By: Audrey Raymonda John
In a bid to provide a comprehensive update on the implementation status of the 2026 Decennial Population and Housing Census (PHC ’26), Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) successfully convened a high-level roundtable meeting with members of the Census Advisory Committee.
The meeting saw the full participation of key committee members, including representatives from the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), the Parliamentary Sub-Committee on Population and Development, the Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone, the Office of National Security (ONS), the Sierra Leone Labour Congress, the All People’s Congress (APC), the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), the National Peace Commission, the Women’s Forum–Sierra Leone, the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC), the Local Councils Association of Sierra Leone, the National Council of Paramount Chiefs, and the All Political Parties Association (APPA). International development partners such as UNFPA, UNICEF, and the British High Commission also attended.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Moses Williams, Chairman of the Stats SL Council and Chair of the Census Advisory Committee, reaffirmed the committee’s role as the highest policy-making body for the census. He emphasized its responsibility to develop sound policies and make informed decisions to guide the successful execution of the 2026 Census.
Mr. Williams urged members to engage in open and honest discussions from a non-partisan, nationalistic standpoint for the benefit of all Sierra Leoneans. He then officially declared the meeting open.
Providing the key technical update, the Statistician-General and Chief Census Officer for the 2026 Census, Mr. Andrew Bob Johnny, presented a detailed progress report.
He highlighted several major milestones, including: Substantial financial support from the Government of Sierra Leone, completion of the review of previous mapping exercises, deployment of advanced GIS tools and recruitment of specialized personnel, development of draft cartographic questionnaires, manuals, and handbooks, establishment of census geography and coding systems, procurement and installation of GIS infrastructure, acquisition of 500 customized tablets branded with the Stats SL logo, delivery of 35 brand-new XL motorbikes and 500 high-capacity power banks, selection of pilot mapping areas, completion of Master Trainers’ training in Bo, ongoing engagements with donor partners for funding support, and formation of the first-ever District Census Management Committees
Speaking on behalf of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Officer-in-Charge Madam Sebeso Mululuma reaffirmed the agency’s unwavering support for the 2026 Census. She emphasized the critical role of the Advisory Committee in ensuring a successful and inclusive national count, describing the census as a collective effort that reflects a shared vision for a prosperous Sierra Leone.
Madam Mululuma outlined UNFPA’s contributions, including: provision of national and international technical experts, support in census mapping, questionnaire design, and data methodology, capacity building through training initiatives and quality assurance in line with international standards and best practices.
“UNFPA remains committed to working hand-in-hand with the Government of Sierra Leone, through Stats SL and all partners, to ensure the 2026 Census is not only conducted but that it is a resounding success,” she stressed.
Also delivering a statement was Mr. Usman Chery Conteh, Deputy Development Secretary at MoPED, who reiterated the Government’s full commitment to ensuring a successful census.
Committee members, including representatives from both the APC and SLPP, expressed their appreciation to Stats SL for the transparent and informative briefing. They collectively pledged their continued support throughout every phase of the census process.