One million farmers will have access to the financing offered by the Incentive Mechanism for Agricultural Financing Based on Risk Sharing (MIFA) by 2025. Aid will be granted in priority to cooperatives. As long as they reorganize themselves from top to bottom. The idea that independent producers come together in cooperatives to be more efficient. Italy will provide assistance and advice through Credit Coopératif. “The objective of this project is to increase the integration of agricultural value chains to increase the productivity of cooperative societies,” said Aristide Agbossoumondè, the director general of MIFA. Based on risk sharing, the MIFA aims to professionalize the agricultural sector by structuring value chains, increasing the volume of financing allocated by financial institutions to the sector and developing innovative insurance and technological products. The MIFA is supposed to facilitate sustainable access to suitable financial services for smallholders and micro, small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises, so that they can develop their activities and access markets.
Togo has a new government
The new government team of the Prime Minister, Head of Government Victoire Tomégah-Dogbé is known. The list was made public this Thursday, October 1, 2020 through a decree of the President of the Republic Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé. The new government of the Togolese Republic has thirty-three members. Fourteen (14) new ministers are joining the Government, which thus has eleven (11) women including one woman in the Ministry of the Armed Forces. Three (3) ministers change positions, and three (3) ministries are attached to the Presidency of the Republic. The average age of the new government is around 40 years old. Here is the new Togolese executive Minister of Social Action, Promotion of Women and Literacy: Ms. Adjovi Lonlongno Apedo, wife Anakoma Minister of Territorial Administration, Decentralization and Territorial Development: Mr. Payadowa Boukpessi, Minister of State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Togolese Abroad: Prof. Robert Dussey Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development: Mr.Antoine Lekpa Gbegbeni Minister of the Armed Forces: Ms. Essozimna Marguerite Gnakadè Minister of Trade, Industry and Local Consumption: Mr. Kodjo Adédzé Minister of Communication, Media, Government Spokesman: Prof. Akodah Ayéwouadan Minister of Culture and Tourism: Mr. Kossi Lamadokou Minister of Accessibility and Rural Roads: Mr. Bouraïma Kanfitine Tchédé-Issa Minister of Grassroots Development, Youth and Youth Employment: Ms. Myriam de Souza-D’Almeida Minister of Human Rights, Citizenship Training, Relations with Institutions of the Republic, Government Spokesman: Mr. Christian Trimua Minister of water and village hydraulics: Mr. Bolidja Tiem Minister of Economy and Finance: Mr. Sani Yaya Minister of Maritime Economy, Fisheries and Coastal Protection: Mr. Edem Kokou Tengué Minister of Digital Economy and Digital Transformation: Ms.Cina Lawson Minister of Primary, Secondary, Technical and Craft Education: Prof. Komla Dodzi Kokoroko Minister of Higher Education and Research: Prof. Majesté Ihou-Watéba Minister of Environment and Forest Resources: Mr. Katari Foli-Bazi Minister of Public Service, Labor and Social Dialogue: Mr. Gilbert Bawara Keeper of the Seals, Minister of Justice and Legislation: Mr. Pius Agbétomey Minister of Health, Public Hygiene and Universal Access to Health Care: Prof. Moustafa Mijiyawa Minister of Security and Civil Protection: General Damehame Yark Minister of Sports and Recreation: Doctor-Commander Kama Lidi Kedjaka Bessi Minister of Road, Rail and Air Transport: Mr. Affoh Atcha-Dédji Minister of Public Works: Ms. Zouréhatou Tcha-Kondo, spse. Kassah-Traoré Minister of Town Planning, Housing and Land Reform: Mr. Koffi Tsolenyanou Minister Delegate to the Minister of Territorial Administration, Decentralization and Territorial Development, in charge of territorial development: Mr. Essomanam Edjéba Minister Delegate to the Minister of Primary, Secondary, Technical and Crafts Education, in charge of Technical and Crafts Education: Mr. Eke Odin Minister Delegate to the Minister of Health, Public Hygiene and Universal Access to Care, responsible for universal access to care: Ms. Mamessilé Akla Agba Assih Minister Secretary General of the Government: Mr. Kanka-Malik Natchaba Under the Presidency of the Republic Minister, Secretary General of the Presidency: Ms. Sandra Ablamba Johnson Minister responsible for financial inclusion and the organization of the informal sector: Ms. Mazamesso Assih Minister Delegate to the President of the Republic in charge of Energy and Mines: Ms. Mawougno Aziablé The Ministry of Planning and Cooperation is attached to the Presidency of the Republic
A woman as prime minister
The President of the Republic, H.E. Mr. FAURE ESSOZIMNA GNASSINGBE appointed, by decree on September 28, 2020, Mrs. Victoire Tomégah-Dogbé, as Prime Minister. Thus, Togo has, for the first time in its history, a woman at the head of the Prime Minister. Previously Chief of Staff to the President of the Republic, Minister responsible for grassroots development, crafts and youth, and former UNDP senior official, the new Head of Government thus succeeds Mr. Komi Selom Klassou.
