Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL), through its Directorate of Communication and Public Relations, convened a high-profile engagement meeting with radio presenters, continuity announcers, and radio and club DJs from across the country. The initiative aims to strengthen public awareness and popularize the 2026 Population and Housing Census.
The meeting was held under the theme: “Partnering with Presenters and DJs to Promote and Popularize Census 2026.”
Participants included media practitioners from Freetown and districts such as Tonkolili, Port Loko, Pujehun, Kenema, Falaba, and other parts of Sierra Leone. Discussions focused on census communication goals, the role of media practitioners in national development campaigns, and innovative strategies for reaching youth, rural communities, peri-urban settlements, and vulnerable groups. Participants also offered recommendations to strengthen partnerships for national initiatives like Census 2026.
Welcoming the participants, Mr. Samuel Ansumana, Director of Communication and Public Relations at Stats SL, highlighted the critical role of radio presenters, continuity announcers, and DJs in shaping public opinion and driving awareness on national issues. He described them as key platforms for youth and community engagement and noted that the meeting was intended to reinforce collaboration with Stats SL ahead of the 2026 Population and Housing Census, including the ongoing cartographic mapping exercise. Mr. Ansumana also informed participants that Census Night is scheduled for 1st December 2026, with enumeration taking place from 2nd to 14th December 2026.
Mr. Abdulai Salia Brima, National Census Coordinator and Director of Censuses and Demographic Information Systems, underscored the importance of the census in collecting critical data on population characteristics, living conditions, and households. He emphasized that census data will support government and development partners in planning and improving infrastructure, education, and socio-economic development. Mr. Brima encouraged participants to develop a joint proposal outlining practical strategies for reaching every part of Sierra Leone with census messages an idea that received unanimous support.
Speaking on behalf of the Statistician General, Dr. Mohamed P. M. Korjie, Technical Assistant to the Statistician General, described the 2026 Census as an “Inclusive Census”. He highlighted radio as a powerful medium for reaching mass audiences through census songs, slogans, and regular programming. Dr. Korjie further emphasized that Statistics Sierra Leone is an independent institution mandated to collect data solely for national development purposes and encouraged all media stakeholders to prioritize the 2026 Census as a national responsibility requiring the active participation of all Sierra Leoneans.
Participants from both urban and regional stations expressed appreciation to Stats SL’s management, noting that this was thefirst time radio presenters, continuity announcers, and DJs had been formally engaged in census planning and promotion.
DJ Jesse of Choice FM, DJ Kallox of Citizen Radio, and Master Jaye of Africa Radio were selected by their colleagues to lead the drafting of a joint proposal. They pledged to promote Census 2026 through radio shows, club events, community gatherings, and other outreach platforms, and requested support from Stats SL, including megaphones and Bluetooth speakers, to reach hard-to-reach and slum communities effectively.
In closing, Mr. Samuel Ansumana thanked all participants for their engagement and reaffirmed Statistics Sierra Leone’s commitment to sustained collaboration with media stakeholders to ensure a successful and inclusive 2026 Population and Housing Census.