By Alvin Lansana Kargbo

Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) has officially launched the Users and Producers Data Consultation Workshop, a key step toward the successful execution of the 2026 Population and Housing Census (PHC). The two-day workshop, which began on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown, concludes today and brings together Government officials, development partners, researchers, civil society organizations and private sector actors to shape the country’s largest data-gathering exercise.

Designed to ensure inclusivity and responsiveness, the consultation is a critical phase in the preparatory process for Sierra Leone’s eighth national census since independence. Supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the broader UN system and the World Bank, the initiative aligns with international best practices as outlined by the United Nations Statistical Division (UNSD).

The upcoming 2026 census is expected to provide detailed data on demographics, housing conditions, living standards and other key socioeconomic indicators; data essential for national development planning, policymaking, poverty alleviation, humanitarian response and progress tracking toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

During the opening ceremony, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Titus-Williams, Deputy Minister of Planning and Economic Development, described the census as “far more than a statistical routine.” He emphasized, “It is fundamental to effective governance, equitable development and making informed policy decisions. Without accurate, timely, and internationally comparable data, we risk excluding our most vulnerable populations and misunderstanding the true scale of national challenges.”

Rev. Dr. Titus-Williams reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to the process, noting that under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio, “a solid legal and institutional framework backed by coordination teams and resource mobilization” is already in place.

Providing an update on implementation, Statistician General, Andrew Bob Johnny, disclosed that the overall census budget is estimated at $37.97 million. Of that total, the Government of Sierra Leone has committed $22.33 million, while donor pledges currently stand at only $233,917; leaving a funding gap of $15.4 million.

Andrew Bob Johnny identified Main Enumeration and Data Analysis as the most underfunded component, with a projected cost of $10.9 million and no current financial backing. Additional shortfalls were noted in Cartography ($2.5 million), Census Publicity ($1.12 million) and Planning, Coordination & Logistics ($736,000). However, the IT Equipment component, budgeted at $14.3 million, has been fully funded by the Government.

He also detailed the procurement plan, which includes 98 ESRI licenses with 200 hours of implementation support, updated satellite imagery, 40 vehicles, 38 motorbikes, 200 laptops and 20 Starlink internet devices. Emphasizing the importance of this preparatory phase, Andrew Bob Johnny warned, “Mistakes at this stage could take ten years to correct.” He stressed the need for the questionnaire to reflect real national priorities, from maternal mortality reduction to agricultural access and called for comprehensive stakeholder engagement.

UNFPA Country Representative, Samuel Palmer, reaffirmed the Agency’s ongoing commitment to Sierra Leone’s statistical development. “Strong data is the foundation for good policy,” Samuel Palmer stated, referencing the successful 2019 Demographic and Health Survey as a model. He noted that effective census data will help address development challenges such as gender-based violence and family planning.

Chairman of Stats SL, Moses Williams, welcomed participants as “the brain” of the census, underscoring the critical role of their contributions. “If any component fails, the entire process risks collapsing,” Moses Williams cautioned. He encouraged open, inclusive discussions around issues such as gender, disability, education, health and agriculture, expressing hope that the workshop would lead to finalized planning tools and a stronger grasp of stakeholder data needs.

Participants are expected to complete an online questionnaire outlining their specific data requirements and preferred output formats. Stats SL will use this input to refine census tools and develop a user-centered dissemination strategy. Feedback not provided during the workshop can also be submitted in writing before a designated deadline.

Each session is moderated and outcomes will be documented to inform the final structure of the census. The full inventory of user data needs will be published on the Stats SL website and circulated to partners.

The Users and Producers Consultation Workshop signals a new phase in Sierra Leone’s drive to modernize its data systems. With broad participation and transparent engagement, Stats SL is setting the foundation for a 2026 census that not only counts people but counts for them.

With the workshop entering its final day, stakeholders remain optimistic that their contributions will shape a truly inclusive and transformative national census.

  https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/stats-sl-engages-stakeholders-ahead-of-2026-census/