Improving internal governance within an agricultural cooperative in Togo: strategies and results

This case study from Togo is the fifth of six case studies on tactics that improve internal governance prepared by forest and farm producer organisations (FFPOs) for the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF).

It describes the actions of the Togolese Coordination of Farmers’ Organisations and Agricultural Producers (CTOP). Headquartered in Lomé, Togo’s capital, CTOP was established in July 2001 with a mission to promote and protect professional, competitive and sustainable agriculture across the entire national territory, representing almost 565,000 smallholder farmers organised into 21 local groups, covering agri-food and pastoral sectors.

Good internal governance has been critical to how CTOP offers a wide range of services to its members, including leadership development for women and young people, advocacy, lobbying, policy monitoring, financial support, commercial intermediation and assistance with agricultural product processing. 

This case study describes the internal governance structures, processes and practices that have made that possible. One notable example includes CTOP’s board that is comprised of all presidents of its member associations, with each umbrella organisation responsible for a democratic selection process based on objective criteria, overseen by CTOP and with poor governance potentially leading to suspension or exclusion.