Liberia’s first National Population Census in 24 years kicked off Friday throughout the country, with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf expressing hope that the process will provide the necessary data to help the country properly plan its development programs. 

The President, who was among thousands of Liberians enumerated on the first day of the process, described the exercise as a great opportunity for Liberia that will enable the country to collect real and accurate data needed to underpin the country’s development.

The Director-General of the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS), Dr. Edward Liberty, thanked the President for the support Government has provide to ensure the success of the program. 

• Flashback: On Thursday June 28, 2007 President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf officially launched Liberia's first national census in more than 20 years. Recently, an Act authorizing the Executive Branch of Government to conduct the National Census of the Republic of Liberia was passed by the National Legislature, and signed into law by the President of Liberia. Photo: Ousman Diallo/Executive Mansion

To ensure full participation, government declared Friday a national holiday, which also coincided with Good Friday. The President said the fact that the holiday coincided with Good Friday celebrations should not interfere with the observance of the Christian holiday.

The Liberian leader called on Christians to attend their regular services, since the Census counting was not restricted only to Friday. The President’s clarification follows calls by some churches and Christians for the postponement of the exercise, in view of the apparent conflict with Good Friday.

LISGIS has recruited about 10,000 Census field staff around the country to carry out the exercise which is expected to end next Friday.  Preliminary Census results will be made available by May this year. Data processing of the Census starts in April and final Census figures will be made available in April next year.