Hello Everyone! In November 2007, Peace Corps Togo celebrated its 45th Anniversary in Lomé with plenty of flare. I was fortunate enough to pose a few questions about the festivities to Jennifer Brown, Country Desk Officer for Guinea, Ghana, and Togo.
Wherever you are, please raise a glass to toast 45 years of continued and friendly Peace Corps/Togo relations!
Laura Birnbaum: You went to Lomé in November 2007 to celebrate 45 years of Peace Corps in Togo. What was your involvement in the celebration?
Jennifer Brown: I went to Togo to assist with the planning and coordination of various activities for the 45th anniversary, such as the inauguration of two new office buildings and the 45th anniversary reception. These celebrations involved Volunteers, staff, local dignitaries, visitors from Washington DC, including the Deputy Director of Peace Corps and former Country Director of PC/Togo Jody Olsen, and guests from other West African countries.
Laura Birnbaum: What was the schedule for the celebration? Who attended?
Jennifer Brown: The last week in November 2007, Volunteer project activities, representing all sector areas, took place in the neighborhood around the PC office in Lomé. On November 28th, Peace Corps organized the inauguration of two new office buildings behind the main PC building, as well as a reception at Country Director Brownie Lee's residence. There were more than 300 people at the reception, including the Deputy Director of Peace Corps Washington, the Chief of Operations for the Africa Region, the U.S. Ambassador and DCM, the Country Director of Peace Corps Benin, a representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as other dignitaries, PCVs, staff, and friends of Peace Corps.
Laura Birnbaum: What is the future plan for PC/Togo relations?
Jennifer Brown: Peace Corps has had a continuous presence in Togo since 1962. While the focus of the programs has shifted over the course of 45 years and will continue to shift with changing needs and priorities of the country, there is still a strong need and interest for Peace Corps in Togo.
Laura Birnbaum: Not many other countries have had such a long, continual Peace Corps presence. Are there any strategies that Peace Corps has employed or
special circumstances that explain why?
Jennifer Brown: Togo has continuing needs and interest for Peace Corps, just as many other countries do. The environment has remained peaceful enough for Peace Corps to stay throughout the last 45 years, and the people and government of Togo have maintained an interest in our continued work. We hope the situation will remain that way until the government no longer requests our presence.
Laura Birnbaum: If there have been certain strategies, would Peace Corps HQ be able to use these in their relations with other countries?
Jennifer Brown: Since 1961, Peace Corps has had a consistent strategy and mission in every country in which it has served. The differences are in program focus and size, which depend on the different development climates and needs of a country. However, since Peace Corps prioritizes the safety of our Volunteers, it has no option but to remove Volunteers if there is severe political unrest or a natural disaster. Fortunately, this has not been necessary in Togo.
Laura Birnbaum: Yes, very fortunate!
A big thank you to Jennifer Brown, Brownie Lee, Louise Krumm, and Edem Kossi who all contributed to creating, editing, and posting this interview!