AGP Executive Report

Food Security Boost: Japan signed a CFAF 800 million (200 million yen) deal with Togo to supply subsidized rice under its 2026 Kennedy Round, aiming to strengthen food and nutrition security and stabilize prices for vulnerable households. Medicines Regulation: Togo’s Council of Ministers adopted a decree to create a National Agency for the Regulation of Medicines and Other Healthcare Products, targeting stronger quality control, inspections, market surveillance and pharmacovigilance. Disability Rights: A draft law was adopted to better protect people with disabilities, including clearer provisions across health, education, work, accessibility, and social protection, with extra safeguards for women and children. Eye Health Snapshot: Lapaire’s Vision Health Index 2026 reports that in Togo, presbyopia (22.1%) and myopia (16.7%) are most common, and about 29.9% of tested patients need vision correction—yet only 21% receive it. Public Health Capacity Building: Fifty senior nursing leaders from 27 countries joined an international policy and management programme at PGIMER, supported by India’s MEA/ITEC, focused on strengthening healthcare systems. Global Health Context: A new Africa air quality brief warns many countries, including parts of West Africa, still exceed WHO PM2.5 daily limits—an ongoing public health risk.

Togo Health Regulation: The Council of Ministers adopted a decree to create a National Agency for the Regulation of Medicines and Other Healthcare Products, aiming to strengthen quality control, inspections, market surveillance and pharmacovigilance as substandard and falsified medicines remain a concern. Disability Rights: Togo also advanced new legal protections for people with disabilities, expanding safeguards across health, education, work, accessibility, mobility and social protection, with extra protections for women and children. Eye Health in Togo: Lapaire’s Vision Health Index 2026 reports that nearly 30% of tested patients in Togo need vision correction, but only about 21% receive it—highlighting a major gap in access to proper eye care. Air Quality & Public Health: A new Africa Air Quality Brief says many African countries, including parts of West Africa, exceeded WHO daily PM2.5 limits for large stretches in 2025, with dust and everyday pollution sources worsening health risks. Sickle Cell Treatment Access: African drugmakers and researchers are pushing local production of hydroxyurea and child-friendly formulations to improve access for sickle cell patients, especially in Senegal and Nigeria. Health & Jobs Link: An ECA workshop in Togo focused on making the economic case for health spending, noting how out-of-pocket costs can push families into poverty and weaken productivity.

Medicines Regulation: Togo’s Council of Ministers adopted a decree to create a National Agency for the Regulation of Medicines and Other Healthcare Products, aiming to strengthen quality control, inspections, market surveillance and pharmacovigilance as substandard and falsified medicines remain a concern. Disability Rights & Health Access: A draft law was approved to better protect the rights of people with disabilities, with new provisions covering health, education, vocational training, accessibility, work and social protection, plus added safeguards for women and children. Air Quality & Public Health: On the International Day of Clean Air, a new Africa Air Quality Brief reports that more than 20 African countries missed WHO air pollution guidelines in 2025, with West Africa facing long stretches of unsafe PM2.5 days linked to dust and everyday pollution sources. Sickle Cell Treatment Locally Built: African drugmakers and researchers are expanding local production of sickle cell treatments, including hydroxyurea and child-friendly formulations, to improve access across countries where the disease burden is highest. Vision Care Gap in Togo: An optical network’s Vision Health Index found many Togolese need vision correction but are not getting it, highlighting a treatment gap for presbyopia, myopia and other common conditions. Health Spending as Investment: An ECA workshop in Togo focused on showing how health spending can drive economic returns—protecting households from medical costs and supporting productivity.

Foreign Security Influence: More than 300 Russian African Corps personnel are reported active in northern Togo while Turkey expands security links via SADAT-linked entities—raising concerns that outsourcing protection could sideline the Forces armées togolaises and increase foreign leverage. Health Investment Returns: An ECA-backed push urges African governments to treat health spending as an economic investment, highlighting how better care supports jobs, learning, and reduces poverty driven by out-of-pocket costs. Eye Health Gap in Togo: Lapaire’s Vision Health Index 2026 reports 29.9% of tested patients in Togo need vision correction, but only 21% receive it—leaving a sizable unmet need, with presbyopia and myopia most common. Household Living Conditions Survey: INSEED plans the EHCVM-3 living conditions survey from Sept 7 to Dec 2026, covering income, spending, and access to education, healthcare, and jobs to update poverty indicators. Digital Skills & Connectivity (Regional): CSquared, with Microsoft support, moved Liberia’s Ganta broadband and digital learning programme from a grant pilot to commercial service, training 1,200+ students. Cartographic Justice: The UN General Assembly backed Togo’s “Correct the Map” push to replace Mercator with more accurate projections, and Togo says it will update school geography materials.

