Togo Develops National Expertise in Electoral Governance

The Togolese government has taken a significant step in strengthening its electoral governance through a training program conducted by the Centre de droit public de l’université de Lomé (CDP-UL). The program, which ran from November 5 to 14, utilized the international BRIDGE (Building resources in democracy gouvernance and elections) methodology. Forty-four participants received certificates upon completion of the training, which aimed to professionalize electoral stakeholders in Togo.

The training program, titled "Formation des formateurs BRIDGE: professionnalisation des acteurs électoraux au Togo," equipped participants with the skills to design and lead training sessions for adults using internationally recognized pedagogical approaches. The program saw 14 participants achieve the TtF (Training the Facilitators) Complete category, three facilitators attain the Workshop Facilitator grade, and 30 auditors receive a university certificate in electoral administration.

The TtF Complete category is the first recognized step in the facilitation pathway, requiring participants to meet evaluation criteria, present before peers, and receive constructive criticism. The promotion included diverse participants such as university lecturers, civil society actors, NGO representatives, politicians, students, and electoral observers.

The three facilitators who attained the Workshop Facilitator grade did so through practical experience, having completed at least 30 hours of supervised facilitation in a modular workshop, observed and documented by a more experienced facilitator. Meanwhile, auditors underwent a several-month-long program, completing over 100 hours of instruction, culminating in a mini thesis reviewed by university lecturers.

Col. Fiomagné Yaovi, a BRIDGE-accredited facilitator representing the CDP-UL director, highlighted the program's focus on democratic exigency and collective intelligence. He emphasized that the BRIDGE methodology goes beyond theoretical knowledge transmission, instead offering a human experience that prioritizes inclusivity, transparency, gender equality, and mutual respect.

Kafu-Ata Hounakey, another BRIDGE-accredited facilitator, noted that the certificate ceremony marked just the beginning of the participants' journey. Each participant received an individual evaluation report and development plan, with mentorship and supervised practice opportunities scheduled over the next 12 months. Progress will be measured by the number of hours of animation accomplished.

The CDP-UL's efforts aim to enhance Togo's electoral governance by building a pool of skilled facilitators and administrators. With this training program, Togo takes a significant step towards strengthening its democratic processes and ensuring more transparent and inclusive elections.

Key points

• The training program utilized the international BRIDGE methodology to professionalize electoral stakeholders in Togo.
• Forty-four participants received certificates upon completion of the training, which aimed to strengthen electoral governance in Togo.
• The program included diverse participants such as university lecturers, civil society actors, and electoral observers.