Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) has presented an update to the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development on the ongoing preparations for the 2026 Population and Housing Census (PHC), during a meeting held on 21st July 2025.
The meeting, held at the Ministry’s offices at Tower Hill, was part of a regular coordination mechanism aimed at reviewing progress and aligning efforts ahead of the national census.
The engagement brought together senior government officials and technical experts to review key milestones, highlight ongoing activities, and assess potential challenges. The session also aimed to support informed decision-making and strengthen coordination between Stats SL and national stakeholders.
However, the Statistician-General, Mr. Andrew Bob Jonny, presented a summary of key developments across several operational areas:
Legal and Administrative Framework: A Presidential Proclamation has been issued, and necessary advisory and technical committees have been established at both central and district levels.
Readiness Assessment and International Support: A national readiness assessment conducted in January 2025 received technical support from UNFPA, UNECA, and the U.S. Census Bureau. Two international experts—a Chief Technical Adviser and a Cartographic Mapping Consultant—have been recruited.
Cartographic Mapping: A pilot exercise covering 217 Enumeration Areas has been completed. Training and field operations for full-scale cartographic mapping were scheduled for June–July 2025.
Pilot Census: Planned for December 2025, the pilot census will test tools and procedures in preparation for the main enumeration. Preparations are currently underway, including staff recruitment and tool finalization.
Partner Engagement: Multiple meetings have been conducted with development partners to secure both technical and financial support.
Public Communication: A draft Communications and Public Relations strategy has been developed. Community outreach activities are planned for August 2025, with an official launch of the 2026 PHC set for December 2025.
Logistics and Funding: Procurement processes are in progress, though funding gaps remain. Continued support from the government and donor partners is considered critical for meeting operational needs.
The Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Ms. Kenyeh Barlay, acknowledged the efforts of Stats SL, particularly in establishing institutional frameworks and initiating cartographic mapping. She reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to the successful execution of the 2026 Census and called for enhanced coordination among government agencies and development partners to resolve outstanding funding and logistical constraints.
The meeting concluded with a consensus on the importance of sustained collaboration and timely resource mobilization. Both the Ministry and Stats SL emphasized the need for ongoing engagement among stakeholders to ensure a smooth and credible census process in 2026.
The next coordination meeting is expected to build on the progress discussed and further refine implementation strategies.
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