Statistician General Attends Global Geospatial Symposium

Statistician General Attends Global Geospatial Symposium

Andrew Bob Johnny, Sierra Leone’s Statistician General and Chief Census Officer, is currently participating in the ESRI National Geospatial Symposium (NGS) in San Diego, California. The event, which runs from July 13 to July 17, 2026, serves as a global gathering for government, private sector, and academic leaders dedicated to advancing geospatial collaboration.

Held alongside the widely recognized ESRI User Conference, the symposium operates under the theme “Building Geospatial Ecosystems to Address Common Challenges.”

The initiative reflects a global push to strengthen cooperation between data producers and users, aiming to bridge organizational silos through integrated data strategies.

During the week-long program, Mr. Johnny is engaging in high-level panel discussions and technical sessions focused on how geospatial technologies are reshaping public service delivery and institutional decision-making. These sessions are intended to provide actionable strategies for fostering collaborative ecosystems across government and private institutions.

A central focus of Mr. Johnny's participation is a scheduled presentation regarding his ongoing work in Sierra Leone. His address will highlight preparations for the 2026 Sierra Leone Population and Housing Census, emphasizing how the integration of geospatial technology is modernizing census operations and official statistics.

For Statistics Sierra Leone, the event represents a critical opportunity to exchange knowledge on emerging innovations and strengthen international partnerships, further advancing the institution's commitment to statistical modernization.