The Ministry of Agriculture recently organized in Kpalimé (120 km from Lomé) a workshop on climate change adaptation. Targeting horticultural farmers, the workshop took place on June 25 and 26. 

During the two days, agricultural technicians, NGO representatives, and experts from various institutions covered a wide range of topics. These included the selection of seeds adapted to changing climatic conditions, the adoption of resilient cropping practices, and the implementation of efficient water management to ensure year-round production

The training is part of the Projet Promotion des Filières horticoles au Togo (PROFIT), financially supported by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)/Food for Progress. The main objective was to identify climate-resilient agricultural technologies and techniques suitable for the sustainable production of okra, pepper, and cassava.

According to Boabekoa Guidan, Deputy Director of PROFIT, it is important to develop training modules based on the identified technologies to build the capacity of agricultural players in the production, processing, and marketing of horticultural products. Guidan then urged trainees to focus their efforts on concrete, practical solutions essential for supporting farming communities in the long term.

Implemented by Lutheran World Relief (LWR) and its partners, PROFIT will run until September 2028, with the goal of bolstering Togo's horticulture industry.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Pius Agbetomey has recently been appointed Legal Affairs Advisor to the Togolese Presidency. He was appointed, via a presidential decree, as "Presidential Advisor for Legal and Judicial Affairs," with the rank of minister.

Agbetomey was the minister of justice until January 2024. He was replaced by Guy Mipamb Nahm-Tchougli.

Under Pius Agbetomey's leadership, the Ministry of Justice launched several projects to modernize the judicial sector. For example, new magistrates and clerks were recruited, new civil and criminal codes were developed, a new status for magistrates was also adopted, judicial services were digitized, and commercial courts and administrative chambers were created.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Construction works for a National Center for Emergency Operations (NEOC) began in Togo yesterday, June 26. The project aims to enable Togo to manage natural disasters better. It is the fruit of a collaboration with the U.S. Togo’s Minister of Security and Civil Protection, Calixte Batossie Madjoulba, launched the project alongside Alan S. Dohrmann, Major General of the North Dakota National Guard (U.S.). 

The upcoming facility will span 600 square meters, have four compartments, and will centralize emergency and disaster management. 

Simbo Aklesso, Chief Police Commissioner and Head of NEOC, explained that the complex will enhance the real-time collection and processing of data, thus allowing Togolese administrative and political authorities to make decisions more efficiently. He also added that the center would bring together “all stakeholders involved in managing an emergency gather to coordinate field interventions”.

The project is part of Togo’s efforts to be more resilient to climate change and other emergencies. It should be completed within six months.

Rehabilitation works on the Lomé-Cotonou road are 80% done. The assessment was made by a delegation of officials and partners who visited the project’s construction sites on June 25. The Minister of Public Works, Zourehatou Kassah-Traoré, led the delegation. It also included representatives from the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the European Union (EU).

During the visit, Wilfrid Abiola, representing the AfDB, lauded the progress made on the project, which is in its second phase. "This road is crucial for the country, and the bank remains committed to supporting Togo in its implementation," Abiola commented.

In detail, the conversion of the Avépozo-Aného road section into a dual-carriageway (30 km) is nearly complete. Additionally, socio-economic infrastructures such as the Multifunctional Youth Center in Aného, the expansion of the Baguida market, and the rehabilitation of the health center in Agbodrafo have also been completed.

The AfDB and EU backed the project with €44.78 million and €20 million, respectively. Other financial backers include the West African Development Bank (BOAD), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and the Global Environment Facility.

The rehabilitation works are scheduled to be completed next year. 

Esaïe Edoh

Togo Showcases Performing Arts at Prestigious Grigny International Theater Festival

Togo is represented at the famous Festival de Théâtre International de Grigny in the Paris region until June 29, 2024. 

The Atopani group represents the West African country at the event. The group is renowned for theatrical dance and other forms of artistic expression. "It's an important recognition for Togo to be invited to participate in this renowned cultural event," they said. This is an opportunity to showcase Togo's rich artistic heritage, as well as to forge cultural ties and bolster the relationship with France.

The Festival de Théâtre International de Grigny is a major annual rendezvous for artists from all over the world. This year, Togo, Algeria, and Benin are the African nations selected to attend the event. 

Esaïe Edoh

Togo recently launched the Initiative for Climate Action Transparency (ICAT-Togo). Backed by the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), ICAT-Togo aims to consolidate the country's climate change achievements and improve the Reporting and Verification (MRV) framework, which assesses these achievements.

ICAT-Togo will improve Togo's greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory data, and introduce systems and procedures to ensure the data’s accuracy. This will help better integrate the data at sub-national levels and in the national reporting process.

According to Yaou Mery, Director of Environment, this initiative is a recommendation of COP21 and "will enable Togo to put in place a solid framework that responds to national priorities in managing climate issues".

Togo is not the only African country to benefit from the UNFCCC’s support. Namibia, Uganda, Madagascar, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Malawi, and Guinea have also joined the scheme.

Esaïe Edoh

In a move to address the high prevalence of cataracts in the country, Togo has launched a new public health campaign targeting the Lacs Prefecture in the southeast. The initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene, aims to provide free cataract surgery for up to 2,000 people in the locality.

The campaign, launched at the Centre Hospitalier Préfectoral (CHP) d'Aného, follows a national survey on visual deficiencies and is part of the National Eye Health Program (PNOS). The goal is not only to treat the disease but also to raise public awareness about cataracts.

The initiative follows the success of the 'Zero Cataracts' operation, which reached over 10,000 people in the country's five regions by 2022.

According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 50% of blindness cases in Africa are attributable to cataracts, an opacification of the crystalline lens that mainly affects populations in rural areas, often deprived of access to adequate care. In Togo alone, some 200,000 cataract sufferers remain untreated.

The campaign is expected to run until July 2024, to treat as many people as possible and reduce the prevalence of untreated cataracts in the Lacs Prefecture.

Togo raised CFA32.11 billion on the WAEMU market on June 24. The country’s treasury secured the funds via a simultaneous issue of fungible bonds (OATs) and fungible bills (BATs). 

In detail, CFA26.2 billion were raised via one-year BATs, while CFA5.9 billion were raised via 3-year and 5-year OATs, at annual interest rates of 6.15% and 6.40% respectively

It is worth noting that Togo’s target for the operation was CFA30 billion. 

So far this year, Lomé raised CFA463 billion on the regional money market, out of an annual goal of CFA607 billion. The funds finance the 2024 budget which stands at CFA2,179 billion.

Esaïe Edoh

In a move to strengthen ties between the two countries, Togo and South Africa have signed an agreement exempting holders of diplomatic and service passports from visa requirements. The measure, effective immediately, aims to facilitate mobility and cooperation between Togo and South Africa.

The Togolese and South African Prime Ministers, Robert Dussey and Naledi Pandor, expressed their shared commitment to improve the relationship between their countries. 

This latest agreement is one of a series of similar steps taken by Togo to bolster cooperation with other countries. A few days earlier, Togo signed a no-visa deal with Sao Tome, targeting holders of diplomatic, service and ordinary passports, for stays not exceeding ninety (90) days. 

Similar agreements were also signed with Gabon, Morocco, Russia, Brazil and Qatar.