AGP Executive Report

Disability Inclusion in Focus: ECOWAS has handed over assistive devices to children with disabilities in Nigeria, including wheelchairs, crutches, bath chairs, tricycles, white canes and UV items, as part of a regional programme that also involves Togo after nearly two years of planning. Infectious Disease Capacity: Eight laboratory professionals from Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo and Zambia completed an eight-week JICA–NMIMR training on infectious disease lab skills in parasitology, virology and bacteriology, strengthening regional diagnostics and surveillance. Maternal & Newborn Care: Angel Care Foundation launched its Angel Blanket Initiative in Ghana, distributing newborn blankets within 48 hours to hospitals including Police Hospital and Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, while training mothers on postnatal health. Nutrition & Hidden Hunger: A new spotlight on “hidden hunger” warns that many Africans eat enough to avoid starvation but still lack key vitamins and minerals, driving anaemia, poor learning and higher health costs. Togo Health-Adjacent Development: Togo’s New Cotton Company is rolling out regenerative farming with added support for rural living conditions, including access to clean water and healthcare. Public Health Risk from Flooding: Reports from West Africa note flooding-linked disease risks like cholera, diarrhoeal illness and malaria as standing water and poor drainage increase exposure.

Disability Inclusion in Focus: ECOWAS handed over assistive devices to children with disabilities in Nigeria, including wheelchairs, canes, crutches and learning support items, as part of a regional programme that also includes Togo in its first phase. Maternal & Newborn Care: Angel Care Foundation’s Angel Blanket Initiative launched in Accra with rapid distribution of newborn blankets and postnatal health guidance, reaching hospitals and outreach programmes within 48 hours. Infectious Disease Capacity: Eight lab professionals from six countries, including Togo, completed JICA–NMIMR training on infectious disease lab skills (parasitology, virology and bacteriology), strengthening regional diagnostics and surveillance. Nutrition & Public Health Risk: A report highlights “hidden hunger” across Africa—micronutrient deficiencies that don’t look like famine but drive anaemia, poor learning and higher health costs. Togo Health & Resilience: Togo’s regenerative cotton farming push includes investments aimed at rural living conditions such as clean water, healthcare and literacy, linking climate resilience with community wellbeing.

Infectious disease lab capacity: Eight laboratory professionals from Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo and Zambia have completed an eight-week JICA–NMIMR training on parasitology, virology and bacteriology, strengthening regional skills for infectious disease surveillance and diagnostics. Disability inclusion: ECOWAS handed over assistive devices to children with disabilities in Nigeria as part of a regional programme, with Togo included in the first phase; the goal is better access to mobility, communication and learning tools. Maternal/newborn care: The Angel Blanket Initiative is distributing newborn blankets across Africa while equipping mothers with postnatal health information, with early deliveries already reaching major hospitals in Ghana. Nutrition and health: A report highlights “hidden hunger” across Africa—micronutrient deficiencies that don’t always show as starvation but still drive anaemia, poor learning and higher health costs. Climate and public health risk: Flooding coverage across West Africa links standing water to higher risks of cholera, typhoid, diarrhoea and malaria, underscoring the need for sanitation and safe water. Togo health-adjacent development: Togo’s regenerative cotton farming push includes investments aimed at improving rural living conditions, including access to clean water and healthcare.

Infectious-disease lab capacity: Eight laboratory professionals from Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo and Zambia have completed an eight-week JICA–NMIMR training in parasitology, virology and bacteriology, strengthening regional skills for infectious disease surveillance and diagnosis. Disability inclusion: ECOWAS handed over assistive devices to children with disabilities in Nigeria, with Togo included in the first phase of the regional programme—aimed at improving mobility, communication, learning and participation. Hidden hunger: A new focus on “hidden hunger” highlights micronutrient deficiencies across Africa, warning that lack of vitamins and minerals can harm learning, productivity and health even when people eat enough calories. Togo health-linked development: Togo launched a regenerative farming push for cotton resilience, and the project also includes investments in rural living conditions such as clean water and healthcare. Disaster preparedness: Togo’s National Civil Protection Agency held a major training prep meeting with U.S. disaster-relief partners ahead of a practical emergency exercise.

