Togo appoints regional governors amid new administrative reforms

Togo’s President, Faure Gnassingbé, has appointed five governors to lead the country’s regions, marking a significant step in the nation’s ongoing administrative restructuring.

The appointments were made official on Friday during the first cabinet meeting of the newly formed government.

This move signals the imminent convening of the inaugural sessions of the regional councils, setting the stage for their operationalization as autonomous local authorities under state supervision.

Among the notable appointments, Zourehatou Kassah-Traore, formerly the Minister of Public Works and the First Vice-President of the National Assembly, has been named Governor of the Autonomous District of Greater Lomé.

Her new role highlights the growing importance of Lomé, Togo’s capital, in the country’s administrative and political landscape.

These appointments follow the Supreme Court’s confirmation of the results from the regional elections held on April 29, 2024, which reinstated regional council members to their posts.

The establishment of these governorships is crucial for the regional councils as they prepare to hold their first statutory meetings, a key step towards becoming fully operational entities with delegated authority.

The five newly appointed governors include Affoh Atcha-Dedji, who will oversee the Savanes region, and Brigadier General Komlan Adjitowou, who has been entrusted with the Kara region.

Brigadier General Dadja Maganawé has been appointed to lead the Plateaux region, while Tairou Bagbiegue will govern the Maritime region.

These appointments are occurring within a broader context of heightened security concerns, necessitating a stronger state presence and enhanced coordination in the implementation of public policies and development projects.

The new governors are expected to play pivotal roles in ensuring the effective governance and stability of their respective regions, as Togo continues to navigate its complex political and security challenges.