On November 7, 2023, the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) of Sierra Leone launched the country’s first Vital Statistics Report at the Ministry of Finance Conference Hall on George Street in Freetown. The event marked a significant milestone in the fulfillment of one of the core mandates of the NCRA, demonstrating Sierra Leone’s commitment to a robust Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system.

The Director General of the NCRA, Mohamed M. Massaquoi, highlighted the importance of the Vital Statistics Report, which serves as a critical component of Sierra Leone’s Civil Registration system. He emphasized that Civil Registration is the continuous, permanent, universal, and compulsory recording of vital events such as births, deaths, marriages, divorces, and other civil events. These records are vital for various purposes, including legal, administrative, and statistical applications.

The Vital Statistics Report plays a pivotal role in planning, monitoring, and evaluating Government programs and policies related to healthcare, education, public administration, Local Government planning, and accountable service delivery. It also allows for real-time data on vital events, enabling Government agencies, UN bodies, development partners, and other organizations to track progress effectively, especially regarding the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Director General explained that the Report is a direct outcome of training provided by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) aimed at improving the quality and reporting of Vital Statistics from Civil Registration records. Sierra Leone actively participated in these sessions, which greatly accelerated the production of the 2022 Vital Statistics Report, ensuring compliance with international best practices and UN Guidelines.

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Sierra Leone is among the first countries to produce and publish a Vital Statistics Report consistent with the UN Guidelines and international standards. This achievement is a testament to the country’s dedication to improving its CRVS system.

The Report was produced using modern statistical software to input, process, clean, and analyze data from various sources across the country. It adheres to the United Nations Recommended Principles and Standardization of Vital Statistics measures to ensure high-quality findings.

In addition to providing a historical perspective on Civil Registration in Sierra Leone, the Report also highlights the expanded purpose of Vital Event Registration, which now includes deciphering the characteristics of these events for various data needs beyond just recording numbers.

The Director General expressed gratitude to the Government of Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Health, and other Ministries and Departments for their continuous support in enhancing the CRVS and Identity Management in the country. He also acknowledged the support of development partners, including the European Union, UNICEF, UNFPA, and others, in technical assistance, capacity building, and funding for the improvement of CRVS.

In conclusion, the launch of the Vital Statistics Report in Sierra Leone is a significant step toward improving the country’s CRVS system, ensuring accurate and comprehensive data collection for planning and development. The collaborative efforts of the NCRA, Government, development partners, and UN bodies contribute to a more robust CRVS system that will aid the country’s sustainable development efforts.