A senior member of Sierra Leone's All People's Congress, Minkailu Koroma, has raised concerns about the country's decision to proceed with the 2026 census. Koroma made the remarks during a recent television programme, questioning the government's decision to continue preparations despite reported changes in international support. He cited concerns raised by the opposition and other stakeholders about the census process. Koroma's comments have added to the ongoing debate over the census.
According to official records, the census continues to receive international technical and financial backing from several development partners. The United Nations Population Fund reported in September that it was providing technical leadership for the census. Financial support is coming from the governments of Iceland and Ireland, as well as the British High Commission through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
Statistics Sierra Leone has reported continued engagement with political parties and other stakeholders. The agency's recent Census Advisory Committee meeting included representatives from both the APC and the governing Sierra Leone People's Party. This meeting was part of the government's efforts to ensure a smooth census process.
The census is scheduled for December 2-16 and will use digital data collection. Officials have reported that preparations are underway, including mapping, training, quality-control measures, and the deployment of tablets. The government has committed over $20 million to census preparations and estimates that an additional $10 million will be needed to complete the process.
Koroma's claim about the withdrawal of EU support could not be independently confirmed from official census and UNFPA sources. However, his comments have added to the political debate over the census. The APC official's concerns highlight the need for transparency and clarity in the census preparations.
As Statistics Sierra Leone moves toward the final stages of preparations, the rollout of equipment and training is underway. The nationwide enumeration is set to begin on December 2. The government has assured citizens that the census will be a success despite concerns raised by some stakeholders.
The census preparations are at an advanced stage, with officials working to ensure a smooth exercise. The government has engaged with various stakeholders, including political parties, to address concerns and ensure the census is conducted in a transparent and credible manner. The outcome of the census will have significant implications for Sierra Leone's development and planning.
Key points
- The APC official's concerns highlight the need for transparency and clarity in the census preparations.
- The census continues to receive international technical and financial backing from several development partners.
- The government has committed over $20 million to census preparations and estimates that an additional $10 million will be needed to complete the process.
