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Mar 15th

Ouagadougou is Africa's best cultural town, says Africa Culture Watchdog

France - The Burkinabe capital, Ouagadougou, has been ranked the best cultural town in Africa, beating Accra, Cape Town and Douala, in that order, according to a report by Africa's Culture Watchdog (OCPA), presented on Monday in Paris, the French capital.

OCPA arrived at its conclusion following a study of the planning and greenery in African cities.

"The urban planning, the monuments, the gardens, the location of restaurants in Ouagadougou depict the abundance of culture everywhere. It is an exemplary approach that should inspire other African towns," the executive director of OCPA, Lup wishi Mbuyambaune, said.

The study, which covered 15 African towns, was aimed at highlighting the need for municipal or local authorities to be fully involved in turning cities into cultural showpieces.

"Cultural life in Ouagadougou features story telling, music and other culture-inclined activities which illustrate cultural vitality that is heavily supported by local authorities," said Mbuyambaune.

The OCPA's study, the first of this kind in Africa, ranks Brazzaville, Kinshasa and Yaoundé far lower that Ouagadougou, Accra and Douala.

Created in 2002, OCPA is supported by UNESCO and the African Union (AU), to undertake advocacy action on African governments in order to sensitize them on the benefits of good cultural policies.

Paris - 23/11/2009

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