Togo First
Coffee-Cocoa: Togo’s output and sales down in 2020-2021 campaign
Togo produced and sold less coffee and cocoa in the 2020-2021 campaign than it did the campaign before. This is what data from the Coffee-Cocoa Coordination Committee reveals.
In detail, the country’s coffee output fell by 4%, from 2,500 t in 2019-2020 to 2,400 t in 2020-2021. As for cocoa production, it plunged by over 70% over the two periods concerned - from 10,600 t to 6,100 t.
Regarding sales, coffee sales were down more than 23%; 2,000 t against 2,600 t. The drop in cocoa sales was more significant. They fell from 10,600 t in 2019-2020 to 5,400 t last year; thus about 50%.
It should be recalled that in June last year, the ICAT or Institute for Consulting and Technical Support said it would provide respectively 635,000 and 560,000 of coffee and cocoa seeds to help boost yields in the sector.
Cocoa and coffee are respectively Togo’s second and third agricultural exports.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo raises CFA27.5B for its first issue on the UMOA market in 2022
Togo successfully raised CFA27.5 billion on the regional money market - UMOA securities market - last Friday. This was the country’s first issue on the market for the year. It issued fungible treasury bills.
Lomé, it should be highlighted, was initially seeking CFA25 billion but retained 27.5 billion out of over 77 billion mobilized. The latter figure translates to a subscription rate of 308.75% for the securities.
With CFA1 million as minimum value, the operation matures over 182 days or 6 months. The country's last intervention on this maturity dates back to January 8, 2021, also its first issue that year.
The recent issue’s success shows that the country is well seen by regional investors.
Last year, Togo raised a total of CFA557 billion on the UMOA market, thus 11% less than it did in 2020, knowingly CFA623 billion.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo: Tax authority collected CFA720 billion in 2021
The Togolese Tax Authority (OTR) collected around CFA720 billion throughout the past year, up 9% against the amount it mobilized in 2020 – CFA652 billion – and 13% compared to 2019’s 624 billion.
Philippe Tchodie, Commissioner-General of the OTR, lauded the result recorded amidst the Covid-19-induced health and economic crises. He said 2021 was “an exceptional year, regarding the mobilization of tax and customs revenues.”
Tchodie attributed the outstanding evolution of Togo’s tax earnings over the past three years to several measures employed, among others, to promote tax compliance, accelerate procedures’ dematerialization and digitization. These, he noted, helped limit tax fraud.
Last December, the OTR and its Commissioner-General received two awards during the 5th Gala Dinner of the African Observatory for the Promotion of Good Governance (OAPBG) which was held in Abidjan. These awards are the "Prize for the Best Public Administration in Togo" and the "Pan-African Prize for the Best Manager of a Financial Authority in Togo."
Esaïe Edoh
Housing: Security deposit and guarantee now capped at six months of rent
In Togo, the security deposit to be paid by tenants living in the Grand Lomé region (covering the Gulf and Agoè-Nyivè prefectures) has been capped to 6 months of rent. A bill was adopted in this framework yesterday during the ministers’ council.
"This cap aims to mitigate speculation practiced in our country, especially in the Grand Lomé region, while trying to preserve investments made by people who help improve housing supply," the ministers explained.
It should be recalled that a preliminary draft concerning the measure was assessed last April, on the 29th, also by the council of ministers.
At the moment, no information regarding how the measure will be made effective on the ground was disclosed. Up till now, landlords were left to set security deposits and guarantees that should be paid by their tenants.
According to the government, the new measure could be extended to other parts of the country, “if deemed relevant.”
Togolese govt. looks to establish a regulation covering the usage of drones by civilians
Forty (40) Togolese civil servants will end today a 3-day workshop aimed at drawing rules to regulate the use of drones by civilians across the country. The event, held in Lomé, regroups some employees of the institutions in charge of implementing State decisions and laws covering the usage of drones.
"We want to adhere to the rules set by the ICAO [International Civil Aviation Organization, editor's note] relative to drones. We need regulation, rigorous management, and control of everything related to drones," said Col. Dokisime Gnama Latta, Chairman of the steering committee of drones in Togo, and Director-General of the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC).
The workshop looks at what drone technology entails, its use in everyday life, the risks, and challenges posed by drones, especially concerning the management and protection of public space.
It should be highlighted that the government has already prohibited drone flying in the airport area and other sensitive facilities. The ANAC also said that to fly the devices, civilians need the approval of the ministry of transports (MTRAF) or authorization from the ministry of defense.
Togolese government to pay one-month salary advance to its agents amid soaring inflation
In Togo, civil servants in the public and parapublic sectors, as well as pensioners, will get a one-month salary advance this week. The wage will be reimbursed in monthly installments throughout the rest of the year.
