Benin's Couffo Department Confronts Key Challenges in Prefect's Tour

Benin's Prefect of Couffo, Rufino d'Almeida, has completed his second statutory tour of 2026, visiting various communes in the department from October 26 to November 4. The tour, which started in Lalo and ended in Aplahoué, aimed to engage with local authorities and the population on pressing issues. During the tour, d'Almeida met with local officials, including Aplahoué's Mayor Hypolite Natabou, to discuss challenges faced by the communes.

The meetings, which included technical administrators and community representatives, provided a platform for stakeholders to present their concerns. Aplahoué's mayor highlighted difficulties in education, health, and social welfare. Members of the Departmental Administrative Conference also discussed state projects and encouraged behavioral change within communities. These interactions allowed d'Almeida to assess the situation and identify areas needing attention.

A key outcome of the tour was the observation of progress in resource mobilization in most visited communes. However, several concerns persist, including a high number of road deaths, continued home births, and a surge in rape cases. The prefect expressed his concerns over these issues, emphasizing the need for collective action to change behaviors and enhance prevention.

To address some of these challenges, plans for better management of ruminant livestock were announced, focusing on controlling animal straying. This initiative aims to mitigate problems caused by uncontrolled livestock movement in inhabited and agricultural areas. The concerns gathered during the tour reflect the complexities faced by local communities.

Prior to the final stop in Aplahoué, d'Almeida and his delegation visited other localities, including Lalo and Toviklin. Discussions in these areas covered road safety, school attendance, teacher presence, and relations between farmers and herders. Toviklin's mayor, Eskil Tchikpé, discussed efforts to identify a site for the Couffo regional market.

Throughout the tour, meetings with communal executives and the population helped gather local concerns and review ongoing actions. The prefect's engagement with various stakeholders underscored the importance of collaborative efforts to address departmental challenges. The tour's conclusion marks a significant step in understanding and tackling the issues faced by the Couffo department.

The prefect's tour highlighted the need for sustained efforts to address pressing social and infrastructural challenges in the Couffo department. Key issues such as road safety, healthcare, and social welfare require coordinated actions from local authorities and the population. The insights gained from this tour will likely inform future initiatives aimed at improving living conditions in the region.

Key points

• The high number of road deaths and home births in the Couffo department are major concerns that require immediate attention.
• The prefect's tour identified progress in resource mobilization in most communes but also highlighted persistent challenges.
• Plans for better management of ruminant livestock aim to prevent difficulties related to uncontrolled animal movement.