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Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL), in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA Sierra Leone), has concluded a one-day orientation for field personnel who will conduct a nationwide Rapid Census Awareness Perception Survey.
Held at Doha’s Hotel in Bo, the orientation prepared field personnel for the one-week survey, which will assess public awareness, confidence, knowledge and perceptions of the upcoming 2026 Population and Housing Census.
Director of Communication and Public Relations at Stats SL, Samuel Ansumana, described the survey as critical to the Census communication process, noting that its findings will help Stats SL and partners understand public awareness levels and design targeted communication interventions.
He also thanked UNFPA for its continued partnership and support for the Census communication and public engagement process.
UNFPA Consultant Baileh Molleh trained participants on Survey123, the digital platform to be used for data collection. He stressed the importance of working within assigned Enumeration Areas (EAs), obtaining informed consent, maintaining confidentiality and conducting interviews ethically and neutrally.
The sampling methodology was presented by Stats SL Principal Statistician and GIS Specialist Silleh Bah, who disclosed that 200 Enumeration Areas have been purposively selected nationwide, with 2,000 interviews planned.
The orientation ended with a review of the survey questionnaire and data collection procedures to ensure consistency before field deployment.
The survey is expected to provide timely evidence on public perceptions of the Census and support more effective, evidence-based communication and public engagement ahead of the 2026 Population and Housing Census.
