AGP Executive Report

Music & Business: Togolese producer Nodjigno Pierre Yao Nihtael is expanding from Façonné Music into Nihtael Dynasty, a project-based platform meant to help artists with digital distribution, media strategy, and market access—so streaming success comes with real career structure. Arts & Culture Abroad: The African Festival of Arts and Culture returns to Iowa City on Sept. 26 with music, dance, fashion, food, and art from 20+ African countries, plus a parade of nations and performances. Football (CAF): Enugu Rangers survived AS Sobemap’s scare, winning 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Lomé to reach the next CAF Champions League qualifying round, where they’ll face MC Alger. Togo Tech & Innovation: Laitify co-founder Medede Bidassa highlights how her dairy-tech startup uses sensors, QR traceability, and AI to improve cattle health and productivity, while Togo AI Lab is recruiting a technical lead for public-sector AI projects. Press Freedom: CPJ urges Togolese authorities to investigate the kidnapping and assault of journalist Roland Yaovi Kodjo, released after it was discovered he’d been targeted by mistake. Creative Protection: INPIT in Lomé hosted a forum on protecting trademarks and industrial designs, pushing creators to register before counterfeits spread.

Togo Tech & Innovation: Medede Bidassa, CEO of Lomé dairy-tech startup Laitify, is spotlighted for using sensors, QR traceability and AI to track cattle health and milk output, plus her push to train girls for tech careers. Public-Sector AI: Togo AI Lab is recruiting a technical lead to drive public-sector AI projects, including satellite-image models and tools for local languages, with applications open until Oct. 2. Intellectual Property for Creators: INPIT held a Lomé forum urging entrepreneurs and artisans to protect trademarks and industrial designs early to prevent counterfeiting. Procurement Integrity: GNEBTP-Togo expanded its ARCOP compliance campaign to site and office staff, warning that bid document manipulation can sink companies. Press Freedom: CPJ calls on Togolese authorities to investigate the kidnapping and assault of journalist Roland Yaovi Kodjo after mistaken identity. International Spotlight: Russia’s Youth Festival in Ekaterinburg is drawing Ghanaian youth for networking, scholarships and partnerships—an example of how culture and business can connect.

Togo & Francophonie Diplomacy: The 20th Francophonie Summit in Phnom Penh (Nov 2026) is framed as a chance for Cambodia to push South-South ties, with Togo cited as an early example through cooperation on trade, investment, agriculture, tourism, connectivity and parliament-to-parliament links. Togo Tech & AI: Togo AI Lab is recruiting a technical lead to drive public-sector AI projects, including tools using satellite imagery and work for local languages, with applications open until Oct. 2. Local Innovation Spotlight: Medede Bidassa, co-founder and CEO of Laitify, is profiled for her dairy-farming tech using sensors, QR traceability and AI recommendations, plus her push to train girls in tech. Procurement Integrity: GNEBTP-Togo expands its ARCOP compliance campaign to construction-site and office staff, warning that bid document manipulation can land companies in trouble. Press Freedom: CPJ urges Togolese authorities to investigate the kidnapping and assault of journalist Roland Yaovi Kodjo after a mistaken-identity targeting. Global Arts/Media: “American Horror Story: 13” gets a teaser promising a major mythology crossover.

Togo’s IP push: Lomé hosted an INPIT meeting on protecting trademarks and industrial designs, urging creators to register early to avoid counterfeiting and strengthen credibility for funding and growth. Press freedom under strain: CPJ called on Togolese authorities to investigate the kidnapping and assault of journalist Roland Yaovi Kodjo after armed men abducted him in Guérin-Kouka, then released him when they realized they had the wrong target. Tech for public services: Togo AI Lab is recruiting a technical lead to drive public-sector AI projects, including tools using satellite imagery and work on local languages. Global arts & culture: The UN’s “Correct the Map” vote—Togo-led and AU-backed—keeps making waves beyond politics, with renewed calls to use equal-area projections in classrooms and media; meanwhile, entertainment headlines include FX’s teaser for American Horror Story: 13 and Nollywood veteran Pete Edochie’s viral interview remarks. Sports spotlight: CAF Champions League drama saw Enugu Rangers advance on penalties after a 1-1 draw with AS Sobemap in Lomé.