Vision Care in Togo: Lapaire’s Vision Health Index 2026 reports 252,027 eye tests in Togo (2019–2026). Presbyopia (22.1%) and myopia (16.7%) top the list. About 29.9% of patients need vision correction, but only 21% receive it—leaving a gap of 8.9 points (around 22,446 people) and highlighting a major access problem. Health Diplomacy: CARICOM-Africa Day coverage spotlights stronger Africa–Caribbean links, including cooperation in healthcare and connectivity, with leaders urging more movement of people, trade, education and opportunities. Togo Data for Better Services: Togo’s INSEED will run the EHCVM-3 household living conditions survey from Sept. 7 to Dec. 2026, collecting data on income and spending plus access to education, healthcare and employment to update poverty and living-conditions indicators. Health Supply Risks Regionally: Ukraine coverage says Russian strikes hit WHO medical supply warehouses and a major drugmaker’s facilities, raising concerns about medicine availability during conflict. Cartography and Public Awareness: UN’s “Correct the Map” resolution—sponsored by Togo—backs more accurate map projections, a move framed as improving how Africa’s size is understood worldwide.

WAHO Leadership: Togolese public health expert Prof. Palokinam Pitche officially took over as Director-General of WAHO on Sept. 1, bringing over 25 years of experience in HIV care, health policy, and regional health protocol harmonization. Health Data for Policy: Togo’s INSEED launched the third Harmonized Survey on Household Living Conditions (EHCVM-3), running Sept. 7 to Dec. 2026, to update poverty trends and track access to education, healthcare, and jobs. Cartography & Health Education: The UN General Assembly backed Togo-led efforts to replace the Mercator map with the Equal Earth projection, a move aimed at correcting how Africa’s size is taught and perceived in classrooms. Public Health Risk Awareness: A Ghana court sentenced a Nigerian food vendor to seven years for human trafficking and prostitution, highlighting ongoing cross-border exploitation that can fuel serious health harms. Regional Health Systems: Coverage also points to WHO-backed pushes for wider access to hydroxyurea for sickle cell care, with local production and child-friendly formulations gaining attention across Africa.

Cartography & Health Education: The UN General Assembly adopted Togo-backed “Correct the Map” resolution (164-1) urging more accurate world maps, with Togo saying it will be the first to update school geography books using the Equal Earth projection instead of Mercator—an effort that can shape how people understand Africa’s size and resources. Regional Health Leadership: Togolese public health expert Prof. Palokinam Pitche officially took office as Director-General of WAHO on Sept. 1, bringing 25+ years of experience in HIV and health systems strengthening across ECOWAS. Household Wellbeing Data: Togo’s INSEED launched the third Harmonized Survey on Household Living Conditions (EHCVM-3), running Sept. 7 to Dec. 2026, to track poverty and access to education, healthcare, and jobs. Health Supply Under Strain: Russia struck Teva and a WHO medical supply depot in Ukraine, raising concerns about continuity of medicines and humanitarian health logistics. COPD Advocacy: A global coalition launched a Joint Declaration calling for earlier diagnosis and better access to COPD treatment, noting many people remain undiagnosed.

WAHO Leadership: Togolese public health expert Prof. Palokinam Pitche officially began as Director-General of the West African Health Organization (WAHO) on Sept. 1, bringing over 25 years of experience in HIV care, health policy, and health systems strengthening across ECOWAS. Cartographic Justice for Health Education: Togo will revise school geography materials after a UN vote backing the Equal Earth map projection, aiming to correct Mercator distortions that can affect how Africa’s size is perceived in classrooms. Household Health & Poverty Data: Togo’s INSEED is launching the third Harmonized Survey on Household Living Conditions (EHCVM-3) from Sept. 7 to Dec. 2026, collecting data on access to healthcare, employment, income and spending to track poverty trends. Agriculture for Resilience: In an FAO Togo interview, Dr. Oyétoundé Djiwa stressed that mechanization investments must be organized through service centers to truly benefit small farmers, alongside better monitoring of reforestation and reforms for women’s access to land, financing and technology.