The instruction was given by President Gnassingbé who announced it last Thursday during his new year address to the nation. The measure aims to help public servants cope with the inflation that persisted in 2021 and increased in November.
This is a breath of fresh air that should be accompanied by another battery of "vigorous price control actions" after the measures taken since the beginning of the second half of 2021 to curb the negative impacts of soaring prices, said the Head of State; a galloping inflation felt globally, and particularly at the regional level, attributed to the Covid-19.
"In response to this phenomenon [the persistence of inflation induced by the Covid, editor's note], the government took urgent measures since the start of the school year, which consisted of making school fees free in secondary education and taking charge of one month's electricity bill for the social classes," Faure Gnassingbé said.
"We have also maintained price subsidies, particularly for fertilizer, agricultural equipment, and wheat. The government has continued to reduce the cost of connection to drinking water for the most vulnerable households," he added.
Another social measure announced by the Togolese leader concerns retirement. In effect, for all those who retired from 2020, "the expected payment of allowances equivalent to three months' salaries will be made from January," Gnassingbé declared.
Fiacre E. Kakpo
Togo: Fire breaks out at Kara's new market
A fire broke out in Kara's new market last Saturday. So far, its cause is unknown according to local authorities.
Initial reports state that the fire destroyed several buildings and facilities, devouring goods and equipment.
This is not the first time a fire is breaking out in one of Togo's markets. In 2013, on the night of January 9 to 10, an arson swept away the old market. The same happened on the night of January 11 to 12 in Lomé that year.
At the time, 3,106 sellers were affected in both markets, according to official reports. Coincidentally, damages incurred were estimated at around CFA 6 billion.
AfDB approves Togo’s 2021-2026 strategy to improve social inclusion and governance
The African Development Bank (AfDB) approved its 2021-2026 strategy for Togo last week, on Dec 17th precisely. The Abidjan-based Bank greenlit the document during its General Assembly.
The new framework, which should support Togo's government roadmap, focuses on two key areas: developing inclusive growth poles and social inclusion policies, and strengthening financial and sectoral governance.
"The strategy aims to support the acceleration of the structural transformation and diversification of the Togolese economy to create decent jobs with high added value. It will also build socio-economic resilience for sustainable and inclusive growth," AfDB said.
The Pan-African Bank, which is led by Adesina Akinwumi (photo), also validated two mechanisms to support Togo’s private sector. They are the Support Project for Governance and Private Sector Development and a grant to support the promotion of investment and the development of public-private partnerships.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Covid-19: Omicron represents 25% of new cases recorded in Togo
A quarter of new coronavirus cases recorded in Togo are omicron cases. The information was disclosed on Wednesday by the National Team in charge of Coordinating the Response against the virus (CNGR).
"The Omicron variant is here, and sequencing has shown that it represents 25% of cases, it is more contagious than the old Delta variant. We have gone from 2.5% positivity (number of positive results out of 100 tests performed, ed. note) to 12.5% positivity," said Col. Djibril Mohaman, who heads the CNGR.
The new strain drives an increase in the number of cases in Togo – this, after many weeks of lull following Delta wave’s ending."Through the week going from December 15 to 21, we have recorded 469 new cases, against 117 the week before, and 61 a week back. Also, we recorded three deaths this week," Mohaman added. In this context, the CNGR urges the population to get vaccinated to mitigate the virus’ impact.
Omicron: A more contagious but less severe variant?
While it appears to be more contagious than other variants, the new Omicron strain seems less deadly than its predecessors.
According to a study released by the South African Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), initial data collected shows that people infected with Omicron are 80% less likely to be hospitalized. While this study has not yet been peer reviewed, its conclusions coincide with some preliminary studies in England which suggest that Omicron is more contagious but less severe (causing mild and flu-like symptoms).
Regardless, many experts still worry that Omicron’s high transmissibility may lead to more severe forms of the disease.
To date, Togo has distributed 2.29 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine, representing 28.4 doses per 100 inhabitants, and 11.5% of the population have been fully vaccinated with two doses.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
France offers study scholarships to the best Togolese students
The French Embassy launched this week a call for applications for scholarships for the academic year 2022-2023. The scholarships to study in France, granted through the Service de Coopération et d'Action Culturelle (SCAC), are intended for "the best Togolese students" wishing to pursue a Master's degree or a Doctorate in a sandwich course, according to the call for applications.
To be eligible in 2022, you must be of Togolese nationality (Franco-Togolese candidates are not eligible), be under 28 years of age by December 31, 2022, for the Master's degree, and be under 30 years of age for the Doctorate.
It is also necessary to have obtained this diploma with a minimum average of 12/20 in Master 1 or equivalent (Bac+4) for Master 2 studies; and 12/20 in Master 2 or equivalent (Bac+5) for Doctorate studies.
Deadline for applications: Friday, February 11, 2022.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi