Post a comment Statistics Sierra Leone has engaged in intensified census public awareness in Western Area Urban and Rural Districts, in efforts on the ongoing Cartographic Mapping Exercise, and in preparation for the 2026 Population and Housing Census
Across both districts, Publicity Officers have taken to the field to engage directly with communities, using loudhailers, mobile sound systems, and informative jingles to educate residents about the importance of the exercise and to encourage full cooperation with field teams.
In the Western Rural District, Regional Publicity Officer Alpha Paul Kamara led a door-to-door and street-level sensitization drive across communities from Fabaina to Newton and Tombo. His outreach aimed to ensure residents understand that the Cartographic Mapping is not the actual census, but a vital technical process that helps identify and demarcate all geographic areas to guarantee complete coverage during the main census in 2026.
“This exercise lays the foundation for accurate data,” Kamara emphasized. “When we support the process and provide the right information, it helps in planning better services such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and development projects for our communities.”
Meanwhile, in the Western Urban District, Publicity Officers Ms. Khadijatu Jalloh and Augustine Kandeh carried out a similar mobile campaign, reaching communities including Mamba Bridge, Kissy Brook, Shell, Locost Housing, Kissy Bye Pass, Kissy Mess Mess, Kissy Mental, and Thunder Hill. Messaging in these areas focused on correcting misconceptions, building trust, and highlighting the exercise’s role in national planning and development.
According to Statistics Sierra Leone, the awareness drive across both districts drew strong community attention and participation. Many residents expressed appreciation for the direct engagement, noting that such outreach efforts help clarify the process and strengthen public confidence in the census.
Finally, the Regional Publicity Offices for Western Area Urban and Rural reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining these sensitization efforts throughout the mapping phase to ensure no community is left behind.
