By Mohamed Konneh
The National Civil Registration Authority, (NCRA), on Monday 10th August joined other African countries to commemorate Africa Programme on Accelerated Improvement of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics, (APAI-CRVS) Day, observed annually. The day, designated by the African Union in 2017, recognizes the importance of civil registration and vital statistics systems in national development, identity management, and service delivery.
Marking the day the Director General of NCRA, Mohamed Mobashir Massaquoi said this year’s celebration under the theme “Promoting Inclusive Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Systems for Africa’s Transformation” highlights the need for every birth, death, marriage and adoption in Sierra Leone to be properly recorded.
He said an accurate civil registration data is critical for planning in health, education, social protection, and elections.
“CRVS is not just about issuing certificates. It is about identity, rights, and inclusion. When every Sierra Leonean is counted from birth to death, government can better plan and deliver services to our people,” he said.
As part of activities in Freetown, NCRA engaged community stakeholders on the importance of timely birth and death registration. The Authority also used the day to encourage citizens, especially in rural areas, to register vital events within the stipulated period to avoid late registration penalties.
The 2026 commemoration comes as NCRA continues its nationwide digitization drive aimed at modernizing records and linking civil registration to the National Identification Number system.
Across Africa, APAI-CRVS Day is being observed with public awareness campaigns, policy dialogues, and calls for increased investment in civil registration infrastructure. The African Union and UNECA have urged member states to ensure that no one is left behind in national statistics. A comprehensive CRVS systems are key to achieving Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals. NCRA reaffirmed its commitment to making civil registration accessible, inclusive, and technology-driven for all residents of Sierra Leone.
The UNICEF representative Patrick Halton, said he was pleased to join the Government of Sierra Leone, the National Civil Registration Authority, development partners, and members of the media in commemorating Africa Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Day 2026.
‘’I would like to thank the National Civil Registration Authority for bringing us together to reflect on the progress made and the work that still lies ahead to ensure that every person, especially every child, is counted, recognized and protected,’’ he said.
Mr. Halton noted that this year’s theme, “Consolidating Progress and Securing the Future of CRVS through Integration, Decentralization and Digitalization,” speaks directly to Sierra Leone’s vision of building a modern, inclusive and resilient civil registration system that reaches every community and every family.
The UNICEF representative said for children, birth registration is much more than an administrative process. It is the foundation of legal identity and a gateway to rights. It establishes a child’s existence before the law and supports their right to a name, nationality and protection.
He said a birth certificate can help safeguard children from child marriage, trafficking, child labour and other forms of exploitation.
‘’It can also facilitate access to essential services throughout life, including education, health care and social protection. Our objective, therefore, must be not only to register every birth, but also to ensure that every child receives a birth certificate as proof of that registration,’’ the UNICEF representative said.
He said Sierra Leone has made commendable progress in recent years. According to the 2019 Demographic and Health Survey, more than three-quarters of children under five years of age and nine out of ten children under one year were registered.
He however noted that only about one-third of children under five possessed a birth certificate.
