A fundraising campaign was just launched in Togo to help fight the spread of the coronavirus across the country. 

Actors of the private sector, professional organizations, and any member of the diaspora can contribute to this fund, called Fonds national citoyen (Citizen National Fund). 

The monies raised will be used to purchase sanitary equipment and support health workers. 

The campaign has been endorsed by the following important figures: Edem D’almeida, director-general AGR; Edem Tengue, DG Maersk Togo; Yves Nanan, marketing director BTCI; Jean Adolehoume, administrative director CIMTOGO; Jean-Marc Savi De Tove,  managing partner at Adiwale Fund; Jean-Marie Tessi, managing director GTA Assurances; Jean-Paul Agboh, publisher; Jonas Daou, director-general Sodigaz; Madi  Diabakate, international officer; Martial Akakpo, lawyer; Michel Kodom, physician; Myriam Dossou, managing director Inam; Patrice Anato, a deputy in the French parliament; Paul Harry Aithnard, regional director Ecobank; Sahouda Gbadamassi-Mivedor, director-general FAIEJ; Steve Bodjona, Diplomat.

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Details for contribution:

ORABANK TOGO 

SOLIDARITE TOGO VAINCRE COVID 19

BANK CODE : TG116

TELLER CODE : 01101

ACCOUNT NUMBER : 074196300101

RIB : 58IBAN : TG53TG1160110107419630010158

BIC CODE : ORBKTGTG

HOTLINE : 99 47 40 40 / 90 02 10 38 / 90 11 05 06

Due to concerns regarding the coronavirus pandemic, Togo’s power utility (CEET) has opted for e-payment for its transactions (bill payment and prepaid vouchers), to avoid gatherings. 

The CEET then called its customers to preferably opt for payment channels such as Tmoney, Flooz, Ecobank Mobile, etc.

Besides, it reminds those visiting its offices to strictly respect sanitary measures, observe social distancing, and wear masks and gloves if possible. 

Apart from the utility, other institutions such as Ecobank also recently recommended its clients to use ATMs preferably for their transactions. 

So far, Togo has identified 24 people infected with the coronavirus and while one has recovered, the remaining 23 are still being treated. 

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Togo’s national order of auditors and chartered accountants (ONECCA-Togo) revealed that some people have been pretending to be accountants and auditors in the country. 

In Lomé, posters pasted at various junctions advertise the provision of financial statements. These posters, however, make no mention of the people providing the services; only the phone numbers are indicated. 

“Under law n°2001-001 of January 2001, only members of the Order (ONECA) can legally operate as accountants, and provide among others financial statements,” the Order reminds. 

Any person found to have infringed this law could spend from six months to two years in prison in addition to paying a fine ranging between one million and 10 million CFA. 

Séna Akoda

As the coronavirus keeps spreading, the World Bank and the IMF have asked all bilateral lenders of IDA countries to suspend the payment of their debt if these countries request so. 

This was declared in a G20 summit meeting (videoconference) held on March 26, 2020. “We invite G20 leaders to task the WBG and the IMF to make these assessments, including identifying the countries with unsustainable debt situations, and to prepare a proposal for comprehensive action by official bilateral creditors to address both the financing and debt relief needs of IDA countries,” the statement from the Bretton Woods institutions indicate. 

The measure, according to the institutions, “will help with IDA countries’ immediate liquidity needs to tackle challenges posed by the coronavirus outbreak and allow time for an assessment of the crisis impact and financing needs for each country.” 

Also, the call to action would send a strong signal to financial markets and the international community, as the world is experiencing one of its darkest times.

The Arab Bank for economic development in Africa (BADEA) will grant $100 million to 44 African countries. The funds which are to be given on a need basis should help the nations fight the coronavirus pandemic. 

The approach is a new one for the institution that usually invests in structuring infrastructure, health, education and energy projects. BADEA said it has a new strategy that aligns with the “2030 development goals” of the beneficiaries as well as with the African Union’s 2063 agenda. 

Let’s note that recently, the BOAD announced it would provide each WAEMU State XOF15 billion, to also help these countries fight the deadly disease. 

It should be noted that two days ago, Togo received part of the equipment promised by Chinese billionaire Jack Ma to help African countries face the pandemic.

As talks about the efficiency of the drug keep rising around the world, Togo has also decided to give it a try. 

However, “chloroquine will not be sold freely,” said Dr. Innocent Kpeto, president of Togo’s order of pharmacists. This is to prevent the population from using this medicine without respecting the correct dosage or buying a fake product. 

Chloroquine is a drug developed in the 1950s to fight malaria. It has been in Africa for decades but was later taken out of the market as it became inefficient in treating the disease. 

In effect, it is a derivative of the drug, hydroxychloroquine, that is said to have shown some encouraging results in combating the coronavirus. Initial works were done by the French physician, Didier Raoult. After tests were conducted by Chinese researchers first, Europe and the US are now following their footsteps.  

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Banque Ouest Africaine de Développement (BOAD) will allocate each WAEMU member State XOF15 billion to fight the coronavirus. The information was disclosed in a statement issued by the institution on March 25, 2020. 

In all, the States will thus receive XOF120 billion. Also, debt payments will be suspended. 

Last week, the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) announced a battery of measures to ease the health crisis that currently hit the WAEMU region. Moreover, it has put in place a XOF25 billion loan enhancement fund enabling “the provision of subsidy interests and boosting the size of concessional loans that it will grant to the States for urgent investments and purchasing equipment to fight the global pandemic.”

Togo’s food security agency (ANSAT) has started grain sales across the country. 

Prices of products sold by the agency are set as follows: 50kg bag of maize (XOF9,500 ), 50kg bag of Sorghum (XOF10,500), 50kg bag of Millet (XOF11,000 ), 25kg bag of long-grain local rice (XOF13,000), 25kg bag of broken local rice (XOF10,000), 25kg of local couscous (XOF7,500), 1kg sachet of maize flour (XOF300).

Let’s note that recently, the government has taken measures to prevent speculation and price increase, as people rush to markets amid rising concerns regarding the coronavirus outbreak in the country. 

Opening hours of ANSAT offices: 

8:00 AM-12:30 PM and 2:30 PM-4:00 PM (Monday to Friday)

8:00AM to 11:00AM (Saturday)

Ayi Renaud Dossavi