By: Fatmata Grace Okekearu, Bo City
Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) has commenced a one-day communication training programme for Regional Publicity Officers (RPOs), core Communication and Public Relations staff, and representatives from key partner institutions as part of preparations for the 2026 Mock Population and Housing Census.
The training brings together participants from Statistics Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE), and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), reflecting a collaborative effort to strengthen public engagement and ensure the successful implementation of the Mock Census.
The 2026 Mock Population and Housing Census will serve as a nationwide rehearsal for the main Population and Housing Census scheduled for December 2026. The exercise is designed to test operational systems, communication strategies, data collection procedures, and public engagement mechanisms ahead of the national census.
The training aims to equip participants with the knowledge, practical skills, and communication tools needed to effectively disseminate census information, increase public awareness of the importance of the exercise, and encourage nationwide participation.
Speaking on the importance of the training, officials emphasized that effective communication is fundamental to the success of any census. They noted that well-informed communities are more likely to cooperate with enumerators, resulting in the collection of accurate, reliable, and comprehensive data for national planning, policy formulation, and sustainable development.
Throughout the training, participants are receiving instruction on strategic communication, media relations, stakeholder engagement, crisis communication, public information management, and community outreach. They are also being trained to develop clear and consistent messaging, effectively engage both traditional and digital media platforms, and counter misinformation that could undermine public confidence in the census process.
The participation of representatives from the Ministry of Information and Civic Education and the United Nations Population Fund underscores the importance of inter-agency collaboration in delivering coordinated public education campaigns and ensuring broad stakeholder involvement throughout the Mock Census exercise.
Statistics Sierra Leone reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a credible, transparent, inclusive, and internationally compliant Population and Housing Census. The institution noted that strengthening the capacity of Regional Publicity Officers and communication personnel is essential to ensuring citizens are well informed, actively engaged, and fully prepared to participate in both the 2026 Mock Population and Housing Census and the main national census scheduled for December 2026.