The Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS) has officially launched the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS), marking a pivotal shift toward data-driven governance in Liberia.
By Francis G. Boayue
The high-level event also saw the release of several key statistical reports aimed at shaping the nation’s economic and social trajectory.
The Director General of LISGIS, Richard Fatorma Ngafuan, emphasized that the new strategy is not merely a document, but a commitment to transparency and precision.
“For too long, our development plans have been hampered by a lack of real-time, harmonized data,” Mr. Ngafuan stated. “The NSDS will serve as our blueprint to ensure that every policy decision—from healthcare to infrastructure—is backed by evidence that reflects the true living conditions of our people.”
Mr. Ngafuan noted that the strategy aims to modernize the national statistical system, integrating digital collection methods to reduce errors and improve the speed of data dissemination to international partners and local stakeholders.
Adding legislative weight to the program, Senator Dabah M. Varpilah, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Population and Development, officially released the National Population Policy.
Senator Varpilah highlighted the intrinsic link between census data and national survival.
She stressed that without a clear understanding of population growth, urban migration, and age demographics, the government cannot effectively allocate resources.
“This policy is a wake-up call,” Senator Varpilah remarked during the release. “We are defining how we manage our most precious resource—our people. As the Senate Committee Chair, I am committed to ensuring that these statistics don’t just sit on shelves but are used to craft laws that empower the youth and protect the vulnerable.”
The program brought together members of the diplomatic corps including UN-FAO, UNFPA, cabinet ministers and development partners.
Many observers noted that the successful implementation of the NSDS will be a litmus test for the government’s ability to attract foreign investment, which relies heavily on credible economic indicators.
The event witnessed a technical walkthrough of the newly released statistical reports, which provide updated figures on labor, education, agriculture, and household income across Liberia’s 15 counties.
