Justice sector officials in Togo have undergone fresh training aimed at fighting corruption within the court and prison systems. The two-day capacity-building programme took place in Lomé on June 19 and 20, 2025, and brought together key stakeholders working in judicial administration and correctional services.
The training was organised by the High Authority for the Prevention and Fight Against Corruption and Related Offenses (HAPLUCIA), a public institution set up in 2015 to fight unethical practices in Togo’s public institutions. The initiative specifically targeted court clerks, administrative workers, and prison officers, who are often the first point of contact between the public and the justice system.
According to the organisers, the main objective of the session was to strengthen institutional integrity by providing frontline justice officials with tools to resist unethical practices, uphold transparency, and promote public confidence in the justice system. In many parts of Togo, and across West Africa, concerns around bribery, abuse of power, and lack of transparency have eroded citizens’ trust in state institutions, particularly in the judiciary and correctional services.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, President of HAPLUCIA, Mr. Aba Kimelabalou, urged participants to view their roles as central to the delivery of justice in Togo. “You are the silent but essential pillar of the public justice service,” he said. He stressed that justice cannot function effectively if the officials tasked with enforcing it are compromised.
Also addressing the participants, the Minister of Justice and Legislation, Mr. Guy Mipamb Nahm-Tchougli, highlighted the need for shared responsibility in tackling corruption. “The fight against corruption cannot succeed without everyone’s commitment,” the minister stated. He encouraged participants to not only apply the knowledge gained but to act as ambassadors of ethics and accountability in their various departments.
The training covered several topics, including ethical standards in the justice sector, identifying common corruption risks, the importance of whistleblowing, and how to improve transparency in daily operations. Trainers used real-life examples, group discussions, and interactive sessions to help participants understand how corruption undermines justice and weakens governance.
Participants were also taken through the legal frameworks that guide the fight against corruption in Togo, including HAPLUCIA’s mandate and recent anti-corruption laws. Many said the session was a wake-up call and pledged to do more in their various stations to uphold professional conduct.
One participant, Madame Julienne Yao, a court clerk from Sokodé, said the training changed her perspective on everyday practices that could be considered unethical. “Sometimes we overlook small things, but this training has opened my eyes to how even minor misconduct affects the system,” she said.
Another prison officer, Mr. Kokou Atsou, said the session helped him understand the damage corruption causes to rehabilitation and justice delivery in prisons. “If we allow bribery in our work, it affects the fairness of our justice system and encourages repeat offences,” he noted.
HAPLUCIA, which has been active for nearly a decade, continues to spearhead awareness campaigns, propose anti-corruption reforms, and conduct audits of public institutions. While progress has been made, challenges remain, including limited resources and a need for stronger enforcement of laws.
The recent training is part of a broader national strategy to restore confidence in the Togolese justice system. It aligns with the country’s efforts to meet regional and international standards on governance, including those set by the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption and the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
As corruption continues to threaten public trust, officials believe that early prevention, internal accountability, and continuous training are critical tools for reform. For Togo, the focus is now shifting toward not just exposing wrongdoing, but building a system where ethical behaviour becomes the norm at every level of public service.
