My name is Achille Tepa and I was born on May 12, 1959 in Kandi (Alibori department). From 1965 to 1976, I did primary and secondary studies in Natitingou until the third year. From 1977 to 1979, I completed my secondary studies in Parakou obtaining a baccalaureate A4 (literature). In 1980, I had to perform compulsory military service, civic and patriotic while I was attending the first year of the legal science institute of the National University of Benin in Calavi. From 1981 to 1984 and then from 1984 to 1986, I followed respectively the professional training of auditor and then labour inspector at the African Regional Centre for the Administration of Youndé’s Work in Cameroon.
I am a state official, as Labour Inspector. I was called to become the Head of the Rural District of Toucountouna from 1986 to 1990. It was during this period of my life that I met Mani Tese, due to its Italian volunteers stationed in Wansokou, a village in my district. I voluntarily left the civil service to work in Mani Tese from January 1992 and I was called to become representative of Benin on 1 August 1995. Of course, Silvano Orlandi, (former president), gave me the proposal to work for Mani Tese, but the decision to accept the job leaving the civil service was a very risky personal choice at the time.
Today, I am happy for what I’m doing for my country thanks to Mani Tese.
