Kara (Commune de Kozah 1), Togo

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‘The local authorities intend to make the city of Kara a point of reference in terms of local governance and the implementation of good learning practices for sustainable development.’

Mr Pawoubadi Pidabi

Mayor

The promotion of sustainable agriculture and local governance

Created in 1898 by German settlers, Kara has experienced a rapid administrative and demographic evolution. The Kabiye Tem constitute the city’s largest ethnic group and its economy derives from a variety of industries ranging from the primary to the tertiary sector. 

Vision and Strategy

Kara has adopted a joint learning city strategy with the cities of Pya and Niamtougou that guarantees social cohesion. The joint approach aims to empower citizens to improve local governance and create wealth in the agricultural sector through sustainable and environmentally friendly farming practices. The infrastructure of the three cities will be built to guarantee quality, inclusion, and accessibility to all social strata. The three cities also aim to integrate the notion of sustainability into their actions within the network of learning cities. 

Policies, Plan and Implementation

Sustainability and health

• Kara is transforming itself into a sustainable city by taking the SDGs into account in its municipal development plan. The provision of quality training courses, the fight against climate change through reforestation, and the implementation of cross-cutting projects integrating water, sanitation and environmental management are all designed to make Kara a sustainable city.

Equity and inclusion

• The principle of equality is promoted and implemented in the city through actions such as free schooling from preschool to secondary level. The town hall budget is participatory, and a framework has been set up to allow all citizens to have their say and to denounce discriminatory behaviours.

Decent work and entrepreneurship

• Kara has created courses of study that are not only adapted to the employment market, but also enable learners to create their own jobs and become self-employed at the end of their training. Internships have also been created to allow learners to gain initial job experience before embarking on their working lives.

Good practices

Water sanitation

• Kara has taken concerted action to provide safe drinking water, e.g. by managing solid waste through the construction of intermediary dumps, and managing liquid waste by supporting the construction of family and school latrines, mobile latrines in public places, and a sludge treatment plant.