Togo & IP Protection: Lomé hosted an INPIT forum on protecting trademarks and industrial designs, urging creators to register before counterfeits erase value and credibility. Press Freedom Under Pressure: CPJ called on Togolese authorities to investigate the kidnapping and assault of journalist Roland Yaovi Kodjo after he was seized in Guérin-Kouka and released when the men realized they had the wrong target. Tech for Public Services: Togo AI Lab is recruiting a technical lead to drive public-sector AI projects, including tools using satellite imagery and work on local languages. Global Arts & Media: FX released the teaser for American Horror Story: 13, promising an all-seasons crossover built around Coven mythology. Sports Spotlight: Enugu Rangers advanced in the CAF Champions League after a 1-1 draw with AS Sobemap and a 5-4 penalty win in Lomé. Festival Buzz: End of the Road Festival 2026 marked its 20th anniversary with CMAT’s headline finale and a crowd medical interruption.

Togo & IP Protection: Lomé hosted an INPIT meeting for the 27th African Day of Technology and Industrial Property, urging entrepreneurs and artisans to register trademarks and industrial designs before copycats strike—so rights holders can defend their work and boost credibility. Press Freedom: The Committee to Protect Journalists demanded action after Togolese reporter Roland Yaovi Kodjo was kidnapped and assaulted in Guérin-Kouka after a mistaken identity. AI for Public Services: Togo AI Lab is recruiting a technical lead to drive public-sector AI projects, including tools using satellite imagery and work on local languages. UN “Correct the Map” Push: The UN General Assembly adopted Togo’s “Correct the Map” resolution (164-1), encouraging equal-area map projections like Equal Earth—an arts-and-education shift that challenges how Africa’s size is taught and seen. Arts & Culture: Rosslyn Jazz Fest returns with an international lineup, while Nollywood veteran Pete Edochie’s viral interview keeps sparking debate online.

UN Map Reform: Togo-led “Correct the Map” resolution passed at the UN General Assembly with 164 votes to 1, pushing schools, media and digital platforms toward more accurate equal-area projections like Equal Earth, after centuries of Mercator distortion that visually shrank Africa. Togo Tech & AI: Togo AI Lab is recruiting a technical lead to drive public-sector AI projects, including tools using satellite imagery and work on local languages. Arts & Culture: Rosslyn Jazz Fest returns for its 34th year with an international lineup, including Grammy-nominated Plena Libre, plus regional West African acts. Heritage Spotlight: A Yale cultural heritage fellowship selected two Jamaican leaders, highlighting diaspora-linked museum and archive leadership. Sports: Ghana’s Gwendolyn Duvor Klu won a double title at the J30 Accra junior tennis event, beating Togo’s Winner Gakpo in singles and teaming up for doubles glory. Road Safety (Ghana): Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe challenged “Okada” riders to prove legalisation won’t worsen crashes as a Safe Journey campaign kicks off.

Togo AI & Tech: Togo AI Lab is recruiting a renewable one-year technical lead to drive public-sector AI, including machine learning and generative tools using satellite imagery, plus work on local languages. Global Culture Heritage: Two Jamaican leaders were named among 12 fellows for Yale’s cultural heritage fellowship, highlighting long-term museum and archive leadership. Arts & Media Buzz: Veteran Nollywood actor Pete Edochie’s viral interview sparked debate across social media, with seven standout remarks circulating widely. Music & Community: Rosslyn Jazz Fest returns for its 34th year this weekend with a free lineup blending Americana, Latin jazz, funk and global sounds, headlined by Plena Libre. Cartography & Representation: Togo-led “Correct the Map” resolution won UN General Assembly approval (164-1) backing equal-area projections like Equal Earth for schools, media and digital platforms. Sports Spotlight: Ghanaian junior tennis star Gwendolyn Duvor Klu won both singles and doubles at J30 Accra. Peacebuilding in Ghana: The National Peace Council brought security services and media together to de-escalate the Bawku conflict through better coordination and responsible reporting.

