In Tahoua, the Secrétaire Général du Gouvernorat de Tahoua, M. Yacouba Soukeyradjou, presided over the opening ceremony of a training workshop for traditional chiefs regarding the 5th General Population and Housing Census (RGPH-5). This key session, organized by the Institut National de la Statistique (INS), aims to prepare these esteemed leaders for their critical role in the upcoming national census. The primary objective of the training is to fully equip traditional chiefs on their role in the success of the RGPH-5, providing them with the necessary knowledge and tools to ensure the successful execution of this vital undertaking across the region. Their involvement is considered essential for the accuracy and full reach of the national census efforts, showing the importance of local leadership in such a large-scale statistical operation.
Census Objectives and Chief's Role
The full training program will educate traditional chiefs on the specific objectives, the detailed methodology, and the established calendar of the 5th General Population and Housing Census (RGPH-5). Their active involvement is expected to encompass several key responsibilities, including sensitizing their constituents to the importance of the census, facilitating smooth access for census agents to households within their communities, effectively resolving any field difficulties that may arise during data collection, and clarifying rules regarding statistical attachment within communities to ensure accurate data. Traditional chiefs' deep and nuanced knowledge of local realities, including intricate population mobility patterns and strong community links, is considered absolutely key for guaranteeing the exhaustiveness, overall quality, and the maintenance of social peace throughout the entire census operation. This understanding of local dynamics ensures that no segment of the population is overlooked.
According to the established guidelines for the census, each person will be meticulously counted at their place of residence at the time of the census, following harmonized and well-defined rules that apply across the nation. The training will specifically emphasize the overarching census objectives, its strong methodological framework, and the essential role of facilitation, sensitization, and vigilance that traditional chiefs must exercise among their constituents to foster cooperation and understanding. This focused approach aims to ensure a full and accurate count across the entire national territory, reflecting the true demographic landscape. The role of traditional chiefs is also to help their constituents understand these fundamental points and to alleviate any potential apprehension regarding the data collection process, fostering trust and participation.
Importance of Local Leadership
The significant training event for traditional chiefs was held on Monday, July 27, 2026, at the Regional Directorate of the National Institute of Statistics (INS) in Tahoua. During the opening ceremony, M. Yacouba Soukeyradjou emphasized the fundamental and undeniable role of accurate census data, stating profoundly that "a country that does not count itself deprives itself of the means to develop with full knowledge of the facts." This powerful statement notes the critical link between reliable statistics and informed national development. The Institut National de la Statistique (INS) is currently engaged in extensive and careful preparations for the 5th General Population and Housing Census (RGPH-5) across the entire nation. This ambitious initiative aims to produce a current and precise overview of the population, their diverse living conditions, and their housing situations, providing an invaluable snapshot for planning and policy-making.
Officials showed that the full success of the RGPH-5 hinges significantly on the full cooperation and dedicated engagement of every citizen, every household, every neighborhood, every village, and every camp. Traditional chiefs are recognized as central and indispensable figures in this monumental process, described aptly as "guardians of local memory, reassuring voices, unifying authorities, and reference points for the population." Their unique and influential position within communities is seen as absolutely key for the census's efficacy and acceptance. The reassuring presence of a traditional chief accompanying a census agent is expected to instill confidence and trust among residents, thereby effectively mitigating potential rumors or misinformation that could arise regarding the data collection process. This local endorsement is vital for accurate and complete data gathering.
Official Endorsement and Vision
The Director Regional of the INS of Tahoua, M. Souleymane Sidikou, confirmed that the training session forms an integral part of the national preparation for the 5th General Population and Housing Census (RGPH-5). This specific training aims to equip traditional chiefs with the necessary understanding and practical skills to directly support the success of this national operation on the ground, ensuring they are well-prepared for their responsibilities. Officials emphasized unequivocally that the census represents a strictly statistical exercise, clarifying explicitly that it does not challenge administrative boundaries, existing land rights, or recognized customary statuses within communities. This distinction is key to prevent misunderstandings and ensure community cooperation. The specific role of traditional chiefs, therefore, includes helping their constituents understand these critical points and alleviating any potential apprehension regarding the data collection process. In villages, tribes, and camps, the communication and pronouncements from traditional chiefs often carry significant weight, frequently surpassing that of official announcements, making their informed participation indispensable for the census's widespread acceptance and success.