By: Fatmata Grace Okekearu – Bo City
Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL), Southern Region, has intensified grassroots community engagement activities in Pujehun District as part of nationwide preparations to ensure a credible, transparent, and inclusive 2026 Population and Housing Census.
Central to the latest outreach was an Inter-Secondary Schools Debate and Quiz Competition involving schools from Galliness and Perri Chiefdoms, held under the theme: “A Credible 2026 Census Is Impossible Without Strong Community Participation.” The event attracted students, teachers, education officials, traditional authorities, and community leaders, highlighting the critical role of young people in civic education and national development.
The academic competition served as an interactive platform to educate students on the importance of the census and its far-reaching impact on national planning, equitable resource allocation, and evidence-based development policies. Participants demonstrated impressive knowledge of census concepts and processes, reflecting growing youth awareness of the value of accurate population data.
Earlier, the Regional Public Officer (RPO) South of Statistics Sierra Leone, Madam Fatmata Grace Okekearu, convened a community town hall meeting that brought together traditional leaders, local council representatives, youth leaders, women’s groups, bike riders, and other key stakeholders from the two chiefdoms. The forum provided an opportunity for community members to ask questions, express concerns, and receive clear explanations regarding census objectives, methodology, and citizens’ responsibilities.
The engagement was complemented by a publicity and sensitization drive across strategic communities in the district, aimed at expanding awareness and encouraging residents to fully cooperate with census officials during enumeration. Community members were reminded that public trust, openness, and active participation are essential to achieving accurate and reliable census data.
The outreach campaign also featured innovative, community-driven activities, including a Bike Riders’ Football Competition and the Miss Galliness–Perri Pageant, all aligned with the same census theme. Addressing participants during the football match, the District Census Officer (DCO) for Pujehun District, Mr. Richard Baoma Lahai Koroma, emphasized peace, unity, and sportsmanship, noting that the event was designed to promote social cohesion and collective support for the census exercise.
At the climax of the academic competition, outstanding students were recognized for their excellence. Kadiatu Massaquoi of Galliness-Perri Secondary School, Bumpeh, was crowned Best Quizzer, while Mariama Memie Abu, from the same school, emerged as Best Debater, earning commendation from educators and community leaders.
Through these inclusive, innovative, and youth-focused initiatives, Statistics Sierra Leone is strengthening community ownership, transparency, and public confidence in the census process. The institution reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with local communities to ensure that the 2026 Population and Housing Census accurately reflects Sierra Leone’s demographic realities and provides a solid foundation for sustainable national development.