Stats SL Chief Andrew Johnny Hails Political Parties’ Support for 2026 Census
Sahid Bangura The Statistician General of Statistics Sierra Leone, Andrew Bob Johnny, has welcomed what he described as a positive shift in political parties’ attitudes towards the country’s upcoming Population and Housing Census, contrasting the current response with what he said happened during the 2021 exercise.
Johnny made the remarks in Freetown on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, during the launch of a 10-day training workshop for census master trainers and data quality managers.
He expressed satisfaction with statements made by political representatives at the event, particularly those from the opposition, saying their position was markedly different from the situation during the previous census.
According to Johnny, members of the public were previously discouraged from welcoming census personnel into their homes and answering questions during the 2021 exercise.
He said the message under the current leadership of Statistics Sierra Leone was to encourage households to welcome census personnel and cooperate by providing the information required.
The Statistician General said the institution had been engaging political parties through discussions and forums, with plans to train them to support census sensitisation activities in districts across the country.
He described the engagement as important to building public confidence and encouraging broad participation in the national exercise.
Johnny said he was particularly encouraged by assurances from political parties that they would support the census, adding that he hoped their cooperation would continue through the counting exercise and the announcement of provisional results early next year.
“When these people say yes, the census is okay, it gives us confidence,” he said, expressing optimism about the level of political engagement ahead of Census Night.
He stressed that the census was a national scientific exercise that required the cooperation of everyone, regardless of political affiliation, ethnic background, religion or social status.
Johnny also urged the media to continue providing accurate information about census preparations and helping communities understand the importance of participating in the exercise.
He said public cooperation would be essential to ensuring comprehensive coverage and reliable population data.
The Statistician General further reminded census master trainers that professionalism, consistency and adherence to approved procedures would be critical to the success of the exercise.
Census Night is scheduled for December 1, 2026, with counting expected to begin on December 2.
The 2026 Population and Housing Census is intended to provide reliable demographic and housing data to inform government planning, development priorities and the allocation of resources across Sierra Leone.