Stats-SL Unveils Giant Steps in Attaining Credible Census

Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL), in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE), has taken the message of the 2026 Decennial Population and Housing Census (PHC) directly to the people of Moyamba District through a town hall meeting held at the Moyamba District Council Hall, under the Civic Day Series initiative. The engagement drew participation from key government officials including the Resident Minister of the Southern Region, Hon. John Abu; Chairman of the Moyamba District Council, Joseph Benedict Mbogba; host Paramount Chief Foday Momoh Golama; Minister of Tertiary and Higher Education, Dr Ramatulai Wurie, Minister of Local Government, Tamba Lamina, Minister of Trade and Industry, Alpha Sesay, other Paramount Chiefs across the district; traditional and local authorities; market women; youth and student groups; the disabled community; motor drivers and bike riders’ unions; representatives from the security sector; and school-going pupils. Making a statement on the census, Deputy Statistician General of Stats SL, Mr. Lansana Kpewolo Kanneh, underscored the substantial financial investments made by the Government of Sierra Leone and development partners in support of the 2026 PHC. He highlighted that procurement is already underway for digital tablets, critical IT infrastructure, mapping software, vehicles, and motorcycles to facilitate GIS and cartographic mapping exercises. Mr. Kanneh reaffirmed that transparency, impartiality, and inclusivity will remain the cornerstone of the census process. He further assured attendees that field staff for the cartographic phase would be recruited from within their respective districts. “The recruitment process for the census cartography is well in progress. All field staff will be recruited from their districts of origin. With the support of traditional authorities and the District Census Management Committee, we will surely deliver a successful cartographic mapping exercise,” he said. He concluded by calling for full community participation and support throughout the census process, stressing that the accuracy of the data collected is essential for informed decision-making and national development planning. The town hall served as an interactive platform for open dialogue. Residents raised questions, shared concerns, and offered feedback during a vibrant Q&A session. The event concluded on a note of collective optimism, with stakeholders voicing their confidence in the credibility and success of the forthcoming 2026 Census.