Final Stakeholder Workshop in Lomé

In late Spring 2024, the project’s final stakeholder workshop took place in Greater Lomé. From 21 to 23 May, local urban farming leaders and researchers from EPFL met to discuss public health issues related to urban farming activities and to develop viable solutions. Organised by Akuto Akpedze Konou and Jérôme Chenal, the workshop was the result of an ongoing collaboration between the Regional Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cities in Africa (CERViDA-DOUNEDON) and three Swiss institutions: the University of Basel, the Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne (EPFL), and the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH). Research conducted in four sectors of Lomé—Bè Plage, Massouhoin, Avepozo Hotel Tropicana, and Bè-Kleve, Togblekope—in 2022 that involved 203 household surveys and explored urban agriculture and correlation with health determinants formed the basis of the discussions. The surveys were an essential component of Akuto Akpedze Konou’s doctoral thesis on urban agriculture and health in Greater Lomé and Dar es Salaam, supervised by Jérôme Chenal, within the framework of the “African Contributions to Global Health” project.

The discussions were continued on the final workshop day with a broader audience. Next to public policymakers, civil society members, and local researchers from institutions such as the University of Lomé, EAMAU, FAIEJ, the Prime Minister’s Office and various representatives of the Togolese Secretary of State (including members of the Urban Planning and Housing, Agriculture, Health and Public Hygiene, Animal Production and Fisheries, Digital Economy, Environment and Forest Resources departments) took part. Also present were the Municipalities of Greater Lomé, the Togolese Institute of Agronomic Research (ITRA) as well as numerous international and local organisations such as the WHO, FAO, UNDP, NGOs and cooperatives ranging from JVE, AADO Togo-Suisse, to AGAPE. Local online, radio and TV media covered the event (L’Emissaire, L’Emissaire TV, Infos Du Continent, Le Defenseur info).

The meetings in Greater Lomé aimed at collaboratively formulating political, technical, and academic recommendations concerning urban agriculture and its potential impact on the health of urban farmers, consumers, and the broader urban environment. The interdisciplinary discussions indeed strengthened connections between researchers and local communities, allowing them to evaluate the findings and craft collective strategies to tackle the challenges associated with urban agriculture and public health. Moreover, the discussions emphasised the necessity for ongoing and detailed dialogue among all stakeholders—practitioners, researchers, and community members—to achieve these objectives.

These collaborative efforts, led by Swiss and Togolese researchers, helped to nurture new intersectoral practices in Greater Lomé, with aspirations to expand these practices more widely. Ultimately, the gatherings highlighted a collective commitment to designing and developing urban environments where the availability of a healthy living milieu and resources contribute to a dignified quality of life for all.