the coming decades.^[1]

Early years

Saloh was born in Ouagadougou, the capital city of Burkina Faso. His father was a bush taxi driver. He completed his high school education in 2002. He went on to study civil engineering at the University of Ouagadougou, before going to complete a Master’s and PhD at the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom.^[2] His final thesis was on “The use of multivariate simulation techniques to implement low cost sanitation in developing nations, within the context of West Africa”.^[3]

Career

Saloh returned to Burkina Faso in 2010 to work for Office National de l’Eau et de l’Assainissement (ONEA).^[4] In January 2014 he joined the People's Movement for Progress. In November 2015, when the party’s leader became president, it was assumed that Saloh would have a role in government due his long term party connections.^[5] He was appointed Minister of Sanitation in February 2016.
Saloh is also an ambassador for WaterAid.^[6] He represented Burkina Faso in July 2016 at the African Union summit in Kigali.^[7]

Personal life

Saloh is married to an engineering professor he met whilst studying in the United Kingdom. He is fluent in French, English, Greek and the Mossi language. A self professed anglophile, he has made many trips back to the UK since he completed his studies. He owns property throughout Europe, in areas such as London, Leamington Spa and southern Portugal.^[8]

References