Togo is not going to do things by halves
Côte d’Ivoire has decided to reopen from July 1 international flights suspended for almost four months to curb the spread of covid-19. All passengers arriving on international flights will be subject to health checks and systematic follow-up during their stay in Côte d’Ivoire. Togo should soon open its air borders. The arrival will however be under very strict health conditions. No details have filtered for the moment concerning the device. Authorities could ask passengers on intercontinental flights to do 72- or 96-hour PCR tests before flying. Upon arrival, they will first pass through a laboratory located in the old terminal. Temperature measurement, information on the place of residence, telephone numbers to ensure traceability and random checks. Nor is it impossible that visitors are required to perform a second PCR test a few days after their arrival. All this sanitary mechanics will be clarified in the coming days. To revive the economy and allow free movement, Togo, like its neighbors, has the obligation to reopen airports. With maximum caution.
Bringing the partnership with the EU into line with the reality of the world
Robert Dussey, chief negotiator for the Organization of ACP States (OEACP), urges all countries to adopt innovative measures *. ______ The coronavirus, which has been shutting down the world for several weeks, challenges us humans and confronts us with certain existential questions. Where are we going so fast? Is humanity going to its loss or is it following its own destination? These questions, which cannot leave the human conscience indifferent, convince us of one thing: the human experience of freedom in history, the theater of contrasts, can lead to better or worse. When the worst happens, it experiences, but also constitutes an invitation by humanity to a reorientation of its existential behavior. Generations pass, but humanity remains and has a duty of lucidity towards itself as the coronavirus has just reminded us once again. This pandemic has got the better of national and continental borders, and the tricontinental ACP (Asia, Caribbean, Pacific) space is not immune to its sphere of extension. The area is less affected by Covid-19, both in number of contamination and in mortality, which currently contradicts all the apocalyptic predictions. However, the impacts of the pandemic on the three regions of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OEACP) are very real. They must lead the organization to invent an internal strategy to respond to pandemics and to put the human and social at the base of relations with its partners. Indeed, the countries of the OEACP, beyond national and regional specificities, have a common characteristic trait: vulnerability. It is a plural vulnerability because it is multisectoral. The coronavirus crisis is straining very fragile health systems, under pressure from national solidarity mechanisms and very vulnerable economies. Several countries in the organization are already experiencing the economic impacts of the crisis. The consequences are humanly costly, socially paralyzing and economically dangerous. The economic growth which has enabled certain ACP countries to rise to the rank of middle-income countries is today highly questioned. The economic crisis that the Covid-19 imposes on countries risks eventually tipping an even larger proportion of populations into “objective poverty” and amplifying the level of vulnerabilities in the three regions. The common condition of vulnerability of the ACP countries, an expressive sign of a fundamental ontological fragility which they share with the whole human community, predisposes them, at operational and economic levels, to the response to the pandemic. However, coordinated collective action at the ACP level and an internal response strategy could support the fight at the scale of the three regions. Following the new spirit of the recently revised Georgetown Agreement, and in response to current challenges, both health, social and economic, the organization must step up cooperation internally. The coronavirus crisis invites the ACP to explore their possibilities for internal cooperation from which innovative actions can emerge. “In the beginning was action” (Goethe) and we must act and above all quickly, the present being the moment of choice and action (Simone de Beauvoir). Fortunately, intra-ACP cooperation is at work. Witness the initiatives and measures taken by the organization in collaboration with the African Farmers Organization (PAFO) against the socio-economic impacts of the pandemic on agricultural production and food supply systems. It must be amplified on a transcontinental ACP scale and lead to a common strategy and a solid ACP plan of response to the coronavirus. The strategy must be motivated by a common commitment against the same challenge in a sense of common belonging and