Besides festivities regarding the 58th independence anniversary of Togo, the ambassador of the United States of America in Togo, David Roy Gilmour didn't get out of his habits. The diplomat addressed the Togolese diaspora last August 27th in a particular context. In a video of about 9 minutes, the representative of Trump’s administration sifted hot topics of Togo's political and socioeconomic issues. About Togo's political crisis, talks among Togolese, rumors, falsies and the Millennium Challenge Corporation, Gilmour preferred to be optimistic. He called upon the country's diaspora for its role to play. An important, citizen and responsible role. Exclusive.

« It’s a great pleasure for me to join you virtually once again to celebrate the anniversary of Togo’s independence. You all know how deeply I believe in the vital role that the Togolese diaspora can play in achieving peace and prosperity for Togo. So I’m honored to have this opportunity to address you. »

The United States is optimistic about Togo

«When I spoke to you last year by video for the same event, I talked about my optimism for the future of Togo and my hopes for the great advances in Togo’s political and economic institutions. I remain very optimistic for Togo’s future for we all know that the past seven months have been difficult for the country. I know that many of you have been following closely the political crisis that has shaken the country since last August. And that you deeply and passionately invested in the outcome. I wanna assure you that my team at the embassy and I are fully engaged at supporting and encouraging a political dialogue and that we are in constant contact with all sides to try to help to bring political solutions and at every point we’ve emphasized the need to respect human rights, civil liberties, democratic governance and to avoid violence. And I can tell you candidly that at times, both the government and the opposition have been irritated by us. And that makes me think we’re playing our proper role.

According to a new poll released just last week, the majority of Togolese are unhappy with the current state of political affairs. But importantly, they want change to be achieved to constitutional and democratic measures. We, at the embassy, are committed to doing everything we can to strengthen Togo’s democracy. But to do that, I need your help. The diaspora has an enormous influence in this process. In my opinion, what we need now are constructive solutions based on facts. »

A call upon citizen and responsible behavior on social media

« It’s been distressing to me to see how many rumors and falsers quickly gain currency on social media often on platforms linked to the diaspora. Sharing answers and uncollaborated information can inflame this already tend situation and in some cases leads to people being hurt or being killed; so please remember to share responsibly , stop before you share, reflect on what you see what you read and verify, most importantly verify that the information is accurate. »

There are issues beyond politics

«We know that you care deeply about sometimes alarming information that you’re getting from your friends and family in Togo. You should know that when you have concerns, you can bring them to us. Maintaining our communication is very important to me. The next seven months a political negotiation will be very important; but well it seems that sometimes like the political situation is drawing attention away from everything else. I urge you to consider that there is much work to be done beyond politics, whether it’s creating economic growth, strengthening the education system, improving health care, and so on; it’s in all area where we still need engagement and support of the diaspora- now more than ever. »

The MCC Threshold Program is not a blank check given to the government

«When it comes to creating economic growth, you’ve heard me mention for several years now about how much Togo stands to renegade from the US government foreign assistance program from the Millennium Challenge Corporation or the MCC. I’m pleased to tell you that the 35 million dollars MCC Threshold program for Togo was approved earlier this month after two and a half years of negotiation and research.

Now I know that some of you in the diaspora have concerns about this program. Some have expressed the fear that the US government is giving a blank check to the government of Togo. Well in fact the MCC Threshold Program is not budget support, meaning that it will not involve a significant transfer of funds to the government of Togo. The MCC will directly contract international experts that will provide targeted technical assistance to help make reforms in two important sectors: in telecommunication and land rights.

Now in the telecommunication sector, the program is designed to improve citizens’ access to high quality and affordable cellphones and internet services. By encouraging private sector investments, developing and independent regulatory regime , and expanding service to underserved areas , and increasing the use of technology in education, health care, agriculture and other areas.

Now with respect to land tenure, the program will seek to expand access to formalize land through the recognition and protection of degenerate land rights in five pilot areas across the country. They will also seek to develop a regulatory framework to implement the new land code currently in the parliament in Togo. Togo cannot build a modern economy if it does not have reliable and affordable phone and internet service, and people would not invest and create jobs if they can’t get secure title to land. Reforms in these two sectors will bring increasing prosperity and greater economic opportunity for all Togolese citizens and that’s why the MCC program specifically target these two areas. »

The United States won't fall into complacency on the program

«Finally, I wanna point out that MCC reserves the right to modify, suspend or terminate the Threshold Program at any time if the government violates the program agreement or shows any decline in its commitment to good governance. And as we move forward, MCC is going to be closely monitoring advance in Togo for the focus on citizens’ right, the freedom of expression and association, and due process. Simply put, Togo selection for MCC Threshold Program is a decision that will benefit all Togolese people and something that all Togolese can celebrate. I hope these explanations alleviate some of the concerns that you may have had regarding the MCC. I believe strongly that this program will have a very positive impact on Togo.

In closing, let me just wish you once again on this 58 anniversary of the Togolese independence my deepest and most sincere thanks to the important work that you and the Togolese diaspora are doing every day to create a brighter future for all Togolese people. I remain very optimistic for Togo because I see every day the energy and the enthusiasm of young people here who want to contribute to their communities and make things better. So please enjoy the rest of our services and rest assured that that my team and I , at the embassy here in Lome are committed to advancing the relationships between our two countries and helping Togo to become more prosperous, more democratic and more secured.

Thanks very much ! »

Transcribed by Fiacre E. Kakpo

Launched last April 25 with the support of Nigeria and AfDB, the pilot phase of Togo Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (TIRSAL) will begin soon, impacting maize and rice sectors first.

The fund will help boost these cereals’ outputs. This is good news considering that Togo recorded last season a rice deficit of 70,000 tons which should be recorded during the actual season also, according to USDA. According to the institution’s statistics, the country’s rice output in 2016-17 stood at 80,000 tons while imports were at 150,000 tons.

As for maize, it is faring much better and in fact even recorded an oversupply in 2014. Yet, it still needs a boost to fully help achieve self-sufficiency and ensure food security.

After the two crops selected to initially benefit from TIRSAL, others such as soybeans should follow.

TIRSAL is an agricultural fund that is aimed at providing financing and loan guarantees, cheaply, to farmers. It will mobilize in the long run €100 million (CFA65 billion) from associated banks and institutions, private sector, government but also technical and financial partners, and should benefit more than a million farmers.

Fiacre E. Kakpo