Togo - Corruption
On 09 February 2023, President of the Supreme Court and Chair of the Council of Judges Professor Abdoulaye Yaya declared “corruption is the second most practiced sport in the country after soccer.”
On 01 February 2023, the Court of Auditors released a report citing significant irregularities in the management of COVID-19 funds. The report pinpointed the prime minister’s office, the ministers of digital economy, health, communication, grassroots development, education, and commerce, and the National Coordination Committee for the Management of the Response to COVID-19 for the mismanagement of the response to COVID-19. This report particularly identified the minister of digital economy as responsible for the mismanagement of 13,169,951,746 CFA francs ($21.8 million) and criticized the minister’s refusal to cooperate with the auditors.
The report was widely discussed on local radio stations and social media with individuals calling for the resignation of the prime minister and other government officials. The government denied allegations of misappropriation, and the human rights minister, the former communications minister, and the minister secretary general declared the debate should be ended, threatening the public and journalists with charges of ‘’slander’’ for future discussion of the matter.
On 18 July 2023, Coalition Lidaw, a group of civil society organizations, released a budget analysis of the Ministry of Grassroots Development from 2009 to 2023. This study revealed significant irregularities in funds allocation, expenditures, procedures, award of contracts, and poor monitoring and evaluation of programs. The results of an Afrobarometer survey revealed citizens perceived a rise in government corruption and had a deficit of trust in authorities. They particularly lacked confidence in the government to publish reliable statistics on COVID-19.
Although Togo has laws on the books that make corruption a crime, it has spread as a business practice in recent years. Government procurement contracts and dispute settlements are more likely to go forward after palms are greased. Giving a bribe, whether to private or government officials, is considered a crime but is often expected. The police, gendarmes, and courts are charged with combating corruption in Togo. Some Togolese officials have been charged and convicted of corruption-related charges, but these cases are relatively rare and appear to involve mostly those who have in some way lost official favor.
Although Togo has government organizations that are supposed to investigate corruption, it is a common business practice and remains a problem for businesses. Often, “donations” or “gratuities” result in shorter delays for obtaining registrations, permits, and licenses, thus resulting in a competitive advantage for companies that are willing and able to engage in such practices.
In 2011, the government effectively implemented procurement reforms to increase transparency and reduce corruption. New government procurements are now announced in a weekly government publication. Once contracts are awarded, all bids and the winner are published in the weekly government procurement publication. Other measurable steps toward controlling corruption include joining the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and establishing public finance control structures and a National Financial Information Processing Unit.
The Togolese government has established several important institutions designed in part to reduce corruption by eliminating opportunities for bribery and fraud: the Togolese Revenue Authority, the One-Stop Shop to create new businesses, and the Single Window for import/export formalities. In 2015, the Togolese government also created the High Authority for the Prevention and Fight against Corruption and Related Offenses (HALCIA), which is designed to be an independent institution dedicated to fighting corruption, though the members of the HALCIA have yet to be named and the body has yet to begin work. Although emblematic of Togo’s growing efforts to improve its business climate and attract greater investment, it remains to be seen whether these reforms will measurably reduce corruption.
The police, gendarmes, courts, and an anti-corruption committee are charged with combating corruption in Togo. A few minor Togolese officials have been prosecuted and convicted of corruption-related charges, but these cases are relatively rare and appear to involve mostly those who have in some way lost official favor. The body officially responsible for combating corruption is the National Commission for the Fight against Corruption and Economic Sabotage.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
