The FCWC Secretary General (SG) Dr. Gaston Djihinto led a delegation to meet with Togo’s Minister of Maritime Economy, Fisheries and Coastal Protection (MEMPPC), Hon. Kokou Edem Tengue, on 2 May 2023, in Lomé, Togo as part of a tour to strengthen regional fisheries cooperation.

The meeting is the first time the pair have met since S.G. Gaston Djihinto assumed duty, and SG Djihinto used the occasion to express his gratitude to the Hon. Min. Tengue for all the support of Togo following his appointment.

They discussed Togo’s potential implementation of a fishery closed season, simultaneously with Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, and the development of a regional legal instrument to facilitate its implementation at national levels.

Hon. Min. Tengue also confirmed that Togo is exploring the ratification of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention C188, and International Maritime Organization (IMO) Cape Town Agreement (CTA) addressing decent working conditions in fisheries and fishing vessels.

The pair also discussed preparations for the 15th Session of the FCWC Conference of Ministers scheduled to be held in February 2024, in Monrovia, Liberia. SG Djihinto also urged Togo’s Fisheries Administration to consider sending staff on secondment to the FCWC Secretariat, to support the implementation of activities.