Cape Verde Orders Independent Audit of Statistics Agency
Cape Verdean Prime Minister Francisco Carvalho has ordered an independent assessment of the National Institute of Statistics (INE) following explosive allegations regarding data manipulation and political interference. Speaking during a State of the Nation debate, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to restore the institution’s credibility after claims surfaced that official reports had been falsified.
Restoring Public Trust
“The country was surprised by serious complaints regarding the functioning of the National Institute of Statistics,” Carvalho stated. “The duty we have undertaken is to guarantee an independent assessment to protect INE technicians and properly ascertain the facts.”
The Prime Minister argued that restoring public confidence in official data is a matter of national urgency. He stressed that public data belongs to the citizens rather than the government of the day. “National statistics cannot serve as propaganda,” Carvalho asserted. “They must rigorously portray people’s lives, even when that reality bothers the government.”
Allegations of ‘Falsified’ Data
The move for an independent audit follows a heated parliamentary session on Thursday, during which Carvalho accused the INE of producing “falsified data.” He further alleged that the previous Movement for Democracy (MpD) administration had “deceived” the International Monetary Fund (IMF) regarding the state of public accounts.
According to the Prime Minister, these concerns are shared by some within the agency itself. “We have all seen that the INE has been producing falsified data; these are reports acknowledged by the workers themselves,” he said, citing internal complaints.
INE Leadership Denies Wrongdoing
In response to the mounting pressure, the President of the INE Board, João Cardoso, has categorically rejected all allegations of manipulation or concealment. In June, Cardoso stated that the institution had launched legal proceedings to identify the source of anonymous letters containing these accusations, which had circulated on the organization’s digital platforms.
Cardoso defended the agency’s independence, stating that the INE “does not belong to a government or a political party” but to the State of Cape Verde. He maintained that all indicators regarding poverty, employment, and economic growth are produced in strict accordance with international scientific standards.
Commitment to Transparency
Beyond the audit, Prime Minister Carvalho announced a suite of measures aimed at increasing government transparency. These include the regular publication of public reports, the creation of a national portal for public documents, and the implementation of an open data policy.
“A government must assume responsibility and be accountable to the country,” Carvalho said, “not only when it has good news, but also when it faces difficulties.”
Image: Pexels – Nils Rotura
