Latest news with #N'Guessan
Malay Mail
01-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Less French, more African: Ivory Coast modernises street names to reflect cultural identity
ABIDJAN, May 1 — Street names in Ivory Coast's economic capital have taken on a decidedly more local flavour over the past few weeks, as African names have replaced French ones in France's former colony. The road linking the airport to Abidjan's city centre, for example, is no longer named after former French president Valerie Giscard d'Estaing, but for the man who led Ivory Coast following its independence from France in 1960, Felix Houphouet-Boigny. The old names 'weren't necessarily used by our people,' Alphonse N'Guessan, the urban planning official in charge of the project, told AFP. A name 'must reflect our history, our culture', he said. France once had a sizeable colonial presence in Africa and several of its former colonies in west Africa have sought to distance themselves from Paris. But while countries like Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali have turned their backs on ties with France following juntas coming to power there, Ivory Coast, which was under French rule from 1893 to 1960, remains a regional ally of its former ruler. It simply 'decided to modernise its system' for street names, N'Guessan said. The operation, costing US$17 million (RM73 million) and financed with help from the World Bank, is aimed at bringing 'our traffic and location systems up to international standards', he said. While the process of renaming streets in Abidjan began in 2021, it is only since March that signs with the new names have actually gone up in the city. Some 15 other towns and cities in the country will also have street names changed, with the nationwide process expected to be completed by 2030. Workers mount the news signs of Georges Amalan street in Abidjan on April 16, 2025. — AFP pic 'Who is who' The new names acknowledge Ivorian politicians, scientists, artists, athletes or concepts, and are chosen in consultation with civil society groups or local traditional chiefs, N'Guessan said. So Abidjan's Marseille Boulevard, named after the southern French port city, is now Philippe Yace Boulevard, in a salute to the parliament's first speaker. And Boulevard de France is now named after the country's first First Lady, Marie-Therese Houphouet-Boigny. 'It is important for Africans to identify with the city's development,' especially with a 'population that is becoming increasingly young', said Wayiribe Ismail Ouattara, an urban planner. A young person walking past a street named after a colonial governor 'will not have the same feeling as for someone who lived through colonisation', he said. Some 75 per cent of Ivory Coast's population is under 35. The move has been widely embraced by Abidjan residents. 'The names of the streets in Ivory Coast should belong to Ivorian revolutionaries, Ivorian politicians' so that 'in the future, we can explain to our children who is who', said Franck Herve Mansou, a 31-year-old company technician. Jean Bruce Gneple, a salesman, agreed. 'President Felix Houphouet-Boigny was and will remain in the memory of all Ivorians as the first man of Ivory Coast, so this is a tribute to him, and we are also proud of it,' he said. — AFP A general view of the new signs of Felix Houphouet-Boigny boulevard in Abidjan on April 16, 2025. — AFP pic
France 24
01-05-2025
- Politics
- France 24
No more Boulevard de France: Ivory Coast's colonial street names get a rebrand
Street names in Ivory Coast 's economic capital have taken on a decidedly more local flavour over the past few weeks, as African names have replaced French ones in France 's former colony. The road linking the airport to Abidjan's city centre, for example, is no longer named after former French president Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, but for the man who led Ivory Coast following its independence from France in 1960, Felix Houphouet-Boigny. The old names "weren't necessarily used by our people", Alphonse N'Guessan, the urban planning official in charge of the project, told AFP. A name "must reflect our history, our culture", he said. France once had a sizeable colonial presence in Africa and several of its former colonies in west Africa have sought to distance themselves from Paris. But while countries like Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali have turned their backs on ties with France following juntas coming to power there, Ivory Coast, which was under French rule from 1893 to 1960, remains a regional ally of its former ruler. It simply "decided to modernise its system" for street names, N'Guessan said. The operation, costing $17 million and financed with help from the World Bank, is aimed at bringing "our traffic and location systems up to international standards", he said. While the process of renaming streets in Abidjan began in 2021, it is only since March that signs with the new names have actually gone up in the city. Some 15 other towns and cities in the country will also have street names changed, with the nationwide process expected to be completed by 2030. 'Who is who' The new names acknowledge Ivorian politicians, scientists, artists, athletes or concepts, and are chosen in consultation with civil society groups or local traditional chiefs, N'Guessan said. So Abidjan's Marseille Boulevard, named after the southern French port city, is now Philippe Yace Boulevard, in a salute to the parliament's first speaker. And Boulevard de France is now named after the country's first First Lady, Marie-Thérèse Houphouet-Boigny. "It is important for Africans to identify with the city's development," especially with a "population that is becoming increasingly young", said Wayiribe Ismail Ouattara, an urban planner. A young person walking past a street named after a colonial governor "will not have the same feeling as for someone who lived through colonisation", he said. Some 75 percent of Ivory Coast's population is under 35. The move has been widely embraced by Abidjan residents. "The names of the streets in Ivory Coast should belong to Ivorian revolutionaries, Ivorian politicians" so that "in the future, we can explain to our children who is who", said Franck Herve Mansou, a 31-year-old company technician. Jean Bruce Gneple, a salesman, agreed. "President Felix Houphouet-Boigny was and will remain in the memory of all Ivorians as the first man of Ivory Coast, so this is a tribute to him, and we are also proud of it," he said.
