A prominent member of the opposition collaborating Political party (CPP), Togar Gaywea Mclntosh, says the conduct of the 2022 National Census is cardinal not only to the pending 2023 presidential and legislative elections but also important for the development and growth of Liberia.
Dr. Mclntosh in interaction with journalists on Thursday, November 10, at the CPP headquarter on 18th street in Sinkor highlighted few important benefits of a National Population Census in regards to the current state of Liberia.
According to him, the importance and benefits of having a population census is not only tied to knowing the number of people in a country or a given region, but it is also important to the development and growth of the country or region as well.
He also named resource allocation and mobilization, knowing the demography of the population, social economic of the people, political representation and making comparative analysis and among others as some important reasons why a census should be held.
He however mentioned that in order to ensure that a quality and credible census is held, data integrity, verification of data, honesty quality and corruption free practices should be adhered to and ensure that the necessary results of the census meet the sole intent of the process.
He revealed that since 2008 when the last census was held, the population of the country may have grown or reduced and by law, each 20,000 people of a given region need to have representation at the Legislature as such, if census is not well managed and conducted it may undermine its credibility.
He further that from all indications, the Government of Liberia had not done anything to encourage or make the people happy of going for census, evidenced of the fact that there is an awareness or publicity seen by him to encourage the people to stay home for the census.
