In Lomé, the following districts will soon enjoy a better access to drinking water: Bè, Nyékonakpoè, Kodjoviakopé, Kégué, Hédzranawoé. 

The related works, which are estimated to cost XOF700 million, are set to commence in the second half of this month and be completed over six months. In effect, they will involve drilling deep boreholes that will supply water to three water towers. 

According to the ministry of water, this project lines up with various social measures undertaken by public policies to ease the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Togolese people. Examples of such measures include making water free for the poorest, cutting down the cost in getting access to water, and free access to water at public standpipes. 

Let’s recall that from 2005 to 2009, the rate of access to drinking water has soared considerably in Togo, as a result of many programs and projects initiated in this framework. 

Séna Akoda

Pan-African power developer AEE Power just won a €34 million contract to expand Lomé’s medium and low tension networks. 

For the related international bid, the firm was running against CEGELEC, EIFFAGE RMT, LSE&SOGEA SATOM, and the SAGEMCOM-MRI conglomerate, among others. 

Under the project, AEE Power will set up low and medium tension transmission lines, build monitoring units, and connect new customers - works that should improve power supply in the Togolese capital. 

It is worth noting that the whole project is financed by the French Development Agency (ADF), the European Union (EU), and the German State bank KfW.

Séna Akoda

Togolese authorities have recently reported that the country has passed 700 Covid-19 confirmed cases. In detail, there are 201 active cases, 494 recovered, and 15 deaths. Overall, the pandemic’s dynamics in Togo remain relatively stable.

Meanwhile, the economy is slowly reopening, with the airport set to resume flights. In this framework, various measures, such as passenger tracking, are being taken to minimize the risk of contagion. 

In West Africa, Nigeria has confirmed the most cases, 32,558 (of which around 40% have recovered). Next is Ghana with 24,518 cases (nearly 80% of them recovered), and Côte d’Ivoire (12,766 confirmed cases). 

Far behind are Senegal (8,135 cases and 5,169 recoveries), Guinea (6,141 cases and 4,672 recoveries), Mali (2,411 cases and 1,621 recoveries), Guinea Bissau (1,842 cases and 710 recoveries), Sierra Leone (1,635 cases, and 1,123 recoveries), Cape Verde (1,623 cases, 730 recoveries), Benin (1,378 cases and 493 recoveries), Niger (1,099 cases and 976 recoveries), Burkina Faso (1,036 cases, 862 recoveries), and finally Togo with 720 cases and 483 recoveries. 

Cases across the continent on the rise, South Africa leading

Over the whole continent, more than 590,000 cases have been confirmed, with South Africa leading. The rainbow nation has confirmed over 276,000 cases so far (45% of total cases in Africa), right before Egypt (82,070 cases), Nigeria, Ghana, Algeria, Cameroon, and Côte d’Ivoire.  

In recent days, the number of cases has doubled in 22 African countries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the alarming dynamics are attributable to the continent’s fragile health systems. To date, more than 13,000 have people died of Covid-19.  

Airborne contagion

Last week, the WHO revealed that the virus could be airborne. If confirmed, this makes the wearing of face masks even more necessary, especially in closed spaces. 

U.S, Brazil, and India at the top of the world

Worldwide, the U.S, Brazil (whose president recently tested positive) and India have the most cases - 3.37 million, 1.87 million, and 878,000 respectively. 

This is in a context where 12.9 million cases have been confirmed all over the world so far. Out of these, 7.3 million people have recovered and 571,000 died. 

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

The national institute of statistics, demographics, and economic studies (INSEED) recently carried out a survey to determine how the Togolese population perceives the coronavirus and its impacts on local households. 

Overall, 2,189 people were questioned as part of the survey which was backed by the World Bank; 91% of them said they are satisfied with the way the government is handling the crisis, as well as with the measures implemented to tackle the spread of the virus since the first case was confirmed; 88% of them said health facilities were readily accessible since then. For financial services, 98% of the surveyed also said they were accessible. 

While many praised authorities for their anti-Covid-19 actions, many households reported having issues getting food due to the pandemic’s impacts on basic commodities. 

Only 44% of them took steps to stock food (more than usual), even though the country does not seem exposed to a food shortage in the future.

