Minister Chernor Bah Calls for Public Cooperation Ahead of December 2026 Census
Kanja Sesay Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, has urged citizens not to travel between districts in an attempt to be counted during the 2026 National Population and Housing Census, explaining that people will be enumerated according to where they spend the night of December 1.
Bah made the statement on November 3, 2026, during the second day of the Civic Day Series Townhall in Kabala, where he addressed residents on preparations for the nationwide census.
He explained that enumerators would visit households to collect information about everyone who spent census night at each location. Citizens who travel to another district after December 1 in the hope of being counted there would not change the location where they are officially recorded.
According to the Minister, December 1, 2026, has been designated as census night, while the actual enumeration exercise will begin on December 2.
He used an example to explain how the process would work, noting that a person who spends the night in Kailahun but travels to Kambia the following day will still be counted in Kailahun.
Bah therefore cautioned citizens against unnecessary movement after census night, stressing that the location where they spend the night will determine where they are enumerated.
The Minister also highlighted the use of digital tablets during the census, saying the technology would strengthen transparency, accuracy and accountability.
He explained that the digital system is intended to reduce opportunities for manipulation by census personnel and improve the reliability of the information collected.
Approximately 30,000 census personnel are expected to be deployed across the country to conduct the exercise and ensure that individuals are properly accounted for.
Bah explained that accurate population data is essential for effective national planning and development.
He noted that census information helps the Government understand the country’s population distribution and determine how public resources, infrastructure and development projects should be allocated across different communities.
The information is also expected to support decisions on public services and other development priorities.
Addressing concerns about the purpose of the exercise, Bah rejected suggestions that the 2026 census was politically motivated.
He stressed that the census had no connection with the outcome of the 2028 general elections, describing it instead as a national exercise intended to provide reliable population information for development planning.
He encouraged residents of Kabala and citizens across the country to cooperate with census officials, provide accurate information and allow enumerators to carry out their duties when they visit households.
The Minister said public cooperation would be essential to ensuring that the exercise produces credible data to guide national development and the equitable distribution of resources.