By Sallieu S. Kanu
Freetown, January 13, 2025—The United States Census Bureau (USCB), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)–New York, and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) have launched a comprehensive assessment and support mission to determine Statistics Sierra Leone’s (Stats SL) readiness and capacity to undertake the 2025 Sierra Leone Population and Housing Census (SLPHC-2025). The mission began on Monday, January 13, 2025, at the New Brookfields Hotel, Jomo Kenyatta Road, Freetown.
The high-powered delegation of technical experts includes Derek Azar, Senior Advisor, International Programs Center, Population Division, USCB; Dr. Mitali Sen, Chief, Technical Assistance & Capacity Building Branch, USCB; Sarveswara R. Surumpudi, Chief, Methodology & Software Development Branch, USCB; Tapiwa Jhamba, Program and Technical Adviser, Data Generation & Systems, UNFPA; Donatien Beguy, Population Data Adviser, UNFPA; William Muhawava, Chief, Population and Youth, UNECA; and Molla Hunegwan Asmare, Statistician, UNECA.
The critical assessment and support mission, which ends on Friday, January 17, 2025, focuses on examining and supporting key census components, including logistics and resource mobilization, technological infrastructure, census legal frameworks, human resources, and stakeholder engagement.
Officially welcoming the delegation, Statistician General and Chief Census Officer, Andrew Bob Johnny, emphasized the importance of the mission. He noted that the outcome would help intensify Stats SL’s preparedness and capacity to successfully undertake a credible and accurate census.
“We are delighted to host you. Your mission here is a very critical moment for us, as it will help determine our strengths, weaknesses, and areas requiring improvement, collaboration, and support to ensure that the 2025 census aligns with international best practices for digital data collection,” said Mr. Johnny.
Speaking on behalf of UNFPA Sierra Leone, Officer-in-charge Sibeso Mululuma expressed her institution’s strong commitment to supporting the government in conducting a groundbreaking census that follows international best standards and practices.
Remarks made by U.S. Embassy Representative Paul McDermott and UN Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone, Seraphine Wakana, echoed the relevance of the census as a process for identifying gaps and opportunities, enhancing development, effective governance, health, and education, and addressing inequalities by catering to the needs of all. They pledged the UN and U.S. support for the entire census process.
Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, registered the government’s total commitment to the census process. He emphasized that the census is a civic imperative and that collaboration and engagement with people at all levels are critical for the success of the 2025 census.
In her statement, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Kenyeh Barley, pointed out that no country can plan its resources effectively without a reliable census result. “Census determines the country’s future. It is needed to help shape the country’s development plans, policies, and decision-making processes, as well as evaluate the impact of development programs,” said Madam Barley.