In a strong demonstration of the Government of Sierra Leone’s commitment to delivering a credible, inclusive, and internationally recognised 2026 Population and Housing Census, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Madam Kenyeh Barley, the Statistician-General of Sierra Leone, Andrew Bob Johnny, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Representative, Kunle Adeniyi, today led a high-level joint monitoring visit to the ongoing 2026 Mock Population and Housing Census household enumeration exercise at Hill Station, Freetown.
The delegation, comprising senior Government officials, representatives of UNFPA, and Statistics Sierra Leone staff, visited several Enumeration Areas where they observed household enumeration activities and engaged with census field personnel to assess the progress and quality of the exercise.
The visit formed part of ongoing efforts by the Government and its development partners to ensure that every stage of the census preparation is implemented in accordance with international standards and global best practices. It also provided an opportunity to assess the effectiveness of the digital data collection system, evaluate operational procedures, monitor field staff performance, identify emerging challenges, and provide technical and operational guidance where necessary.
Speaking during the visit, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Madam Kenyeh Barley, reaffirmed the Government’s unwavering commitment to the successful conduct of the census, describing it as a vital national exercise that provides the reliable data required for evidence-based planning, informed policy formulation, equitable resource allocation, and sustainable national development. She commended Statistics Sierra Leone and its development partners for the progress achieved and encouraged field staff to continue demonstrating professionalism, accuracy, integrity, and dedication throughout the exercise.
The Statistician-General, Andrew Bob Johnny, underscored the importance of the Mock Census as a critical rehearsal ahead of the nationwide Population and Housing Census scheduled for December 2026. He explained that the exercise is designed to test census methodologies, digital technologies, field procedures, logistics, supervision mechanisms, and data quality assurance systems. He noted that lessons learned from the Mock Census would strengthen operational preparedness and enhance the successful implementation of the national census.
The UNFPA Country Representative, Kunle Adeniyi, reaffirmed UNFPA’s continued commitment to supporting the Government of Sierra Leone and Statistics Sierra Leone in delivering a successful census. He emphasised that the Mock Census plays a crucial role in ensuring that the main census meets international standards and produces high-quality, reliable, and timely population data to support national development priorities and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The joint monitoring visit further demonstrated the strong partnership between the Government of Sierra Leone, Statistics Sierra Leone, UNFPA, and other development partners in delivering a credible, transparent, and successful 2026 Population and Housing Census.
As the Mock Census household enumeration exercise draws to a close across the selected Enumeration Areas nationwide, Statistics Sierra Leone commends residents for their cooperation and active participation. The institution encourages all households within the selected communities to continue providing accurate and complete information to census enumerators. The success of the census depends on the participation of every household, ensuring that everyone is counted and that no one is left behind in shaping Sierra Leone’s future development.
Census 2026: Leh Den Kont Yu Oh!
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