Regional Health Leadership: Togolese public health expert Prof. Palokinam Pitche officially took over as Director-General of WAHO on Sept. 1, bringing 25+ years of experience in HIV care, health systems strengthening, and coordinating regional health protocols. Household Health & Poverty Data: INSEED launched the Harmonized Survey on Household Living Conditions (EHCVM-3) from Sept. 7 to Dec. 2026, collecting data on income, access to healthcare, education, and employment to update poverty indicators. Cartography & Education: Togo says it will revise school geography materials after a UN vote backing the Equal Earth map projection to better reflect Africa’s true size. Agriculture & Women Farmers: In an FAO interview, Dr. Oyétoundé Djiwa discussed what’s needed for mechanization and forest restoration to translate into real gains for small farmers, including better access to land, financing, and technology for women. Health-Linked Environment: Paddle for Hope continued its ocean-cleanup message in Fiji, warning that single-use plastics can enter the food chain and affect health, alongside recycling and waste-management outreach.

WAHO Leadership: Togolese public health expert Prof. Palokinam Pitche officially started as Director-General of WAHO on Sept. 1, bringing 25+ years of experience in HIV care, health systems strengthening, and regional protocol harmonization—after leading Togo’s National AIDS Control Programme (2007–2012). Health Financing for Policy: A UN ECA workshop in Togo (with Botswana, Ethiopia, and Sierra Leone) is training health ministries and statistics offices to show health spending as an investment, using country-owned economic tools to link health, households, jobs, and government budgets. Diphtheria Alert: Nigeria’s Plateau State reports 23 diphtheria deaths and 143 suspected cases in two weeks, citing antitoxin shortages and late presentation; isolation and community awareness are underway. Community Wellness: Bright Future Togo plans “Flow for a Future” on Sept. 25 in Wellington, featuring stretching and meditation to support children’s education and healthcare. Cartographic Justice: Togo-backed AU efforts helped the UN vote for more accurate world maps that better reflect Africa’s true size—an issue tied to perception and global visibility.

WAHO Leadership: Togolese public health expert Prof. Palokinam Pitche officially started as Director-General of the West African Health Organization (WAHO) on Sept. 1, bringing over 25 years of experience in HIV care, health systems strengthening, and regional protocol harmonization. Household Health & Poverty Data: Togo’s INSEED has launched a Household Living Conditions Survey (EHCVM-3) running Sept. 7 to Dec. 2026, with questions on income, spending, and access to education, healthcare, and jobs—aimed at updating poverty and social indicators. COPD Advocacy: The Speak Up for COPD coalition released a new Joint Declaration urging governments to close gaps in COPD diagnosis and treatment, highlighting that most people with COPD still go undiagnosed. Sickle Cell Progress: Across Africa, drugmakers and researchers are linking local production to sickle cell care, as WHO pushes wider access to hydroxyurea and child-friendly formulations. Diphtheria Alert (Nigeria): Plateau State reported 23 diphtheria deaths and 143 suspected cases, citing antitoxin shortages and late presentation as key challenges. Health Financing Training (ECA): ECA’s statistics workshop in Togo and other countries trains health ministries to make the economic case for health spending using health-focused social accounting tools. Community Wellness Fundraiser: Bright Future Togo announced “Flow for a Future” on Sept. 25 in Wellington, featuring stretching and meditation to support children’s education and healthcare. Marine Protection Debate: Togo co-sponsored a proposal to review commercial whaling quotas, drawing criticism from whale conservation groups.

WAHO Leadership: Togolese public health expert Prof. Palokinam Pitche has officially started as Director-General of the West African Health Organization (WAHO) on Sept. 1, bringing over 25 years of experience in HIV and health systems work, including leadership roles in Togo’s national AIDS response. Disease Watch: Nigeria’s Plateau State reports a diphtheria outbreak with 23 deaths and 143 suspected cases in two weeks, citing antitoxin shortages and late presentation as key barriers to faster diagnosis and treatment. Health Financing: The UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Center of Statistics opened a workshop in Togo to help health ministries and statisticians build tools that show health spending as an economic investment, not just a cost. COPD Advocacy: A global coalition launched a new Joint Declaration urging governments to close COPD gaps in diagnosis, treatment access, prevention, and continuous care. Food & Nutrition Security: Togo’s John Dumelo called for stronger regional collaboration to make West Africa self-sufficient in rice production and cut reliance on imports.

