It would seem that the “ill-fated” Mid-Term Census which should start tomorrow 10th December, 2021 is facing serious problems following the decision of the World Bank to pull out and then divert its funds to other areas in dire need of such funds.
Apart from the World Bank’s unprecedented action which was like a hefty slap to the face of the President Maada Bio-led SLPP administration, the ruling government has compounded matters by arresting a senior opposition APC Northern Region Chairman, Alie Commoner Kargbo and others, on flimsy, trumped-up charges.
It is also understood that some opposition members in CoPPP were also arrested for their outspokenness against the imposition of a Mid-Term Census which they believe like the World Bank, is flawed because the procedures for holding such an important national event were not followed through and training of personnel to conduct the census was too short, among other flaws.
The APC in a press release noted that it had warned the ruling government to rethink and reschedule the timing of a Mid-Term Census as there are several other important areas resources can be used more judiciously and effectively.
The said press release thanked the World Bank for pulling out of what the APC described as “a process of futility” and urged the ruling government to immediately release unconditionally its members arrested by the police, adding that their Secretary General, Chairman and Leader were also quizzed by the police.
Political pundits admit that what all of this is boiling down to could be spontaneous protests around the country, or a census that would be totally incredible and ineffective; if at all the ruling government insists on going ahead, rather than do the wise thing, which is to listen to the voice of the majority and abide by the advice of the World Bank.
