Country-Wide Education
Solve Poverty
Stamp out Corruption
Improve Local Governance
© Yeah Samake 2012
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By Carma Wadley, Deseret News
Yeah Samake was elected mayor of Ouelessebougou in 2009. At that time, the collection of 44 villages was ranked 170 out of 174 municipalities in Mali in terms of economic development, transparency of government and management. "We have since been able to bring it into the top 10 in the country. Ouelessebougou is now a pilot municipality because of the way we have run things with transparency, public participation and strict financial accountability."
Wherever poverty and literacy abide in large measure, corruption can creep into politics, and that has been the case in Mali in the past, but the people are seeking a change, says Samake. "Integrity and accountability have become very important."
Samake has instituted a council of tribal elders, what he likes to call his "Elder's Quorum," where each village sends two trusted elders to the council. It keeps leaders accountable and has become an agent of communication to the communities. "It has become a vehicle of change," says Samake. "People are gaining trust in their local leaders." And that has translated into economic change. "The collection rate of taxes has risen from less than 10 percent to 68 percent."
Through these projects, Samake has gained the respect of his peer mayors and was elected vice president of the association of 104 mayors of Mali. This, in turn, has "brought more access to national leaders, who are now willing give funds to Ouelessebougou because they know they will be used wisely."
Not Born to Power
For Samake to even consider being president of his country is inspiration of its own. He was born into a poor family in a country where one in five children don't live past age 5. "I was not born to power. I did not inherit a legacy of privilege. But I believe in working hard. I believe in service." And because of that, he says, "I was presented with layers of opportunity."
Attended BYU
Samake was able to attend school, something that only 15 percent of the people in Ouelessebougou did at that time. Then, he was able to attend college and came to the United States. In New York City, he came into contact with and joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and through the generosity of a family in Colorado was able to go to BYU for graduate work.
Yeah's Beliefs
"I believe that if you work hard, you have a shot at a good life, and that is something that should be available to every child in every country,"
The key, he says, is "using our resources with integrity and finding leaders who believe in service rather than taking advantage of their position."
"A quality education is not a luxury, but something that every child has access to, where parents don't have to choose between eating and sending their children to school.
