Case of Covid-19 response and solidarity funds in Togo: A parliamentary investigation launched
The issue of Covid-19 response and solidarity funds from the 2020 budget has resurfaced in Togo. Friday October 6, the National Assembly appointed a mission to conduct an in-depth parliamentary investigation into this affair.
In February 2023, an audit report from the Court of Auditors revealed certain inadequacies in the use of resources mobilized to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. These revelations caused excitement among the population.
Following this, the Economic Monitoring association, a civil society organization, filed a complaint in March for tax fraud and breach of trust. However, the complaint was dismissed in April, the judge considering that the association was not directly injured and could therefore not claim damages.
However, last Friday, during a session at the National Assembly, the matter came back to the forefront. Yawa Tsegan, the speaker of parliament, announced the establishment of a new fact-finding mission to shed light on the use of funds allocated in 2020 for the response to Covid-19. This parliamentary commission of inquiry has 45 days to present its report to the president of the perch.
This decision to relaunch the investigation into the Covid-19 response and solidarity fund affair demonstrates the Togolese government’s desire to shed light on this affair and to guarantee transparent use of resources allocated to crisis management. sanitary.
This parliamentary inquiry could help clarify the gray areas surrounding the use of funds and determine responsibilities, all with a view to transparency and accountability to the population.
It now remains for the commission of inquiry to carry out its mission and provide a complete and detailed report on the use of Covid-19 response and solidarity funds in Togo, in order to establish the facts and draw conclusions. necessary lessons to avoid such situations in the future.
In a context where citizens’ trust in their leaders is essential, the opening of this parliamentary inquiry is a strong signal in favor of transparency and good governance in Togo. Let us hope that the results of this survey will help to restore this confidence and ensure better management of the resources allocated to the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.