UN “Correct the Map” Vote: Togo-led UN General Assembly resolution backs a shift from the Mercator projection toward more accurate equal-area mapping (Equal Earth), with 164 countries voting in favour and the US the only no—an effort framed as correcting how Africa’s size is perceived in education and global media. Road Safety & Transport: Ghana’s Transport Minister challenged commercial motorcycle/tricycle/quadricycle riders to prove legalisation won’t worsen crashes, launching the “Safe Journey” Road Safety 2026 campaign with the NRSA. Peacebuilding in Bawku: The National Peace Council brought security services and media into a two-day dialogue on de-escalation pathways for the protracted Bawku conflict, aiming to improve intelligence coordination and responsible reporting. African Volleyball Rising: Volleyball leaders met in Nairobi to map strategies for growth, youth pathways and beach volleyball momentum, citing recent international milestones. Arts & Culture: Shilpo Bangla begins its 8th group exhibition “Symphony of Life” in Dhaka, while Rosslyn Jazz Fest returns with an international lineup headlined by Plena Libre. Sports Spotlight: Gwendolyn Duvor Klu won double titles at the J30 Accra junior tour, taking girls’ singles and doubles.

Rosslyn Jazz Fest: Arlington’s 34th annual Rosslyn Jazz Fest returns Sept. 12 (1–7pm) at Gateway Park with an international lineup, led by Grammy-nominated Plena Libre, plus New Orleans-jazz energy from Sally Baby’s Silver Dollars and West African/Afrobeat fusion from Dogo du Togo & The Alagaa Beat Band. UN “Correct the Map” (Togo-led): The UN General Assembly backed a Togo-sponsored push to move away from Mercator toward more accurate equal-area mapping (Equal Earth), voting 164–1 with six abstentions; the resolution encourages governments and schools to adopt fairer projections. Local courts (Ghana–Togo region): An Accra court ordered police to file disclosures in the Labone attempted robbery case involving Augustine Okechuku Maazi, with the case remanded to Sept. 16. Culture & heritage: The 33rd CEANA Convention opened with a Kente Banquet celebrating Ewe culture, while Shilpo Bangla’s “Symphony of Life” launches in Dhaka with 160 artists from Sept. 10–16.

UN Cartography Push (Togo-led): The UN General Assembly backed Togo’s “Correct the Map” resolution, voting 164-1 (with six abstentions) to encourage use of the Equal Earth projection over Mercator, arguing that old distortions have long minimized Africa’s perceived size; the US was the lone no vote. Arts & Identity Lens: Writers tied the vote to Blackness and cultural complexity, framing a “fair map” as part of correcting how Africa is imagined. Local Governance, Courts: In Ghana, an Accra court ordered police to file disclosures in the Labone attempted robbery case involving Augustine Okechuku Maazi, remanding him to Sept. 16. Culture & Community: The 33rd CEANA convention in the US spotlighted Ewe heritage through major cultural performances and a renewed call for diaspora investment. Sports (Regional): WAFU Zone B leadership shifted after Gusau’s exit, with Burkina Faso’s Sawadogo taking over.