Disability Inclusion: ECOWAS handed over assistive devices to children with disabilities in Nigeria, including wheelchairs, crutches, canes and UV items, as part of a regional programme that also includes Togo in the first phase. Maternal & Newborn Care: Angel Care Foundation launched its Angel Blanket Initiative in Accra, aiming to distribute 1 million newborn blankets across Africa while equipping mothers with postnatal health guidance. Hidden Hunger: A new focus on “hidden hunger” highlights micronutrient deficiencies across Africa—linking poor nutrition to learning problems, anaemia and lower productivity. Infectious Disease Readiness: Eight lab professionals from Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo and Zambia completed JICA-NMIMR training to strengthen parasitology, virology and bacteriology skills. Togo Health & Compliance: Togo’s Personal Data Protection Authority trained 32 corporate data protection officers to strengthen compliance with the 2019 data protection law, including in health-related sectors. Public Health in Floods: Ghana’s recent heavy rains triggered flooding and emergency responses, raising concerns about waterborne disease risks and mosquito breeding.

Disability Inclusion: ECOWAS has stepped up disability inclusion by handing over assistive devices to children with disabilities in Nigeria, with the programme also involving Togo after nearly two years of planning. The handover in Abuja included wheelchairs, crutches, tricycles, white canes and other support items, aimed at improving mobility, communication and learning—so children can participate more fully in school and community life. Maternal & Newborn Care: Angel Care Foundation launched its Angel Blanket Initiative in Accra, targeting one million newborn blankets across Africa over five years, alongside postnatal health guidance for mothers; early deliveries reached hospitals including Police Hospital and Korle Bu. Health Systems & Outbreak Readiness: A training programme for laboratory professionals across West Africa and beyond has been completed in Accra, strengthening skills in parasitology, virology and bacteriology—supporting faster detection and response to infectious diseases. Public Health Risks from Water & Sanitation: Coverage across the region highlights “hidden hunger” from micronutrient deficiencies and warns that poor sanitation and unsafe water can fuel outbreaks like cholera and diarrhoeal diseases. Togo Health Policy: Togo’s Personal Data Protection Authority has trained its first cohort of corporate data protection officers, including from healthcare and other sectors, to strengthen compliance with the country’s data protection law.

Disability Inclusion: ECOWAS donated 670 assistive devices to children with disabilities in Nigeria, including wheelchairs, crutches, tricycles, white canes and laptops, as part of a regional programme that also includes Togo after nearly two years of planning. Climate-Smart Health & Farming: Togo’s New Cotton Company launched a three-year regenerative farming programme to cut emissions, restore soils and improve water management, with support for rural living conditions including access to clean water, healthcare and literacy. Income & Health Financing Context: Togo was reclassified as a lower-middle-income country by the World Bank, a shift that could affect future development funding and public health planning. Infectious Disease Capacity: Eight laboratory professionals from six African countries (including Togo) completed JICA-NMIMR training in parasitology, virology and bacteriology to strengthen outbreak detection and response. Public Health & Safety: Flooding and heavy rains across West Africa keep raising health risks like diarrhoeal diseases and malaria, while emergency responders report ongoing incidents and evacuations. Drug Control: Nigeria’s NDLEA seized 558,900 tramadol pills smuggled from Togo via Benin and arrested suspects in Lagos, targeting cross-border pharmaceutical trafficking. Data Protection for Health Services: Togo’s Personal Data Protection Authority trained its first 32 corporate data protection officers, including from healthcare, to strengthen compliance with the 2019 data protection law.

