Boundaries for peace in Togo

In the heart of West Africa lies Togo, a nation rich in cultural heritage

but facing complex challenges when it comes to land.

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The juxtaposition between these two systems has made it harder for people to interpret the boundaries of the land they live and farm on, fueling conflicts and putting additional pressure over land and resources.

Established in 2012 by 26 national organisations, including traditional chiefs, government ministries, the order of surveyors and people’s organisations (POs), the National Land Coalition in Togo not only helped to pass the Code, it has made it one of its missions to help popularise and implement the code in communities, distributing 10,000 copies among communities and local leaders.

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With the help of Semenou, who facilitated community consultations, the National Land Coalition was able to translate the Land Code into a visual tool to enable a wider understanding of the land registration process.

After holding a series of conciliation meetings between neighboring communities to resolve existing land disputes, the National Land Coalition worked with the community in Illico Ogome to demarcate, map and register land plots.

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The process helped secure over 400 hectares of community land.

Community land rights are key for the wellbeing of rural communities, allowing them to make decisions on the land and resources they depend on for their livelihood. Secure land rights also make communities more resilient against external threads, such as land grabbing, deforestation and mining.

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Before the implementation of the Land Code, land disputes were a constant source of tension in Illico Ogome. Now, with secure land rights, community members can plan for their future, invest in their farms, and ensure their children inherit a stable home.

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One young farmer, Dossavi, witnessed first hand how land insecurity affects communities and families. Born and raised in Illico Ogome, Dossavi fled his village as a young man to avoid getting involved in land disputes and in search of a more secure future in the city. But without stable employment, eventually Dossavi had to return to the village. That's when he found out that the National Land Coalition was piloting the land rights recognition process through the adoption of the Land Code.

Thanks to the work of the NLC, Dossavi could finally claim the land he had lived and farmed as his own.

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The work didn’t stop in Illico Ogome.

Helped by local chiefs, the National Land Coalition worked with other communities to demarcate and map their land. More than 5000 hectares of land were secured overall, benefitting over 600 community members.

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