PPRC, Parties Endorse Steps Toward 2026 Census
At a time when accurate data is increasingly vital for shaping Sierra Leone’s future, the Statistician General and Chief Census Officer, Andrew Bob Johnny, has reassured political stakeholders of the integrity, transparency, and inclusivity of the upcoming 2026 Population and Housing Census. His remarks came during the 7th Inter party Dialogue Committee (IPDC) meeting convened by the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) on September 25, 2025, at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown. In his keynote presentation, Andrew Bob Johnny described the census as a “momentous national endeavor” that will form the cornerstone of Sierra Leone’s development planning over the next decade. He underscored that credible census data is not merely a statistical exercise but the backbone of evidence-based policymaking, fair distribution of resources, and the effective monitoring of socio-economic transformation.
We simply cannot plan effectively as a country without credible census data; it is the sine qua non for national development,” he emphasized.
To ensure a rigorous and transparent process, he revealed that Stats SL has established specialized committees to oversee every stage of the census. These include:
An Advisory Committee, which brings political parties into the decision-making process,
A Technical Committee, tasked with designing robust census instruments,
A Publicity Committee, responsible for driving nationwide awareness, and
The Census Secretariat, serving as the central operational hub.
On technical progress, he disclosed that training for cartographic mapping began on September 22, 2025, and will last for ten days before transitioning into a six-month nationwide mapping exercise to delineate enumeration areas. A pilot census
aligned with United Nations standards will be conducted in December 2025, paving the way for the main enumeration scheduled for December 2026.
Highlighting government commitment, Andrew Bob Johnny applauded the $24 million already invested in modernizing the census process through the procurement of advanced digital tools, including tablets, laptops, vehicles, and Starlink-powered internet connectivity. However, he cautioned that a $13 million funding gap remains, urging development partners, donors, and the private sector to step forward in support. He also commended the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for spearheading donor coordination efforts.
Inclusivity and simplicity, he stressed, are central to the 2026 census. Enumerators and respondents will use simplified questionnaires, while political parties, local authorities, and civil society will be engaged throughout the process.
Political party representatives responded positively to the update.
Leonard Balogun Koroma (APC) commended the transparency shown by Stats SL but urged for earlier and deeper engagement with political stakeholders.
Sidi Yaya Tunis (APC) emphasized that political leaders should rally behind the census rather than undermine it, stressing its importance for mobilizing citizens.
Ahmed Saybom Kanu (SLPP) called for greater involvement of Paramount Chiefs and traditional authorities, reminding the dialogue that “the census is not a political exercise; it is a tool for national development.”
Representatives from the All Political Parties Association (APPA) and other stakeholders echoed similar sentiments, pledging constructive collaboration.
The dialogue concluded on a note of consensus, with broad agreement that the 2026 Population and Housing Census is a critical undertaking that will help Sierra Leone chart a more informed, inclusive, and prosperous future.
