2026 Census: 10-Day Training Begins to Prepare Field Officers Nationwide

Statistics Sierra Leone has commenced a 10-day Training of Trainers (ToT) for field officers as part of preparations for the 2026 Population and Housing Census (PHC), with the exercise taking place in the five provincial headquarters across the country.

The training, which began on Monday, 26 October 2026, is aimed at equipping field officers with the knowledge, skills and techniques required to conduct census activities effectively. It will cover census procedures, data collection methods, fieldwork management and the use of census tools to ensure accurate and reliable information.

Francis Sheku Kobba, Regional Principal Statistician for Statistics Sierra Leone in the Southern Region, said the training is a critical stage in the census preparation process, as participating officers are expected to transfer the knowledge and skills acquired to other personnel involved in the exercise.

He explained that the 2026 Population and Housing Census will provide essential demographic, social and economic data to support government planning, policy formulation and development programmes.

The information will also help determine the country's population size and distribution, identify community needs and guide resource allocation for essential services, including education, healthcare, housing, agriculture and infrastructure.

Kobba added that the training will promote professionalism, consistency and adherence to established census standards among field personnel. He noted that the successful conduct of the census will depend on personnel preparedness, effective coordination and public cooperation in providing accurate information.

Meanwhile, trainees Abass Nabieu Jah and Rachel Hawa Kamara, participating in Hall 1 in the Southern Region, said the training is expected to equip them with practical skills needed to support the successful implementation of the 2026 census.