(ND Ag Connection) – The visit, hosted by NDSU Vice President for Research and Creative Activity, Colleen Fitzgerald, aimed to explore potential partnerships between Togo, NDSU and North Dakota’s National Guard, with a focus on bringing new educational and business opportunities back to Togo.

Togo, Ghana and the Republic of Benin are partner countries with North Dakota through the State Partnership Program. SPP is administered by the National Guard Bureau in close consultation with Defense Department officials and the State Department. The program aims to build trust, confidence and capabilities with partner nations by providing an opportunity for National Guard members to interact with citizens and governments of partner countries.

“How do we build out that existing Togo-North Dakota relationship, with business and industry, agriculture, and NDSU being the three legs in those partnerships?” said Fitzsimmons.

Accompanying Fitzsimmons were Col. Messan Avomado, commander of Togo’s inaugural military region, Capt. Jeremiah R. Colbert and Robert Dedzi. They were joined by members of the North Dakota National Guard including Deputy Adjutant General Jackie Huber and U.S. Army Lt. Col. Mark McEvers, who serves as the North Dakota National Guard State Partnership Program director.