MONROVIA – Following the commencement of the 2022 National Population and Housing Census on Friday, November 11, 2022, the Government of Liberia and International Partners, major contributors to the census exercise have said that the census is on track and reaffirmed their continued commitment to the successful conduct of the ongoing 2022 National Population and Housing Census by the Government which runs from 11 to 22 November, 2022 and are soliciting the cooperation of all stakeholders in order to make the process a grand success.
This assertion was contained in a joint press release issued and signed by the Government of Liberia represented by the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Samuel D. Tweah Jr and representatives of the donor institutions to the Census Basket namely, Mr. Niels Scott UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Bidisha Pillai, Resident Representative UNFPA, Mr. Khwima Nthara, Country Manager World Bank , Urban Sjöström, Ambassador Kingdom of Sweden and Mr. Jim Wright, Mission Director USAID
Being cognizant of the place of census in national development, the stakeholders noted that the population and housing census is among the most complex and massive peacetime exercises a nation can undertake. They maintained that 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.
“Given this, the International Community wishes to encourage all not to politicize or disrupt the ongoing 2022 National Population and Housing Census. We have observed with dismay calls by some elements within the country to boycott the Census”, the release said.
The stakeholders stated further said that despite some initial challenges, the Census is now on track and has commenced as of 11 November, 2022, adding that any further disruption would lead to delays in, or possible abortion, of the Census which will benefit no one.
The release further said 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, 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 11- 22 November, 2022 as announced by the 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 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 release said”, the release further said.
To ensure that the census becomes a reality, the Government of Liberia and International partners launched a passionate 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 concluded.
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