Census Countdown: Statistics Sierra Leone Begins Training of Master Trainers
Statistics Sierra Leone has commenced a master trainers’ session ahead of the 2026 Population and Housing Census, with Statistician General Andrew Bob Johnny underscoring the importance of effective training as the country prepares for Census Night on December 1, 2026.
Speaking at the opening session held at Family Kingdom Hall, Aberdeen Beach Road, on October 12, 2026, Johnny said the institution had completed nearly all the required preparatory activities, with 48 days remaining before the census.
He urged master trainers to demonstrate professionalism and ensure accurate delivery of training, noting that their instruction would guide trainers of trainees, supervisors and enumerators. He stressed that the quality of training at every stage would be critical to the success and integrity of the national exercise.
Johnny also announced that 29,000 digital tablets had been received by Statistics Sierra Leone and were ready for deployment. The devices were procured with support from the Government of Sierra Leone and development partners and remain the institution’s property for use in the current and future data-collection exercises.
He confirmed the successful completion of cartographic mapping and the mock census. The mapping exercise identified hard-to-reach areas and locations with limited network connectivity, prompting engagement with mobile network operators to improve coverage where possible.
Enumerators will also be able to collect data offline and upload it automatically to the central server when network connectivity becomes available. The exercise further divided the country into manageable enumeration areas to ensure complete national coverage.
The Statistician General urged master trainers to master census concepts and definitions, follow official training manuals consistently rather than rely on personal discretion, and maintain high professional standards throughout the process.
The session also received bipartisan support from representatives of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the opposition All People’s Congress (APC). Ibrahim Saybom Kanu, representing the SLPP, and Leonard Balogun Koroma, representing the APC, commended Statistics Sierra Leone for its preparations and pledged to encourage their respective constituencies to participate fully, transparently and honestly in the upcoming census.
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