UN “Correct the Map” Vote: The UN General Assembly backed Togo’s Africa-led resolution to promote more accurate equal-area world maps, endorsing the Equal Earth projection over the Mercator-style distortion that has long made Africa look smaller; the measure passed 164-1 (with six abstentions) and urges schools, media and tech platforms to update how they show continental scale. Togo Cost Debate: One report claims the push—including lobbying and consulting—cost Togolese taxpayers about $2 million, sparking questions as Lomé spends amid economic strain. Diplomacy Meets Cartography: India backed the resolution’s principle but insisted any UN map depiction must match its official stance on Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, while UN map “anomalies” tied to India-China claim lines also drew scrutiny. Arts & Culture: CEANA’s 33rd convention in Maryland put Ewe heritage front and center with a Kete banquet and major diaspora investment discussions. Film & Screen: Veteran Nollywood actor Pete Edochie pushed back on seniority claims, saying his acting began in 1962—before Nollywood. Anime: “Kagurabachi” announced Part 2 of its world tour, with premiere screenings in Johannesburg and Melbourne.

UN Map Reform (Togo-led): The UN General Assembly backed Togo’s “Correct the Map” push, voting 164–1 (with six abstentions) to encourage wider use of the Equal Earth projection over Mercator, arguing the old map has long made Africa look smaller than it is. Local Impact (Togo): Coverage notes Togo’s role in championing the change, with calls for schools, media and tech platforms to update how the world is shown. Diplomacy & Boundaries: India supported the resolution but insisted any UN-linked maps must depict Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh according to India’s official positions. Culture & Community (CEANA): The 33rd CEANA convention in Maryland put Ewe heritage front and center, mixing major cultural performances with a renewed push for diaspora investment. Anime Spotlight: “Kagurabachi” announced details for its Anime World Tour Part 2, including premiere screenings tied to conventions in Johannesburg and Melbourne. Tech & Skills (Liberia): CSquared moved a Ganta broadband and digital skills programme from a grant pilot to commercial operations with Microsoft support.

UN Map Reform: The UN General Assembly backed Togo’s “Correct the Map” resolution, voting 164–1 (with six abstentions) to encourage wider use of equal-area projections like Equal Earth instead of Mercator, arguing Mercator has long made Africa look smaller in classrooms and media. Togo Angle: Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey framed it as a fairness issue—“maps shape our understanding of the world.” India Pushback: India supported the resolution but insisted any UN map must depict Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh according to India’s official map, warning against “inaccurate” or “misleading” depictions. Sports Roundup: CAF Champions League preliminary round (first leg) results included wins for Zamalek, Al Hilal, and several tight draws, setting up the next legs. Arts & Culture Note: A Togo-led spotlight also surfaced in entertainment coverage, including recognition at the Togo Show Business Awards for Masina Ategou as Best Promoter of the Year 2026.

UN Cartography Shake-Up: The UN General Assembly adopted Togo-led “Correct the Map” with a 164–1 vote, backing equal-area projections like Equal Earth to better reflect Africa’s true size and pushing schools, media and tech platforms to rethink the centuries-old Mercator look. Togo Education Impact: Togo says it will update its own school geography books by year-end, aiming to set an example for wider adoption. India’s Boundary Line: India backed the resolution but insisted any UN map must depict Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh according to India’s official map, warning against “inaccurate” or “misleading” depictions. Arts & Entertainment Spotlight: Masina Ategou (Façonné Music) won Best Promoter of the Year 2026 at the Togo Show Business Awards for promoting Togolese talent. Drug-Fight Headline: NDLEA warned of Mexican-linked cartel networks setting up industrial meth labs in Nigeria’s Ogun and Oyo forests.

UN Map Reform: The UN General Assembly backed Togo-led “Correct the Map,” pushing wider use of the Equal Earth projection to show Africa’s true relative size, with 164 votes for and the US the lone no. Togo in the spotlight: Reuters reports Togo plans to update its school geography books by year-end as a practical example for other countries. India’s cartography line: India voted in favour but warned any UN map must depict Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh according to India’s official map, rejecting “inaccurate” or “misleading” portrayals. Arts & entertainment: Masina Ategou was named Best Promoter of the Year 2026 at the Togo Show Business Awards for his work through Façonné Music, backing artists and boosting visibility. Sports: Algeria’s football federation appointed Hemdani to replace Petkovic as head coach.