Togolese minister Sandra Johnson asks the international community to increase its financial support for LDCs
Friday, 10 December 2021 15:18 
(Togo First) - Sandra Ablamba Johnson, the Togolese Minister and Secretary-General of the Presidency took part in a top-level meeting held On Dec. 8, in preparation for the fifth UN Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDCs). On this occasion, she made five major recommendations to better leverage international aid and overcome LDCs’ challenges.
Among others, the Togolese official suggested more financing for LDCs and the private sector, ensuring that developing countries have greater access to Covid-19 vaccines and health infrastructure. Johnson also recommended efforts to dynamize partnerships aimed at boosting LDCs’ capacities and reallocating Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) to support economic recovery and achieve universal access to vaccines in Africa.
Before her address, a brainstorming session on the following theme took place: “To what extent has LDC membership reduced the structural handicaps of LDCs and how can international support measures be improved?” The Togolese minister took advantage of this opportunity to present LDCs’ mitigated achievements.
According to her, LDCs are still vulnerable and progress slowly, especially regarding their structural transformation and productive capacities. This, despite producing more wealth and having higher GDPs. However, Johnson noted that “some countries like Togo are doing well in terms of economic and social development, and show encouraging results.” The development index level of her country, the official reported, grew from 0.46 in 2010 to 0.51 in 2020.
She then expanded on the significant efforts made by the Togolese government to stabilize the macroeconomic framework and greatly improve the business climate.
Esaïe Edoh
