To ensure stakeholders remain informed and actively involved in the census planning and implementation, Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) held a two-day engagement with members of the Census Advisory and Technical Committees on Thursday, March 13, and Friday, March 14, 2025. The meeting focused on reviewing progress, discussing findings, and considering recommendations from the Census Assessment Mission, which visited Sierra Leone in January 2025. The mission included high-level technical experts from the U.S. Census Bureau, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) – New York.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of Stats SL Council and the Census Advisory Committee, Moses Williams, commended committee members for their dedication and support. He emphasized the importance of the gathering as a platform for updating stakeholders and gathering critical input on the current state of the census process. He described the census as a holistic and inclusive initiative beneficial to every citizen. Williams formally declared the session open, encouraging open and frank discussions to ensure a successful census.
Deputy Statistician-General Lansana Kpewolo Kanneh expressed appreciation for the strong stakeholder participation. He highlighted the complexity of the census process and stressed the need for full ownership and engagement from all stakeholders.
“The census is an expensive, expansive, and intricate national undertaking. Its success, acceptance, and usefulness depend on our collective efforts, working together in a timely and inclusive manner,” Kanneh stated.
He underscored the importance of the census in providing comprehensive demographic and housing data, essential for policy planning, implementation, and monitoring of national and international commitments. These include the Medium-Term National Development Plan, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and Africa’s Agenda 2063.
Kanneh also informed attendees that, based on recommendations from the Census Assessment Mission, the Census Enumeration, originally scheduled for December 2025, has been rescheduled to December 2026 to allow sufficient time for key preparatory milestones to be completed.
Development Secretary of the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, Peter Sam-Kpakra, emphasized the power of data in guiding government and development initiatives. He noted that census data plays a crucial role in planning, implementation, and progress tracking within the Medium-Term National Development Plan.
Committee members expressed their appreciation to Stats SL for its transparency and consultative approach in the census preparations. They reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring a credible and widely accepted Decennial Population and Housing Census.
The Census Advisory Committee serves as the policy and legislative arm of the census, advising the Census Secretariat. It includes representatives from all political parties, key government ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs), and development partners. The committee plays a critical role in mobilizing resources and bridging communication between the government and the Census Secretariat.
The Census Technical Committee focuses on technical aspects of the census, under the guidance of the Census Chief Technical Adviser. It comprises research institutions, university research departments, relevant MDAs, and key development partners. The committee is responsible for reviewing and finalizing census instruments, including questionnaires and manuals
