MONROVIA – Nimba County Senator Nya D. Twayen has expressed serious concern over the credibility of the 2022 National Population and Housing Census, following a joint Senate hearing with National Elections Commission (NEC) Chairperson Madam Davidetta Browne Lansanah and Director-General of the Liberia Institute for Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS), Hon. Richard F. Ngafuan.
Speaking after the hearing held on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, Senator Twayen said that after thoroughly reviewing the final census report presented to the Senate, he was left with more questions than answers. While acknowledging the efforts made to conduct the census, he described the findings as deeply flawed, pointing to “glaring inconsistencies, assumptions, and figures” that require immediate and serious scrutiny.
One of his key concerns was the dramatic population growth reported in southeastern counties such as Grand Kru, Grand Gedeh, and River Gee, which, according to LISGIS data, have nearly doubled in size since the previous count. “What demographic, economic, or migratory factors could credibly explain such a significant surge in such a short period?” he asked.
In contrast, Twayen noted an unexplained decline in the population of Nimba County, long recognized for its high birth rate, vibrant economy, and wide settlement patterns. He said the report’s suggestion that Nimba has dropped in proportional population from 14.9% in 1984 to 11.8% in 2022 is “troubling” and “demands clear, evidence-based explanations.”
The Senator also questioned whether the final census report had undergone any independent audit or external validation by a reputable demographic or statistical institution. He emphasized that credibility and transparency in national data are not optional, especially given their direct influence on critical decisions related to electoral redistricting, national planning, and resource allocation.
“As we move toward the legislative threshold-setting process, let me be unequivocal: we will not support any politically convenient resolution aimed at appeasing counties with lower populations at the expense of accuracy and fairness,” Twayen stated. “This was done in the past, and we must not repeat such undemocratic compromises.”
He reminded his colleagues that the Constitution mandates a House of Representatives not exceeding 100 members. With the current number standing at 73 and a national growth rate of roughly 3.3%, Twayen called for a cautious and principled approach, warning against any hasty expansion of legislative seats based on contested data.
“We owe the people of Liberia a process grounded in law, logic, and legitimate data, not political settlements,” he concluded.
LISGIS’s census table shows that while Liberia’s overall population grew by over 50% from 2008 to 2022, the reported growth across counties varies drastically. For instance, Grand Gedeh jumped from 126,146 in 2008 to 216,692 in 2022, a 71.8% increase, while Grand Kru surged from 57,106 to 109,342, a near doubling of its population. Meanwhile, Nimba’s growth rate lags behind, rising only from 468,088 to 621,841.
The census also shows that Montserrado County continues to house the largest share of Liberia’s population, increasing from 32.8% in 2008 to 36.6% in 2022, while Nimba’s share dropped steadily over the same period.
Meanwhile, the Senate is expected to review the census data in the coming weeks as it moves to determine the new electoral threshold for the 2029 general and presidential elections.
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