The Togolese Press Agency reports that the "Voix Unies: Towards constructive dialogue between civil society and local institutions in Kozah 3 commune" project concluded with a workshop in Awandjélo on September 21. The event gathered stakeholders to review the project's achievements, assess goal attainment, and discuss future directions. The project's impact and areas for improvement were examined, with a focus on citizen participation, local development planning, and participatory monitoring.
Implemented by a consortium of NGOs, Action pour la promotion et le développement intégral de la femme et de l’enfant (A.PRO.D.I.F.E) and Action jeune Togo (AJT), the 18-month project aimed to enhance local governance. It consisted of three main components: capacity building for local actors, support for evaluating and developing the commune's development plan, and establishing a participatory dialogue and monitoring framework. These efforts sought to promote decentralization, participatory governance, and citizen oversight of public action.
The project achieved significant milestones, including the realization of 24 activities engaging 724 participants, comprising 202 young people and 204 women. A key outcome was the update of the commune's development plan for 2026-2031 and the institutionalization of a dialogue framework. This framework was formalized through documented meetings and communal ordinances, ensuring a structured approach to local governance and budget management.
Despite these successes, challenges were noted, including the occasional unavailability of certain actors, limited participation by women and people with disabilities, and difficulties in monitoring progress. Addressing these issues will be crucial for future initiatives aiming to enhance local governance and citizen engagement in Togo.
Amida Tchamdja, Executive Director of A.PRO.D.I.F.E and leader of the consortium, praised the involvement of various stakeholders in the project's implementation. She emphasized the importance of sustaining citizen participation and inclusive dialogue to better address governance challenges and promote transparent public management.
The Prefect of Kozah, Col. Bonfo Faré, commended the initiative for establishing a concertation space among diverse actors. He expressed his wish for the continuation of this citizen dialogue and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the commune and stakeholders in sustaining the project's achievements. The workshop was attended by Kozah 3 Mayor, Simliwa Tchasso Agnitoufeï, highlighting the collaborative nature of the project.
The project's conclusion marks a significant step towards enhancing local governance in Kozah 3 commune. By fostering dialogue and participation, it has laid the groundwork for more transparent and inclusive decision-making processes. The sustainability of these efforts will depend on continued engagement from local actors and support from relevant authorities.
Key points
- The "Voix Unies" project in Togo's Kozah 3 commune successfully promoted citizen participation in local governance.
- The project resulted in the update of the commune's development plan and the establishment of a participatory dialogue framework.
- Challenges such as limited participation by women and people with disabilities were noted, highlighting areas for improvement in future initiatives.