Ebola Trial in DR Congo: WHO reports the first patient has been enrolled in a clinical trial for experimental treatments against the Bundibugyo Ebola strain, as mistrust and violence keep disrupting care. Sudan Displacement Risk: Escalating violence is raising alarms for another wave of mass displacement, with major knock-on health risks. Digital Identity & Health Data: Nigeria’s new NIMC Act strengthens digital identity, cybersecurity and data protection—an important move for protecting citizens’ information as services go online. Floods & Disease Threats in West Africa: Heavy rains are battering the region, with flooding linked to higher risks of cholera, typhoid, diarrhoea and malaria as water systems fail and stagnant pools grow. Togo Health Capacity: Togo trained its first cohort of corporate data protection officers to strengthen compliance with the 2019 personal data law, including in health sectors. Disaster Readiness: Togo’s National Civil Protection Agency held training prep with U.S. partners ahead of a field exercise to improve emergency response. Drug Safety Concern: NDLEA seized 558,900 tramadol pills in Lagos after a truck route from Togo via Benin—another reminder of cross-border health harms from illicit medicines.

Flood & Health Risks: Heavy rains and flooding across West Africa are again raising public health alarms, with reports linking standing water to outbreaks like cholera, typhoid, diarrhoeal illness and malaria—especially where drainage fails and sanitation is overwhelmed. Accra/Greater Accra Response: In Ghana, the National Fire Service and NADMO are responding to Monday floods affecting areas including Ningo, Miotso, Ridge Hospital, Kasoa, Gomoa Nyanyano and Tema New Town, with calls for residents to share locations so rescue teams can reach people faster. Disease Control Focus: Prof. Ernest Kenu (University of Ghana) says infectious diseases spread not mainly from border gaps, but from weak health and sanitation systems—urging stronger surveillance, infection prevention in facilities, and community “sentinel” training. Menstrual Health & Jobs: Ghana’s Nordiq Hygiene Care Industry is expanding local sanitary pad production, creating jobs and supporting schoolgirls through the Free Sanitary Pads initiative, tackling period poverty. Togo Health Capacity: Togo’s Personal Data Protection Authority trained 32 corporate data protection officers across sectors including healthcare, to strengthen compliance with the 2019 data protection law. Cross-border Medicines Watch: Nigeria’s NDLEA reports intercepting 558,900 tramadol pills smuggled from Togo via Benin, underscoring the need for tighter controls on illicit pharmaceuticals.

Floods & Public Health: Heavy rains have driven a rising death toll in West Africa, with Côte d’Ivoire reporting at least 59 deaths since May and Ghana also hit hard; experts link worsening flooding to climate stress, poor drainage, rapid urban growth, and unsafe waste practices—conditions that can fuel cholera, diarrhoeal illness, and malaria. Cholera Alert: WHO reports Sudan’s cholera outbreak has killed 120 people since May with over 1,100 suspected cases, as conflict and weak health capacity slow containment. Lagos Flood Warning: Nigeria’s Lagos flooding is disrupting daily life and raising health risks from contaminated floodwater and stagnant pools. Drug Safety & Border Control: Nigeria’s NDLEA says it seized 558,900 tramadol 250mg pills hidden in a truck entering from Togo via Benin, arresting three suspects, in a push against cross-border pharmaceutical trafficking. Food Safety: A Merced County report (US) flagged two local food facilities as unsatisfactory, citing handwashing and temperature-control lapses. Togo Health Governance: Togo’s Personal Data Protection Authority trained 32 corporate data protection officers to strengthen compliance with the 2019 data protection law, including in healthcare and other sectors. Disaster Readiness (Togo): Togo’s National Civil Protection Agency held training prep with US partners ahead of a field exercise to improve emergency response.

