By: Problyn J. Alpha
The District Statistician for Kono, Umaru Tarawally, who also serves as the District Mapping Coordinator for Statistics Sierra Leone, has described the ongoing cartographic mapping exercise in Kono District as satisfactory.
Mr. Tarawally made the statement during a radio program, News Review, on Radio New Song FM 91.3 Kono, which aired on Monday, 9th March 2026. The program discussed key national issues, including plans for a constitutional amendment in Sierra Leone, the appointment of the ECSL Commissioner, and the role of the census in national development.
Guests on the program included Tamba Senesie, senior stakeholder, Sierra Leone People’s Party, Kono District, Sahr M. K. Fonjah, committee member, News Review Radio New Song, T. N. Musa, Esq., Barrister and Solicitor, Sierra Leone High Court, Edrina Chambers.
The program was narrated and moderated by Victor Sahr Amara, News Editor at Radio New Song, with Problyn John Alpha, Station Manager, serving as the moderator.
Responding to questions, Umaru Tarawally described the census as the comprehensive process of collecting, compiling, evaluating, and analyzing demographic and social data on everyone residing in the country at a specific time. He noted that the Sierra Leone Constitution provides for a decennial census, conducted every ten years.
According to Mr. Tarawally, Sierra Leone has conducted six national censuses so far, with the seventh scheduled for December 2026. The first post-independence census took place in 1963, targeting urban centres, followed by censuses in 1974, 1985, 2004, and 2015. After the 2015 census, a mid-term census though unconstitutional was conducted to assess the country’s population growth and address administrative, demographic, economic, and social needs.
Mr. Tarawally commended all stakeholders for ensuring the ongoing cartographic exercise in Kono District is proceeding smoothly. Before the exercise began, a stakeholders meeting was held to secure the full participation of the twelve substantive paramount chiefs, including two Regent chiefs, and representatives of various MDAs.
During the meeting, Kono District Council Chairman Augustine Sahr Sheku was unanimously appointed to champion census activities in the district.
Concluding, Mr. Tarawally reported that the cartographic mapping exercise has been successfully completed in Mafindor, Sao, Gbane Kandor, Lei, and Toli Chiefdoms, with Fiama, Gbane, Tankoro, and Gbense Chiefdoms remaining. He rated public participation at 98% and urged everyone to continue supporting the exercise.