By Sallieu S. Kanu
Sierra Leone — August 21, 2025: Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL), in collaboration with the Government of Sierra Leone and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has officially launched a strategic training program for Master Trainers as part of preparations for the 2026 Population and Housing Census (PHC).
The seven-day training, which commenced on August 20 at Saphyre Court Hall in Brookfields, Freetown, marks the first phase of a nationwide capacity-building initiative aimed at ensuring accurate cartographic mapping ahead of the December 2026 census enumeration.
Cartographic mapping is a critical pre-census activity involving the identification, delineation, and coding of Enumeration Areas (EAs) across Sierra Leone. This foundational process ensures that every household and community is counted, enabling the collection of reliable demographic, social, and housing data to inform national development planning and track progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A total of 54 Master Trainers are participating in the Level 1 training, which will be followed by regional and district-level sessions under Levels 2 and 3. In total, 660 field personnel—including trainers, mappers, GIS specialists, and monitoring officers—will be trained nationwide.
The program is designed to Build technical expertise in digital mapping using tools like EADPad and satellite base maps;satellite-based; strengthen understanding of census geography and coding systems; enhance GIS data management, validation, and quality assurance; prepare trainers to lead mapping teams with integrity, security awareness, and community engagement; and foster collaboration and problem-solving in field operations.
Statistician General Andrew Bob Johnny, speaking at the launch, described the census as a “cornerstone of national planning,” emphasizing that the training will ensure a credible and inclusive mapping exercise. “The skills gained here will cascade to every region and district, laying the foundation for a census that leaves no one behind,” he stated.
Following the national-level training, regional and district sessions will roll out in the coming weeks, with full deployment of mapping teams expected by September 2025.
Stats SL is calling on the public, local authorities, and community leaders to support field officers during the mapping exercise to ensure a smooth and successful census preparation process.