Togo president vows poverty, inequality reduction as country marks 56th independence anniversary

The Togolese President on Tuesday night ensured the nation of good perspective for poverty reduction and appealed his compatriots for the safeguarding and promotion of the republican social model of Togo.

Faure Gnassingbe made this public in his address to the nation on the eve of the country's 56th anniversary of independence.

A military and civilian parade is being held on Wednesday in celebrations of the country that gained independence on April 27, 1960.

The republican social model of the country, he said, "is based on constant quest of better living together and on the need to make of our differences the cement of national unity".

"After 56 years of independence, a new outlook is being drawn up for Togo, this beautiful country that we share," the president said.

He explained that the future presents both pressing challenges and opportunities that Togolese people should seize to reaffirm the full ingraining of the country in modernity.

"Our aim is to move to a new level in the fight against poverty by reaching out to people in rural areas that are not enough served by basic infrastructure as well as social and economic services", Togolese president said.

"The goal is to promote inclusive growth so as to speed up the reduction of social inequalities", Faure Gnassingbe added.

The Togolese president reminded his compatriots of the reforms achieved and which triggered a positive momentum in all sectors.

Among the realizations, Faure Gnassingbe talked about large infrastructures such as roads and a new terminal at the redesigned and redeveloped Gnassingbe Eyadema International Airport by Chinese companies and with financing from Exim Bank of China. Endit