LIBERIA: LISGIS Enhances Workforce With Overseas Training For 24 Staff

In 2024, the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS) took a significant step towards strengthening its workforce by sponsoring 24 staff members to pursue Master’s degree programs abroad.

According to Director General Richard Fortoma Ngafuan, the initiative targeted critical fields such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Development Economics, Biostatistics, Data Science, and Epidemiology, reflecting the institution’s commitment to addressing Liberia’s growing need for reliable and advanced statistical data.

“These programs, ranging from 12 to 24 months, were undertaken at prestigious institutions including the University of Malawi and the University of Rome Tor Vergata,” Director General Ngafuan stated during a press briefing. He emphasized that the training equips LISGIS staff with the technical expertise to tackle complex developmental challenges and enhances the institution’s capacity to meet national and international demands.

Director General Ngafuan highlighted that this academic investment is already yielding results. “Our staff now possess the tools and methodologies needed to modernize data collection, analysis, and dissemination,” he remarked. This, he added, will not only boost the institution’s output but also provide a critical foundation for Liberia’s broader development goals.

The Director General described the initiative as part of LISGIS’s broader strategy to build a resilient and future-ready institution. “By investing in human capital, we are preparing LISGIS to be a robust statistical agency capable of supporting evidence-based policymaking and driving sustainable development across Liberia,” he concluded.