The head of government, Victoire Tomégah-Dogbé, spoke, on Tuesday October 7, 2023, in Lomé, with the president of the International Coffee Organization (ICO), Mr. Enselme Gouthon. The latter went to express to the government his gratitude for the actions in favor of the agricultural sector, in general, and the coffee sector, in particular. The interview allowed him to gather the orientations and recommendations to help him successfully carry out the mission of the OIC.
The International Coffee Organization (ICO) has a new president, the Togolese Enselme Gouthon, elected at the end of the 5e world coffee conference held last September in India. This compatriot who is also secretary general of the Coordination Committee for the Coffee and Cocoa Sectors (CCFCC) and president of the Robusta Coffee Agency of Africa and Madagascar (ACRAM), succeeds the Italian Max Massimiliano Fabian. Back home, Mr. Gouthon was yesterday at the Prime Minister’s office in Lomé, to introduce himself to the Prime Minister, Victoire Tomégah-Dogbé.
At the end of the interview, Mr. Enselme Gouthon stressed that Togo, with the election of one of his sons at the head of the OIC, was in the spotlight at this 5e world coffee conference, which took place on September 29, 2023 in the state of Bangalore in India. According to him, after this election, it was necessary to express gratitude to the government and the Head of State, for their commitment and multifaceted support in favor of the coffee sector. Above all, it was a question of going to the authority to obtain its orientations, recommendations and advice, to enable it to better organize itself, to succeed in its mission. Given that the mission of the ICO is to strengthen the global coffee sector and encourage its sustainable development. This, within the framework of a market economy, for the well-being of all players in the field. To succeed in this challenge, Mr. Enselme Gouthon intends to follow the government’s logic aimed at promoting the production, processing and marketing of quality coffee in Togo. To achieve this, it is necessary, in his opinion, to strengthen the capacities of producers and train the players in the coffee chain, while encouraging them to diversify their production.
Note that Togo has held the vice-presidency of the OIC since last year. To access the presidency, Mr. Enselme Gouthon was chosen by 2,600 delegates from 80 member countries of this intergovernmental organization which deals with issues relating to coffee. His election is above all motivated by his perfect knowledge of the coffee industry in which he has operated successfully for 40 years.
On the sidelines of the conference, Mr. Enselme Gouthon received a distinction from the Indian Ministry of Commerce and the Coffee Board of India. Recognition for its commitment to developing the production and consumption of African and global coffee and to supporting production and improving farmers’ income.
Kpinzou EDJEOU