community of destiny and have a substantial economic component intended to support the economic recovery of the Member States. The Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government was held on June 3 on the theme “Transcending the Covid-19 Pandemic: Building Resilience Through Global Solidarity”. The meeting met this requirement and enabled the organization to internally harmonize pandemic response strategies and actions. External partners are supporting the OEACP in the response to the coronavirus. The European Union, through the Europe-Africa-Caribbean-Pacific Liaison Committee and especially the Team Europ initiative, has allocated 20 billion euros. It was presented on April 8 at the launch of the European response, at the international level, to the coronavirus pandemic within the framework of cooperation. The extraordinary summit on June 3 was also an opportunity for the OEACP to call for more global solidarity towards its members during this time of crisis. In times of crisis, solidarity saves. The organization of the ACP States and the EU are in talks with a view to redefining the normative and regulatory framework for their partnership in its post-Cotonou phase. As nature does nothing in vain (Emmanuel Kant) and historical coincidence obliges, the partners must clearly include clauses relating to pandemics and their socio-economic consequences. Human, social and health must be at the heart of post-Cotonou. “The distribution of the benefits of global relations depends not only on internal policies, but also on a whole range of international agreements of a social nature,” recalled Amartya Sen in 2012. Who spoke of “trade treaties, patent law, global health initiatives, international education arrangements, ways to facilitate the dissemination of technology, ecological and environmental moderation agreements, the treatment of accumulated debts ”. The ACP countries and the EU have the ambition to bring the partnership into line with the reality of the world and the new challenges linked to human progress. This is why we cannot go to the signing of a new cooperation agreement without wondering about the consequences and implications of Covid-19 for the partnership. As an action, negotiations take place in a context of coronaviruses that they cannot ignore. Any action, teaches Edgar Morin, enters into the “inter-feedback game” of the context in which it takes place and bears the imprints of the context. The questioning of the implications of Covid-19 for the EAPCS-EU partnership is not without interest for the future of the partnership. To underestimate the implications of Covid-19 for the EAPCS-EU partnership in the negotiation process would reflect a lack of imagination at odds with the ambitions of both parties linked to
Economic development is the goal
Despite the health crisis in the world, the economy is not and should not be put on hold. There is development and employment. This is the posture of Togolese leaders. The Business Climate Cell (CCA), attached to the Presidency of the Republic, is active in carrying out several major projects announced in recent months. We can cite the production of carbonate phosphate, the main investor of which is the Nigerian Dangote Group. He intends to invest $ 2 billion. Dangote who will also build a cement factory for the local and regional market. The investment is estimated at $ 60 million. Finally, the Canadian Logistik Unicorp intends to set up a uniform manufacturing plant. $ 10 million will be put on the table and 500 jobs will be created.
Togo : Everything to make business easier
Togo has carried out major reforms to improve the business climate and attract the investment it needs for development. Progress highlighted in the Doing report published a few months ago. These developments concern many areas including commercial justice with an acceleration of procedures and the existence of an electronic case management system at the Commercial Court of Lomé. We can also mention the dematerialization of the summons and the publication on the Tribunal’s website of the decisions rendered. The state promotes conciliation and has created a Small Claims Chamber. The reform also concerns land. It concerns the issuance of building permits and the establishment of a Single Land Window. To stimulate cross-border trade, the authorities have taken a number of measures, including the dematerialization of the procedure for issuing the certificate of origin and customs clearance with the Sydonia World system. The Single Window for Foreign Trade allows you to complete online formalities in a few minutes and at the same time make declarations to the administration (customs, taxes). This system, which contains other innovations, is likely to stimulate trade and exchanges and to attract foreign economic operators to Togo. The country’s geographic location makes it a natural hub for hinterland countries.