Washington Post
06-03-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
N'Guessan, McDaniel power Kansas State in 54-49 win over Cincinnati
CINCINNATI — David N'Guessan had 18 points and 10 rebounds, Dug McDaniel added 13 points, and Kansas State defeated Cincinnati 54-49 on Wednesday night. N'Guessan scored eight points and McDaniel scored six in a key stretch of the second half in which K-State (15-15, 9-10 Big 12) outscored Cincinnati 14-8 to build a seven-point lead. The run culminated in a layup and a jumper by N'Guessan and a jumper from McDaniel to give the Wildcats a 52-45 lead with four minutes remaining.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
N'Guessan, McDaniel power Kansas State in 54-49 win over Cincinnati
CINCINNATI (AP) — David N'Guessan had 18 points and 10 rebounds, Dug McDaniel added 13 points, and Kansas State defeated Cincinnati 54-49 on Wednesday night. N'Guessan scored eight points and McDaniel scored six in a key stretch of the second half in which K-State (15-15, 9-10 Big 12) outscored Cincinnati 14-8 to build a seven-point lead. The run culminated in a layup and a jumper by N'Guessan and a jumper from McDaniel to give the Wildcats a 52-45 lead with four minutes remaining. The Wildcats cooled off and their next four possessions resulted in a turnover and three missed shots while two baskets by Jizzle James got Cincinnati within 52-49. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Kansas State finally scored again when Brendan Hausen made two free throws for a 54-49 lead with 22 seconds left. Cincinnati missed a 3-pointer, N'Guessan missed the front end of the bonus, and Cincinnati missed another 3-pointer as time ran out. Cincinnati led by seven with 14 1/2 minutes left in the second half before Kansas State's 8-0 run gave the Wildcats a 36-35 lead with 12 minutes remaining, their first lead since 4-2. Day Day Thomas had 12 points and James 10 for Cincinnati (17-13, 7-12). Kansas State has won back-to-back games for the first time since Feb. 8 and 11. With one game left in the regular season, Kansas State is tied with West Virginia and TCU for eighth place. Cincinnati and UCF are tied for 12th. Kansas State hosts No. 10 Iowa State on Saturday. Cincinnati visits Oklahoma State, also on Saturday. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: and
Associated Press
06-03-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
N'Guessan, McDaniel power Kansas State in 54-49 win over Cincinnati
CINCINNATI (AP) — David N'Guessan had 18 points and 10 rebounds, Dug McDaniel added 13 points, and Kansas State defeated Cincinnati 54-49 on Wednesday night. N'Guessan scored eight points and McDaniel scored six in a key stretch of the second half in which K-State (15-15, 9-10 Big 12) outscored Cincinnati 14-8 to build a seven-point lead. The run culminated in a layup and a jumper by N'Guessan and a jumper from McDaniel to give the Wildcats a 52-45 lead with four minutes remaining. The Wildcats cooled off and their next four possessions resulted in a turnover and three missed shots while two baskets by Jizzle James got Cincinnati within 52-49. Kansas State finally scored again when Brendan Hausen made two free throws for a 54-49 lead with 22 seconds left. Cincinnati missed a 3-pointer, N'Guessan missed the front end of the bonus, and Cincinnati missed another 3-pointer as time ran out. Cincinnati led by seven with 14 1/2 minutes left in the second half before Kansas State's 8-0 run gave the Wildcats a 36-35 lead with 12 minutes remaining, their first lead since 4-2. Day Day Thomas had 12 points and James 10 for Cincinnati (17-13, 7-12). Kansas State has won back-to-back games for the first time since Feb. 8 and 11. With one game left in the regular season, Kansas State is tied with West Virginia and TCU for eighth place. Cincinnati and UCF are tied for 12th. Kansas State hosts No. 10 Iowa State on Saturday. Cincinnati visits Oklahoma State, also on Saturday.
