WORKSHOP ON POLITICAL AND INSTITUTIONAL REFORMS: Issues and challenges of the Republic of tomorrow

At the National Workshop on reforms, opened since Monday in Lomé, discussions continued this Wednesday, July 13, 2016. The third day was devoted to concerns related to the Republic of tomorrow, its issues and challenges. The panelists who debated this topic, in turn, highlighted certain requirements to be met in order to build a modern Republic.

For Dr Afandé Koffi Koumelio, Judge at the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, it is important to carry out comprehensive, non-personalized reforms adapted to the realities of Togo. “Consensus must always be the objective, as it is the most appropriate way to seek reconciliation; recourse to a majority should only be used as a last resort,” he added.

For his part, Ghanaian expert Alhaji Yar believes that reconciliation must be juxtaposed with judicial decisions, arbitration, conciliation and mediation.

Speaking in another panel on the theme “On local democracy and governance”, Mr Amlalo Mensah, national expert in Decentralization, believes that the Republic of tomorrow, within the framework of reforms, must necessarily be endowed with strong local governments, concerned with the socio-economic well-being of their constituents.

The fourth day of the proceedings will include reflection on “the roles and responsibilities of actors and stakeholders in the reform process”. The researcher’s approach on the one hand, and the approach of civil society and religious actors on the other.