By Hassan Osman Kargbo
Statistics Sierra Leone and UNICEF have reaffirmed their commitment to delivering high quality data for national development as they reviewed progress made on the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey Seven during a press conference held at Stats SL headquarters in Freetown.
The event brought together government officials, development partners, and the media to reflect on the successful implementation of the survey and outline the next steps toward completion. Speaking at the press briefing, the MICS-7 Coordinator, Miriam Jalloh, described the survey as a globally recognized household data collection programme developed and supported by UNICEF.
She explained that the purpose of MICS is simple but vital, to provide high quality and internationally comparable data on the situation of children and women. Jalloh noted that since the 1990s, the survey has been implemented in more than 100 countries worldwide, including Sierra Leone where it has been conducted since 1995. She described MICS as a global brand and a trusted source of evidence for policymaking.
According to her, the survey is led nationally by Statistics Sierra Leone with strong financial and technical support from UNICEF. She added that additional financial support for MICS 7 has been provided by the governments of Iceland and the United States, as well as UN Women. Jalloh emphasized that the data generated from MICS is used to track progress under the Medium Term National Development Plan and to inform policies and services that directly respond to the needs of children and their families.
She disclosed that more than 130 trained enumerators are currently collecting data from over 16,000 households across the country. The exercise covers key sectors including health, nutrition, education, child protection, disability, mental health, and poverty. Enumerators are also measuring the height and weight of children to assess nutritional outcomes. The use of tablet computers and GPS technology, she said, allows for real time monitoring of data quality and location verification, ensuring accuracy and immediate correction of errors.
Madam Jalloh expressed appreciation to households participating in the survey, noting that their cooperation is helping government and partners better understand realities on the ground and plan improved services. She also commended the media for raising public awareness about MICS and encouraging informed participation.
Delivering his remarks, the Deputy Statistician General of Statistics Sierra Leone, Lansana Kpewolo Kanneh, described MICS Seven as one of the most important surveys currently being undertaken in the country. He said the survey demonstrates Stats SL’s commitment to producing credible and policy relevant data that meets international standards. Kanneh assured the public and development partners that the institution remains focused on completing data analysis and reporting by mid 2026, adding that the findings will be critical for evidence based planning and resource allocation.
UNICEF representative Mona Korsgaard highlighted the rigorous methodology being applied to the survey. She explained that MICS uses nationally representative samples and internationally approved protocols, with data collected through computer assisted personal interviewing. The survey involves households, women, men, adolescents aged five to seventeen, and children under five.
She noted that field staff underwent an intensive 20 day training programme combining classroom instruction, practical exercises, field practice, and a pilot survey before deployment. Currently, teams are operating across all 16 districts, each composed of supervisors and male and female interviewers to ensure gender appropriate data collection.
Korsgaard added that data quality assurance remains ongoing through real time monitoring, field checks, and regular virtual meetings with supervisors to address challenges and provide guidance. She reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to continued collaboration with the Government of Sierra Leone and Statistics Sierra Leone to ensure the successful completion of MICS Seven and the effective use of its findings to improve the lives of children and families nationwide.