To further mitigate the risk of Covid-19 spreading in the country through travelers, the Togolese government has enforced the use of the “Togo Safe” contact tracing app upon their arrival. They must keep the tool active throughout their stay or at least for 30 days, starting from the day they arrive in Togo.

The measure was disclosed in a circular issued by the National Agency for Civil Aviation (ANAC). 

Still, to reduce the risk of contagion, travelers must fill a health and immigration declaration form. Also, people who are traveling have to take PCR tests 72 hours before their flight. In this regard, the ANAC indicated that those who test positive to Covid-19 will be transferred to a health facility put in place by the government, at their own cost. 

Séna Akoda

Last Thursday, representatives from the government, the national council of employers and the labor union met in Lomé, in the framework of the first meeting of the council’s ordinary session on social dialogue in Togo. 

Participants discussed among others; working conditions amidst the current health crisis, the focus of the economic restart, as well as of expectations and concerns of health and education workers. 

Regarding the issue of job preservation, the minister of public works and social protections, Gilbert Bawara, who was present at the session, said “permanent layoffs must be avoided at all costs” - an opinion shared by all other concerned actors. 

Instead, the top official added, “temporary layoffs should be the first option” of businesses experiencing economic difficulties as a result of the pandemic. This way, he emphasized, “contracts will not be terminated and working relations will be sustained.”  

In a survey published by the Togolese employers’ council, it was reported that the Covid-19 has caused over 92% of Togolese businesses to lose earnings (between February and March 2020). The same report reveals that 3 out of 10 businesses surveyed lost more than 75% of their earnings, while 6 out of 10 reported a 50% loss. 

The WAEMU mortgage refinancing fund (CRRH-UEMOA) has reported for its 2019 financial year a net profit of XOF1.24 billion (XOF1,242,860,623 exactly).

In detail, 15% of this sum -around XOF186 million- will be allocated to the institution’s legal reserve; 5% (XOF62.14 million) to its special reserve; XOF712.54 million to its exchange rate risk management Fund. Meanwhile, 281 million will be kept as retained earnings, thus raising the institution’s total retained earnings to XOF2.8 billion. 

The figures were disclosed at the latest general assembly (9th ordinary general assembly and 11th extraordinary general assembly) of the Fund. The assembly was held last May in a videoconference. On that occasion, the CRRH’s director, Togolese Christian Agossa approved a new increase in the institution’s capital. This increase - of two billion CFA - brings the capital to XOF11.5 billion. It is the second operation of its kind after a previous one held in 2019 where the capital was raised to 9.5 billion.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

In 2019, cement manufacturer HeidelbergCement which has three subsidiaries in Togo (Cimtogo, Scantogo, and Granutogo) invested XOF528.3 million in the people living in areas where it operates across the country. 

This was disclosed on the presidency’s official website. The funds, the presidency indicated, were allocated to sectors such as rural electrification, community health, water and sanitation, environmental protection and biodiversity, and education. 

“2019 was the year during which the group’s leadership in terms of corporate social responsibility in Togo was acknowledged and confirmed by local and central authorities, local collectives, and the civil society,” Eric Goulignac, the chairperson of HeidelbergCement Togo, said.

Let it be noted that about 300 million out of the 528 million invested by the group went to the Yoto prefecture where Scantogo operates. 

Meanwhile, the cement producer plans to actualize its CSR strategy to better serve Togolese populations. Also, the group plans a massive investment scheme to support the second axis of the government’s national development plan.

As Togo readies to resume flights, the government informed that all travelers must submit a certificate proving they tested negative to Covid-19 before embarking on flights. 

This new measure does not exempt travelers from complying with precautions recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). 

Any person who fails to submit the concerned certificate or does not meet any of the recommended safety measures (temperature check, wearing a face mask, etc.) will not be allowed to travel. 

However, the authorities have eased measures imposed on returning Togolese citizens.  Amongst others, only suspected passengers will be quarantined henceforth. 

Let it be recalled that important measures are being implemented at the airport of Lomé to monitor flights and epidemiological activities. According to public authorities, reopening the economy - which has been greatly weakened by the pandemic - should not exacerbate the propagation of the coronavirus in the country. 

Séna Akoda