Diplomag 21 in the kiosks
The ACP (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific) countries and the European Union must reach a new cooperation agreement before the end of this year. The talks are dense, said DiploMag, the magazine published by the Togolese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Negotiations for a new ACP-EU partnership were launched in September 2018 in New York. The first rounds of negotiations focused mainly on the “common foundation”, which brings together the values and principles around which the EU and the ACP countries come together, and indicates the priority strategic areas in which the two parties intend to work together. The future agreement should include specific and action-oriented regional partnerships, focusing on the needs of each region. Consultations on regional partnerships were completed in the spring of 2019. The future ACP-EU partnership will serve to consolidate the close political ties between the EU and the ACP countries on the international scene. Together, the ACP countries and the EU represent more than 1.5 billion people and more than half of the seats in the United Nations. Minister of Foreign Affairs Robert Dussey is the chief negotiator on behalf of the ACP. Further information : DiploMag N°21.pdf
Launch of the “Decade of African Roots and Diasporas”
Within the framework of the 33rd Summit of the African Union, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Togolese Abroad, Pr Robert DUSSEY, representing HE Mr. Faure Essozimna GNASSINGBE, President of the Togolese Republic, presented the February 10, a communication on behalf of Togo on the launching of the “Decade of African Roots and Diasporas”. This Togolese initiative, “Lomé Framework”, aims to set up a platform for the preparation and promotion of projects, initiatives and events relating to African roots and diasporas and aims mainly to: propose a periodic program presenting events by country and flagship operations; offer an international showcase for projects carried out by different countries; ensure the coordination and consistency of the actions proposed; mobilize participants for events offered by different countries. Minister Robert DUSSEY underlined, at the Summit of Heads of State and Government, the inclusive nature of the Lomé Framework aimed at grouping and federating initiatives with a view to strengthening the role and contributions of people of African roots and diasporas to the economic development of the continent. After the communication of Minister Robert DUSSEY at the Summit of the African Union, a large majority of countries adhered to the Togolese initiative and the Presidency of the African Union wished to reaffirm the importance of the question of roots and diasporas African. A consensus emerged on the establishment of a High Level Committee to prepare the content and the conditions for the implementation of this pan-African platform. A call for project proposals open to all African countries is planned for the identification, study and selection of projects that can be included in the continental agenda of the Decade of African Roots and Diasporas. Through this innovative framework for cooperation between African countries, the aim is to better involve Africans from outside and to strengthen the links between Afro-descendants, communities with African roots, diasporas and their continent, “mother earth. “, Africa. The objective is to make African diasporas strategic actors in the development of Africa. As such, Togo is preparing the first “African Diaspora Economic Forum”, making Lomé the capital of African roots and diasporas. Done at Addis Ababa on February 10, 2020
TOGO AT THE AFRICAN WOMEN’S FORUM
The Chargé d’affaires of Togo in South Africa, Mr. Kokoutse Gouna traveled this Wednesday, November 6, to “Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Center” in Johannesburg where the African Women in Dialogue (AFWID) forum is taking place. Objective, meet the women who represent Togo at this great continental meeting to support and encourage them. In turn, part of the Togolese delegation went to the Embassy of Togo in Pretoria on Thursday November 7 to say thank you to the Togolese diplomat. During his visit, the Chargé d’affaires welcomed Togo’s strong participation in this forum and welcomed the commitment of the Togolese woman who, according to him, has finally found its way. “It is a great joy to see our women in South Africa. It is not every day that we receive a delegation of women. So it’s already a very nice surprise for us and above all we are happy to see that the woman has finally found her way. I also believe it is an honor to be here and support them. I wish them all the happiness so that they always carry Togo higher, “said Mr. Kokoutse Gouna. For Mr. Gouna, women should no longer be reduced to household activities. “Our sisters must be inspired by this event so that the woman can go even further. Women have their place in society. And for the development of our country, it must contribute to it, ”he insists. The diplomat also invited women to contribute, to calm the climate during this electoral period in Togo. He remembers that in the days when the men left scarcely, the women went on sex strike and calm returned. “Women have the ability to invite men to the table for discussion, dialogue and soothing the climate. “, He said. In Pretoria, Thursday, November 7, the women’s delegation for its part, said it was delighted with the consideration of the diplomat vis-à-vis his compatriots. “We are very touched by your gesture. You have honored us before an entire continent. You have shown us that you are very sensitive to the feminine cause and that marked us very much, ”says AFWID national coordinator, Ms. Toffa Kékéli, entrepreneur. It should be emphasized, the diplomat took the opportunity to exchange with these women on his mission and activities as a representative of Togo in South Africa. He also mentioned the creation of the Embassy which dates back 4 years. Reflections have also revolved around possible cultural projects that the Embassy of Togo in South Africa could organize in order to give more visibility to Togolese products in the country of Madiba. As a reminder, 15 Togolese women participate in the Forum African Women in Dialogue which takes place from 4 to 8 November in Johannesrbourg. Organized by the Zanele Mbeki Development Trust, AFWID aims to be an inclusive dialogue platform intended to bring together African women from all walks of life under the same roof so that they can debate issues of continental importance and female leadership. Hélène Doubidji, special envoy from Togotopnews to Johannersburg