Togo Data Privacy: Togo’s Personal Data Protection Authority (IPDCP) has trained its first cohort of 32 corporate data protection officers in Adétikopé, tasking them with helping institutions comply with the 2019 personal data law—mapping data processing, managing breaches, and raising staff awareness. Lomé Trauma Care: Lomé is hosting the 19th Congress of the French-speaking Orthopaedic Association (AOLF) alongside SOTOCOT, bringing together 400+ clinicians to discuss advances in trauma surgery, road injuries, spinal care, and even fracture management challenges linked to traditional medicine. Cross-Border Health Security: A Togolese disaster-response team joined North Dakota and SETAF-AF partners for training prep and tabletop exercises on emergency response, including a cholera scenario, to strengthen readiness for outbreaks and disasters. Drug Safety at Borders: Nigeria’s NDLEA says it intercepted 558,900 tramadol 250mg pills hidden in a modified truck entering Nigeria from Togo via Benin, arresting three suspects and seizing other drugs in separate operations. Public Health Warning (Region): In Lagos, heavy rains have flooded roads and homes, raising health concerns about contaminated floodwater and stagnant pools that can fuel cholera, typhoid, diarrhoea, and malaria.

Togo-Germany Health & Reform Funding: Germany’s development cooperation portfolio in Togo is estimated at €555.66m (about CFA364.5bn), covering sectors including healthcare, governance, vocational training and electrification, with support delivered via GIZ and KfW. Data Protection for Health & Telecom: Togo’s Personal Data Protection Authority trained its first 32 corporate data protection officers across banking, insurance, telecommunications, healthcare and more, to help organizations comply with the 2019 personal data law. Lomé Trauma Care Congress: Lomé hosted the 19th French-speaking Orthopaedic Association congress alongside SOTOCOT, focusing on Africa’s traumatology challenges, including road traffic injuries and care for patients with sickle cell disease. Disease Control Beyond Borders (Ghana): Prof. Ernest Kenu warned that outbreaks spread due to sanitation and health-system failures, urging stronger surveillance, infection prevention and decentralised lab capacity. Floods & Public Health Risk (Lagos): Heavy rains in Lagos left roads submerged and raised concerns about cholera, typhoid, diarrhoea and malaria breeding in stagnant water. Drug Seizure Linked to Togo Route (Nigeria): NDLEA intercepted 558,900 tramadol 250mg pills in a truck entering Nigeria from Togo via Benin, arresting three suspects and seizing other drugs. Corporate Health Security (Ghana): CHAG says it delivers up to 40% of Ghana’s healthcare despite owning about 7% of facilities, and highlights border hospitals as key to regional health security. Safe Water Gap (Global): A data map shows over 2 billion people still lack safely managed drinking water, underlining the scale of preventable disease risk. Period Poverty Jobs (Ghana): Nordiq Hygiene Care expands local sanitary pad production in Ghana, creating jobs and supporting schoolgirls through the Free Sanitary Pads initiative. Disaster Response Training (Togo): Togo’s National Civil Protection Agency held prep training with U.S. partners ahead of a practical emergency exercise to strengthen incident response readiness.

Health Leadership & Insurance: André Azibli, CEO of GTA Assurances IARD and GTA Assurances Vie in Togo, says his priorities include modernizing processes, expanding the agency network, and growing motor and health insurance products as the firm consolidates its position in a market with about 10 insurers. Public Health Systems: A Ghanaian epidemiologist, Prof. Ernest Kenu, warns that disease spread is driven less by border checks and more by weak sanitation, surveillance, and infection control—calling for smarter, decentralised lab capacity and community “sentinels.” Cross-Border Health & Rights: Lawyers have filed a case at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice over US “third-country” deportations, alleging Ghana facilitated returns that put people at risk, with reports that some were sent onward to Togo without documents. Drug Safety & Enforcement: Nigeria’s NDLEA reports intercepting 558,900 tramadol 250mg pills hidden in a truck entering from Togo via Benin, arresting three suspects in Lagos. Data Protection for Health Data: Togo’s IPDCP trained its first cohort of 32 corporate data protection officers across sectors including healthcare to help organisations comply with the 2019 personal data law. Disaster Readiness: Togo’s National Civil Protection Agency held training with North Dakota and SETAF-AF partners ahead of field exercises, including cholera outbreak response scenarios.

