By: Fatmata Grace Okekearu | Bo City
Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) has conducted a one-day orientation session for District Census Officers (DCOs) and Regional Publicity Officers (RPOs) as part of its preparation for the country’s upcoming national census.
The session, held at the Stats SL Headquarters in Freetown, brought together 19 District Census Officers and 3 Regional Publicity Officers, who will play pivotal roles in coordinating field operations and driving public awareness across the country.
In his keynote address, Statistician General Mr. Andrew Bob Johnny congratulated the officers on their appointments and underscored the critical importance of the census as a national development tool conducted every ten years. “The census is more than just counting people it is a foundation for informed planning, policy-making, and resource allocation,” he said.
Mr. Johnny urged the officers to carry out their duties with integrity, professionalism, and focus, stressing that they are the face of Stats SL in their respective districts and regions.
He also emphasized the need for greater gender inclusion, noting the underrepresentation of women in past census processes. He welcomed the increased female participation in the 2025 census exercise, describing it as a step in the right direction.
“This exercise must remain professional and non-political. Your role is to provide accurate data and offer professional guidance to the government,” he stated.
The training session included presentations from various departments within Stats SL, designed to equip officers with a comprehensive understanding of their roles and responsibilities. Key sessions included including an overview of the national census process by the Statistician General, detailed job descriptions presented by the Human Resource Department and public engagement strategies led by the Director of Communication The orientation session marks the beginning of a series of preparatory activities aimed at ensuring a credible, inclusive, and successful census across Sierra Leone.
Stats SL is expected to roll out further training and mobilization efforts in the coming weeks as the country prepares for one of its most important national data collection exercises.