Overview of the Project – Togo Esomé
Development issue (main area of concern)
There is a lack of meaningful rehabilitation opportunities in Togolese prisons, caused by structural issues such as overcrowding, underfunding, and limited access to education.
Key challenges
include:
- A high rate of illiteracy among inmates, preventing them from understanding legal documents—sometimes resulting in signing papers without comprehension.
- Very limited access to vocational training, reducing chances for employment and reintegration after release.
- Absence of structured rehabilitation programmes rooted in local culture and identity.
- Food insecurity within prisons and lack of agricultural training opportunities.
The development issue is therefore:
Limited rehabilitation, education, and reintegration opportunities for inmates
in Togo’s prisons, reinforced by structural inequalities in access to literacy,
vocational skills, and sustainable livelihoods.
People affected
- Inmates in Vogan Prison (pilot participants and future participants).
- Inmates in other prisons across Togo who will benefit from programme expansion.
- Families of inmates, especially women and children who are affected by the inmates’ lack of income and future opportunities.
- Local communities in Vogan, Anehó, and future program areas.
- Local artisans, weavers, and farmers, who take part as trainers, cultural resource persons, and partners.
Sectors involved
- Education and literacy – basic reading and writing, legal literacy.
- Vocational training – traditional crafts, especially Kente weaving.
- Culture and heritage – preservation and activation of traditional art for empowerment.
- Agriculture and food security – establishment of a learning garden (cassava, maize, yams, potatoes etc.).
- Justice and correctional rehabilitation – reintegration, reduction of recidivism, strengthening inmate rights.
- Community development & employment – partnerships with local industries and post-release job opportunities.
Project location
- Primary location: Vogan Prison, Vogan, Togo.
- Future scaling locations: Additional prisons across Togo, to be selected in collaboration with partners and government.
Partners
- Inana Textiles – lead partner for all Kente weaving training; secures certified employment for released inmates in Anehó.
- Prisoners Without Borders (“Fanger uden grænser”) – partner for the establishment of an agricultural learning garden inside the prison.
- Perfect Building Group – responsible for constructing the craft and education centre (pilot).
- The local and national government – authorities at prison, municipal and ministerial level.
- Local weavers, artisans, educators and volunteers – co‑facilitators of cultural and educational activities.
- Togo Esomé (lead organisation) – coordination, programme design, implementation, monitoring, and expansion planning.
General Information / Narrative Summary
Togo Esomé has successfully completed its pilot
project at Vogan Prison:
“Rehabilitation Through Local Art and Handcraft – Kente Weaving.”
The pilot trained inmates to become certified Kente weavers, strengthened their
confidence, and opened new pathways for employment after release through a
structured partnership with Inana Textiles.
Based on the strong results of the pilot, the partners have now agreed on expanding the model into a holistic rehabilitation programme that includes:
1. Continuing the Kente weaving programme
The Kente workshop will remain a permanent programme at Vogan Prison and will be replicated in other prisons.
2. Introducing basic literacy education
Many inmates are illiterate and unable to read or understand legal documents. The programme will therefore introduce reading, writing, and legal literacy to strengthen rights, independence, and reintegration.
3. Establishing a learning garden
In collaboration with Prisoners Without Borders,
the programme will build an agricultural learning space where inmates grow
cassava, maize, yams, potatoes and other crops.
This strengthens:
- Food production for the prison
- Agricultural skills
- Sustainable livelihoods
4. Scaling to other prisons in Togo
Together with Inana Textiles, Prisoners Without Borders, and local/national authorities, the pilot model will be implemented in additional prisons, creating a nationwide approach to culturally rooted rehabilitation.