By Lemuella Tarawallie
Statistics Sierra Leone has assured Parliament that the 2026 Population and Housing Census remains on course for December despite an estimated US$10 million funding gap for the main data collection exercise.
The assurance came from Statistician General, Andrew B. Johnny, on Tuesday 18 August 2026 at the New Administrative Building in Parliament during a hearing before Parliament’s Committee on Planning and Economic Development chaired by Hon Musa Fofanah.
Andrew Johnny said the census was scheduled for December 2 to 14, 2026, with preparations already advanced through nationwide cartographic mapping, a pilot census, a mock census, publicity, technical assistance and preparations for recruitment and deployment of enumerators.
He said the institution had completed 100 percent of the nationwide cartographic mapping, “which provides the geographical foundation for the census”. He noted that, “the mapping exercise has produced locality lists that are currently being validated by paramount chiefs and other stakeholders”.
According to Johnny, “the institution has also completed a pilot census and a subsequent mock census designed to identify and correct operational weaknesses before the main exercise”.
He continued: “The essence of this pilot and the mock census is to go out and identify all these grey areas and all these problems so we can come back and get ready for them”.
Mr Johnny disclosed that approximately 30,000 electronic tablets were expected to arrive in early September for the digital census, together with power banks and other equipment. He stated that the devices would be tested and configured before deployment.
He revealed that more than 20,000 enumerators would be recruited, with the process expected to begin in September and decentralised to district level. He said parliamentarians, local councils, paramount chiefs, market women and other stakeholders would participate in district recruitment committees to help identify qualified people who understand their local communities.
The Statistician General also assured MPs that enumerators would undergo several stages of training, beginning with master trainers, followed by trainers of trainers and finally the field enumerators.
However, the Committee raised concerns about funding, recruitment timelines, procurement transparency, network connectivity and the level of parliamentary involvement.
Hon. Rebecca Yei Sam, representing Kono District, described statistics as the “bloodline of development” and called for Parliament to receive a comprehensive briefing before the census.
“You are in the bloodline of development,” Yei Sam said, stressing that reliable statistics were essential for national planning. She also urged Statistics Sierra Leone to strengthen local technical capacity so that Sierra Leoneans could gradually replace international consultants.
Hon. Komba Quee, MP for Kono District also, demanded full accountability from Statistics Sierra Leone, calling for bank statements, procurement records and a clear breakdown of the US$15 million received and how it was expended.
Hon. Aruna Papay Larkoh, representing Tonkolili District, criticised what he described as “inadequate involvement of the Committee” in the census process.
“The Committee should be your reference and your partner,” Larkoh stressed, calling for regular updates on recruitment, timelines and implementation.
Hon. Mohamed Lansana, representing Kenema District, questioned how Statistics Sierra Leone intended to secure the approximately US$10 million required for the main data collection exercise. He also requested a clearer explanation of the inflation basket and raised concerns about network challenges in hard to reach communities.
Hon. Abdul Karim Bangura, representing Karene District, urged Statistics Sierra Leone to deepen its engagement with Parliament, warning that lawmakers must be fully informed and involved if the 2026 Population and Housing Census was to deliver credible and inclusive results.
In closing, the Committee Chairperson urged Statistics Sierra Leone to establish regular engagement with Parliament, including quarterly briefings and more frequent consultations as the December census approaches.