Period Poverty & Jobs: Nordiq Hygiene Care in Ghana is boosting local manufacturing by producing affordable sanitary pads, creating 300+ jobs and supporting the Free Sanitary Pads Initiative to keep girls in school. Legal & Human Rights: Lawyers have filed a case at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice over US “third-country” deportations, alleging Ghana (and reports of transfers to Togo) is facilitating returns to unsafe places. Disease Control & Sanitation: Prof. Ernest Kenu says outbreaks spread due to health and sanitation system failures, calling for decentralised labs, stronger infection prevention, and community “sentinel” surveillance. Floods & Emergency Response: After torrential rains paralyzed parts of Accra and Tema, Ghana’s fire service and disaster agencies responded to multiple flooded areas, urging residents to share locations. Togo Health Governance: Togo’s IPDCP trained 32 corporate data protection officers to help organisations comply with the 2019 personal data law—covering sectors including healthcare. Drug Safety: Nigeria’s NDLEA seized 558,900 tramadol pills smuggled from Togo via Benin and arrested suspects in Lagos. Digital Health: Malaria Consortium and eGov Foundation are expanding digital health tools to improve data accuracy and delivery of malaria prevention for millions of children.

Cross-border Rights & Health Safety: Lawyers have filed a case at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice in Abuja for deportees sent to Ghana under the US “third-country” policy, alleging Ghana then sent people home—or reportedly dumped them in neighbouring Togo—without documents, raising serious concerns about people being returned to places where they face persecution or torture. Floods & Emergency Response: After torrential rains paralyzed parts of Accra and Tema on Monday, Ghana’s fire service and disaster teams responded across Ningo, Miotso, Ridge Hospital, Kasoa, Gomoa Nyanyano and Tema New Town, while authorities warned residents to share locations as roads and neighborhoods flooded. Disease Control Beyond Borders: Prof. Ernest Kenu says outbreaks spread not mainly from weak border checks, but from failures in sanitation, water safety, overcrowding and surveillance—calling for decentralised labs, stronger infection prevention in facilities, and community “sentinels.” Togo Public Health Capacity: Togo’s National Civil Protection Agency trained with North Dakota and SETAF-AF partners ahead of field exercises, including cholera-style incident response scenarios. Drug Safety: NDLEA reports intercepting 558,900 tramadol pills smuggled from Togo via Benin into Lagos, arresting three suspects. Data Protection for Health Data: Togo’s Personal Data Protection Authority trained its first cohort of 32 corporate data protection officers to help organizations comply with the 2019 data law, including in healthcare. WASH After Floods: Zoomlion launched nationwide emergency fumigation and disinfection starting in flood-hit areas of Greater Accra to reduce sanitation hazards and outbreak risk.

Disaster Preparedness: In Lomé, Togo’s National Civil Protection Agency held training prep with North Dakota disaster-response partners and SETAF-AF ahead of a practical exercise, aiming to plug gaps before real emergencies. Public Health & Flood Risk: Reports from Ghana’s Accra highlight how torrential rains can quickly turn into health threats through flooded neighborhoods and sanitation breakdowns—an urgent reminder for the region’s WASH readiness. Data Protection for Health & Telecom: Togo’s Personal Data Protection Authority trained and certified its first cohort of 32 corporate data protection officers, including from healthcare and telecom, to strengthen compliance with the 2019 data protection law. Cross-Border Drug Safety: Nigeria’s NDLEA intercepted 558,900 tramadol pills concealed in a truck entering from Togo via Benin, arresting three suspects in Lagos and seizing additional drugs in separate operations. Regional Water Security: Volta Basin stakeholders, including Togo, urged faster ecosystem restoration and stronger transboundary governance to protect water and reduce climate-related risks. Digital Health Push: Malaria Consortium and eGov Foundation renewed efforts to expand digital health tools, with plans to extend beyond Nigeria to countries including Togo.