By: Fatmata Grace Okekearu, Bo City
Stakeholders in Sierra Leone’s statistical and health sectors have begun a four-day technical workshop to review and adapt questionnaires for the upcoming Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey (SLDHS).
The workshop, organized by Statistics Sierra Leone in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and with technical support from ICF, is being held at the The Swiss Hotel in Freetown from 11 to 14 March 2026. It brings together technical experts, government officials, and development partners to carefully examine and finalize the survey instruments that will guide the nationwide data collection exercise.
Delivering the welcome address, the Deputy Statistician General of Statistics Sierra Leone, Lansana Kpewolo Kanneh, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to ensuring the successful implementation of the Demographic and Health Survey despite the country’s busy national data collection calendar. He noted that the survey comes at a time when the country is also preparing for the 2026 Population and Housing Census, highlighting the need for strong coordination and collaboration among all stakeholders involved in the process.
Kanneh emphasized that reliable and accurate data are essential for national planning and development, adding that the Demographic and Health Survey remain one of the most important tools for generating evidence that informs government policies and development interventions.
Representing the Ministry of Health, Tom Sesay reiterated the ministry’s full support for the exercise. He noted that the data generated from the survey will play a critical role in strengthening health planning, improving policy formulation, and enhancing service delivery across the country.
“The information gathered from this survey will help government and partners better understand key health and population trends and respond effectively to the needs of the people,” he said.
Development partners also reaffirmed their continued support for the initiative. Dan (UNFPA representative), representing the United Nations Population Fund, and Sara Scates of ICF both stressed the importance of credible and reliable data in driving sustainable national development and improving health outcomes. They also underscored their institutions’ commitment to supporting Sierra Leone’s Demographic and Health Survey as a key platform for generating up-to-date demographic and health statistics.
Also contributing during the opening session were the Director of the Demographic Health and Social Statistics Division (DHSSD) at Statistics Sierra Leone, Mohamed Koblo Kamara, and the Director of the Communication and Public Relations Division (CPRD), Samuel Ansumana. Both highlighted the importance of effective communication and strong technical coordination throughout the survey process.
The Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey is a major national data collection exercise designed to generate reliable and comprehensive information on population dynamics, maternal and child health, nutrition, fertility, mortality, and other key health and demographic indicators. The findings will provide critical evidence to guide government policies, support development planning, and inform evidence-based decision-making across multiple sectors.
Throughout the four-day workshop, participants are conducting a detailed review of the draft questionnaires to ensure they align with Sierra Leone’s current data needs while meeting international survey standards. The exercise will also ensure that the instruments capture relevant indicators required for monitoring national development priorities and global commitments.
The workshop further provides a platform for experts from various sectors to contribute technical input, ensuring that the final questionnaires are contextually appropriate, methodologically sound, and capable of generating high-quality data to support national development efforts.