Hill Station, Freetown — July 28, 2026
In a strong show of commitment to delivering a credible and internationally recognised 2026 Population and Housing Census, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Madam Kenyeh Barlay, Statistician-General Andrew Bob Johnny, and UNFPA Country Representative Kunle Adeniyi on Tuesday led a high-level joint monitoring visit to the ongoing Mock Census household enumeration exercise at Hill Station, Freetown.
The delegation, which included senior government officials, UNFPA representatives and Statistics Sierra Leone staff, toured several Enumeration Areas, observing household data collection and engaging with census field personnel to assess progress and quality.
Officials emphasised that the visit was part of efforts to ensure every stage of census preparation meets international standards and global best practices. The monitoring also evaluated the effectiveness of digital data collection systems, operational procedures, staff performance, and data quality assurance mechanisms.
Madam Barlay reaffirmed government’s unwavering commitment to the census, describing it as a vital national exercise that will provide reliable data for evidence-based planning, informed policymaking, equitable resource allocation, and sustainable development. She commended Statistics Sierra Leone and partners for their progress and urged field staff to maintain professionalism and integrity.
Statistician-General Johnny stressed that the Mock Census serves as a critical rehearsal ahead of the nationwide census in December 2026. He explained that the exercise is designed to test methodologies, digital technologies, logistics, supervision systems, and data quality safeguards, with lessons learned strengthening operational readiness.
UNFPA’s Adeniyi reaffirmed the agency’s support, noting that the Mock Census is crucial to ensuring the main census produces high-quality, reliable, and timely population data to guide national development priorities and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
As the Mock Census draws to a close across selected areas, Statistics Sierra Leone commended residents for their cooperation and urged households to continue providing accurate information. The institution stressed that the success of the census depends on full participation, ensuring that everyone is counted and no one is left behind.
Census 2026: Leh Den Kont Yu Oh!
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