By Thaimu T Kamara

The Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Kenyeh Barlay, has called on government institutions, development partners, community leaders, the media and citizens to work together to ensure the successful conduct of Sierra Leone’s 2026 Population and Housing Census.

Hon. Barlay made the call on Monday, October 12, during the official launch of the 50-day countdown to the census at the Miatta Civic Centre in Freetown, describing the national exercise as essential to effective development planning, informed decision-making and improved public service delivery.

The census reference night is scheduled for December 1, 2026, while enumeration is expected to begin on December 2nd.

The Minister said the launch of the countdown represented more than a milestone on the national calendar, stressing that it provided an opportunity for Sierra Leoneans to demonstrate their collective commitment to an inclusive exercise that would help shape the country’s development priorities.

She emphasised that the importance of the census extends beyond counting the population, explaining that accurate and reliable statistical information is critical to developing effective policies and ensuring that government interventions respond to the needs of citizens.

According to her, the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development depends on credible data to formulate policies, establish national priorities and guide decisions that promote sustainable development.

She noted that understanding the country’s population size, geographical distribution and housing conditions would enable the government to make better-informed decisions and allocate resources more effectively.

Hon. Barlay further explained that the census would provide essential information for identifying underserved communities, assessing demand for public services and addressing gaps in service delivery.

She said the resulting data would support planning across key sectors, including education, healthcare, water supply, infrastructure and employment.

By providing a clearer picture of population distribution and living conditions, she added, the census would help the government determine where schools, healthcare facilities, roads, clean water systems and other essential services are most urgently needed.

A key message in the Minister’s address was the importance of ensuring that every individual and community is represented in the exercise.

Highlighting the census theme, “No One Left Behind,” she said every figure recorded represents a person whose needs, aspirations and contribution to national development must be recognised.

She stressed that inclusiveness must guide preparations, community engagement and the enumeration process to ensure that the census accurately reflects the realities of people throughout Sierra Leone.

The Minister also commended Statistics Sierra Leone for its efforts to promote broad participation, particularly by reaching remote settlements, persons with disabilities and communities that may face barriers to participating in the exercise.

She explained that reaching these groups would be crucial to obtaining comprehensive information on the country’s population and housing conditions.

According to her, inclusive data collection would strengthen the government’s ability to identify development needs and formulate policies that benefit citizens regardless of their location or circumstances.

Hon. Barlay called for stronger collaboration among government ministries, departments and agencies, local councils, development partners, community leaders and the media, noting that the successful implementation of the census requires a shared national responsibility.

She expressed appreciation to development partners for their continued support and encouraged them to maintain their contributions as preparations enter the final stages.

She also highlighted the media’s role in educating the public, correcting misinformation and ensuring that accurate information about the census reaches communities across the country.

The Minister urged citizens to take ownership of the process by welcoming census enumerators and providing the information required during enumeration.

She emphasised that the census belongs to all Sierra Leoneans and that public cooperation would be vital to ensuring the credibility and success of the exercise.

As the country approaches the census date, she called for sustained public awareness, effective coordination and practical action to ensure that all individuals and communities are counted.

Hon. Barlay concluded that the success of the census should not be measured solely by the completion of enumeration but also by how effectively the information gathered is used to guide policies, allocate resources and monitor national development.

With 50 days remaining before the census reference night, she urged all stakeholders to renew their commitment to an inclusive national exercise that will provide reliable data for planning and help lay a stronger foundation for sustainable development in Sierra Leone.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 19th October 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)