Stats SL Temporary Headquarters, 1B King Street, Kona Lodge, Freetown 9th January 2026
Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL), through its Directorate of Communication and Public Relations, has convened a high-profile engagement meeting with radio presenters, continuity announcers, radio and club DJs nationwide as part of efforts to strengthen public awareness and popularization of the 2026 Population and Housing Census.
The meeting was held under the theme:
“*Partnering with presenters and DJs to Promote and Popularize Census 2026*.”
Participants included radio presenters, continuity announcers, radio and club DJs from Freetown and districts such as Tonkolili, Port Loko, Pujehun, Kenema, Falaba, and other parts of the country. Discussions focused on census communication goals, the role of media practitioners in national development campaigns, and innovative ways radio presenters, continuity announcers, and DJs can help amplify census participation, particularly among youth, rural communities, peri-urban settlements, and vulnerable groups. Participants also provided valuable inputs and recommendations aimed at strengthening partnerships for national initiatives such as Census 2026.
Welcoming participants, Samuel Ansumana, Director of Communication and Public Relations at Statistics Sierra Leone, highlighted the critical role played by radio presenters, continuity announcers, and DJs in shaping public opinion and driving awareness on national issues. He described them as key youth and community platforms, noting that the meeting was intended to reinforce collaboration between Stats SL and media influencers ahead of the 2026 Population and Housing Census, including the ongoing cartographic mapping exercise. Ansumana informed participants that Census Night is scheduled for *1st December 2026*, with enumeration taking place from *2nd to 14th December 2026*.
Abdulai Salia Brima, National Census Coordinator and Director of Censuses and Demographic Information Systems at Statistics Sierra Leone, underscored the importance of the census in collecting critical data on population characteristics, living conditions, and households. He emphasized that census data will support government and development partners in planning and improving infrastructure, education, and overall socio-economic development. Brima encouraged radio presenters, continuity announcers, and DJs to develop a joint proposal outlining practical strategies for reaching every nook and cranny of Sierra Leone with census messages—an idea that received unanimous support from participants.
Speaking on behalf of the Statistician General, Mr. Andrew Bob Johnny, who was unavoidably absent due to pressing census-related engagements, Dr. Mohamed P. M. Korjie, Technical Assistant to the Statistician General and his Deputy, described the 2026 Census as an ‘’*Inclusive Census*”* He highlighted radio as a powerful medium for reaching mass audiences through census songs, slogans, and regular programming.
Dr. Korjie further emphasized that Statistics Sierra Leone is an independent institution mandated to collect data strictly for national development purposes. He encouraged all radio presenters, continuity announcers, radio and club DJs to prioritize the 2026 Census as a national responsibility that requires the active participation of all Sierra Leoneans.
Participants from both urban and regional stations expressed deep appreciation to Statistics Sierra Leone’s management for what they described as a historic engagement, noting that it was the first time radio presenters, continuity announcers, radio and club DJs had been formally engaged in census planning and promotion.
DJ Jesse of Choice FM, DJ Kallox of Citizen Radio, and Master Jaye of Africa Radio were selected by their colleagues to lead the drafting of a joint proposal on behalf of the group. They pledged their commitment to promoting Census 2026 through radio shows, club events, community gatherings, and other outreach platforms. The group also requested support from Stats SL, including megaphones and Bluetooth speakers, to effectively reach hard-to-reach and slum communities.
In closing, Samuel Ansumana, Director of Communication and Public Relations, thanked all participants for their active engagement and reaffirmed Statistics Sierra Leone’s commitment to sustained collaboration with media stakeholders to ensure a successful and inclusive 2026 Population and Housing Census.
Credit: Stats SL Comms & PR Unit.
