The US Department of Agriculture has donated more than 600 tons of rice, bulgur, oil, lentils, and soybeans to Togo, in support of its school canteen program. The foodstuff, destined for around 66,000 Togolese students, was secured through the Catholic Relief Services, a humanitarian organization active in more than 30 African countries. 

The donation is the first of many which should follow as part of a 5-year aid program. 

Togo’s school canteen program aims at fighting poverty and improving young student’s learning capacities. It is financed by the government and the world bank and executed by the national agency for grassroots development (ANADEB). 

So far, this food program has helped provide over 30 million warm meals to 314 public primary schools.

During its first council of ministers, the new Dogbé government examined the first draft of a bill aimed at restructuring the military over the 2020-2025 period. 

The move aims at helping Togo reinforce its defense and keep the population safe, in a context where terrorism is gaining grounds in the region. 

The law concerning the army’s restructuring falls under the first axis of the new government’s road map. The axis focuses on boosting social inclusion and harmony as well as consolidating peace in the country. 

Regarding the draft bill, it set priorities in terms of defense over the 2021-2025 period. It also details an agenda of military resources, key operations, necessary choices in terms of capacities, and lays out financing needs the defense sector will face in the next five years and more. 

If adopted by the parliament, the new bill would lead to the efficacious equipping of Togo’s military forces, improve military health, and subsequently the national health system. Most importantly it would help strengthen the civilian-military link. The bill, it should be emphasized, integrates a measure tackling gender equity issues in the military. 

It is the first time since 2019 that the ministry of armed forces benefits from such an initiative. The five-year plan to restructure the Togolese army should be steered by Essossimna Marguérite Gnakadé who heads this ministry. 

In Togo, military spending represents slightly less than 2% of the GDP. 

Fiacre E. Kakpo

The Autonomous Port of Lomé (PAL) authority has completed the digitalization of procedures for clearing goods and stopped cash payments at its windows. 

According to the statement disclosing the information, clearance payments will now be made only through T-Money, Flooz, and bank wiring. In this framework, the PAL has activated, in partnership with banks and mobile operators a dedicated e-payment mechanism. 

Started in 2014 with the opening of the single window for external trade (GUCE), the digitalization of clearance procedures thus becomes fully effective in a context where the country is working to limit physical contact to prevent the spread of the Covid-19. 

The reform makes things easier for economic operators and aligns with the government’s desire to make the Togolese business environment more attractive. 

Séna Akoda

In Togo, volunteer teachers will benefit from new financing under the Novissi program. The news which was disclosed yesterday at the end of the first council of ministers of the Dogbé government aligns with authorities’ ambition to accelerate the resumption of classes. 

The government took steps to disburse a new tranche of funds before school resumption; in line with an inter-ministerial decree issued on Sept. 8, 2020.

In all, about 13,000 volunteer teachers will benefit from the facility. Women will get CFA24,500 per head and men CFA21,000. 

Additionally, there are ongoing talks between the government, teaching unions, directors of private schools, and the country’s technical and financial partners, to ensure a swift resumption of classes, taking into consideration challenges induced by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Following a bill adopted last January, it will soon be mandatory for Togolese officials and all public workers exposed to corruption and related offenses to declare their properties and assets. 

According to the report of the ministers' council held on October 28, a draft organic law has been reviewed to set the content, organization, and functioning of the services of the Mediator of the Republic, who has been appointed by the revised constitution to receive the declaration concerned.

The move should improve transparency and ensure integrity in the public sector, as well as prevent embezzlement.

Séna Akoda

After being shut down for 8 months, places of worship, churches, and mosques notably, have been allowed to fully resume activity all over the country except in Grand Lomé which covers the Golfe and Agoè-Niyvé prefectures. These prefectures are the primary centers of the pandemic in Togo. 

The decision was taken on October 28, 2020, at a council of ministers. According to the meeting’s report, “about Grand Lomé, given the rapid expansion of the pandemic in the region and the progressive reopening strategy, the council decides to allow only a limited number of worship places more to resume.”

The authorities warn that they will keep a close watch on the situation and will not hesitate to shut down worship places again if necessary. 

It is worth noting that over the few weeks, many voices, notably from the Togolese church observatory, have risen to protest the long closure of churches in the country.

Meanwhile, as of Oct. 28, Togo had 2,238 confirmed cases, 1,620 recoveries, 564 active cases, and 52 deaths. 

Fiacre E. Kakpo

Adama Mawulé Kpodar is the new director of Togo's national administration school (ENA). The public law professor was appointed last Wednesday at a council of ministers. 

Before his appointment, Prof. Kpodar was the vice president of the University of Kara. 

Established in 1958, the ENA is a top-level institution that trains the public administration’s senior and middle managers. 

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Last Tuesday, BBOXX-EDF and Canal + Togo launched together, a new TV offer for rural populations. 

The offer, payable over 36 months, includes a Canal + Home Premium package (160 international, African TV and radio stations) and a BBOXX solar kit. According to Patrick Emungu, managing director of BBOXX-EDF Togo, “as long as a customer’s power subscription is active, he will enjoy Canal + channels.”

Let’s recall that BBOXX and EDF are partners on the CIZO presidential initiative to electrify rural areas with pay-as-you-go individual solar kits.

Séna Akoda

Congruent with its modernization efforts, the University of Lomé (UL) received last Tuesday a new IT and audiovisual equipment from the UN Development Program (UNDP). The tools, worth more than CFA52 billion, were provided under a partnership between the UN body and public universities. 

For the UL which has been investing more in online training due to Covid-19 restrictions, the support is heavenly mana.

During the reception of the equipment, the UNDP’s representative Aliou Dia declared: Migration to e-learning is vital today, not only as an alternative to conventional classes but as an indispensable milestone that will enable African universities to remain competitive. 

The minister of higher education, Majesté Ihou Wateba, who was present on the occasion said for his part that the support would help the university better handle the 2020-2021 academic year, especially considering the health crisis spurred by the pandemic. Due to the pandemic, he added, “distance learning became a necessity to effectively meet current needs.”