OUAHIGOUYA, APOSTOLIC PREFECTURE OF. — It is located in French West Africa and was erected on 12 June 1947 with territory detached from the Apostolic Vicariate of Ouagadougou. It comprises the two administrative districts of O. and Koudougou, with an area of approximately 40,960 sq. km.
The population of approximately 897,300 inhabitants is distributed with two-thirds in the southern regions. In the northern and north-eastern zones the density is very low: here are found the nomadic tribes of the Peul race, inhabiting an almost desert country with meagre pastures. In the central part the population is very dense and agglomerated in large villages. It belongs to the Mossi and Gurunsi tribes.
There are 8,772 indigenous Catholics, 22 foreigners, 19 of mixed race; 1,008 catechumens; 1,470 Protestants and 152,600 Muslims. The rest are fetishists. The prefecture is entrusted to the White Fathers, who number 14, assisted by 2 priests and 9 indigenous sisters. There are 9 seminarians studying at Kouni and Pabré. There are 156 catechists and 17 teachers. There are 6 main missionary stations and 47 secondary ones. There are 3 pharmacies. There are 3 elementary schools with 554 pupils. The normal school for catechists is very flourishing.