Did you know? TOGO |
| Written by Gboyinde Onijala | Share on Facebook |
| Thursday, 29 November 2007 | |
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Togo, a narrow strip of land in between Ghana and Benin on the West coast of Africa, has been the target of criticism over its human rights record and political governance. Togo formed part of the Slave Coast, where captives were shipped abroad by European slavers in the 17th century. The Germans took over the land in 1884 and was named ‘Togoland.” It was seized by Britain and France at the start of World War I. France granted its independence in 1960 and Togo’s first president, Sylvanus Olympio was assassinated in a military coup three years later. Head of armed forces Gnassingbe Eyadema seized power in 1967 and dissolved all political parties. He ruled for 38 years and died in 2005. Despite its political problems, Togo is a land that is rich in resources such as: cocoa, phosphates, coffee and cotton. While the official language is French, there are many local languages that are spoken amongst the people.
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