Cape Verde Statistics Bureau Rejects PM’s Falsified Data Claims
Cape Verde’s National Institute of Statistics (INE) has launched a stinging defense of its integrity, categorically rejecting Prime Minister Francisco Carvalho’s allegations that the agency produced “falsified data.”
A ‘Categorical’ Rejection
In a formal statement released Saturday, the INE board of directors dismissed claims of political interference, stating it “clearly, firmly, and categorically rejects insinuations of manipulation, falsification, or undue alteration of official statistical data.”
The pushback follows a high-profile “State of the Nation” debate where Prime Minister Carvalho shocked the country by accusing the agency of systemic dishonesty. Carvalho claimed that even the institute’s own staff had acknowledged the production of fraudulent reports, and he announced an upcoming independent evaluation to “restore the credibility” of official government information.
Global Standards and IMF Oversight
The INE countered by emphasizing that its data is not generated in a vacuum. The institute noted that its methodologies for calculating national accounts and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) are strictly aligned with standards set by the United Nations, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Addressing specific concerns regarding the calculation of Gross Value Added (GVA), the INE clarified that any adjustments made were standard methodological procedures performed under the technical guidance of the IMF, rather than an attempt to mislead the public.
Open to External Audit
Despite the Prime Minister’s hostile tone, the INE expressed a willingness to undergo an external audit. The board stated that a peer review by competent international entities would be an “opportunity to strengthen institutional quality” and “consolidate trust in official statistics.”
The institute urged that the national conversation regarding economic data remain rooted in “scientific evidence, methodological rigor, and respect for institutions,” rather than political rhetoric. The board reaffirmed its commitment to “absolute technical independence,” vowing to continue serving the citizens of Cape Verde with transparency and scientific rigor.
Image: Pexels – Lukas Blazek
