By: Aminata Sesay
Statistics Sierra Leone has officially commenced a 10-day national training program for field mappers at Hotel 5/10, Shell Company, Freetown, in preparation for the 2026 Population and Housing Census.
The training, which began on Monday, September 22, 2025, aims to equip field officials with the technical skills required for the upcoming Cartographic Mapping Exercise a crucial pre-census activity designed to ensure the systematic and accurate counting of every household across the country.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Abdulai S. Brima, National Census Coordinator, emphasized the importance of the mapping phase, calling it one of the three key preparatory steps for the census.
“We can’t just wake up in December 2026 and start counting people,” Brima explained. “First, we must divide the country into smaller geographic units called Enumeration Areas (EAs). This ensures the census is professional, credible, and inclusive.”
He also stressed the need for discipline and accuracy during the exercise, warning that even minor mapping errors could significantly affect the credibility of the final census data.
Prince Cotay, Council Representative for the Western Area, welcomed the participants and assured them of the necessary logistical support throughout the training. He emphasized punctuality, focus, and discipline, noting that breakfast and lunch would be provided to ensure participants remain fully engaged.
Delivering the keynote address, Madam Sibeso Mululuma, Deputy Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), described the census as “a profound national undertaking” that will inform Sierra Leone’s development planning for the next decade.
“The quality of the maps you produce will directly influence the integrity of the census results,” she told participants. “Approach every task with professionalism and care this is your civic duty.”
Madam Mululuma also reaffirmed UNFPA’s commitment to supporting the Government of Sierra Leone through technical assistance and financial support, with contributions from partners such as the Government of Ireland.
Council Chairman Moses Jonathan Williams, who officially declared the training open, encouraged trainees to be resilient and committed during the fieldwork.
“Don’t say the place is too far or the water is too much. Just go and do the work. We need to know where everybody lives,” he said.
The 2026 census will be Sierra Leone’s first fully digital census, leveraging modern technology for mapping, data collection, and quality assurance. According to Stats SL, the census data will be instrumental for national development planning, poverty reduction efforts, and tracking progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).