Today we’re not visiting the South Pacific island nation of Togo. No, Togo is not in the Pacific at all. Togo is a West African country of eight and a half million people, who apparently were particularly unhappy in 2013.  Don’t say I don’t serve up facts to-go.

Togo is one of the smaller West African nations as it’s smaller than Latvia. Togo is wedged between Ghana and Benin and is a particularly narrow country and is only 160 km wide at its widest point.

During the 1700s, Togo was colonised by Denmark before becoming the German protectorate of Togoland in 1884. After World War One Togo became administered by France before eventually gaining independence in 1960. Ever since a military coup in 1963, Togo has been run by the same Gnassingbé family despite numerous protests. 

In late 2015 Africa's largest ivory seizure in 25 years was made in Togo's capital Lomé. The seizure weighed over 4 tons and was likely the result of poaching over 800 elephants.

If you decide to visit Togo, apparently the Koklo Meme, or grilled chicken is particularly good.

Anyway, I have to go. Catch you tomorrow!