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Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL), in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE), hosted a high-level roundtable discussion with senior editors and producers from major newspapers, radio, and television stations at the MoICE Conference Room, located on the 8th Floor of Youyi Building.
The initiative, held on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, notably aims to strengthen media involvement in the upcoming 2026 Census.
The event focused on building a collaborative relationship between Stats SL and media professionals to enhance public communication and outreach efforts.
The goal is to ensure widespread dissemination of accurate Census information, educate the public, and dispel any myths or misconceptions surrounding the Census process.
In his keynote address, Chernor Bah, the Minister of Information and Civic Education, emphasized the importance of a strong partnership between the Census and the media. He acknowledged a significant challenge for the upcoming Census: the risk of overcounting or inflated household numbers.
The concern arises from increased public awareness due to issues encountered in the previous Census. “This roundtable marks a first step in deepening our partnership with the media. You are not just observers, you are owners of this process,” Minister Bah stated.
He went forward to encouraged all Sierra Leoneans to participate fully and honestly in the Census, reinforcing the official slogan: “2026 Census: Leh Den Count You Oh.”
Director of Communication and Public Relations at Stats SL, Mr. Samuel Ansumana, provided an update on the Census preparations. He reported that the Pilot Cartographic Mapping exercise had been completed in July, with training for the main Cartographic Mapping phase set for August 12.
Ansumana further confirmed that a fieldwork will follow the training, dividing the country into small enumeration areas in preparation for the Pilot Census scheduled for December 2025.
He urged the media to act as advocates for the Census, highlighting that public trust and participation are crucial for a credible and inclusive data collection process. He stated, “Public trust and participation are essential to a credible, inclusive, and data-driven Census.”
The meeting concluded with a question and answer session, reinforcing the commitment of all participants to collaborate in delivering a people-centered and inclusive 2026 Population and Housing Census.
