Financial Crime World

Here is the rewritten article in Markdown format:

Anti-Corruption Laws and Regulations in Togo: Civil Society Makes a Difference

February 2, 2023

The fight against corruption in Togo has received a significant boost thanks to the efforts of civil society organizations. With support from the UNCAC Coalition, l’Alliance Nationale des Consommateurs et de l’Environnement (ANCE-Togo) played a key role in shaping the national anti-corruption strategy and pushing for the adoption of an anti-corruption law.

The Role of Civil Society

The UNCAC Coalition is a global network of civil society organizations dedicated to promoting the implementation and monitoring of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). ANCE-Togo, a member organization of the coalition, has been actively involved in advocating for stronger anti-corruption laws and regulations in Togo.

Advocacy Efforts

In 2022, ANCE-Togo published a parallel report on UNCAC implementation at the national level, highlighting key areas for improvement. The report included recommendations such as:

  • Adoption of a law on whistleblower protection
  • Creation of a state judicial agency
  • A specialized investigative body for the fight against corruption

ANCE-Togo’s efforts to engage with government officials and other stakeholders were crucial in shaping the national anti-corruption strategy, which was adopted by the Togolese government in October 2022. The strategy includes key recommendations from ANCE-Togo’s parallel report, including the need to strengthen legal and institutional frameworks in the fight against corruption.

Public Outreach and Advocacy

Through its outreach and advocacy activities, ANCE-Togo successfully generated greater support for the adoption of a draft bill on corruption prevention. The organization also promoted public discourse on the sensitive issue of corruption, with televised programs sparking discussions about:

  • Why corruption cases are seldom brought before the courts
  • Why the process of adopting the draft law is dragging on

Results and Next Steps

ANCE-Togo’s advocacy efforts have prompted high-level exchanges between government institutions, leading to consensus on the adoption of the draft bill. The next steps will involve:

  • An in-depth study by the Social Development Commission of the General Secretariat of the Government
  • Placement on the agenda of the Council of Ministers

Future Plans

The success of ANCE-Togo’s project has paved the way for stronger anti-corruption reforms and increased participation of civil society in Togo’s country review process under UNCAC. The organization plans to continue advocating for the adoption of the draft law and evaluating the implementation of the national anti-corruption strategy at mid-term (2024) and final (2026) stages.