Togolese Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo, reappointed as head of IFAD
Saturday, 20 February 2021 14:31 
Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo, a senior official and former Prime Minister of Togo, was reappointed on February 17th as the head of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), which he had headed since 2017.
IFAD’s board of governors, the Fund's main decision-making body, has renewed its trust in him, for a second four-year term.
Not long after he was reappointed, the Togolese announced, on social networks that he would focus, during his new term, on consolidating actions undertaken in the first.
"My first priority will be the consolidation of the reforms carried out over the past four years so that IFAD's path towards doubling its impact by 2030 becomes irreversible," he said on Twitter.
Also, the Rome-based institution informed that emphasis would be put on Covid-induced challenges, and global disturbances. Through his second mandate, the appointee will also give special attention to technological solutions, innovative financing models, and new partnerships with the private sector.
Indeed, "As the pandemic continues to devastate rural areas, an increase in poverty and hunger is predicted. Therefore, it is more urgent than ever that IFAD moves into high gear," added Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo.
As a reminder, in Togo, IFAD supports many structuring initiatives set to develop the agricultural sector, in particular, the risk-sharing Agricultural Financing Incentive Mechanism (MIFA), and the National Rural Entrepreneurship Project (PNPER), which was renewed in 2020, thanks to good performance.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
