Togo's development illusions persist amid trust deficit
A tribune argues that imported development models fail without citizen trust in institutions.
Development models and machines can be imported, but not the trust between citizens and institutions, according to an opinion piece published by Icilome. The author suggests that despite President Faure's global travels, development in Togo risks remaining an illusion due to this fundamental lack of trust.
The piece recounts an incident where a man, a victim of violence by four individuals, was presented as the offender in an official report. A captain offered a second report stating the aggressors were at fault, but after the victim signed the first report, the captain declared the procedure closed, leaving the victim feeling deceived.
This experience, the author claims, erodes trust in institutions by making citizens feel trapped rather than seeking truth and accountability. Such interactions foster doubt, frustration, and resentment, hindering sustainable development projects that rely on institutional credibility.
Why it mattersTogolese citizens are affected by a lack of trust in their institutions, which hinders development.