Statistics Sierra Leone officially 2026 Decennial Population and Housing Census
By Emma Black
In preparation for the 2026 Decennial Population and Housing Census, Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) has officially commenced a 10-day intensive training program in Geographic Information System (GIS) and Cartographic Mapping for selected Master Trainers. The training, held at J&E Hall in Bo City, marks a critical milestone in the country’s efforts to modernize and enhance the quality of its census process.
On the 12 May 2025 the master Trainers will be responsible for cascading the training to regional trainers, who will in turn train the field-level cartographic mappers. These mappers will be instrumental in executing the cartographic phase of the census a foundational stage that ensures every geographic area is accurately mapped for enumeration.
A Key Milestone for Census 2026 speaking at the opening ceremony, Abdulai Salia Brima, Director of Censuses and Geographic Information Systems and National Census Coordinator, emphasized the significance of the training, this training represents a cornerstone of the 2026 census. By equipping these Master Trainers with modern and standardized cartographic techniques, we are laying the groundwork for a credible, efficient, and inclusive national census,” he stated.
Brima noted that the training integrates cutting-edge digital mapping technologies and up-to-date best practices to ensure comprehensive coverage and data accuracy across the country, Chairman of the Stats SL Council, Moses Williams, called on the trainees to treat the program with utmost seriousness, stressing the high expectations placed upon them.
You were carefully selected for a task that the entire nation including the government depends on. What you gain and pass on from this training will directly influence the success of the mapping exercise and ultimately the 2026 census itself,” he said, in a motivating address, Chief Census Officer Andrew Bob Johnny underlined the weight of responsibility carried by the Master Trainers.
This training is not just a formality. It’s the beginning of a series of technical engagements that sit at the heart of our national census. The tools, knowledge, and mindset you adopt here will ripple through every layer of the mapping process. Your commitment must match the magnitude of the task, he warned, Johnny acknowledged the financial and logistical support invested in the exercise, commending President Julius Maada Bio, his government, and development partners for backing Stats SL with the resources needed to ensure a successful census.
Sibeso Mululuma, Officer-in-Charge at UNFPA Sierra Leone, reiterated the global body’s commitment to supporting Stats SL through every phase of the census. She described the GIS and cartographic mapping exercise as a “pivotal moment” in achieving data accuracy and full national coverage, the census is the primary source of population data for any nation. This cartographic mapping phase provides the backbone for effective enumeration ensuring that no region, no community, and no household is left out, she said.
Mululuma further highlighted UNFPA’s mandate to support data systems that monitor population trends, inequalities, and social dynamics essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fulfilling the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) commitments.
She praised Stats SL for embracing technology to enhance the quality, reliability, and efficiency of the 2026 census and reaffirmed UNFPA’s full support throughout the process, the training is being led by Dr. Foluke Adebayo, a Cartographic Consultant hired by UNFPA. Her sessions aim to build the capacity of Master Trainers in using digital GIS tools, interpreting satellite imagery, applying standard mapping protocols, and overseeing field mapping operations.
At the conclusion of the program, participants are expected to be fully equipped to train other trainers nationwide, supervise the deployment of field mapping teams, and ensure consistency and precision in all stages of the national cartographic exercise, this training marks a pivotal foundation for the 2026 Population and Housing Census, ensuring Sierra Leone’s mapping and data collection efforts meet international standards and provide a solid basis for effective governance, resource allocation, and national planning.
Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Friday, May 14th, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)