𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐒 𝐒𝐋 Deepens Preparations into 2026 Census

To effectively and efficiently plan for the 2026 Decennial Population and Housing Census Cartographic Mapping exercise, Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL), has kick-started a ten-day Geographic Information System (GIS) and Cartographic Mapping training for Master–Trainers. The Master–Trainers will be charged with the responsibility of training and equipping other trainers (those who will train the cartographic mappers), with the standardized catographic mapping procedures and skills. Speaking on the purpose of the gathering, the Director of Censuses & Geographic Information Systems, who is also the National Census Coordinator for the 2026 Decennial Population and Housing Census, Abdulai Salia Brima, said that the GIS and Catographic Master Training is a key milestone for the 2026 census process, as it will capacitate all master–trainers with the required and up-to-date Cartographic Mapping skills ideal for successfully rolling out the 2026 PHC. In his address, the Chairman of Stats SL Council, Moses Williams, admonished the trainers to be attentive and put every seriousness into the training process, stressing the critical nature of the portfolio they are carrying. “We carefully selected you all as members of an institution that everyone, including government, looks up to. Therefore, you are to give your all to this process. The outcome from this training will surely determine the success of the national cartographic mapping exercise and the whole census process,” said the Chairman. In his address to the Master–Trainers, the Chief Census Officer for the 2026 Decennial Population and Housing Census, Andrew Bob Johnny, said,” The Master Trainers’ training starts today, and right now, which will eventually cascade into a series of capacity strengthening efforts. The success of the 2026 PHC rests on all of your shoulders because of the important role assigned to you all. It’s a huge responsibility that hooves around your neck like a chain and one you can’t afford to play with. It is extremely important to have the full understanding of the digital cartographic mapping that would be passed on to other trainers and field staff,” Mr. Johnny further advised the participants to take the training seriously, considering the significant amount of resources dedicated to it.  He complimented the effort of His Excellency, the President Julius Maada Bio, and his government, and all development partners who have committed to supporting the institution with the requisite resources for the census. Officer-In-Charge of UNFPA Sierra Leone, Sibeso Mululuma, underscored that the census is a major statistical undertaking and acts as a single primary source of information for population characteristics of any country. She alluded to the GIS and cartographic mapping as a process in the census that represents a significant milestone as it is through the process that accurate and up-to-date maps that are fundamental for effective coverage and enumeration of every corner of the country are generated. She highlighted UNFPA’s mandate, stating that it is committed to strengthening national capacity for the production and utilization of accurate census data, including monitoring changes in population dynamics and partial and social inequalities in line with the SDG and International Conference for Population and Development (ICPD) plan of action. Madam Mululuma ended by registering UNFPA’s strong commitment to providing support to the government throughout the process while commending the commitment of leveraging technology to enhance the quality and effectiveness of the 2026 census. The entire training session will be facilitated by the Cartographic Consultant hired by UNFPA, Dr. Foluke Adebayo. The training is expected to produce well capacitated and equipped master–trainers with the required skills to train and supervise national level trainers who will in turn train field mapping staff. It will also enhance quality census mapping, enable consistent, accurate, and timely data collection, and lay a good foundation that will produce good census enumeration as well as dissemination across the country.