Lungi: As part of a nationwide civic engagement campaign led by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) is bringing government services closer to citizens. At a session held at St. Augustine Agricultural Secondary School in Tintafor, Lungi, the Director of Communications and Public Relations at Stats SL, Mr. Samuel Ansumana, briefed residents on the upcoming 2026 Population and Housing Census. He described the census as essential for providing accurate demographic data to guide national planning and development.
According to Sierra Leone News Agency, Mr. Ansumana noted that Sierra Leone conducted official censuses in 1963, 1974, and 1985, but the civil war disrupted the process for nearly two decades. Census activities resumed in 2004, followed by censuses in 2015 and a mid-term census in 2021. The next national census is scheduled for December 2026.
He confirmed that Census Night is set for 2 December 2026, stressing that every person will be counted where they spend that night. Citizens were urged not to travel to hometowns or other locations specifically to be counted. 'You will be counted where you are found on Census Night,' he said, explaining that this prevents double-counting, and under-counting, which could distort census data and hinder development planning for the next decade.
Mr. Ansumana called on citizens to provide truthful information to enumerators as a civic duty, adding that reliable data is the foundation of informed decision-making and sustainable development.
On employment opportunities during the census, he said preference will go to qualified local applicants, though applicants must meet required standards and demonstrate ability to operate digital tablets used for data collection. 'Those who do not meet the required standards will not be considered for recruitment,' he stated.
He also revealed that the Government of Sierra Leone has shown a strong commitment to the 2026 Census through substantial financial and logistical investments. Unlike previous exercises, the government has procured all digital tablets locally, eliminating the need to borrow equipment from other countries.
Mr. Ansumana commended development partners including the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the World Bank for supporting a transparent, credible census process. He emphasized that the 2026 Census belongs to all Sierra Leoneans and is designed to be inclusive of political parties, security institutions, civil society organizations, traditional authorities, and local communities.
'This is the people's census,' he concluded. 'Its success depends on the active participation and cooperation of every citizen.'