Togo: Substance Use Dominated by Alcohol and Cannabis (Report)

Health

Thursday, 12 September 2024 17:27

Togo: Substance Use Dominated by Alcohol and Cannabis (Report)

(Togo First) - In Togo, alcohol is the most consumed substance, followed by cannabis, according to a recent report from the West African Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (WENDU). The report shows that alcohol accounts for 43% of substance use cases, while cannabis makes up 26%, and medical opioids represent 19%. This study is based on seizure data from 11 West African countries.

The report highlights that most users are young adults, aged between 20 and 39, with their first exposure to drugs occurring between ages 11 and 19. Outpatient treatment is the most common form of intervention, making up 64% of services, often initiated by family or professionals.

There are notable gender differences in substance use. Alcohol is the main substance for nearly 68% of women seeking treatment, compared to 39% of men. In contrast, about 39% of men seeking treatment are using cannabis, while only 13.47% of women are affected.

In 2023, the Togolese government seized over nine tonnes (9,252 kg) of cannabis, which is about 9% of total drug seizures in the region. Across ECOWAS, a total of 83,734 kg of drugs were seized across 11 countries, with Senegal reporting the highest at 15,905 kg, followed by Benin and Ivory Coast.

On the cocaine front, Togo seized very little cocaine last year, just 670 g. Its neighbor, Benin, meanwhile, seized 19.01 kg.

Commenting on the issue of substance abuse, ECOWAS recommends developing a regional policy on cannabis that considers cultural, economic, and social factors. The organization also urges countries to update their legal frameworks for drug control and enhance international cooperation.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

REFORMS OVERVIEW

STARTING A BUSINESS (more info)

At the fifteenth position, worldwide, and first in Africa, under the Starting a Business index of the 2020 Doing Business ranking, Togo sustains its reformative dynamics with more reforms….

ENFORCING CONTRACTS (more info)

Compared to some years ago when it was one of the lowest rankers under the Doing Business’ Enforcing Contracts indicator, Togo, leveraging many efforts to improve its business climate, was able to jump significantly on the index in the recent years... .

CONTRACT EXECUTION (more info)

Creation of special chambers of commerce for small debts • Creation of chambers of commerce at the Court of Appeal • Civil and commercial cases now handled by distinct clerks • Establishment of commercial courts in Lomé and Kara • Lawyers and bailiffs now have access to the FORSETI COMMERCIAL platform • A maximum period of 100 days was fixed to settle a commercial dispute .

TRADING ACROSS BORDERS (more info)

In comparison to previous years,Togo has significantly improved its ranking under the“Trading across borders” indicator by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

In comparison to previous years, Togo has significantly improved its ranking on the “Trading across borders” index by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitalization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

CONSTRUCTION PERMIT (more info)

After moving from the 133rd to 127th place under the 2020 Doing Business’ construction permit index, Togo intends to reiterate this feat in the coming edition of the global ranking. To this end, it has introduced this year multiple reforms.

GETTING ELECTRICITY (more info)

Over the past two years, Togo’s ranking under the Doing Business’ Getting electricity and water indicator has increased consistently. Owing this performance to multiple reforms aimed at making it easier for businesses to access power and water, Lomé plans to introduce even more reforms this year to keep up its improvements.

REGISTERING A PROPERTY (more info)

Out of all the 'Doing Business’ indicators, Property Registration is where Togo has improved the most since 2018. Indeed, after spending years in the lowest part of this ranking, the country now seeks to beat Rwanda which is the best performer on this index in Africa. To do so, Lomé has been introducing many reforms, with the latest batch implemented this year.

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT (more info)

From professionalization to digitization, through legislative regulations, Togo’s public procurement framework is constantly being modernized. Several reforms have been implemented to improve the sector much to the benefit of the private sector, which is the focus of the National Development Plan.

PAYING TAXES AND DUTIES (more info)

To improve its business environment, Togo introduced some important reforms related to the payment of tax and duties. From the replacement of some taxes to the cancellation of others through exemptions, the country has only one objective: offer the most attractive tax framework to investors and economic operators. To achieve this, the authorities relied on digitization.