DISCOVER TOGO IN A NEW WAY

                                     Introduction to TOGO

THE TOGOLESE REPUBLIC, a narrow land flanked by Benin and Ghana, has only been operating democratically since 2007. Independent since 1960, the West African nation is home to beach resorts and fetish markets. Recently, the country has made efforts to correct past human rights abuses and is subsequently being welcomed back into the international community.

 The TOGOLESE people

Total population: 6,019,877

Children under 15: 2,498,041

Average Life Expectancy: 58.69 years

Per capita annual income: $900

% children in primary school: 77.23%

Average years of education: 9 years

Literacy rate: 60.9%

Internet users: 350,000

Cell phones in use: 1.547 million

Major/official language(s): French, Ewe, Mina, Kabye

Risk issues impacting children:

·         Children face an array of threats that have worsened in recent years, including human trafficking, violence and sexual exploitation.

·         Young people are increasingly vulnerable to the spread of HIV/AIDS.

·         Girls continue to lag behind boys in primary school enrollment.

More about TOGO

Capital city: Lome

Type of government: Republic under transition to Multiparty Democratic rule

Square kilometers: 56,785

General terrain: Savanna in north, central hills, southern plateau, coastal plains with lagoons and marshes

Major industries/jobs: Agriculture, phosphate mining, cement

National motto: “Work, Liberty, Homeland”

Major airport(s): Lome International Gnassimbge Eyadema

 Reaching TOGO

Currently classified as World B: Somewhat Reached

Major religions:

Indigenous - 51%

Christian - 29%

Muslim - 20%

Christian groups:

Roman Catholic - 49%

Protestant - 24.3%

Other - 15.9%

Independent - 10.7%

Unreached People Groups: 6 (6.2% of pop)

Average annual Christian growth: 0.064

Average annual baptisms: 86,906

Foreign missionaries: 630

Per million: 100.99

National Christian workers/pastors: 1,200 Per million: 192.35

Number of churches/congregations: 4,155

Youth &Children’s ministry in TOGO

Specific children’s ministry information has not been provided for Togo. The following information regards general children’s ministry in West Africa, and may not all be applicable to this nation.

Overview: • Children’s ministry has been growing in some

regions of West Africa, with many pastors coming to understand the importance of ministry to children as part of a church’s role. These churches are giving some space, resources and priority to work with children. In outlying areas and villages, a strategic focus on children is less common.

• Some nations in the region have strong Muslim or indigenous religious influences which present significant challenge to reaching and discipling children.

• Lack of finances, resources, and training continue to slow the growth of children’s ministry in this area.

• A substantial number of outside teams do ministry to children.