Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) has held a two-day meeting with members of its Advisory and Technical Committees to review progress and discuss the next steps for the 2026 Population and Housing Census.
The engagement took place at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown from September 2nd to 3rd. It brought together senior officials, technical experts, and development partners to assess preparations and strengthen coordination.
Speaking at the opening, Statistician-General and Chief Census Officer, Mr. Andrew Bob Johnny, thanked the committees for their continued support and stressed the importance of collaboration for a successful census. The Chairman of the Stats SL Council, Mr. Moses Williams, also praised the progress made and called for sustained technical backing.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), represented by its Chief Technical Adviser, Mr. Edourd Talnan, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the process, emphasizing data quality and coordination.
During the event, Deputy Statistician-General, Mr. Lansana Kpewolo Kanneh, presented a detailed update on key activities, including the successful pilot mapping, preparations for the national mapping exercise, the upcoming pilot census in December 2025, and the readiness of digital data collection systems.
He also highlighted progress in areas such as public awareness, procurement, coordination structures, and funding. While acknowledging current support, Stats SL called for continued financial commitment from partners to ensure the census is fully implemented.
The meeting ended with interactive sessions where committee members provided technical advice and shared recommendations to enhance readiness.
With strong collaboration and steady progress, Stats SL says the 2026 Census remains on track to deliver accurate and inclusive data to guide national planning and development.
