The fourth national census in Cameroon is currently navigating a period of considerable difficulty. Originally slated to conclude on May 29, the vital population and housing enumeration exercise has been extended by two months through a decree issued by Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute. Far from alleviating existing tensions, this extension has intensified criticism from segments of civil society, who highlight significant organizational shortcomings within a statistical undertaking crucial for shaping public policy.
Philippe Nanga, coordinator for the non-governmental organization Un Monde Avenir, expressed his strong disapproval, describing a “general cacophony” surrounding a process he considers indispensable for national planning. Nanga particularly underscored a telling example of the logistical disarray: in Douala, the nation’s economic hub, census agents reportedly abandoned their duties after just ten days in the field, citing a complete lack of remuneration.
Strategic statistical operation under strain
A national census serves as the fundamental cornerstone for public action in any state. It directly influences electoral redistricting, the distribution of budgetary resources to local communities, the planning of essential school and health infrastructure, and the overall credibility of macroeconomic forecasts. Cameroon, having last conducted an official count in 2005, has faced a growing deficit of up-to-date demographic data for years. Consequently, the stakes for this fourth edition extended far beyond merely updating numerical figures.
The two-month extension implicitly reveals the significant scale of challenges encountered on the ground. A myriad of obstacles has compounded since the operation’s inception, including incomplete coverage in rural areas, delays in equipment delivery, and insufficient training for some enumerators. Furthermore, the labor dispute initiated by agents in Douala highlights a more fundamental structural vulnerability: the integrity of the payment system and the management of human resources deployed for such a massive undertaking.
Civil society monitors crucial census process
Through Un Monde Avenir, Philippe Nanga represents a segment of Cameroonian civil society organizations that meticulously scrutinize significant institutional processes. His public statements are less about discrediting the census itself and more about demanding accountability for its execution. Underlying this critique is a crucial question: will the data generated under these circumstances be statistically reliable and politically beyond dispute? This concern is far from trivial in a nation where disagreements over official figures, whether demographic or electoral, frequently arise.
The extension mandated by the Prime Minister’s office theoretically provides an opportunity for recovery. However, this hinges on adequate financial resources being made available. Non-governmental organizations observing the process warn of the risk that a rushed operation could ultimately yield only an incomplete snapshot of the Cameroonian population. Moreover, international donors such as the World Bank and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), who customarily support such initiatives across the continent, also closely monitor the methodological rigor of national enumerations.
A clear signal to public authorities
Beyond Cameroon’s specific situation, this discussion points to a common challenge faced by several Francophone African states: conducting comprehensive censuses amidst tight budgetary constraints, difficult-to-access territories, and security concerns in particular regions. Cameroon’s previous census in 2005 also experienced multiple postponements before its final results were published in 2010. Two decades on, the nation continues to struggle with maintaining feasible timelines for its statistical operations.
Nevertheless, Philippe Nanga’s public criticism could significantly influence public discourse as the extended deadline approaches. Authorities are expected to demonstrate transparency regarding the census mechanism, regularize outstanding payments owed to field agents, and communicate interim indicators. Failing these measures, the fourth census risks being remembered in Cameroonian administrative history more for its failures than for its scientific contributions.
