A team of demographic experts from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA-HQ), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and the United States Census Bureau (USCB) has concluded a week-long assessment mission in Sierra Leone.

The assessment formed part of arrangements for the country’s upcoming decennial population and housing census planned for this fiscal year. The assessment evaluated the nation's readiness and availability of technical capacity for the census. FS gathered that the team also beamed searchlight on gaps and identified required technical assistance that would be required for the exercise.

The mission, FS sources hinted, offered a comprehensive evaluation that spanned multiple facets of census preparation, including technological infrastructure, equipment procurement, staff recruitment, stakeholder engagement, mapping and sampling processes, field operations, and data management protocols. “This thorough analysis is expected to help create an environment conducive to accurate and efficient data collection, which is crucial for shaping national policies and resource distribution”.

During the official opening of the assessment mission, the Minister for Planning and Economic Development, Kenyeh Barley, articulated the significance of credible data for planning and resource management. She underscored the census as “the most important tool for planning,” emphasizing that accurate census results would facilitate equitable resource allocation and informed decision-making processes across various sectors.

Sibeso Mululuma, UNFPA Officer in Charge in Sierra Leone, hailed the assessment mission as a crucial step toward achieving a successful and impactful census that could deliver accurate and reliable data for national development. She expressed gratitude for the collaboration with UNECA and USCB, emphasizing that this joint effort would facilitate a strong foundation for the upcoming census.

Statistician General, Andrew Bob Johnny, articulated the importance of basing governance decisions on reliable statistics. He emphasized that the census is pivotal for collecting, processing, and disseminating this vital information, further highlighting the potential impact of this data on national policy and development decisions.

International stakeholders, including representatives from USAID and the World Bank, reaffirmed their commitment to the census process, explicitly linking its success to the country's future development trajectory. They pledged to collaborate closely with the Government and other involved parties to ensure outcomes that reflect the needs and aspirations of the populace.