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Last Updated:
November 6, 2007 12:06
EST
Still Valid: November 15, 2007 23:24 EST |
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1. RECENT UPDATES Sections 1, 2 and 3 of this Travel Report have been updated. See our Current Issues page for more information on flooding in Togo. BACK TO TOP 2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS There is no Official Warning for this country. Togo
The political situation is generally stable, but security conditions could change rapidly. You should remain vigilant, especially along the Ghanaian border, where violent disturbances have been reported. Parliamentary elections have taken place in Canadians in OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad. BACK TO TOP 3. SAFETY AND SECURITY The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions. Violence, strikes, and political tensions occurred after the presidential elections of April 2005. A similar situation could recur. Security forces may impose restrictions during periods of unrest, such as closing the borders and cutting telephone lines. Pickpockets and thieves are active in Lomé, particularly along beaches and in market areas. Do not show signs of affluence such as jewellery, expensive watches and cameras. Assaults, carjackings, and armed robberies can occur. Avoid walking alone, especially after dark. Keep vehicle doors locked and windows shut. It is also advisable to carry a cellular phone. Identification papers (preferably a certified true copy of your passport’s identification page) and vehicle documentation should be readily available for frequent police checkpoints. Banditry, including demands for payments at checkpoints, has been reported on major intercity highways, including the Lomé-Cotonou coastal highway. Tourist facilities are limited and may be affected by chronic power shortages. Visitors should be aware that their telephone or computer lines may be tapped, even in hotels. Ocean currents are very strong along the coast. Many drownings occur each year. Nigerian scam artists use BACK TO TOP 4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Togolese authorities and was valid on November 6, 2007. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change. It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of the Republic of Togo and its consulates, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements. A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Togo. The passport should be valid for at least one year beyond the date of your expected departure from the country. Canadians must also be in possession of a visa. Tourist Visa: Required Business Visa: Required Student Visa: Required Travellers are required to carry evidence of a yellow fever vaccination. A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (CCC) is not a travel document. Airlines are known to refuse boarding to dual national Canadian passengers returning to Canada, travelling on a passport that requires a visa to enter Canada, regardless of whether the passenger presents a valid CCC as proof of Canadian citizenship. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document for the purpose of international travel. It proves your admissibility to enter Canada. Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services. Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders. Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order. Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada. BACK TO TOP 5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address: Togo - Lomé, Consulate of Canada Address: 191 rue École Kouvahey,Quartier Avenou Postal Address: P.O. Box 3827, Lomé, Tel.: (228) 251 8730, emergencies (228) 903 5245 Fax: (228) 251 8730 E-Mail: consulatecanadalome@gmail.com The High Commission of Canada in Accra, Ghana, has consular responsibility for Togo. The address is as follows: Ghana - ACCRA, High Commission of Canada Address: 42 Independence Avenue, Accra Postal Address: P.O. Box 1639, Accra, Tel.: 233 (21) 21-15-21; 22-85-55 Fax: 233 (21) 21-15-23; 77-37-92 E-Mail: accra@international.gc.ca Internet: http://www.accra.gc.ca For emergency assistance after hours, call the High Commission of Canada in Accra and follow the instructions. You may also call Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada in Ottawa at 613-996-8885 (collect calls accepted). BACK TO TOP 6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request. The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare. The penalties imposed for the possession, use, manufacture, or sale of illegal drugs or pornography can be severe. Convicted offenders could face sentences of up to 20 years in prison. Homosexual activity is illegal. Photography of, or near, government or military buildings and of government or military personnel is strictly prohibited. Government buildings may not always be clearly identifiable. If in doubt, do not take a picture. BACK TO TOP 7. LOCAL TRAVEL AND CURRENCY Urban roads are usually paved, but small motorbikes, poorly maintained and erratically driven vehicles, pedestrians, and roaming animals pose risks. Road signs are often poorly visible or completely missing. Avoid overland travel after dark. In Lomé, beware of individuals who appear to need assistance, as bandits frequently use this tactic to lure you out of your vehicle. In remote areas, it is recommended to travel in a convoy of at least two vehicles. Since emergency vehicle services are non-existent, in the event of an accident, proceed to the nearest police station or hospital. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended for travel off the main roads. Vehicles are usually rented with drivers. Taxis are available, but some are poorly maintained. Avoid sharing a taxi with strangers. Motorcycles and mopeds are common, especially in Lomé. They generally operate as taxis. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required. The currency is the African Financial Community franc (XOF). Visa, MasterCard, and American Express credit cards are not widely accepted outside major hotels. Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on Automated Banking Machine ( BACK TO TOP 8. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE Dry harmattan winds can reduce visibility in the north during the winter, which extends from December to February. BACK TO TOP 9. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site. The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date. Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage. The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada. BACK TO TOP 10. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION Medical facilities and supplies are limited. There is no emergency medical care. Water used for consumption should be boiled first or otherwise sterilized. BACK TO TOP 11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Returning to Canada Traveller's Checklist Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes. See Canada's Health Portal. Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government. BACK TO TOP 12. ANNEX N/A BACK TO TOP |
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