As a way to keep stakeholders abreast and fully be involved in the census planning and processes, Statistics- Sierra Leone (Stats- SL), Thursday 13th & Friday 14th March 2025, engaged members of the Census Advisory and Technical Committees on the planned Decennial Population and Housing Census.
The focus of the engagement was to discuss the progress made so far on the census process and provide an update on the findings and recommendations of the Census Assessment Mission, which visited Sierra Leone in January 2025, with high-level technical experts from the U.S. Census Bureau, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) -New York.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of Stats-SL Council, who doubles as the Chairman for the Census Advisory Committee, Moses Williams, commended the committees for their support and dedication.
He referred to the gathering as a platform to duly inform and, in turn, take note of critical inputs from members about the current state of the census process.
The Chairman underscored that the census is a holistic approach to a process that is beneficial for every citizen.
He summed up by formally declaring the session open for frank and open discussions for the purpose of a successful census process and outcome.
The Deputy Statistician General, Lansana Kpewolo Kanneh, expressed delight in the turnout of committee-members and their commitment to the census undertaking. He stressed the rigid nature of the census and the need for people (stakeholders) to own and participate fully in its conduct.
“The census is an expensive, expansive, elaborate, and complex national endeavor; its success, acceptance, and useful nature depends on us working together in a timely and inclusive manner,” said the Deputy Statistician-General.
Kanneh emphasized that census has no substitute in terms of providing comprehensive data sets for the population and their housing status at the lowest area of geography, noting that the data obtained from it can be used for policy planning, implementation and monitoring of both national and multi-national commitments, including the Medium-National Development Plan, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Africa Agenda 2030.
He concluded by informing the gathering that upon the recommendation of the Census Assessment Mission, the Census Enumeration originally slated for December 2025 has been shifted to December 2026 to allow for more time for critical milestones in the census process to be achieved.
Also present and making a key contribution was the Development Secretary of the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, Peter Sam – Kpakra, who reechoed the power of data in informing the work government and development partners. He noted that the census data, like any other data, is needed to plan and implement national development initiatives and report on progress around the Medium-Term National Development Plan.
In the same vein, the members of the committees thanked Stats SL for being honest and consultative with the census preparatory works and processes. They pledged their fullest support and commitment and promised to continue working towards a credible and acceptable Decennial Population and Housing Census.
The Census Advisory Committee is the policy and legislative wing of the census, serving as advisors to the Census Secretariat. It comprises of all political parties, relevant MDAs, and critical development partners, etc. It helps to mobilize the necessary resources for the Census, and acts as the link between the Government and the Secretariat, whilst the Census Technical Committee is responsible for all technical aspects of the census with guidance from the Census Chief Technical Adviser. It comprises of research departments of universities, research institutions, relevant MDAs, critical partners, etc. The Committee reviews and finalizes all census instruments, including questionnaires and manuals.
