Tag: Mariam Dicoh Konan

The Chemist in Our Purses is no Longer

On By Dr. Y.In Great PeopleLeave a comment
Mrs Dicoh Mariam Konan, first female chemist of Cote d’Ivoire, on the currency with her pipettes

The face on the 25 Francs CFA coin, the chemist Mariam Dicoh Konan is no more. A few years back, we introduced you to the “chemist in your purses,” Une Chimiste dans vos portefeuilles / A Chemist in Your Purse, Mrs Mariam Dicoh Konan. If you are from Côte d’Ivoire, and Francophone West Africa in general, you would have certainly held a 25 F CFA (that treacherous currency  is not our subject today – note there is a difference between FCFA from West Africa and FCFA from Central Africa… same currency, but not interchangeable between zones … another incongruity) coin in your hands at some point, and on that coin is the engraved face of Mariam Dicoh Konan, the first woman chemist of Côte d’Ivoire.  She is engraved on the 25 FCFA coin with a burette. Countless people have walked around with her face in their pockets, without knowing her. Today, the 25 F coin is rarely seen in circulation – inflation has taken care of it.

25FCFA coin

For Mrs Konan, it was an honor to represent her country. Her son recounted to RFI, « To summarize for you a little the greatness of the character, on the anecdote of this 25 CFA franc coin, we were not aware of it. Some people, some lawyers came and said  “but tell me Madam, has anyone asked you for the image rights? You can sue the Central Bank today and demand damages and interests.” She responded curtly, “It is an honor for me to represent my country and Africa on a coin, never will I do such a thing.” This is to tell you who she is as a character.» She was a true patriot who loved her country and continent (I do hope that the country recognized her). We need more Mariam Dicoh Konan around! 

Une Chimiste dans vos portefeuilles / A Chemist in Your Purse

On By Dr. Y.In Great Economy, Great Science7 Comments

Mrs Dicoh Mariam Konan, first female chemist of Cote d'Ivoire, on the currency with her pipettes
Mme Dicoh Mariam Konan, 1ere femme chimiste de Cote d’Ivoire, sur la piece de monnaie avec ses burettes

Je suis sûre que si vous êtes de l’Afrique de l’Ouest, et de la zone CFA, vous êtes certainement tombée sur cette pièce de 25FCFA sur laquelle une femme est representée.  Eh bien cette femme-là est la toute première femme chimiste de la Côte d’Ivoire, Mme Konan née Dicoh Mariam.  Elle est gravée sur la pièce de 25f CFA avec une burette de chimiste.

On utilise cette pièce sans même se demander qui est cette personne qui se trouve dessus… ou même ce qu’elle fait, ou ce qu’elle tient en main.
Mme Konan, une brillante chimiste qui a su manier plein de formules chimiques est le genre de personnes dont on doit parler; elle mérite bien plus qu’un prix d’excellence.  C’est un exemple pour toutes les filles de l’Afrique, et du monde entier, parce qu’elle a su briller par son ambition et sa motivation.  Chapeau à elle et à toutes les autres femmes en Afrique qu’on ne nomme pas, car elle est une femme très battante et remarquable.  Un modèle de femme dont on doit se souvenir dans le futur de génération en génération.  Waou… premiere femme chimiste de tout un pays… quel merveilleux exemple de détermination!
Aujourd’hui, Mme Konan est propriétaire de l’espace gastronomique ” La Gorge d’Or,” à Abidjan.  Elle est une fierté pour toute l’Afrique.  Longue vie à cette femme intelligente et nous espèrons en apprendre plus sur toutes les femmes brillantes du continent.
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25FCFA coin
25FCFA coin

If you are from West Africa, and from the CFA economic zone, you have probably come across the 25 FCFA coin on which a woman is engraved.  That woman happens to be the first woman chemist of Côte d’Ivoire, Mrs Konan Dicoh Mariam.  She is engraved on the 25 FCFA coin with a burette.

People use this coin without wondering who is on it, or even what she is doing, or even what she is holding.

Mariam Dicoh Konan
Mariam Dicoh Konan

Mrs Konan, a bright chemist who was able to handle a lot of chemistry formulas, is the kind of people we should be talking about; she deserves an excellence prize.  She is an example for all the girls and women of Africa, and the world, because she was able to shine by her ambition and motivation.  I raise my hat to her and all other women who remain unnamed, because she is a strong and remarkable woman.  She is a model who should be remembered in the future by all generations.  Wow… first female chemist of an entire country… such a marvelous example of determination!

Today, Mrs Konan is the owner of a gastronomical space ‘La Gorge d’Or‘ in Abidjan.  She makes all Africans proud.  Long life to this intelligent woman, and we hope to learn more about all the other bright women of the continent.