The Government of Liberia (GOL) and its international partners have reaffirmed their continued commitment to the successful conduct of the on-going 2022 National Population and Housing Census, which runs from November 11—22, 2022.
The population and housing census is among the most complex and massive peacetime exercises a nation can undertake. A census, as mandated within the Constitution, involves the complete enumeration of the population in a country. It generates a wealth of data, including numbers of people, their spatial distribution, age and sex structure, as well as their living conditions and other key socioeconomic characteristics. These data are critical for good governance, policy formulation, development planning, crisis prevention, mitigation and response, social welfare programs and business market analyses, among others.
Meanwhile, the international community is encourage all not to politicize or disrupt the ongoing 2022 National Population and Housing Census, noting that they have observed, with dismay, calls for people to boycott the Census.
According to a press release, jointly signed by Samuel D. Tweh, Jr., Minister of Finance and Development Planning; Niels Scott, UN Resident Coordinator; Bidisha Pillai, Resident Representative, UNFPA; Khwima Nthara, Country Manager, World Bank; H.E. Urban Sjöström, Ambassador, Kingdom of Sweden; and Jim Wright, Mission Director, USAID, “Despite some initial challenges, the Census is now on track and has commenced as of November 11, 2022. Any further disruption would lead to delays in, or possible abortion, of the Census which will benefit no one.”
The release disclosed that the partners, led by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), are providing technical and financial support to the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS), the agency of the Government with the authority to conduct Census taking, to ensure the census house listing an enumeration is completed within the timeframe of November 11—22, 2022, as announced by the Liberian government.
“The International Partner support is aimed at ensuring that the 2022 National Population and Housing Census is of high quality, and upholds international principles and standards,” the release underscored.
“The unique advantage of the census is that it represents the entire statistical universe, down to the smallest geographical/ administrative area of a country or region.
“The Government of Liberia and International partners wish to appeal to all citizens, residents and visitors to peacefully support the ongoing 2022 National Population and Housing Census by welcoming the Census Enumerators to their homes and facilities and to allow them to do their work. Remember that Census takes place every 10 years and the process gives an individual the opportunity to be heard and counted. So let’s make this Census count,” the release added.