By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, has paid a working visit to Statistics Sierra Leone to discuss ways of strengthening collaboration ahead of the 2026 Population and Housing Census.
The engagement focused on improving public sensitisation and awareness to ensure that the census is clearly understood and widely supported by citizens across the country. Both institutions acknowledged that effective communication will be central to a successful census exercise.
Speaking during the visit, Minister Bah described the census as a cornerstone of national development planning. He stressed that the exercise will provide critical data needed to guide government policy, service delivery, and resource allocation.
“The President has made the census one of his key priorities. It is a national exercise that must be conducted smoothly, without issues, and free from political interference,” the Minister said. He noted that the Ministry of Information and Civic Education stands ready to support Statistics Sierra Leone in delivering clear, accurate, and consistent messages to the public.
The Statistician General of Statistics Sierra Leone, Andrew Bob Johnny, emphasised the need to move beyond planning to practical action. He highlighted the importance of direct engagement with communities to build trust and understanding around the census process.
“It is time for action. Face to face dialogue with people remains the most effective way to pass on information. While social media is important, traditional communication methods are even more critical,” he stated. He added that public sensitisation should be intensified at regional and district levels, noting that Sierra Leone can also draw lessons from successful census exercises in other countries.
Deputy Statistician General Lansana Kpewolo Kanneh called for stronger civic education initiatives to demystify the census. He proposed the production of animated educational series to explain how the census is conducted. According to him, the content could portray a typical day in the life of an enumerator, showing preparation, household visits, and data collection in the field. He said such content could be shared widely on social media platforms to increase public confidence and participation.
The Director of Communication and Public Relations at Statistics Sierra Leone, Samuel Ansumana, thanked the Ministry for its continued partnership, particularly during the Civic Festival where census awareness featured prominently. He outlined upcoming publicity activities, including billboard branding, transit communication, the establishment of a dedicated call centre, and a planned Simulcast Census Hour aimed at educating citizens nationwide.
Both institutions agreed on the placement of large billboards at strategic locations across the country, including Masiaka Junction, Rogbere Junction, border communities, Juba Junction, and Congo Cross. It was also agreed that Statistics Sierra Leone will continue to participate in civic engagement panels across districts, including an upcoming engagement in Kono in February 2026.
The 2026 Population and Housing Census is scheduled to begin on December 2, 2026, with December 1 designated as Census Night. On that night, individuals will be counted based on where they slept, ensuring accurate population data for national planning and development.
