Siaka Barry (born July 14, 1975) is a Guinean politician and former minister. From a modest family, he studied economics at the University of Conakry and the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium. Before entering politics, he worked for several years in international organizations such as UNDP, Plan International and Oxfam in the areas of development and education.
In January 2016, he was appointed Minister of Culture, Sports and Historical Heritage of Guinea until August 2017. In February 2019, he founded the political party People's Democratic Movement of Guinea (MPDG) of which he was the chairman. The MPDG became the third parliamentary force in the 2020 legislative elections.
Introduction
Born in the Kankan region of eastern Guinea, Siaka Barry is a politician and former minister who has devoted much of his career to development and education. Born in a modest family on 14 July 1975, he has climbed the ladder to become a prominent figure in Guinean society, playing a key role in promoting the culture and historical heritage of his country.
This unique journey reflects the values of commitment, perseverance and dedication that shaped Siaka Barry's life. From his humble beginnings at Kankan to his political rise, to his remarkable professional achievements, this biography traces the journey of a man determined to make his contribution to the development of Guinea.
Éducation
Born into a brotherhood of twenty children, Siaka Barry grew up in a modest but rich environment of cultural and religious values. His parents, ElHadj Bangaly Barry, a renowned imam, and Nagnalen Doumbouya, a devoted housewife, instilled in their children the importance of education and hard work.
After primary and secondary studies at Kankan, Siaka Barry continued his postgraduate studies at Gamal Abdel Nasser University in Conakry, where he obtained a master's degree in economics in 1998. Through a fellowship from the Belgian Cooperation, he then had the opportunity to continue his studies at the Catholic University of Louvre, Belgium, where he supported a DEA (Diploma of Advanced Studies) thesis in development economics in 2008.
This solid academic background has laid the foundation for a promising career in development, enabling Siaka Barry to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to meet the challenges of poverty reduction and the promotion of social progress.
Carrière professionnelle
Prior to entering politics, Siaka Barry held various positions in non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and prominent international institutions, such as Handicap International, the European Development Fund (EDF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Save the Children, Plan International and Oxfam International.
His expertise in the areas of sustainable development and education has enabled him to work on a variety of projects across Africa, thereby contributing to the improvement of the living conditions of the most vulnerable populations. From 2011 to 2015, he led the Sectoral Education Programme in Guinea, a large-scale project funded by the World Bank, UNICEF and the French Development Agency (FDA), aimed at supporting the education sector in the country.
Engagement politique
On February 2, 2019, Siaka Barry made a crucial step in his career by founding the political party "Guinea Standing", which will later become the People's Democratic Movement of Guinea (MPDG). This decision reflected his deep desire to become more involved in the political life of his country and to promote positive change for the people of Guinea.
In the February 16, 2020 parliamentary elections, the MPDG won three seats in the National Assembly, becoming the country's third-largest legislative force. Although Siaka Barry resigned from his parliamentary term in November 2020 for personal reasons, he continued to work on the deployment of his party across Guinea, preparing for the upcoming election deadlines.
Ministre
Prior to entering politics, Siaka Barry held a key position in the government of Guinea. From January 2016 to August 2017, he was appointed Minister of Culture, Sports and Historical Heritage. During this period, he worked for the promotion and enhancement of Guinea's rich culture, as well as for the development of sports infrastructure and the preservation of the country's historical heritage.
His term as Minister has been marked by several initiatives aimed at supporting young artistic and sports talent in Guinea. Among other things, it has revived the Guinean Cycling Tour and encouraged the participation of Guinean artists in renowned international events, such as the RFI Theatre Prize and the Discovered RFI Prize.
MPDG
The People's Democratic Movement of Guinea (MPDG), founded by Siaka Barry, has become an indispensable player on the Guinea political scene. Despite the fact that the MPDG did not run for the 2020 presidential election, considering that the electoral process and the political approach of the government were not in line with the values and expectations of its party, it has nevertheless succeeded in establishing itself as a credible and committed political force.
With its speech focused on change, development and democracy, the MPDG managed to gather a large number of supporters, among the young Guinean people in search of a new political vision for their country.
Vie privée
Behind the politician is also a dedicated family father. Siaka Barry is married and father of five children. Despite his many professional and political responsibilities, he has always attached great importance to his family life, seeking to maintain a healthy balance between his public engagement and his private life.
He is also the older brother of Mamoudou Nagnalen Barry, who served as Minister of Agriculture and Livestock in the Guinea Transitional Government. This kinship highlights the strong family ties that unite members of the Barry family, rooted in deep traditional and cultural values.
Conclusion
The journey of Siaka Barry is that of a determined, passionate and committed man. From his modest beginnings at Kankan to his political rise through his remarkable professional achievements, he has been able to combine his expertise in development and education with a deep desire to serve his country and his people.
As Minister of Culture, Sports and Historical Heritage, and then as founder of the People's Democratic Movement of Guinea (MPDG), Siaka Barry played a central role in promoting Guinea's culture, supporting young talent and defending democratic values.
His journey demonstrates the ability of human beings to overcome obstacles and to contribute to social progress, even in the most challenging contexts. Driven by a progressive vision and a deep attachment to his roots, Siaka Barry is unlikely to continue to mark Guinea’s political and cultural history in the years to come.