WAHO Leadership: Togolese public health expert Prof. Palokinam Pitche officially assumed office as Director-General of the West African Health Organization (WAHO) on Sept. 1, bringing over 25 years of experience in HIV care, health systems strengthening, and regional protocol harmonization. Disease Watch: Nigeria’s Plateau State reported a diphtheria outbreak with 23 deaths and 143 suspected cases in two weeks, citing antitoxin shortages and late presentation as key hurdles. Health Financing for Impact: The UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Center of Statistics (ACS) trained Togo and three other countries to build health-focused Social Accounting Matrices, helping policymakers see health spending as an investment. Health System Voice: A regional initiative will strengthen patient support centres in three West African countries, aiming to give patients a stronger say in healthcare. Regional Health Diplomacy: Togo’s health leadership moves alongside broader regional cooperation as WAHO takes on renewed importance for ECOWAS health priorities.

Diphtheria Alert: Plateau State reports 23 deaths and 143 suspected diphtheria cases in two weeks, with patients treated in isolation but facing shortages of antitoxin and late presentation, plus delays in confirming cases due to missing lab sample containers. Regional Health Leadership: Professor Palokinam T. Pitche has formally assumed office as Director-General of WAHO, bringing over 25 years of health systems and public health experience, including leadership roles in Togo’s HIV/AIDS programmes. Health Financing Push: ECA’s African Center of Statistics runs a five-day workshop in Togo and other countries to help health ministries build “health as an investment” economic accounts, linking health spending to households, jobs, and the wider economy. Governance for Health Systems: Togo launched a National Accounting Council (CNC-Togo) to strengthen financial reporting and accountability—an indirect but important step for better-funded, better-managed public services. Policy Watch: Togo cosponsored a move to review commercial whaling quotas, drawing criticism from conservation groups.

French Detention Update: Two French filmmakers and their Togolese fixer, arrested in late July while making a France Télévisions documentary, were freed under judicial supervision after weeks in detention in Togo; their lawyer says continued detention is no longer needed to “establish the truth,” though Togolese authorities still cite “serious evidence” and alleged irregularities, including drone use in northern areas hit by jihadist attacks. Health Systems & Patient Rights: WAHO launched Health Service User Support Centres in Lomé for Benin, The Gambia, and Togo, aiming to give patients a dignified place to report problems, seek guidance, and access mediation—so recurring issues can feed into better healthcare quality and safety. WAHO Leadership: Professor Palokinam T. Pitche formally assumed office as WAHO Director-General on September 1, bringing over 25 years of experience, including leadership roles in Togo’s national HIV/AIDS response. Public Health Alert: Diphtheria in Nigeria’s Plateau State has reportedly killed 23 people with 143 suspected cases, with shortages of diphtheria antitoxin and late presentation cited as key challenges. Togo in Global Health Governance: Togo is also linked to regional health financing work, with Togo among countries trained to build economic cases for health spending.

WAHO Leadership: Professor Palokinam T. Pitche has officially assumed office as Director-General of WAHO (ECOWAS), bringing over 25 years of public health and health systems experience, including past leadership in Togo’s National AIDS response. Ebola Response: The UK announced an additional £51m to fight the Congo Ebola outbreak, citing rising cases and deaths and pledging stronger surveillance, infection prevention, treatment access, and safe burials. Patient Voice in Care: WAHO launched Health Service User Support Centres in Lomé for Benin, The Gambia, and Togo—meant to go beyond complaints by enabling dialogue, mediation, and system improvements. Health Financing Skills: A UN ECA workshop is training Togo and other countries to build health-focused Social Accounting Matrices, helping ministries show health spending as an investment. Workplace Safety Focus: Togo’s Gilbert Houngbo is seeking a second term as ILO Director-General, highlighting progress on occupational safety and health and apprenticeships. Cross-Border Health Access: A women-focused trade group urges stronger ECOWAS free-movement implementation at the Ghana–Togo border, so people can cross with fewer restrictions.