As part of efforts to ensure the 2026 Census message reaches every corner of Sierra Leone, Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL), in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE), convened a high-level roundtable with senior editors and producers from major newspapers, radio, and television stations.
The engagement aimed to build a strong and collaborative relationship with media professionals to foster continued support and involvement throughout the Census process. It also sought to leverage the media as a key partner in public communication and outreach—ensuring accurate, widespread, and effective dissemination of Census information, educating and mobilizing the public, and dispelling myths or misconceptions surrounding the exercise.
Delivering keynote remarks, the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Mr. Chernor Bah, stressed the need to strengthen the relationship between the Census process and the media. He highlighted a key challenge for the upcoming Census—not undercounting, but rather the risk of overcounting or inflated household numbers, due to heightened public awareness stemming from concerns raised during the previous Census.
“This roundtable marks a first step in deepening our partnership with the media. You are not just observers—you are owners of this process,” the Minister said. He called on all Sierra Leoneans to participate fully and honestly in the Census, echoing the official slogan: “2026 Census: Leh Den Count You Oh!”
In a brief update, Stats SL Director of Communication and Public Relations, Mr. Samuel Ansumana, noted that preparations are well underway. He reported that the Pilot Cartographic Mapping exercise was completed in July, and training for the main Cartographic Mapping phase is scheduled for 12th August, with the fieldwork to follow. This mapping will divide the country into small enumeration areas in preparation for the Pilot Census, set for December 2025.
Mr. Ansumana urged the media to serve as advocates for the process, emphasizing that public trust and participation are essential to a credible, inclusive, and data-driven Census.
The meeting concluded with a lively Q&A session, leaving participants with a renewed commitment to working together to deliver a people-centered and inclusive 2026 Population and Housing Census.
